HAVING come to terms with the restrictions due to the foot and mouth disease, local anglers have been enjoying some decent fishing.

Sessions on the canal are confined, of course, to only very urban sections. We are fortunate then, to have some choice in respect of the Leeds-Liverpool locally and it has been good.

Breadpunch has been the top choice for match and pleasure anglers alike, accounting for both roach and skimmer bream, but you need to stick with caster if quality is the aim.

The Hyndburn Winter League has moved into Blackburn and Sunday's match provided the competitors with plenty of action. Smallish roach were in evidence over much of the match length, but it was skimmer bream that ultimately made the difference.

All 76 anglers would have hoped for a draw on the Graham & Brown section. It cannot accommodate that many, but Hyndburn MG's Sean Dempsey was one of the lucky ones and he certainly made it count.

Using breadpunch, on pole, he took a mixed catch of roach and skimmers totalling exactly six pounds, to take top spot.

Paul Lahey, Rochdale GTI Blue, was behind Sooty's and managed to put together 4-8-2, despite a lack of skimmers. Punch was again the chosen bait for his all-roach net as it was for third placed Andy Shirtliffe, Rochdale GTI Black.

Perhaps this event should be re-named the See-Saw League as Robins regained the overall lead from teams Hyndburn & Blackburn Black, who overtook them last week. Their lead is now a comfortable looking 14 points and Rochdale GTI Black, having won easily on the day, are definitely back in the hunt -- for second at least.

A number of local anglers, including Trevor James of Clayton, are taking part in another league, the Tekneek Teams of Four, at Hebden Bridge.

There can be no stretch of canal in the country that has been described as dour, more times than this one on the Rochdale Canal. It certainly lived up to that description last week with Trevor's 2-13-0 arguably the best catch of the day.

He alternated punch and caster for an all-roach net from peg 80 at Maynards. It was worth runners-up spot only as Spenborough's Dave Clarke weighed in 5-4-0 from Stubbins, thanks to a lucky 4lbs carp that took his squatt bait.

Trevor's efforts helped his team, GTI Rochdale, to a win on the day but that was not just enough. The Yorks & Lancs team was second and that gave them the title overall with Rochdale falling just four points short.

I cannot see many anglers making Hebden Bridge their venue for a pleasure session, though there's no accounting for taste.

Maybe they will find Pilsworth more attractive, now this Bury fishery has regained some form. 43-2-0 of caster tempted carp, from the bottom lake, was top weight in last week's 60 pegger and it should be getting better.

Bradshaw Hall Fisheries at Bolton have continued to disappoint and an improvement here also is certain. The best commercial prospect has to be Greenhalgh Lodge which produced a winning 64-10-0, of small carp to swimfeedered maggot, from Phil Dewhurst to win last week's match.

Over 60lbs was needed for second place here and 35lbs was only just enough to make the frame. It is mostly small carp here so anglers tend to use lightish tackle. That makes for some excitement each time a double figure fish, of which there are quite a few, takes hold.

With many local anglers looking forward to their first Irish trip of the season very soon, I have been trying to keep you up to date with the situation regarding foot and mouth.

Last week following the news that a case had been confirmed in Ireland, I feared the worst. I thought that the blanket ban on angling, due to be lifted last Friday, would be re-imposed.

I'm glad to say I was wrong. But Frank Fahey, the government minister responsible, did issue a press release which was not very encouraging.

He asked all those involved in angling to observe the guidelines with the utmost care, referring to those issued previously and it is those that concern me.

Understandably the guidelines advise anglers to 'refrain from fishing where this involves entry onto land to which susceptible animals have access'. It also recommends the postponement of all angling competition. That is understandable.

What I do not like is that the guidelines 'discourage anglers from the UK from travelling to Ireland.' I worry as to what form this 'discouragement' might take if you actually go.

In any case, before you even contemplate setting off for Holyhead or Liverpool, you should check with your tour operator or directly with your accommodation.

If you are satisfied that it is you must bear in mind that no bait of any description will be allowed in. Worms, maggots and breadfeed will be confiscated at the port. You are best advised to take absolutely nothing except your tackle, and be prepared to paddle in disinfectant.

Perhaps it will be best just to stay at home.