Still feeling the pinch...

ANGLING: IT shows just how much colder the weather has been this week as pegs that were free of ice last week are frozen solid now.

Another walk along the Rochdale Canal confirmed that the freezing conditions have definitely not improved as virtually every bridge hole and lock were frozen.

There were a few anglers out spinning for pike on the Boarshaw and Slattocks lengths where there were a couple of pegs free of ice. They’d been at it for a couple of hours and one angler admitted to a take and lost fish while the other hadn’t had a sniff. Brave lads!


IT’S sad to note the passing away after a short illness of well-known Oldham angler Franny Gordon. Franny was 64 years old and due for retirement next month.

He had been involved with Phoenix Angling Club for many many years and in that time had performed virtually every role possible from chairman to match secretary.

Local angler John Lowe pointed out that Franny had helped him when he was starting out as a junior and that he was well known for his willingness to help out when needed.

Franny won many a match on the Rivers Severn and Trent and was club champion a fair few times too. He leaves wife Beryl, daughter Julie and grandson Frankie.


LAST week’s Chadderton Mill AC winter series match was cancelled due to the weather. The match will be rearranged and will be fished after what should have been the final match.

The previous match was won with 9lb of carp and ide taken on pole fished maggot. However, that doesn’t tell the full story as one section was won with just 4oz.

Incredible really when you think that just a month or so ago 30lbs-plus was needed to win matches on the venue.

It just shows what effect this sort of weather has on the fish’s feeding pattern. I have no doubt that once the weather warms up a little good catches will again be taken from this water.


TODMORDEN AS membership is now open with seniors priced at £35 up until January 31, after which it goes up to £45. Juniors are priced at just £5 while ladies and senior citizens (over 65 years are £17.50.

The club offer an Intermediate membership and this is for anglers aged 16 years to 18 years priced at £17.50.

Memberships are available at most tackle shops or by post from A. Crossley, 296 Bacup Road, Cloughfoot, Todmorden, OL14 7HL.

For further details ring 01706 816319 or email him at andycrossley@btinternet.com.

Disabled anglers can obtain a concession at £17.50 by obtaining a DBD 384 form from Warbreck House, Blackpool. Telephone number is 08457 123456. Please note that disabled memberships are not sold at tackle shops.

When you look at the waters on offer as a member of Todmorden AS it is incredible value for money.

The club have the following waters : Rochdale Canal (Lock 13 Callis to lock 51 at Castleton), New Mill Dam, Portsmouth Reservoir, River Calder at Todmorden, Cliviger Ponds, Grove Fishery at Littleborough, Crofthead Fishery at Littleborough, Lower Town House Fishery at Littleborough and Ramsden Wood Fishery.

Day tickets are available from local tackle shops (in advance) for Grove, Cliviger and the Rochdale Canal, priced at £5.


Venue Guide

Huddersfield Narrow Canal – Spinning for pike in bridge holes and lock overflows an option.

Rochdale Canal – Spinning for pike a good option. The odd peg free of ice with a couple of pegs below Boarshaw bridge and the locks up at Slattocks otherwise all frozen.

Chadderton Mill lodge – Odd carp and ide to maggot. Even this place is rock hard with the fish tightly shoaled. Last week’s match cancelled due to weather conditions.

Hollingworth Lake – Still frozen as it was last week.


Diary dates

Every Saturday – Open matches on Meermoor Fisheries.

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.

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.

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


News or views on the angling scene? Email me at foldgr@ntlworld.com or call me: 07846 456408.