THAT it hasn't generally been a great holiday for angling is without question. There have, however, been the odd bright moments to lift the gloom.

Boxing Day was absolutely beautiful, though perhaps a bit on the bright side. It was also chilly, to say the least, but pleasure and match anglers alike were able to try out their new gear. It certainly wasn't easy and good catches were exceptional but there were a few fish to be caught.

A total of 53 matchmen lined the banks of the Leeds-Liverpool canal at Church to contest the Hyndburn & Blackburn AA Open and weights were surprisingly good -- taking the conditions into account. Geoff Done Tackle-backed Blackburn anglers Lee Balshaw drew very well, behind the Commercial and made no mistake.

Roach were the target for all and Lee, fishing breadpunch at 11 metres, managed to take fish to five ounces in his winning net of 4-11-0. Richard O'Connor, Keenets NW, was at the next peg and was unable to match that quality, despite employing exactly the same tactics, though he did catch throughout the match. His roach averaged less than half an ounce each, so he did fantastically well to finish in runners-up spot with 3-10-12.

Local canal 'expert' Trevor James (GTI Rochdale) was third with 2-14-0, Richard Yates (Ted Carter Southport) had 2-8-0 with team-mate Dave Connell of Darwen fourth on 2-6-0. Hyndburn & Blackburn's own Alan Lord completed the frame with 2-5-6.

It certainly froze hard after that, day and night, so there has not really been chance for pleasure anglers to test any stretches of canal since, until Wednesday of this week that is.

A dramatic thaw beginning Sunday evening saw to that and, with temperatures holding up nicely, there should be some joy for you all this weekend. As I suggested last weekend, Grayling have been readily caught, in some numbers, from sections of the Ribble. The rapidly falling temperatures certainly made the capture of more traditional species difficult with some anglers, particularly the specimen hunters, struggling even to get a bite.

Perseverance is definitely a virtue sometimes (not always) rewarded under these conditions though it's difficult to stick at it when frostbite is setting in.

Jim Lee has been persevering for some 25 years now in his search for a very elusive 6lb Ribble chub and has, in that time, endured much colder weather than we had last week.

He did not, therefore, consider it too bad when he settled into his chosen swim at Samlesbury at 11am though he was intending to stay until dusk. The river was at least fishable and he tackled it with some confidence of getting amongst a few.

The fishing was hard, much harder than he expected, and by 3pm he had tried six different baits in numerous different swims without so much as a nibble.

The bait was, by now, a piece of fish-flavoured luncheon meat under a swimfeeder and, at last, a bite. The strike resulted in relief for Jim as the dogged resistance on the end of his line indicated that a good fish was hooked, just how good he couldn't tell but definitely a good one.

It didn't produce a great fight but when Jim, a 50-year-old prison officer, saw it nestling in the landing net he just knew it was a personal best. He placed the great fish in his weigh sling and hooked up the scales. Five pounds then five and a half pounds. Jim's heart must have skipped a beat -- could it make it six? Yes it could. The dial steadied and an amazing six pounds, one ounce was staring him right in the face. After 25 years his quest was over, what a fantastic Christmas present and clearly well deserved.

There are not very many chub of this size in the Ribble at all and the lower river, around Samlesbury certainly holds most of them. Jim, a member of the National Association of Specimen Anglers, has recorded just 16 'fives' during the past 25 years -- putting this six into some sort of perspective.

Membership of Todmorden Angling Club is now open for 2001 and if you fancy it you are well advised to get along to the tackle shop (Mack's or Cocker's in Burnley) as soon as you can. The usual £10 entrance fee for new members is being waived until the end of the month -- so you can get in for just £26.

The club has a long stretch of the Rochdale canal (lock 13 to lock 51), no less than eight enclosed fisheries and a short stretch of river available.

The club is very stock aware and a good amount of new stock, carp, tench, ide, chub, bream and even a few barbel are on order. If you can't get to the shop you can join by post. Ring 01706 816319 for details.