Wind of change

WHAT a difference a day makes.

Saturday’s open match on the Rochdale Canal was fished in a gale-force wind, but the weather on Sunday was a lot better and weights improved as a result.

The wind-ravaged Boarshaw Bridge length of the canal was a real struggle for anglers in the conditions.

Poles were bent double and anything longer than six metres was sure to snap in half.

Ged Martin, of TRI-CAST Highfield, opted for the short pole and squatt, which attracted a level 3lb of small roach and perch.

Next-best was Dave Holland, who attracted a similar net also on pole and squatt for 1lb 14oz. Brian Meadows, in third place, had 1lb 12oz.

With the conditions showing an improvement 24 hours later, fish were in a feeding mood on the entire Rose of Lancaster length.

Rob Meakin was the winner thanks to his chopped worm approach, tight to the rushes on the far bank.

He tempted a brace of tench and some silver fish for 6lb 14oz.

Oldham legend Derek Bowers, fishing his favoured squatt at various lengths, had plenty of bites for 4lb 12oz of small skimmers, roach and perch.

There was a tie for third place with Little Lever rod Derek Walker and Brian Moores posting nets of 4lb 2oz nets.

They caught small fish on squatt, although Walker can feel a little aggrieved.

hard luck

He had the hard luck story of the match, losing a 4lb bream at the net which would have seen him win the match.

PAUL JONES is well-known for his exploits on carp venues and he enhanced his reputation in the Blundells Fishery open.

He emerged victorious with a superb 75lb 4oz bag of carp, tempted by pellet at 14 metres.

One of the best anglers to come out of Oldham, Pete Cuniffe (Gilders), was second with 56lb 14oz of ide to a pound on pole and caster at 10 metres.

THE latest Todmorden AS members match on Croft went to Paul Wilkinson with 38lb of carp on pole-fished pellet.

Someway adrift in second was Rob McEndry, who had 18lb 7oz of silvers and small carp on the pole and feeder.

John Mellor, in third, enticed small carp on the pole and pellet for 15lb 12oz.

BAIT dealer Mike Risby (Gilders) was first in the Bradshaw Fisheries’ Sunday open with 28lb.

Dave Brierley, the runner-up, had 23lb and was followed by Rob Evans (22lb).