THE five Embassy/NFA National Championships will prove more lucrative than ever this year for the top two points performers in each team, plus the section winners from the Ladies' and Veterans' events.

This is because the NFA has decided to bring back the Individual National Championship for its centenary year.

Competitions officer Mick Turner said: "We have discussed introducing an individual championship for some time and our 100th birthday celebrations seemed to be a perfect time to re-introduce it.

"If the match is a success we will consider running it every year."

Only the top two points earners in each team will be invited to fish but this could mean more than 300 qualifying for the Individual Championship being fished on the Fossdyke Canal between Lincoln and Torksey Lock on Saturday, September 20. Event director Mick Turner said: "The entry fee will be £10 each qualifier and there will be optional match and section pools.

"We are very close to signing an event sponsor and we hope the prestigious match will have the most attractive prize structure for a 2003 individual match."

The Fossdyke Canal is the oldest canal in the country and was dug out by the Romans. It has a good head of bream, perch, roach and tench and is regarded as one of the fairest waters in the country. The Fossdyke is one of former world champion Bob Nudd's favourite canals.

Lincoln AA chairman Frank Butler knows it well. "The 11-mile long canal is an ideal water for this match," he said.

"Pole could be the winning method but then so could a waggler or swimfeeder. There is a big stock of 3-4lb perch, some cracking tench, lots of 4lb bream and loads of small roach with a few topping 2 lb.

"With so many top matchmen on the canal at once - this will be the biggest match on the Fossdyke for years - it is difficult to predict a winning weight but I would guess between 25 and 30lb.

"The match could be won from a number of 'hot spots' but my money would go on the nearest swim to Doddington Lane End."

The headquarters site reserved for the Individual National is 'The Woodcocks' on Saxilby Road, Lincoln.

Following the opening Sunday match on the Ouse between Redhouse and Poppleton a pair of arms for a tackle barrow were handed in. The owner can reclaim them from Terry Pinder on 01904 629126.

The heavy rains earlier in the week have added a much needed drop of extra water to our local rivers which should be fining down nicely by the weekend. An early season barbel could well be on the menu if the colour that is present lingers for another day. Pegs in Beningbrough Park always fish well in a summer flood with the fish to be found hugging the bank on the near-side of the many snags. Try offering a lob worm or piece of luncheon meat off the rod end and prepare to be dragged in. The favoured pegs are at the bottom of the park, above the stones, above the culvert and around the roots.

Bream have shown for the first time in numbers below the City with the sheltered pegs around the catholes and bat area at Fulford producing plenty of skimmers and the odd better slab to pole and worm.

On the stillwater circuit Poppleton Ponds and Oaktree, Huby are in superb form with pleasure catches in excess of three figures from both venues during the course of the week.

Weekend match bookings.

Tomorrow

Beningbrough Park - CIU Remebrance match cancelled; Donkey wood - Shepherds AC; Poppleton - York GPO AC.

Sunday

Acaster - New Earswick AC; Beningbrough Village - Ben Johnsons AC; Beningbrough Park - White Rose AC; Claxton Pond - Clifton Hotel AC; Donkey Wood - Tang Hall Match Group; Fulford - Sea Horse AC; Park View Lak - Cygnet AC; Poppleton - Acomb WMC AC

Updated: 09:07 Friday, July 04, 2003