In-form Frank dominates at Todmorden

Angling: FRANK Szakaley dominated proceedings in the Todmorden AS contest on the Nehesco-to-Sandersons length of the Rochdale Canal.

He caught two carp and one bream weighing 16lb 8oz, taken on feeder and meet.

Paul McMillan followed with a similar net (14lb), while Danny Stewart came third with five bream adding up to 12lb 5oz.

The second Todmorden match took place on Townhouse, where Tom Barlow led the way with 37lb of carp.

Runner-up Lee Kavanagh (23lb 2oz) and Peter Mottram (21lb 8oz) also took carp.

The Todmorden committee contest on Cornfield Canal was won by Paul Bleakley, who tempted a 57lb 8oz mixed bag.

John Mellor (38lb 12oz) and Rob McKendry (27lb 12oz) were second and third respectively.

I fished the Castleton length of the Rochdale canal last week and had a cracker with an early morning start paying-off.

I took just pellets with me and feeding 4mm pellets sparingly and fishing 6mm pellets on the hook I managed to catch three bream and two tench with the smallest fish three pounds — good fishing by anyone’s standards.

The best part was the condition of the fish as they looked like they had not been caught before.

I will definitely be giving the canal another go and will probably try the Rose of Lancaster length at Chadderton as there are some big fish on that length, too.


Venue Guide
Huddersfield Narrow Canal — Skimmers being caught on Saddleworth and District Angling Society match length on pellet. Chub and carp further down the canal and again pellet is the favoured bait.

Rochdale Canal — Pellet for bream and tench while red maggot and caster is good for roach.

Chadderton Mill Lodge — Usual big baits down the edge for carp. Caster and maggot fished shallow for silvers.

Park Lake — Maggot and pellet for roach, chub and skimmers. Day tickets on bank.

Strinesdale Reservoir — Good for chub, roach and skimmers. Day tickets on the bank.


Anglers’ Diary
Sunday — Todmorden AS, in conjunction with Bovis Homes are running an angling taster day at Ramsden Wood Fishery where juniors or anyone interested in trying fishing can turn up and try the sport. Approximately 20 minutes of one-to-one angling tuition given by an Angling Trust-trained coach.

There will be five coaches present for the event, which will be run 10am to 4pm. The taster day is free, with rod licences, permits, bait and tackle provided free of charge.

Sunday — Eight Bells AC match on Hampton Springs (Willow Pool). Please note that members must book 14 days before match to secure peg. Non- members can book on seven days before the match if any pegs are available.

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

Sunday, August 28 — Eight Bells AC on Border Fisheries.

Every Saturday – Medlock Bridge AC open matches on the Park Lake. Draw 9am at Kings road entrance, fishing 10am to 3pm. For further details contact Darren on 07753 414838.

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

Every Monday – Medlock Bridge AC open matches on the Park Lake. Draw 5.15pm at Kings Road entrance with the match fished 6pm until dusk.

Every Monday – Junior match on Claremont Gardens, Ashton. Draw 5.30pm, fishing 6pm until 8.30pm. £2 all in. Contact Ian Bailey on 07930 830669 for further details.

Every Tuesday — open matches on Claremont Gardens – Draw 9.30am, fishing 10.30am to 3.30pm, £10 all in. For details call Eddie on 07539 952803.

Every Tuesday — Diggle AC evening matches on Tanners Dam. Draw 5pm to 5.30pm. Fishing 6pm until dusk. For details contact Ian on 07966 903662.

Every Wednesday — Open match on Claremont Gardens, Ashton, draw 6.15pm, fishing 6.45pm until 9pm, £10 all in. To book and for further details contact Jeff on (0161) 336 0806.

Every Wednesday — Monarch AC summer evening members only matches on the club water. Draw 5.30pm and fishing 6pm until 9pm. For further details contact Dean on (0161) 213 0539 or 07518 459714.

Anyone with any news or views on the local or national angling scene contact me on 07846 456408.