ANGLING: Ice ightmare ends

Time perhaps, to reflect on what has been and what is to come.

Nothing to report then, or is there? Well by Tuesday at least one frustrated angler had smashed his way through the ice in Burnley. Perhaps he had been at it since Sunday.

He caught, albeit just a few small roach, but he would have been better waiting a couple more days.

A dramatic rise in temperature had freed pegs by Wednesday and by Thursday much of the canal was free.

Not only that, but quality fish were falling to caster and with a decent forecast, you should catch some tomorrow.

Just bear in mind, when considering where to go, that rural sections of canal are very much out of bounds. That is not really much of a problem since the best stretches are definitely in town.

We have enjoyed some excellent winter roach fishing for some years now and the best stretches then, remain the best stretches now.

With limited time at your disposal it really is not worth the effort trying to find others.

Looking ahead, not too far, are the first Irish visits of the year for many anglers. Unfortunately, this year you might find the welcome less warm than usual, with the foot and mouth disease outbreak to blame.

I have already heard that anglers are being discouraged from going, but I consider that to be a little unrealistic.

These visitors have been planned for many months, but you should appreciate the position when you go and make allowances.

Those lucky ex-pat anglers now living in Ireland are reporting great fishing, particularly for roach which are gathering for spawning in all the usual places.

I had notification this week of the dates for my favourite angling event of the year, the Chatsworth Angling Fair.

May 19 and 20 are dates for your diary. That is a definite, I'm sure, for those who have been before and should be for those who have not.

The River Derwent runs through the estate and has been the scene for years, of a very special competition.

There are no coarse fish, save a few grayling, but the trout certainly respond to a match angler's tactics.

I remember well watching Ian Heaps pulverising his opposition, three top fly fishermen.

Sat on a specially constructed platform out in the river, having balled in some feed and pole fishing maggot over the top, it really was quite unfair -- but very entertaining. This year, in an attempt to even it up a bit, the format is to change. Ian Heaps is there again, this time joined by his mate, Bob Nudd. They will pit their skills against those of three leading game anglers, Oliver Edwards, Malcolm Greenhalgh and Charles Jardine. It doesn't sound any more fair at all.

Not until you note that Ian and Bob will also have to use artificials. Not flies in their case but artificial maggots and artificial sweetcorn. Nevertheless I know which my money will be on.

It really is a great day out for all the family. You could take in a tour of the great house, but you probably will not have time. The fair is open daily from 8am to 5.30pm. It costs £7 to get in for each adult but under 14s are free. There's loads of car parking and that too is free. If you do not fancy the canal then Bradshaw Fisheries, at Bolton, will be available despite the foot and mouth. The land is owned by the fishery and there is no farmland nearby reported owner Stan Messers. Not only that but, with the weather warming, carp should show in numbers. For details ring 01204 307197. ICE, an inch and more thick, defeated just about all anglers last weekend. Time perhaps, to reflect on what has been and what is to come.

Nothing to report then, or is there? Well by Tuesday at least one frustrated angler had smashed his way through the ice in Burnley. Perhaps he had been at it since Sunday.

He caught, albeit just a few small roach, but he would have been better waiting a couple more days. A dramatic rise in temperature had freed pegs by Wednesday and by Thursday much of the canal was free.

Not only that, but quality fish were falling to caster and with a decent forecast, you should catch some tomorrow. Just bear in mind, when considering where to go, that rural sections of canal are very much out of bounds. That is not really much of a problem since the best stretches are definitely in town. We have enjoyed some excellent winter roach fishing for some years now and the best stretches then, remain the best stretches now. With limited time at your disposal it really is not worth the effort trying to find others.

Looking ahead, not too far, are the first Irish visits of the year for many anglers. Unfortunately, this year you might find the welcome less warm than usual, with the foot and mouth disease outbreak to blame.

I have already heard that anglers are being discouraged from going, but I consider that to be a little unrealistic. These visitors have been planned for many months, but you should appreciate the position when you go and make allowances. Those lucky ex-pat anglers now living in Ireland are reporting great fishing, particularly for roach which are gathering for spawning in all the usual places.

I had notification this week of the dates for my favourite angling event of the year, the Chatsworth Angling Fair. May 19 and 20 are dates for your diary. That is a definite, I'm sure, for those who have been before and should be for those who have not.

The River Derwent runs through the estate and has been the scene for years, of a very special competition. There are no coarse fish, save a few grayling, but the trout certainly respond to a match angler's tactics. I remember well watching Ian Heaps pulverising his opposition, three top fly fishermen.

Sat on a specially constructed platform out in the river, having balled in some feed and pole fishing maggot over the top, it really was quite unfair -- but very entertaining.

This year, in an attempt to even it up a bit, the format is to change. Ian Heaps is there again, this time joined by his mate, Bob Nudd. They will pit their skills against those of three leading game anglers, Oliver Edwards, Malcolm Greenhalgh and Charles Jardine. It doesn't sound any more fair at all.

Not until you note that Ian and Bob will also have to use artificials. Not flies in their case but artificial maggots and artificial sweetcorn. Nevertheless I know which my money will be on.

It really is a great day out for all the family. You could take in a tour of the great house, but you probably will not have time. The fair is open daily from 8am to 5.30pm. It costs £7 to get in for each adult but under 14s are free. There's loads of car parking and that too is free.

If you do not fancy the canal then Bradshaw Fisheries, at Bolton, will be available despite the foot and mouth. The land is owned by the fishery and there is no farmland nearby reported owner Stan Messers. Not only that but, with the weather warming, carp should show in numbers. For details ring 01204 307197.