I SUPPOSE the unpredictability of angling is one of its main attractions and is one of the main reasons why it becomes a lifetime's hobby. When you think that prospects of a decent catch are so poor that to stay at home may be the best option, think again!

I used Greenhalgh Lodge last week to illustrate how the cold had affected catches on this carp-dominated water, and I suggested that catches were unlikely to improve.

How wrong can you be!

Anglers turning up for last week's match were dismayed to find flat calm conditions. Heavy rain had followed four consecutive nights of hard frost during the previous week and they were less than confident. Prospects for a decent match could hardly be worse, but how wrong they (and I) were.

It turned out to be one of the best matches of the year. Two weights over 100lbs and one very close to the same mark indicate just how well the carp fed. Over 50 lbs was needed to make the frame.

Dave Pickering did not, for once, figure in the shake-up with local Greenhalgh expert John Tierney edging Pete Dewhurst into second place. I say edging because just one decent fish (which he dropped off at the net) would have seen Pete do it.

But John's 107-3-0, all carp taken on pole-fished pellet, was enough to take the top money. It proved to be somewhat less hectic at Copthorne, though carp were again, surprisingly, the main target. Todmorden's Simon Beswick had a few small samples of them in Saturday's match, along with small chub, on pole-fished pinkie.

Together they weighed 15-14-0, good enough for only second place with the winner taking better quality carp (on pellet) to total 22-0-0.

Simon was back there for Sunday's match and this time there was no mistake. He stuck with his pinkie approach, fished very much down the side, to latch onto some much better quality fish.

Carp to 2lb 8oz figured in Simon's winning net of 22-4-0, again just one fish better than the runner-up. An excellent weekend then for Simon Beswick.

Wayne Preston's 2-6-8 from a dour (I hesitate to blame the frost alone) Rochdale Canal at Hebden Bridge was good enough for second place overall. It also earned some very valuable points for his team, Mack's Tackle Blue, in the latest round of the Mosella Pennine winter League.

He was pegged on the reliable Redacre section, where he used punch and pinkie to take roach to 2oz. His team-mates were unable to back him up though and the team finished in fifth place.

Local matchmen were unable to make any impression in either the Octoplus Standish Autumn League or the Lancashire winter League, though there were a number taking part.

In a typical winter scenario Colin Dawber, winner of the Octoplus event on the Leeds-Liverpool at Standish, tackled up with a big worm having seen pike striking at small roach, in the gin-clear water.

He got two as well! One was 9lbs and the other 3lbs. His worm also accounted for a 3lbs bream and that was it -- end of story.

The rivers are in pretty good touch, after the rain, and might be worth your attention this week. Barbel, though not very big ones, are showing throughout the lower reaches of the Ribble and are now appearing in the Calder.

Chub, however, are my number one target and float-fished breadflake has been taking some fine specimens from Balderstone and Elston.

These fish are running to 5lbs regularly nowadays and appropriate tackle is necessary.

The canals may prove difficult, now very clear and a bit cold. Breadpunch is the top bait for small roach and skimmers, fished over tiny introductions of liquidised bread. You might, however, take a leaf out of Colin Dawber's book and have a go for the pike. They are to be found all along our stretches of canal and fall easily to any flashing lure.