Richmond serves up festive treat

Angling: TODMORDEN AS staged their Grand Christmas match on Croft Fishery — but competitors had Dave Mellor and his band of helpers to thank.

The contest only went ahead after Mellor’s bunch of assistants cut through the ice.

The winner was Wayne Richmond, with a big carp and a few bits on the pole and maggot weighing in at 9lb.

Phil Lucas, the runner-up, had a 3lb 8oz net consisting mostly of roach on the whip and maggot.

Third-placed Graham Mallinson attracted an out-of-season tench and some bits on the pole and maggot, which tipped the scales at 2lb 9oz.

Ray Barber was fourth with 1lb 13oz of bits on pole and maggot, while Steve Mills was fifth (1lb 7oz).

The juniors match was cancelled and will be fished some time in the New Year.


OLDHAM anglers showing up in the County Championship leagues.

John Jones is leading the Lancashire League with 69 points, with Steve Clegg 11th (44 pts), followed by Failsworth angler Ken Power in 12th with 42 points.

In the Manchester League, father and son Peter and Lee Humphries are fourth and 24th respectively with 58 points and 21 points.


TODMORDEN AS members tickets are available in all of the usual tackle shops, including Tight Lines, Shaw, and Rochdale Angling.


Prices are £35 for seniors, up to the January 31, 2011 after which the price goes up. Junior membership is just £5, while OAPs, women and intermediates are available at £17.50.




WHILE it is perhaps too cold to fish, it’s not a bad time to stock up on tackle, and where better to go than your local tackle shop.



A friend bought a holdall and bait bag from a local dealer and they have lasted him years.

I’ve seen some cracking deals in these shops for good quality rods and reels, which are worth far more.

I bought a pair of moon boots last year and they are still like new. They cost me half of what I paid for a pair 10 years previously.

Finally, have a great New Year and, with a bit of luck, the weather will allow everyone to enjoy some fishing.




Venue Guide



Park Lake: Frozen, but anyone willing to break the ice might be surprised. Bread punch or chopped worm the only baits worth trying. Day tickets available on the bank.



Huddersfield Narrow Canal: Slaithwaite for silvers with the odd chub and carp showing on Rabbits length.

Rochdale Canal: Some free pegs near Slattocks. Pegs on chicken run guaranteed for bites. Bread punch and flouro pinkie for small roach and skimmers.

Ogden Reservoir: Day tickets on the bank £5, or available at Tight Lines for £4. Roach were feeding well before freeze, with pegs behind the houses the best. Take care on steep banks.

Chadderton Mill Lodge: This water is amazing and will fish no matter how cold it is. Again, take care on steep banks.

Twingates: Both lower and upper lodges were fishing well before freeze, with small silvers to the fore. Normal baits producing. Members-only.




Diary Dates



Every Sunday — Pilsworth Fishery open matches. Draw 10am in car park.

Every Wednesday — Twingates OAPs/veterans match on the top lodge. Draw 9am. Fishing 10am to 3pm. £10 all in on the bank. For further information, call (01706) 881929.




News or view? Call Jan on 078464 56408.