The next qualifying match in a prestigious new national angling competition, aimed at encouraging people to rediscover their nearby waterways, is set to take place on the Rochdale Canal – and local anglers are being encouraged to sign up.
Hosted by the Heywood and District Angling Society, the competition will take place on Saturday 15 August, on the canal between the Junction public house on Manchester Road, Castleton through to Boarshaw Bridge, Middleton. The match is the seventh of 11 regional heats with the top five pairs from each match going through to the final in October. 

The competition will see pairs of anglers score points based on the weight of fish they catch. As well as being invited to compete in the national final the pair with the most points will receive up to £200 cash prize. In the national final, pairs will be competing for a top prize of up to £4,000.

There will also be the opportunity for people of any age who have not fished before or are lapsed fishermen to take part in a ‘taster’ event which will run alongside the competition. The taster sessions will be held in the basin at the rear of the Ship Hotel, there is no need to book with licensed angling coaches and all bait and equipment supplied.
John Ellis, national fisheries & angling manager for the Canal & River Trust, said; “Angling on the nation’s historic canals and rivers is great, they’re packed with fish and offer wonderful, accessible fishing for people of all ages.

“This is a showpiece event for canal angling and we want to see lots more people following in the competitor’s footsteps and discovering the fantastic fishing that can be enjoyed on their nearest canal or river. There are still places available and I’d encourage anyone interested to sign up fast.”
David Kent, from the Angling Trust, said; “Providing a top, national competition for pairs of anglers is something the Angling Trust has been looking to do for many years. To achieve this using many of our fabulous canal fisheries is a significant milestone in our efforts to offer a really comprehensive calendar for our match angling members. Very importantly it also enhances the increasing collaboration between the two organisations.”

Jimmy Ridley from Heywood and District Angling Society, said: “We very much welcome this competition which is aimed at anglers of all abilities. The canal system offers some of the best fishing available and this competition allows anglers to take part in a prestigious competition on their local canal.”
Tickets for the match are priced at £20 per angler (£40 per peg). Entry forms are available via the Angling Trust website at www.anglingtrust.net/competitions, or alternatively by emailing sandra.drew@anglingtrust.net

The Championship final will take place on the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal in the Midlands on 24th October. 

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