THE holiday period was marred by heavy frosts, snowfall followed by heavy rains and the return of overnight frosts.

On Sunday the Bury Society fished the first match of the six-match Winter League series on the Island Lodge at Tottington.

The match produced some excellent results for the time of year and roach featured in the leading weights.

Top weight fell to Andy Lightbown with 8-11-4 which included a fine 2lb Perch.

In second place Ronney Buckley 6-4-12 closely followed by Graham Smith in third place 6-1-4 and fourth John Fletcher 5-8-0.

The entry fee for the six match series in which the best four results from six on a points basis is £10 and the contest is still wide open.

The jackpot prizefund stands at £174 which increases with each match.

The second match of the series takes place on Parkers on Sunday January 21st.

The Leeds Liverpool Canal at Burnley has also been producing some excellent results. In the Macks Mr G. Open fished on Sunday. Top weight fell to Mark Chorley. 13-6-0 with Skimmer bream. In second place, Trevor James (Rochdale GTI) 11-3-0 and in third place C. Parkinson (Macks M.G) 10--7-0.

Also on Sunday the Leeds Liverpool Canal at Church was the venue for the Hynburn and Blackburn Teams of four event.

Roach featured in the leading weights. Stuart Gray (Hynburn MG) had top weight 6-10-15. In second place D. Forrest (Hynburn and Blackburn 6-4-0. Third D. Pickering (Ted Carter Preston) 5-13-0.

Team Hynburn and Blackburn Black lead the league with 16 points. With a tie for second place between Rochdale GTI Black and Van den Eynde, Wigan Black both with 20 points.

In the Browning Cudmore six round pairs event held on the Suez Canal and Brewsters on Saturday.

Despite Ice breaking prior to the event good weights being recorded, top weight fell to Paul McMahon (Sensas Garbolinor) 55-4--0 with backing weights of 51-8-0 and 35-10-0.

Colin Mayor (Kenets NW) and Keith Padmore (Ted Carter Preston) hold top spot with 32 points. Local anglers Jonathan Jowett and Daz Shaw (Sensas Garboliner) are in third place with 41 points.

BURY SOCIETY SENIOR SECTION

TICKETS are now on sale for the Bury Societies. Annual Presentation evening to be held at Elton Liberal Club on Friday, February 9 at 8pm. Tickets priced £4 are available from Fishermans Way and committee members.

The following have won trophies over the past season. Tim Greenwood, Roy Gough, Steve Madden, Wally Wroe, Roy Greenwood, Dave Bradley, John Fletcher, Jim Moore, Steve Mellor, Graham Smith, Dave Griffiths and Steve Kenyon.

Junior trophy winners Ian Gough and Scott Thompson.

Members holding trophies are asked to return them as soon as possible for re-engraving.

Bury Society membership permits will be available this coming weekend.

The price of permits is as follows: Seniors £25, concessionary, ladies and OAPs £11 and juniors £5.

Our bailiff Kevin Horn informs me he scared off two gooseganders from Cromptons Lodge at Elton, these predators normally frequent the local River Irwell. Also on Tuesday three cormorants were perched on the pylons at Elton reservoir which is bad news for the fish population.