POLE MANIA
Local matchman Neil Machin, fishing for Riverbank Normark, continued his great run of framing at Border Fishery with a win in the Pole Mania qualifier on Gibbo’s Pool.
He pole fished at peg 14 with maggot and caster catching 12 ounces carp to weigh-in with 21-2-0.Neil has already qualified for Pole Mania and going forward from this event will be second placed Ian Shaw and Phil Mellor.
CLUBS WELCOME
Angling clubs and groups are welcome to fish on the Bridgewater Canalat Runcorn.
Halton Joint Anglers have changed their rules to allow clubbookings on all sections of the canal on any day for a peg fee of£ 2 per angler.
And now that keepnets can be used all year round (there’s nolonger a close season on the Bridgewater Canal) the new policy iswith immediate effect.
For details and bookings contact Ron Durr on 01928 568682.
SEA FISHING – GLADSTONE
Sea fishing is notoriously fickle at this time of year as the fishmove out to deep water for spawning but the North West Association ofSea Angling Clubs Personal members Championship went aheadanyway.
This second round match took place on the River Mersey, withfishing from Gladstone Dock wall, and the top catch fell toWallasey’s Ken Carr who landed one whiting and a dab for 14ounces.
Kevin Martland, also from Wallasey, followed with 13 ounces andgoes to the top of the leader board having finished second in bothevents.
LIVERPOOL PARK LAKES
Anglers who have ignored Liverpool’s park lakes, probably on thebasis that “familiarity breeds contempt”, are about to make awonderful discovery if they want good fishing.
With angling activities severely restricted because of thefoot-and-mouth epidemic, there will be lots of locals rediscoveringthe fun of fishing on Calderstones, Sefton, Larkhill, Princes,Newsham, Walton Hall and Greenbank park lakes.
In fact Greenbank could be a whole new experience for adultanglers because until about 15 years ago it reserved as a “stock”water for Liverpool & District Anglers’ Association, though itprobably hadn’t been used for that purpose for at least the previousten years.
The big change came when the park-police force was disbanded -leaving scope for local anglers to fish without fear of beingmoved.
They did – in large numbers at first – and the situation has goneunchecked for a long time and fishing on Greenbank is now regarded aspart of the scene by the Liverpool City Council Park Ranger’sService.
There is a definite pattern to catch returns on Greenbank withwinter sport producing mostly small roach and perch, though thekeenest carp fishermen still manage to catch double-figure mirror andcommons.
Once spring arrives with a touch of warmer weather the tench,crucian carp, bream and small carp begin getting active.
You have to keep an eye on baits too, with punch being mosteffective in experienced hands during the colder spells andprogressively changing to hemp and caster for the better qualityfish.
“Anyone wanting to try the fishing at Greenbank Park over the nextfew weeks must bring punch bread, a few maggots and some pinkies,”advised John Turner.
The 45-year-old lives less than a mile from the lake and oftenspends an afternoon trying out new bits of tackle or practicing amethod he needs to use on a main match fishery.
“There’s great potential on this water and even at this time ofyear a few hours can produce somewhere between four and 6lb of smallroach on punch bread.
“Liquidised bread groundbait is essential and in conjunction withpunch bread for the hookbait – and the free fishing – makes this areally cheap day out.
“I’d start with a three of 4mm punch on size 20’s B511 Kamasan andpresent it about two centimetres off bottom.
“Pole fishing gives the best presentation but there’s nothingwrong with waggler gear; however, in both cases I think the shotneeds to be bulked down the line to lessen the chance of the baitbeing taken on the drop.
“A pinch of groundbait should be introduced when necessary, bythat I mean as the bites start to slow down.”
The fishing is free but anglers only need to be in possession of aNational Rod Licence, which they can buy at any Post Office.
And for those who usually take a risk and fish without a licence -bear in mind that with so few fisheries open, there could be a fewbailiffs on the hunt!
Dave Houghton
www.leisureangling.co.uk
