Lucas makes mark with bumper Blundells haul

Angling: FORMER Oldham angler Mark Lucas clinched victory in the Blundells Fishery open match with a bumper 77lb 2oz haul.

Drawn on the new Trio pool, he made it two wins out of two thanks to the 11-metre pole and maggot which tempted lots of small fish in the region of 1lb 8oz mark.

Full-time angler Kieran Rich was second with a similar net of 69lb 2oz, and he was followed by Gary Whalley’s 48lb effort.



WEIGHTS were good for the latest Todmorden AS match on Croft Fishery, where victory went to Chris Oliver.
Landing two carp and silvers on the long pole and maggot for 22lb, he got the better Pete Mottram.

The ex-Oldham rod attracted half-a-dozen carp on maggot in conjunction with the tip for a level 13lb.

Adopting identical tactics, Simon Newsham had a 12lb 10oz net which included carp for third place.



CHRIS Hogan is on a roll at the moment.
He claimed another podium place by winning the Bradshaw Fishery open on lake eight.

He netted a mainly maggot-tempted skimmers and roach catch of 14lb 12oz.

Ray Evans, the runner-up, had 12lb 8oz, with Roger Lightbowne’s 10lb 10oz bag good enough for third.



DESPITE a quiet time of late, Steve Hall did enough to win another Bradshaw Fishery open.
Using the chopped worm, caster and maggot approach, he netted 14lb of skimmers and roach.

Ashton angler Dave Machin produced another quality show with a second-best 11lb 4oz of silvers, also taken on a variety of baits. Steve Leach was third with 10lb 6oz.



MICK Barlow topped the star-studded Brookside open with 56lb 10oz of small carp and f1s on pole-fished maggot.
Second-best Jamie Hughes had 51lb net on pellet and maggot, with John Howson in third with 49lb.



ROY Gough dominated the latest Pilsworth open, returning 25lb of silvers and carp to run out a clear-cut winner from Chris Durrant (13lb 10oz).

Venue Guide
Park Lake: Sport slow, but fish will feed in milder weather.

Huddersfield Narrow Canal: Chub near the arches at Uppermill. Greenfield and Mossley for small fish.

Rochdale Canal: Kingsway to Castleton for plenty of silvers. Bream and tench are also putting in an appearance. Bread punch the best bait.

Chadderton Mill Lodge: Maggot fished up in the water for lots of ide and carp. Weekend match fished well, with more than 20lbs required to make the frame. Pleasure anglers catching upwards of 40lbs, with ide and carp making up the weights.


Diary Dates
Sunday — Todmorden AS members-only match on Townhouse Fishery. Draw up to 7.45am. Fishing 8.30am to 1.30pm. To book and for further information, ring (01706) 374689. £15 all in.

Sunday, February 27 — Todmorden AS members-only match on Townhouse Fishery. Draw up to 7.45am and fishing 8.30am to 1.30pm. To book and for further information, ring (01706) 374689. £15 all in.

Wednesdays, March 2 and 9 — Chadderton Mill AC members-only joining nights at the Dog Inn between 7pm and 8pm. Further details, contact Alan on 0757 2109607.

Sunday, March 6 — Todmorden AS open match on the Rochdale Canal. Ring Frank on (01706) 846581 or 07769 905319.

Wednesday, March 23 — Chadderton Mill AC new members joining night at the Dog Inn, 7pm and 8pm. For further details, contact Alan on 07572 109607.

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 and to find out if the match is on, ring (01706) 881929.

To report any news or views on the local or national angling scene, contact Jan Verbruggen on 07846 456408.