As one of our most reputable clubs here on Merseyside, the Mersey Dockers took the opportunity to contend amongst themselves on Saturday, by holding a club sweep upon our local Leeds Liverpool Canal.
As a notoriously popular club, the Dockers is one outfit that holds a very special place in many angler’s hearts on Merseyside and on reflection it’s certainly one that is easily recognised by many, where it simply all began.
As one who’s always been a supporter of the club angling scene, although admittedly deep in the midst of the match angling world myself, I also love to see what goes on within any club.
Always noting the opportunities that can be created for anglers visiting new venues, there are also many features of why a club can benefit anyone interested in joining one, especially when recognising the advantages to be had upon joining one.
READ MORE: Angling: Peter Gradwell takes top honours at Haskayne
As a base, being able to socialise among new friends and hopefully accessing and learning the trade within a friendly environment, by joining a club, no matter how big or small it may be, many will agree it is a crucial point towards anyone starting out.
On this one, for many involved and coming back to their ‘grass roots on visiting the canal was what Saturday was all about and Lydiate’s Running Horses was the venue for this match.
As always, the club again welcomed visitors who maybe fancied their own chances here.
Greeted by a slightly colder but bright day, it was noted given the form and the canal being predictably tough during a mid-week session, the fishing overall wasn’t going to be prolific in any way shape or form in this one.
Mick Topping took the top honours on a tough day, as pegged nearby the noted ‘pampas grass’.
Topping took a few skimmers and roach for a winning 5.6.0. Taking second place was Netherton rod Dave Nichols.
‘Nicksy’, formerly a local angler from Lydiate, is a member who has fished the canal for over the forty years that I have known him and one that certainly imprints his friendly characteristics upon everyone within the club. Here he took a mixed net for 5lb.
Steve Boyd Snr took a hard earned 2.8.0 for third as Gavin Charnock emphasised on an enjoyable day out, that on offering his fourth placed 2.6.0, that the result is sometimes what it’s not always what its about.
Still on the cut, the L&DAA open held its open match on the Saracens Head length at Halsall.
Ironically in a complete reversal given the Dockers outing on Saturday, Dave Nichols took the winning honours in this one as he presented to the scales a hard earned 5.8.0.
Mick Topping with 5.1.0 took second place as Dennis Peterson’s 4.9.0 rounded off the frame in third.
Still on the club scene, the Alliance stayed at home on Sunday taking to Chapel pool where Anfield’s Ian Pritchard take the days honours.
Pritchard took carp on pellet for a winning 56lb. In form Glynn Jones took 46.9.0 to keep this year’s newly crowned club champion Kevin Bradshaw at bay as his 40.7.0 took third place.
