ANGLING: With Kingfisher

I suppose the fact that England has yet again - in the form of Bob Nudd -provided the world champion, should be considered.

Maybe the "ins and outs" of the much-awaited fourth division National Championships, held on the Rochdale canal locally, has probably more interest for most readers. But I have decided that there is a story much more relevant than either of these.

The unlikely "star" of the story is 12-year-old Adam Fothergill, of Burnley. His performance, in winning a small open match (with numerous experienced senior anglers taking part) was terrific in itself, but illustrates wonderfully well something I have tried to get across to all readers for months - if not years.

The match, on Burnley's Straight Mile section of the Leeds and Liverpool canal, was a rod and reel only affair, the organisers having decided that poles of any description would not be allowed. That is interesting fact one.

Adam, despite being only 12 years old, is not a complete novice. His father, Steve, has match fished locally for many years, to a very high standard, and has taught the young man plenty. Nevertheless, the quality of the small field assembled, including his dad, was daunting.

The matchlength was, in parts, alive with fish prior to the draw. Peg 1, by the bridge close to Lambert Haworth, is always a favourite but it was felt that half way along the length may be better. Adam, you may have guessed, drew half way along the length - and it gets better.

Not only was he pegged right on the button in terms of where the fish might be, it was also the end peg. Not only that but the next peg was also not drawn so he was as good as pleasure fishing. Adam mixed some groundbait, put in four or five big balls about three-quarters of the way across, fired in a few loose offerings with his catapult and cast in. The single white maggot on the end of his waggler rig was in the water hardly any time at all before a small roach had snaffled it.

Conditions appeared ideal, with a warm breeze blowing gently in the opposite direction to the natural flow of the canal. The swim was full of fish - but still needed catching of course - and fish after fish was hooked. Some, as a result of youthful exuberance perhaps, were lost but most found their way into Adam's keepnet.

At the end of the contest Adam's net of roach and skimmer bream weighed something over 9lbs, easily the winner. The exact weight is not so significant but other facts regarding the performance certainly are - now at least three.

I shall keep my promise not to reveal the name of the very experienced and highly skilled, canal angler who was on the nearest peg to young Adam. He weighed in much less than 2lbs, and, despite knowing as I do that he would have also easily won the match from Adam's peg, thinks his mates may not be so understanding.

The peg was so full of fish, and his own was not, that he could only stare in disbelief. His own float just would not go under, while Adam's would not stay up.

It's a lovely story, and a day that will live long in Adam's memory - perhaps his grandchildren will hear of how he once "thrashed" his dad on the canal. It also stands up as a story all local canal pleasure anglers would do well to remember.

The facts are these: 1. The winning catch was made with rod and line - over 9lbs. 2. The peg was isolated from the rest and the anglers knew it was full of fish - they had seen them. 3. The method was no more than groundbait, loose feed, and ordinary white maggot for the hook. Now, what are you all waiting for?

I'm afraid I shall have to relegate new world champion (again) Bob Nudd again, since the fourth division National proved to be an "I told you so" event. I told you, did I not, that it would turn out to be a small fish affair for the majority of anglers? I told you, did I not, that the winner would probably come from Todmorden AC water and that the angler would have carp?

I told you, did I not, that local knowledge would be useful? As it happened, on the day, because the canals fished so poorly, this was the least significant prediction.

In other respects I was proved very right. Though only seven of the 852 anglers failed to weigh in, most struggled and were fortunate indeed to break the 1lb-barrier.

The individual winner, Paul Holt of Worthing based Pulborough AC, was pegged at Walsden - and was very lucky on two counts. Firstly, knowing he had to catch 1lb of small fish for team points and fishing squatt on fine tackle, he landed a 1lb chub. He then lost a carp and, having his 1lb safely in the net, rightly went for them. He was lucky again that the disturbance did not put off the other three carp.

He weighed in a fine 12.77kg at the end. The runner up managed a 7.9kg bream catch from Hebden Water.

Chester AA, an excellent canal team, won the event quite easily - thanks to no less than five end pegs.

And, almost finally, congratulations to 55-year-old Bob Nudd. For the fourth time, a new record, Bob is world champion (and I bet he still is not on the BBC this year).

The England team was a disappointing third in what was a big weight carp match in Spain.

You must get out there and fish now if you can, despite the bad weather. Remember though, especially Adam, even Bob Nudd cannot catch fish which are not there.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.