Big-match travel unnecessary

ANGLING: I DON’T understand some of the decisions made by angling authorities, who continually baffle most of the match fraternity.

For instance several local sides have made it to the semi-final of the Angling Trust, including Manchester’s Tri-Cast Highfield.

You would think the northern semi-final would be somewhere in the north, wouldn’t you? But that’s too easy for the organisers. They have put the match on Makins Fishery - in Leicestershire.

Highfield captain and Failsworth-based angler Ken Power says the round trip is a whopping 240 miles, while a few of his Preston-based team-mates will notch up a staggering 300.

With two practice sessions and the semi-final itself, teams will travel between 720 and 900 miles.

Ridiculous when you consider the Trent and Mersey Canal is just a few miles down the road, and Cudmore in Staffordshire is half the distance of Makins.

Just think of the money spent on fuel and time to fish this prestigious match. No wonder team-fishing is struggling to survive when organisers expect anglers to travel these distances.

As it as, the first of the practice sessions worked out satisfactorily, with all the Highfield squad acquitting themselves well in their sections and Alan Davies netting himself third overall in the match with 75lb of carp.

The team is booked for another match this week, so hopefully their representatives will do the business again.

LOCAL angler Simon Walton is doing well in the Thornhill Pairs League being fished on an uncompromising Calder and Hebble Canal.
Craig Ellis topped the weights for the third time in five outings, catching roach and perch to 5oz on bloodworm over joker, fished at six and 10 metres to weigh in 3lb 11oz 8drams. Second was Paul McMilland with a single bream weighing 3lb 6oz. Top pair on the day were John Sedgewick and McMillan.

It’s tight overall, though, as Newhey-based Walton and partner Daz Kershaw have 35 points, as do Ellis and Keith Marshall.



SATURDAY’S open match on the scrapyard length of the Ashton Canal was won by Jeff Dawson with his 6lb 11oz of hand-sized skimmers and roach.
Last week’s winner, Eoin Wilson, took second with his 5lb 10oz catch made up of tiny roach taken on bread punch fished at various distances.



ANGLERS are invited to the North’s first Angling Sho.w
It will be at EventCity at the Trafford Centre on March 23 and 24.

The show is expected to attract 10,000 visitors.

Tickets cost £10 for a daily ticket or £15 for the weekend.

Details: www.northernanglingshow.co.uk


Diary
Sunday, February 24 - Todmorden AS members’ trophy match on Lower Townhouse Fishery. To book and for details contact Paul on (01706) 639373 or Rob on 07775 625088.

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 Dunkirk Lane length of the Peak Forest Canal while Sunday’s is on the Boat and Horses length of the Rochdale Canal.

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

Sunday – Todmorden AS pairs match on Rochdale Canal, Hebden Bridge. For further details, contact Tom on 07951 339956 or Frank on 07769 905319.

Friday, March 22 - Saddleworth and District Angling Society AGM at Greenfield Conservative Club, Chew Valley Road. Starts at 8pm prompt.


Fishery Guide
Denshaw Vale – Memberships 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.

Strinesdale Reservoir – Day tickets on the bank.

Cargate pool – Medlock Bridge AC Members-only water.

Rochdale Canal – Fished hard in some areas, but well in others. Bread punch for roach. Odd skimmer and bream still being caught, but pick your peg very carefully.

Bardsley Canal – Day tickets on the bank.

Alexandra Park Lake – Day tickets on the bank. Bread punch and maggot worth a try.

Hollingworth Lake – Tip tactics for small roach, the odd skimmer and perch.

Anyone with news or views on the local or national angling scene can contact Jan on 07846 456408 or email janangling@hotmail.co.uk