It just keeps getting better and better on the Leeds Liverpool Channel

With the Leeds Liverpool Canal in fantastic form over the last couple of weeks, there was no doubt that plenty of anglers would have been visiting many of our prolific areas that stretch up to Saracens Head in Halsall, as word of this week came through.

As a great supporter of Liverpool & District AA, I am one who has always been complimentary of the great work the officers of the association have done in fully committing to the conservation of our great canal. Now, with the huge catches that were clearly visible to all enjoying fishing at “our famous cut,” the evidence of the association’s work is there before us to see.

With bream, skimmers, some fantastic roach nets and tank catches starting to mimic the historic catches known to many of us ‘older’ anglers in the region, the channel was in fantastic shape for all to see and if you’re not a member, look no further than the association’s website at liverpooldistrictangling.co.uk.

As a match fishing enthusiast myself, I am one who encourages every angler to take the opportunity to study all available match fishing results whenever possible, especially before paying a visit to any potential area or spot .

READ MORE: Superb turnout leads to close results

Taking for example last Sunday’s match held at Lydiate back to Maghull, with 64 hooks from 16 teams of four involved in it, this was a competition that saw the bream showing all over the place in a match that was over of a superb 44lb win taken by Daz. Shaw of Greater Manchester. That duck length weight off Westway, Maghull.

A 38lb catch by Ian Morrison (2nd) on the drums, along with Dave Nicholson’s 21lb nearby, also underlined the reputation of this great section, a firm favorite with many.

Then there was Maghull’s Peter Keenan’s catch by the length of the Running Horse. Keenan’s 30lb catch of bream again reflected what was happening on each section as he took third place on the day.

Tench to 4lb were also taken but what was even more interesting was the number of fish from last year’s stock that showed and had clearly increased in size since they were released on the last program storage of the association.

Again, a clear indication and reminder to us all of how important every membership purchased by joining the L&DAA is to keeping our fabulous fishery together as one of the best in the country. If you are not a member, join today by visiting the website above.

On the club scene, Mersey Dockers made a trip to the Alliance’s superb venue at Chapel Pool on Saturday. This saw Ricky Vogel Snr take top honors as he edged out Gavin Charnock. Vogul took 59.1.0 which pushed Charnock’s 58.14.0 very close in second. Tom Clooney (52.4.0) took third place.

Sunday saw the Alliance boys stay home and this saw Fazakerley’s John Watson take top club honors with 82.8.0 of carp taken on grubs.

Kirkby’s Glyn Jones (76.14.0) just edged out third placed Steve Cain with 76.5.0. At Carr Mill Dam on Monday, St Helens AA paid tribute to one of the association’s most respected members who staged the Des Lowcock Memorial Trophy Match.

Fittingly, on a dam in good shape, long-time member, friend and association treasurer Arthur Cunnliffe took top honors with a 21lb catch of bream and skimmers.