IT may have been perfect weather for ducks but high winds and sweeping rain made it almost impossible for anglers.

The Leeds and Liverpool canal was the setting for the first leg of the Ian King Memorial Cup and 27 members of the Hyndburn and Blackburn Angling Club braved the conditions.

It was the first time the club had used the stretch of water in the Shorrock Lane area of Blackburn for a long time and members were quite surprised on how well stocked the canal was with roach, bream and perch.

The draw for pegs was made at 9am and the anglers were 'all in' at 10am for five hours fishing. The strong side winds along the length of the canal meant the anglers had to use 5ft and 6ft poles rather than the 13ft and 14ft poles they are more used to using in calming waters.

And at the weigh-in at the first of five legs of the cup, Paul Robinson of Blackburn was announced winner with a total of 5Ib 10oz 8 drams of two large brean and a caster roach. Robinson received 20 points for coming first and the winner after the five legs will receive the cup and a cash prize.

Tackle dealer Ray Ayre of Burnley picked up 19 points for coming second with a bream weighing in at 5Ib 5oz while Shaun Dempsey of Rishton was third a catch of caster roach weighing 4Ib 9oz 10 drams.

Blackburn anglers had a good day with four finishing in the top six places.

Frank Rosz finished in fourth place with roach weighing 2Ib 5oz 9 drams and Des Forrest picked up 16 points for a fifth place finish again with roach weighing in at 2Ib 5oz. Dave Leeming of Langho claimed sixth spot with a nice mix of small roach and perch weighing a total of 2Ib 1oz.

Hyndburn and Blackburn Angling Club members will be looking to use the event to try and win a place in club's squad to compete in the Division Two National finals which take place on the Aire and Calder canal near Doncaster in August.

A total 12 anglers, two reserves and two stewards will travel to the prestigious event with the club looking to win promotion to Division One for the chance of 'home advantage' on the Leeds and Liverpool canal next year.

The remaining Ian King Memorial Cup legs will take place on April 25 at Spring Street, Rishton, May 23 at Victoria Street, Clayton-le-Moors, August 15 behind Tesco, Blackburn and September 26 at the Boat Yard, Church which is behind Express Gifts.

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