Extra colour and flow would be the perfect tonic ahead of the Drennan Coors Masters Final on the River Trent around Burton next Saturday, October 7.

That’s the view of co-organiser Wayne Swinscoe, who described the river as being ‘on its knees’ after the last qualifying round.

“Despite plenty of rain the river remains gin clear, very low and weedy, and roach and dace are proving difficult to catch. Some steady rainfall in the forthcoming week to add a tinge of colour and raise the levels would help everyone’s prospects of better sport in the final,” said Wayne.

Chesterfield matchman Mark Halksworth topped the last qualifier with 10lb 11oz of roach and dace to waggler and bronze maggot at peg 2 on the Androssey section, pipping Long Eaton Federation teamster Chris Buckingham who scaled 10lb 8oz with three chub plus a few small fish on the same tactics fron Baileys peg 20.