Top-spot joy for George

Angling: ONE year after his third-place finish George Nield, with a 21lb 12oz bag, won the annual Oldham Central Anglers match at Baden Hall, Staffordshire. The runner-up was Keith Butterworth (19lb 8oz), followed by Malcolm Taylor (19lb 2oz) and Darren Jones (12lb 8oz).


STEVE Hall’s superb season continued with victory in the Medlock Bridge AC open match on the Park Lake. Hall opted for pellet rather than his usual chopped worm and caster, and caught 11lb 11oz of skimmers and chub.

Dave Chadwick was just one fish away but still took decent bream, skimmers, chub and roach, while third-placed Steve Clegg (Saints) accounted for chub and skimmers totalling 9lb 12oz.


DEAN Pickering won the first of two Monarch AC contests on the club water. Using maggot fished at full depth he netted 13lb 8oz of skimmers and roach.

Runner-up Dave White collected ide, roach and skimmers adding up to 12lb 15oz, followed by Eric Hardy’s 10lb 1oz of skimmers, chub and roach.

In the second showdown — the last of the club’s weekend summer series — Mick Diskin led the way with 30lb 12oz of ide and roach.

White was second with skimmers, roach and chub (24lb 7oz) and Pete Molloy caught ide, chub and skimmers (18lb 14oz).



ROYTON angler Keith Smith again excelled on the River Weaver but had to share top spot with Rod Frazer. Both finished with a 30lb 10oz net after using groundbait feeder with red maggot and worm which tempted bream. Derek Bibby was third (17lb 13oz).


I WATCHED the Home International on Cudmore Fisheries and for the first time thought that television caught the atmosphere just right.

The match was a four-team event with England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

Without doubt England had the strongest team by far with five-time world champion Alan Scothorne and Will Raison alongside Des Shipp and Steve Hemingray.

Winners on the day were England, but Scotland pushed them close as Jamie Masson showed his class and why he has been a runner-up in the World Championships.

Organiser Barry Hearn is looking at running this event alongside the Fishomania final at Cudmore.



VENUE GUIDE
Huddersfield Narrow Canal – Big chub on the Saddleworth lengths on pellet. Skimmers on the match length to pellet.

Rochdale Canal – Roach and skimmers to red maggot. Better fish such as bream and tench to pellet and corn. Best fished early morning or late evening.

Chadderton Mill Lodge – Still fishing superbly.

Park Lake – Maggot and pellet fished on the pole for skimmers and chub. Day tickets on bank.



DIARY DATES
Sunday, July 31 – Eight Bells AC match on Hampton Springs (Willow Pool). Members must book on 14 days before match to secure peg. Non-members can book seven days before match if any pegs available.

Sunday, August 14 – Eight Bells AC on Bradshaw Fisheries.

Sunday, August 28 – Eight Bells AC on Border Fisheries (match lake).

Anyone with any news or views on the local or national angling scene can call Jan Verbruggen on 07846 456408.