with KINGFISHER

ALAN Lord was runner-up in the poor Octoplus Blackburn Open match on the canal in Blackburn last week.

However, Lord, who turned 40 last weekend, celebrated his birthday in style by going one better.

This weeks match, organised by Dezzie Forrest on behalf of his and Lord's new team sponsors, Octoplus, was held on the same canal, but on a far better stretch, at Rishton.

A much better turn out, of 57, braved the cold and found that small roach, to bread punch, were all that could be tempted.

Lord had a decent peg on the henpens, but found that constant switching between swims at 10 and 13 metres was essential to get any continuity.

Punch was his choice of bait for both and the best fish in his 5-10-0 was a mere 4oz.

The pens is certainly the area to target for you pleasure anglers, also providing the match with its runner-up, Richard Yates, who was just three pegs away from Lord and weighed a net of similar fish for 4-4-7.

Organiser Forrest was at the opposite end of the match length, by the concrete block, from where he managed 2-14-0, for third. It was a struggle for most of the rest, though most caught something, and 2-10-2 was enough to take the final frame place.

Meanwhile, at Burnley, 80 matchmen gathered to contest the sixth round of the Pennine Winter League. The sections were widely spread, to take advantage of those with the best 'track record', or recent form.

The Burnley stretch has been noted for many years as a quality roach venue. To a great extent, that has changed more recently, though many of these anglers would probably not appreciate that.

So, for many of them including a great Yorkshire 'name', Dave Colbran (Ryburn), a caster attack had to be on the cards. Colbran has won many a great many matches over the years, mainly using his favourite caster, including a number in Burnley.

So he certainly knew what to do when he drew at Rosegrove, despite it being an area 'neglected' of late by the locals. Caster, of course, presented on pole despite the biting easterly wind knawing at his finger ends, was his choice of tactic and how right he was!