Webb makes park mark

Reporter: Jan Verbruggen
Date published: 24 April 2009


COMPETITORS were kept busy in the first Medlock Bridge AC open event on the park lake.

The series got off to a flying start, with fish caught from every part of the water.

Mark Webb, of Saints, had a cracking day’s sport, with bites every put-in for 41 roach and chub.

Using the pole at 11 and 13 metres with maggot from peg 23, he had fish to four ounces for a 12lb 7oz total.

Alan Dunne, the runner-up, boasted an 11lb 4oz net, which included a three-pound tench and plenty of small roach and chub.

Steve Clegg (Saints) concentrated on a five-metre line with maggot on the hook to tempt mostly chub.

He also had one or two better stamp of roach for 8lb 15oz from the pipe outlet peg.

It was a case of practice made perfect for fourth-placed Tony Simcock, who has been in great form on pleasure-fishing trips to the lake.

He landed a 2lb 8oz bream which, along with some decent roach on chopped worm and caster, took his weight to 8lb.




OLDHAM Central AC’s match on Hampton Springs Oasis Lake proved a good one.



The top three all recorded double-figure weights, with Darren Jones (Tight Lines) leading the way.

He had a 23lb 8oz catch, which featured plenty of small carp, skimmers and golden tench to pellet bait used close in and across.

Paul Fisher fished an almost identical matchbut fell some way short with a 15lb 10oz net.

TEMPTED

Malc Taylor (Gilders) plumped for a maggot approach, and he got among the water’s small fish to finish with a third-best 13lb 4oz.




MEDLOCK Valley Fisheries, a day-ticket water, is still relatively unknown to most anglers.



It is, however, a cracking water, which holds just over 20 pegs.

The lake is full of carp, barbel, chub, perch, roach and ide, which are tempted by almost anything.

Day tickets are available on the bank at £4.

Keepnets are banned and there is a barbless hook only policy.

Groundbait can only be used through a feeder and boilies are also prohibited.

The lake is situated just after Brookdale Golf Club.

There is car parking at the side of the venue.




DEAN Tuner took first place in the Todmorden AS trophy match on Croft Fishery, where members were treated to warm sunny conditions.



He used caster up in the water to catch silver fish for a 19lb 12oz bag.

Steve Mills, the runner-up with 14lb 8oz, had a similar catch to the winner.

John Mellor’s 14lb 6oz was good enough for third.




MONARCH AC’S members-only matches, which take place on the club water, start on Sunday.



For further details, contact Craig on 07947 175103.

The full list of Medlock AC venues are —

Cargate pool; Bottoms Reservoir; The Rochdale Canal (Slattocks to Failsworth Pole); Alexandra Park Lake; Strinesdale Reservoir; Foulwater reservoir.






Diary dates



TOMORROW — Centurian AC on Blundells Fishery (Ash pool). Contact Dave on (01706) 849853 for further details.

SUNDAY — Monarch AC members match on the club water. For further details, contact Craig on 07947 175103.

SUNDAY — Todmorden AS match on Townhouse. Draw is up to 7.45am. Fishing 8.30am to 1pm. To book and for further details, ring 07872 604516.

EVERY Saturday — Medlock Bridge AC open matches on Alexandra Park Lake. Draw 9am in the main car park. Fishing 10am to 3pm. Tickets are £13 all in on the day.

WEDNESDAY, May 6 — Diggle annual meeting at the Yorkshire Ward Conservative Club, Mossley (8pm). Members must bring membership cards to vote.



Email your news and views on local or national angling topics to foldgr@ntlworld.com or call 07846 456408.