Yet Another Irwell Pollution Incident

I received a phone call this evening informing me that the Irwell had turned white downstream of Bury. So I went up to see how bad it actually was.
The foaming below Warth Fold Weir was as bad as I've ever seen, but thankfully I couldn't see any fish in distress.
Upstream of the weir, the river looked normal, and there was no foaming at the mini weir underneath the Metrolink bridge making me think that the pollution may have been coming from the adjacent industrial park. The EA turned up to investigate just as I was leaving so hopefully they will get to the bottom of it.

Drinkies On Fire

Drinkwater Park Lake is on fire at the moment. In the last 14 days (with the fishing match we held being the exception to the rule) its thrown up some amazing fish for two of our Societies specimen hunters.

The run of form was kicked off by Ian Goodwin who took this lovely 16lb pike.

Which he then followed up with a string of tench and bream to 6lbs.

This evening, I decided to join Ian and Paul for a couple of hours and fish til dusk. I set up with simple float gear, using sweetcorn as bait - I didnt get a touch.
As i was packing up in the gloom, Paul launched his bait into my swim - and bagged this cracking 21lb8oz Mirror Carp. As it was my swim i think we should call it 50/50 so we'll call it 10lb12oz each :))))

Only Joking - congratulations Paul on a cracking fish.

Drinkies Match Result

We held the second of our series of Spring matches this Sunday on the main lake at Drinkwater Park. Twelve anglers turned up to fish, with a couple more coming along to watch the event and say hello.

As is usual for any Salford Friendly match - there was an overnight frost which  we blame for the slow start, middle and finish.

The match was won by Ian (venue expert) Goodwin who nabbed this magnificent 5lb 1oz bream on his first cast. Ian then went on to sit biteless for nearly 5 hours - which was the same fate as a good number of those gracing the banks today. Ians had a good run of fish over the last 7 days on Drinkwater Park and I'll make a special blog post on his captures (which include 5 fish for a total weight of 24lbs during one session) later on in the week.

By the halfway stage of todays match, the chairman had got his pole out (a tactic he had been previously loudly telling everyone didn't work on drinkies) and nabbed a tiny tiny roach on his first cast, putting him firmly into second spot with about 3 drams - but he got his comeuppance for his lies and treachery when Adam Mack and Mike Clare hit into a few silvers in the last half hour to add some respectability to proceedings.

So the full result:
1st Ian Goodwin     5lb1oz
2nd Adam Mack         4oz
3rd Mike Clare           2oz
The Chairman              3 drams

Well done to young Kyle Wilson - the only junior at todays match - who stuck it out to the bitter end and put up with our terrible jokes.
Comiserations to Paul Carr - who hooked into a big lump of a carp - estimated to be a very good double - which busted him in the weeds.

We raised another £83 towards the restocking fund today - many thanks to those who took part and to those who gave us a donation.

Can You Find Me A Home?

I've got hold of some charity collection tins - to use for raising extra money for our restocking Fund.

Will you please ask in your local pub, tackle shop, convenience store if they will place one of our collecting boxes on their counter ? I will then drop off a box for you.
contact: admin@salfordfriendlyanglers.co.uk

A Grueller On The Cut

Match Result Rochdale Canal Slattocks 1^st April

It turned out to be a grueller - a hard frost, bright skies and a chilly north east wind - that gets the excuses over and done with. The good weights of roach and skimmers we’d been getting in practice sessions never materialised on the day, and the fish we caught were all small.

18 Anglers fished – and quite a few more came along during the day and made generous donations to the restocking fund.

We raised £175 on the day ! so many thanks to all who took part.

1^st   Stretch 1066               1lb 6oz

2^nd  Ben Gresswell           13oz

3^rd  Meddyman                 8oz

Yours truly Mike D caught 20 fish for a total of 4oz! – a week before when the skimmers and better roach were feeding,  20 fish would have seen me with a net of about 10lbs

Next match is on Sunday the 15^th April at Drinkwater Park Lake. Draw 8.45am fish 10am til 3pm.

http://gridreferencefinder.com/?gr=SD8045802355%7CPoint_s_A%7C0&z=15&v=h&t=Point_s_A

Your welcome to join us.

 Rod and reel will probably outscore pole fishing as the fish seem to be spooked by poles above the clear water.

The next match on the canal is on the 29^th April.

Our restocking fund now stands at £275

If you would like to make a contribution to our fund for the restocking of Drinkwater Park, and the Old River in Irlam you can make a donation via www.paypal.com to admin@salfordfriendlyanglers.co.uk

We also have a number of charity collection tins which we are looking to place in pubs, shops and offices around the Greater Manchester area to help raise funds for the cause. If you can find a good home for one of our collecting tins please get in touch via the email above.