Ellis defies conditions to hit 200 at Hilltop

Angling: CRAIG Ellis braved the elements to emerge victorious in the Slaithwaite AS Christmas match on Hilltop and Sparth Reservoirs.

The wind snapped several pole sections, but plenty of fish were caught.

Ellis bagged 200 roach on pinkie over groundbait at 12 metres for a match-winning 8lb 3oz.

That was too good for Alan Bedford, who had to settle for second place.

Bedford used bloodworm on the pole, which also found roach for a 5lb 1oz net.



THE open on the vinegar works length of the Rochdale Canal was a cracker. The lowest weight was 2lb 8oz, with the leading three anglers separated by only eight ounces.
Winner Eon Wilson fished a superb match, with bread punch at several lengths catching lots of small roach for 6lb 4oz.

That was only two ounces in front of Simon Walton (Maver NW). Walton’s peg by the big tree was full of small skimmers up to 8oz, which he targeted with bread punch to net 14 of them. He also added small roach to tip the scales at 6lb 2oz.



AFTER one bite on the Hopwood Arms length at Castleton the previous week, I was hoping for much better on my latest visit to the venue.
With a strong wind making good presentation difficult, I decided to fish closer in than most at six metres while others started at 11.

The wind was so strong several pole sections were smashed — very expensive for those involved

I offered a big cup of liquidised bread at six metres and another at 11, plus a caster line in the deep water down my peg, which can sometimes hook a bream or perch in that first 10 minutes.

That didn’t work, so I changed to my six-metre line, where I landed small roach straight away.

I caught for most of the match but was troubled by pike strikes.

Weighing in 3lb 8oz 8drams of small roach — my biggest fish was half-an-ounce — I was beaten by Bruce Clarke (Maver NW).

He employed caster down the track for 5lb 8oz of skimmers and roach.

One good tip for using the pole in windy conditions — former England international Vinnie Smith came up with this one — is pinch a big shot, such as an AAA or Swan, nearer your pole top than the float. Concentrate on holding the shot steady rather than the float.

This will keep your float stable and presentation of the bait will be good.

Try it. You will be impressed with the results.



VENUE GUIDE
Denshaw Vale: Memberships are available. For further details, contact John on (0161) 665 1779.

Dowry Reservoir: Day tickets available from Tight Lines in Shaw and Sheddings Angling.

Ogden Reservoir: Day tickets on the bank and at Tight Lines Shaw.

Huddersfield Narrow Canal: Day tickets on the bank. Only a few anglers venturing out, but those that do will catch. Keep your feed tight.

Strinesdale Reservoir: Day tickets on the bank. Higher temperatures will have the roach, skimmers and chub feeding. Try the tip or pole with maggot and chopped worm.

Cargate pool: Members-only water.

Rochdale Canal: Mild conditions have switched on the fish with good nets of roach and skimmers falling to caster and bread punch.

Bardsley Canal: Day tickets on the bank.

Alexandra Park Lake: Day tickets on the bank. Maggot for roach, chub and skimmers.

Hollingworth Lake: Water level is high so pick your peg carefully. Best method is a small groundbait feeder with either red maggot or worm for roach, perch and skimmers.



DIARY DATES
Sunday: Open match on the Rochdale Canal. Draw 8.45am at Queensway McDonalds. £15 all in on the day.

Every Saturday: Open matches on local canals. Draw 9am. Fishing 10am to 3pm. To book and for further details, contact John on 07801 276059.

Every Thursday: Tameside Federation members-only matches on Stonepits. Draw 9.30am. Fishing 10.15am to 3.15pm. Pools are £5 on the day.

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

janangling@hotmail.co.uk