Bumper net brings festive cheer at Townhouse

Angling: WEIGHTS in the Todmorden AS Christmas match on Croft and Townhouse were excellent with all of the nets full of carp.

Adam Kitson was the winner with 25lb 11oz, beating John Mellor (11lb 4oz) into second place.

THE final match in the Pennine Pairs league was on the Rochdale lengths of the Rochdale Canal and, although better than other areas of the “cut”, it was still hard going for most.

Paul Booth (Matrix Halifax) wasn’t too unhappy as he tipped 8lb 6oz of roach on to the scales to clinch an easy win. Second-best was Nigel Storr, also of Matrix Halifax, with another bread and caster roach net of 4lb 8oz.

The successful pair on the day were Booth and Martin Taylor with 13 points. Martin Halliwell and Storr (both Matrix Halifax) were crowned overall champions.


THERE is a reason why the Mirfield Canal fishes so well on occasions. When the River Calder is high, the fish move into the canal, which produces great catches - roach and perch are boosted by chub, dace and more roach.
With the fish back in the Calder, the latest match was won by just 3lb 6oz - while half the field caught nothing.

My advice: wait for a few days after heavy rain before visiting! And the only stretch worth fishing is the Lidl length in the centre of Mirfield; this is where the fish swim in from the Calder.


THE Northern Anglers open match on the Poynton length of the Macclesfield Canal was tough going, with small roach the main feeders.
Shaun Paddon (Tri-Cast Highfield) continued his great run at the venue with a dominant performance.

He netted more than 200 small roach on bread punch down the middle and across for 5lb 12oz.

Dennis Hill was second-best with a 2lb 12oz catch.


I VISITED the Lancaster Canal at Garstang for the first open to be fished at the venue for many years.
With several reports of double-figure nets of roach being caught by pleasure anglers, I was looking

forward to my first trip there in more than 20 years, partnered by my new Tri-Cast Rochdale team-mate Tony Price and half a dozen Tri-Cast members.

Price drew a favoured peg while I had an average one, so with us going halves, it was down to my partner to bring home the money.

John Leeds (Tri-Cast Rochdale) won the match with a fantastic 10lb 6oz net of roach and the odd perch on bread, caster and worm. Price, who had 8lb 14oz of roach, had to settle for second.

Such was the dominance of Tri-Cast Rochdale only one section was won by another team, and all of the main money came our way as well!

I can’t complain: I had 4lb on bread punch at various lengths. Not bad for a day's fishing.


Venues
Denshaw Vale: Memberships available. Details, contact John on 665 1779.

Dowry Reservoir: Day tickets available from Sheddings Angling.

Ogden Reservoir: Day tickets on the bank and at Tight Lines Shaw. Give spinning a try for the venue’s many pike and perch.

Strinesdale Reservoir: Day tickets on the bank. Maggot as good as anything.

Cargate Pool: Medlock Bridge AC members-only water.

Rochdale Canal: – Spinning for pike worth a try. Bread punch for small roach.

Bardsley Canal: Day tickets on the bank.

Alexandra Park Lake: Day tickets on the bank. Pegs either side of the footbridge are the best.

Hollingworth Lake: Feeder and red maggot for roach, perch and the odd skimmer.

Tanners Dam: Diggle AC members-only. Even in the cold weather the fish feed. Maggot for plenty of carp and silvers.


Diary
Every Sunday: Open match on Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals. Draw 9am. Fishing 10am to 3pm. Tickets £11 all in. Details, Albert 0161 792 2684.

Tuesday: Diggle AC matches on Tanners Dam. Draw 9am. For full details, contact Dave on 07879 474029..

Every Sunday: Open matches on Old Hough Farm Fishery. Draw 8.45am. Anglers turn up 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.

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