McFarland in pole position

Cranberry Angling Club’s presentation was held at the British Legion Club, Lees. Left to right are: Gideon Orr, Dougie Quinn, John Keeley, Tony Lees, Jim Wild, Eddie Sutton and Steve Orr.

ANGLING: SUNDAY’S Todmorden AS open match was fished on a flat, calm Croft Head Fishery and, for a welcome change, in dry conditions.
The weights were not too bad, either, with John McFarland needing 15lb to win with one carp and a fair few ide falling to long pole and pellets.

Mick Clegg took second with his 10lb 12oz net made up of a solitary carp and some skimmers which fell to the tip.

Graham Mallinson took third with pole and pellet tempting 9lb 2oz of bream, while fourth-placed Danny Stuart used chopped worm and caster to net plenty of bites, ide, skimmers and a level 9lb.

Todmorden AS members are asked to note that access to Portsmouth Reservoir is via the gate on the car park and not by climbing over the wall.


BRADSHAW Fisheries’ open match was won by the in-form Steve Hall who, using chopped worm, caster and red maggot, netted 24lb 2oz of roach and skimmers.

Paul Cunnliffe (Gilders) took first place in Bradshaw’s silver fish match fished on lake four with 14-metre pole and maggot accounting for his 28lb 2oz of skimmers and roach.

Hall continued his hot streak by finishing second with his 21lb 4oz catch of skimmers and roach.


DAVE Birchall (Gilders) was fourth in the Hampton Springs open match fished on four of the fishery lakes with a mainly carp-based 42lb 6oz.


THE latest round of the Tri-Cast teams of four league was fished on the consistent Calder and Hebble canal in Brighouse and Elland, where Slaithwaite rod Keith Hemmington tempted a level 5lb of skimmers and roach taken on long pole, bloodworm and caster.
Next best was Tri-Cast boss Steve Michaels, whose bloodworm tactics netted him bream and skimmers for 4lb 14oz.

Teamwise, the Tri-Cast Aristocrats were first, ahead of Fox Match, but the latter lead the league from Tri-Cast Finesse.


THE mighty Drennan North-West squad, led by England international Stu Conroy, showed its class by winning the Winter League semi-final on Heronbrook Fisheries.

And the squad topped that with victory in the Sensas Challenge match on Packington Somers Fishery where all of the top teams in this country and several invited squads from Europe were in action.


A WALK around Strinesdale Reservoir had me looking forward to warmer weather as the place is packed with fish.

Charlie Webb does a cracking job running Medlock Bridge AC with the help of son Darren and others, and his team of helpers have really developed this fishery into one of the best in the borough and deserve great credit for their tireless efforts.

Strinesdale Reservoir is available on a day ticket and without doubt is one of the best waters I have fished in the area with plenty of big perch, tench, chub, skimmers, roach, bream and rudd.


Diary dates

Tonight – Saddleworth and District Angling Society (SADAS) annual meeting at Greenfield Conservative Club. 8pm prompt, potato pie supper.

Sunday, March 28 - Todmorden AS members-only match on Townhouse Fishery. To book and for further details ring 0777 5625088 or 07872 604516.

Sunday, April 11 – Todmorden AS members-only trophy match on Croft. To book and for further details ring John on 01706 374689 or 07543 883714.

Every Saturday – Open matches on Meermoor Fisheries.

Every Sunday – Albert Morris open matches on canals throughout the North-West. For details, 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.

Anyone with any news or views on the local or national angling scene can email me at foldgr@ntlworld.com or contact me on 07846 456408.