ICY winds and hail storms slowed the fishing at Farmoor II, near Oxford, this week after a fantastic opening weekend.

Most of fish are being taken deeper in the water, mainly on various booby patterns.

Brian Parrott landed the best fish so far this season with an overwintered rainbow of exactly 4lb.

Senior fishery warden Paul Doherty said: "The bank anglers still had great sport with a rod average on Thursday last week of 4.2 and a weekly average of 2.9, with the average weight of fish just over 2lb. The best bag of the week was eight fish for 22lb.

"Sunday was the coldest day of the season so far and only a few brave souls ventured out, fishing was very quiet till lunchtime, but picked up after that.

"The cold weather will keep the fish down, but if you wrap up like an eskimo and fish deep you will still catch some good quality fish."