His catch might not have been a million pounder, but TV quiz host Chris Tarrant was hooked on the action!

The TV personality joined a host of celebrities in one of Britain's most prestigious fly-fishing competitions.

The 1999 Hanningfield Pro-Am, held at Essex and Suffolk Water's Hanningfield Reservoir, attracted a number of top stars and "professionals" from the world of angling.

Tarrant, in charge of the hugely-successful "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" quiz show, Vickie Michelle from 'Ello 'Ello, and veteran funnyman Bernard Cribbins had tight lines as they competed against the fishing elite.

Some of the country's top trout anglers were at the event, which marks the 1999 opening of the trout fishing season. Last season's total yielded the best ever catches seen at Hanningfield.

Local anglers were well among the top prizes with Southend's Richard Todd taking the best fish prize with a 10 lbs 1 oz trout in the morning.

Best bag of the day went to Phil Barker, who had 11 fish totalling 26 lbs. 7 oz.

Among the staff, Steve Foster had a total weight of 13 lbs. 9 ozs, while Mike Kirk produced the best fish, weighing in at 4 lbs. 11 oz.

The most interesting catch was by Basildon's Mick Toomer, a 1 lb. 7 oz perch. Brian Joslin, fisheries manager for Essex and Suffolk Water, said: "What a great event we had!

"We're delighted - 316 fish caught, totalling 660lb in weight. This augurs well for the season."

The event is by invitation only and is held annually to raise money for the Royal Marsden Breakthrough Breast Cancer Appeal and Little Haven's Children's Hospice.

Can I phone a friend? "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" quiz host Chris Tarrant enjoys a close encounter with a trout during the Hanningfield Pro-Am

(Right) Pot of gold - Richard Todd won best fish prize at Hanningfield with his 10 lbs 1 oz rainbow trout.

Picture: MAXINE CLARKE Mixed bags at Doggetts

Doggetts fished well this week with plenty of tench and roach being caught on float fished maggott.

Junior Terry Bruskett fished the lake for the first time and was pleased with his mixed bag of roach and bream from the north bank.

Also, first time visitors, brothers Steve and Tony Beresford, fished with friend Tony Spencer.

The south bank proved fairly productive for the trio, fishing a mixture of float and feeder fish maggott.

Steve landed four good tench to four pounds and duly reurned the fish immediately. Brother Tony discovered that his heaviest pole gear was not man enough for the six tench which proved too powerful for his light tackle.

However, he was not disappointed with his one good tench landed plus a four pounds bream.

Although he couldn't find the tench, Tony Spencer was landing some reasonable roach on float fished maggott.

Rochford's Jon Fawke managed two visits to Doggetts this week.

Using his home-made boilies, Jon's first trip saw him on the south bank where he landed three mirror carp to 12.5 lbs plus a good-sized tench.

His second trip on the north bank saw him landing six more tench plus a mirror of 13.5 lbs.

Regular visitor Lee Jackson, pictured, landed this fine 12.5 lbs mirror plus four excellent tench to four pounds from the south bank on boilies.

The best pike landed this week topped 16 pounds but was not in the best fighting form as they have only just finished spawning, but they are still a splendid catch!

Delivery in style

Gloucester Park is producing good numbers of double figure carp, with Evening Echo delivery lad Clive Styles taking a brace of 11 pounders.

The Wickford youngster fished from the Cockle bank where he took his two fish in quick succession, tempting them with white chocolate boilies cast tight to the Island.

Morgan Smith hit the jackpot when he fished the Gloucester Park Cockle Bank for the first time. Using homemade boilies he tempted carp of 8lb, 8lb 8oz, 9lb, 11lb, 14lb and 17lb 6oz!

Interestingly three of his fish fell to baits cast close to the Island, whilst the other three picked up baits presented just feet from the near bank.

Clive Styles shows one of his Gloucester Park double figure carp Ken nets title at Lake Meadows

Basildon angler Ken Hannell took a clear win at the Lake Meadows Open with a 13lb 9oz 8dr bream catch.

Essex Angling Centre squad member Ken fished a peg on the Houses bank where he used a quivertip to present a groundbait feeder and maggot bait towards the Island.

County Groundbaits proprietor Terry Lock fished at the Point on the other side of the lake to take second place with 8lb 15oz 8dr. Terry also targeted the bream taking his haul on a quivertip using maggot bait and a maggot feeder.

Third place went to pole angler John Bell who fished from the Sluice Bank.

John started with casters, but after failing to tempt any better quality fish he changed to pinkies which produced the majority of his roach catch.

The next Lake Meadows Open will take place on Sunday. Meet in the Car Park from 7.30am for an 8.00am walk off. Fishing time will be 9.00am till 3.00pm.

Bloodworm and joker are both barred.

Entry will cost £7, (100% payout), with the usual day ticket payable on the bank. The event will be a walkoff and will not affect pleasure anglers at the venue.

For more information ring Mick Toomer on 01268 282318.

Ken Hannell shows his Lake Meadows matchwinning catch

(Right) Danny Beckwith took this 19lb common at Lake Meadows. Carp in good supply

Carp anglers have also been enjoying good sport at Lake Meadows with plenty of upper double fish taken.

Len Merrick fished a four hour session from the Houses Bank to land two big fish and miss another run!

Len's first fish, a common, scaled 17lb 4oz. It was followed less than an hour later by a mirror of 19lb 6oz! Shortly after Len missed a run then had to pack up to go to work!

Geoff Simmons and Nick Lickfold took a double catch when they fished alongside each other during a short evening session.

Geoff was the first into action banking a carp of 16lb 10oz.

Nick was preparing to photograph the fish when his attention was rapidly diverted by a run on one of his own rods. This fish, another mirror, scaled 15lb 10oz.

Basildon angler Danny Beckwith completed his own double over the weekend taking good fish from both Lake Meadows and Northlands Park.

His first session was at Lake Meadows where he landed a common of 19lb from the Point.

The next day he fished an afternoon session at Northlands Park to add a common of 15lb to his weekend's tally! Well, what a load of pollocks

Ten members of the Leigh and Westcliff boat section got afloat aboard Stu Arnold's "Catchup 3"

They were rewarded with an excellent day, catching 600 lbs of pollock between them.

Alan Tideswell weighed in with the most with 84 lbs. Next came David Day (64 lbs) with Billy Staines third on 58 lbs.

The latter's haul included the day's best fish, a superb pollock scaling 20 lbs. 6 oz. Conditions round-up

On the Boats

Those boats getting well down river are being rewarded with increasing numbers of skate, up to 20 plus per boat. Reasonable number of codling also being taken with a fair smattering of eight lbs plus fish.

In the river there are still reasonable numbers of dabs and whiting to be had along with a few codling and plaice. One or two soles were also reported plus small bass.

Southend Pier

A few codling, dabs and whiting from the extension. Flounders, plaice, school bass and whiting from the stem.

Ragworm proving best bait at present, but as soon as crabs become available they will take over.

Southend Beaches

Flounders continue to dominate catches, but not in large numbers with the odd sizeable bass taken.

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