ALAN Hayes set himself up to do battle with the tiny perch of the Bridgewater Canal in last Sunday's aggregate match.

The Lord Nelson angler persevered for five hours, but in the end could only catch a few tiddlers. Who could blame him then for thinking back to his previous fishing trip when his catch was slightly larger?

Vinnie Smith, owner of Highfield Tackle in Farnworth, owns a couple of villas on Florida's Gulf Coast.

Being a keen angler Vinnie did well in choosing his properties which are on the banks of the Rotunda Canal, a water that holds plenty of double figure carp, bass and catfish.

On Vinnie's last trip he invited Alan along for a winter fishing break. Soon after their arrival they set off down the garden for their first session, in search of monster fish.

Within an hour Vinnie had caught a 42lbs carp, while Alan had one slightly smaller at 35lbs.

The following day Alan could hardly wait to set off down the garden at the crack of dawn while Vinnie slumbered

Not long had passed before Alan was back shaking Vinnie into life to go and witness Alan's catch. It turned out to be a 56lbs grass carp, thought to be the biggest ever carp caught on a modern fishing pole.

His gear was certainly tested to its limits. He fished with an XRS pole with 25s elastic to 0.26 line with dogfood on a 4s barbless hook.

Alan has since been in the limelight with the national angling press and tackle manufacturers all taking an interest.

But it was back to reality last Sunday as the scalesman jolted Alan from his dreams with unlucky mate, just eight drams!

Anglers meetings

BOLTON Anglers are holding a couple of meetings over the next few weeks. The first is for interested match anglers who fancy adding their names to the Bolton squad for the nationals. It takes place at the Angling Club on Monday, March 21, at 8pm.

A bailiffs meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5, again at the Angling Club at 8pm.

Bradshaw heats

BRADSHAW Hall Fisheries are holding a couple of qualifying heats of the Browning Youth Masters Competition on March 31 and June 2, costing £12 to enter each one. Contact the fishery on 01204 307197.

The fishery will be closed on April 10, due to the fact that the waters will be staging a qualifying heat of the prestigious Fish-o-Mania Competition.

T

wo part time bailiffs are required for weekends. Contact the fishery.

Match results

Bolton Rivers Sunday Open, Doe Hey (February 20): 1. Alan Platt 9-9-0, 2 . Bob Fearnhead 5-0-0, 3. John Wharmby 3-4-0, Section A. Steve Shaw 2-4-0, Section B. Jack Burns 2-11-0

Bolton Rivers Sunday Open, Doe Hey (February 27): 1. Steve Shaw 2-14-0, 2 . Bob Fearnhead 2-10-0, 3. Roland Stansfield 1-7-0, 4. Jimmy Holden 0-14-0

Farnworth Anglers Wednesday Open, Whittle Brook Reservoir (March 2): 1. Gary Croft 12-0-0, 2. Bob Fearnhead 2-0-0,

Farnworth Anglers Wednesday Open, Whittle Brook Reservoir 09/03/05. 1. Bob Fearnhead 8-8-0.

Bolton Rivers Sunday Open, Doe Hey (March 8): 1. Mick Booth 4-2-0, 2 . Bob Fearnhead 3-9-0, 3. Marvin Hyde 1-8-0.

Bolton Rivers Sunday Open, Doe Hey (March 13): 1. Bob Fearnhead 5-3-0, 2 . Mick Booth 3-5-0, 3. Jimmy Holden 1-14-0

Lord Nelson AC Aggregate Match, Bridgewater Canal (March 13): 1. Trevor Hayes, 0-11-6, 2 . Eric Bent, 0-6-9, 3. Ken Stewart 0-5-9.