Crewe waters in top shape

ANGLING: OLDHAM angler Conrad Taylor is running matches every Saturday on Meermoor Fisheries, situated near Crewe, and the weights have been quite amazing.

The fisheries are made up of two lakes, each holding around 20 anglers, and offer some cracking sport with weights of carp over 100lbs a regular occurrence.

Conrad splits the matches into two sections, with last week’s lake one match resulting in a win for Failsworth angler Richard Lofthouse (Drake floats Gilders) netting himself 120lb 8oz of carp taken on the long pole and pellet and including fish in the 2lb to 6lb bracket.

Second was Conrad himself with a similar net to the winner, again taken on pellet fished at thirteen and fourteen and a half metres of pole and weighing in at 114lb 6oz.

Third-placed Pete Humphries weighed in 92lb 4oz of carp, beating Darren Webb (Medlock Bridge AC) into fourth with 87lb 8oz.

Lake two saw John Dennis take first place with 103lb 13oz of pellet- tempted carp, followed by Ashton-under Lyne angler Dave Machin (Fibrecare) with his net of carp tipping the scales to 66lb 15oz.

John Wiltard was third with 47lb 6oz of pellet-tempted carp.



THE last of the year’s Todmorden AS trophy matches was fished on a wet Croft Fishery where weights were better than expected and as tight as you are going to get.

The top three were separated by just over a pound with winner John Mellor using the pole, pellet and meat for 14lb 10oz of carp and bream, just easing out Rob McKendry with his 13lb 12oz catch falling to worm fished on the pole and feeder.

Chris Oliver was third with the pole and meat netting him 13lb 4oz. Fish of the day was a bream weighing 1lb 8oz taken by Mick Clegg. Winner of the league overall was Rob McKendry with a fantastic 289 points, followed by Graham Mallinson with 278, Mick Clegg (272) and Andy Fletcher (262).


I HAD a walk around Hollingworth Lake at the weekend and although I didn’t see anyone targeting any silver fish there were plenty of pike anglers about.

Some were spinning while the majority were fishing deadbaits with mixed success. Pike to double figures are coming out on this day ticket water.


THE Todmorden AS Grand Annual Xmas match is fished on Sunday. The members-only match is priced seniors £12, juniors £6 (includes food after the match).


NOTE the corrected date and place for the Monarch AC AGM. It’s at the Duke of Edinburgh, in Royton, on Wednesday, January 20.

Todmorden AS membership prices for next year are as follows:

Seniors bought before January 31 £35, after that date £45. Juniors are still £5, Ladies, OAP’s (over 65) and intermediate (aged 16, 17, 18 ) £17.50.

They are available from the following outlets: Macks Tackle, Fishamania, The Pet Shop in Todmorden, Tight Lines in Shaw, AA Supplies in Littleborough and Rochdale Angling.

Please note that there are no Rochdale Canal day tickets on the bank.

Diary dates

Every Saturday – Open matches on Meermoor.

Every Sunday – Albert Morris open matches on canals throughout the North West. For information contact Albert on 0161 792 2684. £11 all in on the day.

December 20 - Border Anglers members-only match on Hollingrove Dam. Twelve matches with best 10 to count. For details ring 0161 620 2037.

Every other Sunday – Monarch AC members matches on the club water. For further details contact Craig on 07916 923890.

Sundays - Chadderton Mill AC winter league matches on Chadderton Mill lodge. For further details contact Lee on 07522 156978.

January 20 – Monarch AC AGM at the Duke of Edinburgh Pub, in Royton Precinct. Starts at 8pm. Please note that there is a £5 increase in subs and no new members on the night.






Venue Guide

Huddersfield Narrow Canal – Greenfield and Mossley lengths are producing nets of small fish with bread punch the best bait. SADAS length still throwing up the odd better stamp fish.

Rochdale Canal – Definitely the most under-rated water in the area with bread punch guaranteeing bites in the worst weather conditions. Pinkie catching some fish up on the chicken run while the Boat and Horses area is always good for some silvers on bread punch.

Pegs at the back of the Rose of Lancaster are good for roach and the odd bream.

Chadderton Mill lodge – Plenty of carp and ide still falling to maggot and corn tactics fished on the deck. Deeper pegs best.

Hollingrove Dam – bronze maggot for skimmers and roach.

Hollingworth Lake – Plenty of pike anglers about. Fish coming to deadbaits and spinners.


NEWS or views on the local or national angling scene? Email me at foldgr@ntlworld.com or phone 07846 456408.