Spot-on Priestley bags top honours

ANGLING: DESPITE freezing conditions, the lorry park length of the Rochdale Canal was again the place to be.

Victory went to Roger Priestley, of Maver NW. He produced a brilliant performance to bag a 2lb 3oz 8drams net, made up of small roach on bread punch at various lengths.

Team-mate Derek Brownbill was the runner-up with an almost identical net — he also used bread punch to attract small roach — which weighed in at 1lb 11oz.

With temperatures expected to pick up this weekend, results should improve.


IT was also a case of hats off to the organisers of Saturday’s open at Partridge.
Pegs were freed on the previous night to enable the match to go ahead.

Victory went to Mike Rogerson, who landed small stockies and f1s on pellet and maggot for 22lb 14oz.

Second-placed Mike Reed, like Rogerson, got off to a flying start and eventually weighed in 21lb 6oz.


THE Lees and Hey AS annual meeting is at the Lees and Hey Club on Sunday (12.30pm). New members are welcome.

CRANBERRY AC’s annual meeting is at Lees British Legion on Tuesday, February 12 (8pm).


SIMON Walton is staging an open match on the Rochdale Canal on Sunday. Lengths to be decided. The draw is at 9am, fishing from 10am to 3pm. To book, contact Simon on 07896 237224.

TWO Oldham tackle dealers are feeling the pinch with the continuing trend for shopping online
The future of tackle shops will be at risk if they are not supported. If they do close, there won’t be anywhere to buy bait.

So give dealers a chance when buying kit Local shops will often try to match online prices



NOW in his eighth decade, Albert Morris continues to organise matches and despite the wintry weather he managed to find 20 clear pegs on the High Lane length of the Macclesfield Canal.
Albert and his helper Billy Hamson deserve a special mention for their hard work in ensuring matches take place.

The winner, Ken Power (Tri-Cast Highfield), had 2lb 10oz of perch on worm and caster, and he was followed by Steve Moore’s 1lb 9oz.


Venue Guide
Denshaw Vale: Memberships available. For 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 in Shaw.

Strinesdale Reservoir: Day tickets on the bank.

Cargate pool: Medlock Bridge AC members-only water.

Rochdale Canal: Higher temperatures should bring a turnaround in fortunes. Bread punch is the best bait for roach and skimmers.

Bardsley Canal: Day tickets on the bank.

Alexandra Park Lake: Day tickets on the bank. Should be free of ice. Maggot or chopped worm for bites.

Hollingworth Lake: Feeder, red maggot or pinkie for skimmers and roach. Worm for big perch.



Diary Dates
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 Rose of Lancaster 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.

Todmorden AS pairs matches on the Rochdale Canal: The remaining two matches are both Sundays, February 17 and 24 on the Hebden Bridge lengths of the canal. For further details, contact either Tom on 07951 339956 or Frank on 07769 905319.

Sunday: Todmorden AS members-only match on Croft Fishery. To book and for further details, telephone Paul on (01706) 639373 or Rob on 07775 625088.

Friday, March 22: Saddleworth and District Angling Society annual meeting at Greenfield Conservative Club, Chew Valley Road at 8pm.