Super Roch!

IN THE LINE OF DUTY . . . anglers keep a close eye on the water in the match on the Gordon Riggs and lorry park lengths of the Rochdale Canal.

Angling: A PRODUCTIVE Rochdale Canal has played host to several matches over the festive period — and competing anglers have filled their nets.

Boxing Day saw an event on the Vinegar Works length, where Mick Hargreaves bagged a decent tench and some bits on bread punch and caster for 3lb 14oz.

Second place went to Eon Wilson with a 2lb tench and some bits on caster.

Martin Taylor came out on top in a cracking match on the Boat and Horses length of the Rochdale Canal.

The Trabrucco Halifax rod landed a 2lb tench and plenty of roach on bread punch and caster for a match-winning 8lb.

Organiser John Edwards, of Leigh Tackle and Bait, was the runner-up.

He had a roach every put-in on bread punch at eight metres for 5lb 12oz.

A field of 30 anglers assembled the following day on the Gordon Riggs and lorry park lengths of the Rochdale Canal.

It was typical of fishing at this time of year that two sections did not get a bite. The money had to be drawn and I was the fortunate one.

However, the other half of the field had a cracking day’s fishing which produced five weights of more than 6lb.

Winner Paul Booth (Trabrucco Halifax) put in a fantastic performance in a strong wind which made bite detection hard.

Using caster towards the far shelf, he tempted some superbly-conditioned roach as well as the odd small skimmer for 7lb 8drams.

Next-best was Steve Bull (Todmorden AS), who also employed caster to entice roach and skimmers for a 6lb 11oz bag.

The match on New Year’s Day — it was on the Vinegar Works and bungalows section of the Rochdale Canal — was even better with the top three posting double-figure weights.

Paul Ashton, the winner, used chopped worm and caster for two 3lb plus tench as well as 10 good skimmers in a 21lb 14oz bag.



MONARCH AC are holding their members joining night on Wednesday, January 16, at the Duke pub in Royton. Old keys must be handed in. Failure to do so will incur a £2 levy.

There will no new members on the night, but names will be recorded.



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. Bread punch for the odd fish.

Strinesdale Reservoir: Day tickets on the bank. Although the water is open to the elements, fish are always feeding. Try the tip or pole with chopped worm or maggot. There are also some big perch, so a small spinner might be worth a try.

Cargate Pool: Members-only water.

Rochdale Canal: Match weights to 21lb on this fantastic venue. Chopped worm, caster and bread punch for weights of tench, skimmers, roach and bream. Don’t forget to try pellet for skimmers.

Bardsley Canal: Day tickets on the bank.

Alexandra Park Lake: Day tickets on the bank. Worth a cast as the place is full of silvers. Try maggot or chopped worm.

Hollingworth Lake: Water level is right to the top of the overflow. Groundbait feeder with worm or maggot for silvers and the odd bream.



Diary Dates

Sunday: Open match on the Rochdale canal. Draw 9am and fishing 10am to 3pm. For further details contact Simon on 07896237224. Tickets are £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. Tomorrow’s match is on the Boat and horses length.

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