Patience pays off for Hodges

Angling update

A CARP weighing in at 15lb tipped the balance in Steve Hodges’ favour as he clinched top honours in the latest Chadderton Mill open on the club water.

Drawn on peg 12, the Rochdale Angling rod took 45 minutes to land the fish, but it was worth the wait.

Hodges’ net, which also included five ide, tipped the scales at 16lb 8oz.

Dave Barnett’s bag featured half-a-dozen carp to 2lb on maggot in conjunction with a small maggot feeder for a level 10lb.

Organiser Lee Humphries (GTI Matchman) switched between the pole and tip.

He landed 20 silvers on the pole and 10 on the tip for 9lb 8oz and third place.

Next-best was Graham Mitchell (GTI Gilders), who is fast-becoming a one-fish wonder.

He scooped yet another decent-sized carp for a 6lb total.

Mitchell’s son Andrew, who is relatively new to match fishing, won his section.

FRANK Szakaley boasts an unenviable record on the Rochdale Canal.

He has made quite a name for himself with a some big nets of fish, and he was to the fore in this week’s TRI-CAST Rochdale teams of four league on the Hebden Bridge lengths.

Using bread punch, he placed 9lb 8oz of skimmers and small fish on to the scales.

The leading team on the day were FOX Match Red with 43 points, while TRI-CAST Rochdale Blue head the table on 81 points after two rounds.

THOUGH not as productive as he once used to be, John Bradshaw (Mossella) still remains a class act on carp waters.

He displayed his talents when taking first place in the Copthorne Lakes open with 42lb of carp to 4lb on pole-fished corn.

On the next peg was Oldhamer Conrad Taylor (Gilders), who had a 32lb 8oz net made up of carp, which were also tempted by corn.

Worm supplier Mick Risby (Gilders) was fifth on the day with 23lb 8oz.

FOLLOWING the news that Holland had lost out on staging this year’s World Freshwater Championships, I thought the organisers may turn to England to host it.

However, that theory appears to have been blown out of the water.

Talking to a former England manager, he has said that, although the venues are in place, there aren’t enough fish in them.

It seems incredible that, despite all the money spent creating commercials, not one is fit to hold a World Championship.

CAIRO AC’S annual meeting takes place on Wednesday at the Dog and Partridge on Constantine Street, Greenacres (start 8.45pm).

LEES and Hey Angling Club are holding a meeting on Sunday, February 8 at the Lees and Hey Conservative Club on Warrington Street, Lees (start 12.15pm).


Venue Guide

Rochdale Canal: Bread punch for roach and skimmers. Big fish are still being caught but few anglers are out and about.

Chadderton Mill: Weights were lower in this week’s match, but it is still the most impressive water in the area.

Hollingrove Dam: Small roach and skimmers to pinkie and maggot.

Huddersfield Narrow Canal: Well-i-hole at Greenfield for small fish. Pinkie and bread punch in the deeper water guarantee a few bites.

Send your news or views on the local or national angling scene to Jan Verbruggen at foldgr@ntlworld.com or call 07846 456408.