River Irwell Old Course Match Aug 2011

Salford Friendly Anglers Society are in the process of being granted the lease for the River Irwell Old Course in Irlam. Once a loop of the main river, now a still water after being chopped off by the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal.
This water suffered a terrible pollution incident in July 2008 when raw sewage backed up from a drain and overflowed into the Old Course killing thousands of quality tench, bream, carp and silver fish.
As a consequence the controlling club, Boathouse Anglers lost the majority of its members and no longer controls the water. However - there are a few chinks of light - and local kids have started catching silvers on a regular basis, some big eels have been caught, and pleasure nets to over 10lbs have been reported.

Salford Friendly Anglers Society decided to hold a fund raising match on August Bank Holdiay Monday and we cleared out about 10 overgrown pegs a couple of days beforehand - together with the already accessible ones to give us a total of about 20 fishable pegs.
16 of us turned up this morning.
I drew peg 33 at the deeper end of the lake and had a little roach on single pinkie first put in on the 6m line. A few more followed and after about an hour i had a dozen fish in the net and was well out in front of the others. Sadly there was another 3 and a half hours to go where i didnt get another bite.

The Boathouse Pub

My 12 fish for 8oz!

Most people caught, though the weights were low. Ken was the clear winner with 1lb13oz of roach on punch bread. In second was Chris Carr with an eel of 1lb3oz, then in 3rd Paul Carr with 1lb 2oz of little roach.
Not big weights, but people caught along the entire length of the venue.

The landlord of the Boathouse pub very kindly made a donation to the stocking fund and provided chips and sausage butties back in the pub after the match - many thanks.

Despite the low weights - most had a thoroughly enjoyable day - which we hope to repeat on Saturday the 1st October. Your welcome to join us.

Peg Clearing For The Match 29th Aug

We've been out this morning in torrential rain clearing 20+ swims for Bank Holiday Mondays fishing match.
Many thanks to Bob, Pete, Matthew and Bob for their time and hard work.
Nettles strimmed, weeds raked, lilys cleared, branches lopped, and pegs cleared.
Recent catch reports show good nets of silver fish being caught so hopefully everyone who turns up for Mondays match will catch.

The EA have promised us a large sum of money towards this water - towards the renewal of fishing pegs and providing disabled access - on the proviso that the council grant us the lease. We've been banging on Salford Councils door now for nearly 6 months regarding leases - and have yet not made much headway. If significant progress in not made by mid September we will  be asking all members to write to the appropriate councilors.

Fishing Match - 29th August 2011

Were holding a fishing match on the River Irwell Old Course in Irlam on bank holiday monday. (its a still water).
Draw 9am. All in 10am fish til 3pm.
Cost £10.

Limited pegs please book on in advance via admin@salfordfriendlyanglers.co.uk

The Society are thinking about taking this water on, so this match is being held to help us find out a little about the water and the level of fish stocks. We know it was polluted in 2008, but there have been good catches of silver fish taken recently - plus some really BIG eels.