SADLY the past week has seen severe pollution of the River Irwell in the upper reaches between Irwell Vale and Stubbins.

About 36,000 fish, many mature brown trout to 1.5kgs together with stone loach, bullheads, minnows and sticklebacks, have been lost.

The source of the pollution is being investigated at the present time by the Environment Agency.

Only in March of this year the River Ogden which flows into the River Irwell at Irwell Vale was wiped out with severe pollution.

On Saturday I walked the stretch with evidence of dead fish, but I am pleased to say live fish are topping at Strongstry Bridge.

These problems always seem to arise when river levels are at their lowest but the heavy rains of the past few days will have helped.

On Saturday the Bury Society fished the Peel Lions Trophy on No 3 lodge at Bradshaw Fisheries. Carp formed the leading weights.

Roy Greenwood took top weight with 36-11-0. In second place was Roy Gough (31-14-0) while Mick Evans was third (30-13-0) and Alan Cook fourth (22-6-0).

On Sunday Parkers Lodge at Elton Value was the venue for the Bury Hospice Charity match fished by eighteen anglers.

The lodge fished well with good nets of small skimmer bream featuring in the leading weights.

John Fletcher took top spot from the streamside peg with 4-13-0. Roy Gough fished the opposite bank for second place (4-0-4).

Junior angler Craig Ebbrell fished the fieldside shallows and had an excellent net of skimmers for 3-7-4. In fourth place was Bob Acton with 2-14-4.

The event raised approximately £170 for a worthy course and grateful thanks are extended to Angling Times, Aldersons Groundbaits, local tackle shops and the Woolpack Hotel for their valued sponsorship.

In the latest Pilsworth Fisheries Open fished on the Carp Lake Dave Griffiths (Fishermans Way) had top weight (9-4-0). In second place was Andrew Read (Fishermans Way) with 8-7-0 and in third place G. Mitchell (GTI) 8-6-0.

In the Lambeth Building Society sponsored Fish O Mania VII. Grand Final held on Preston Innovations Hayfield Lake and shown on Sky Television Geoff Ringer won the £25,000 top prize with 43-7-0.

In second place was Peter Price 36-2-0. Third was Marc Illingworth 35-1-12 and fourth Dave Wright 31-2-12.

In the Ladies contest Sandra Scotthorne the England international took top spot with 23-11-8 of carp.

Fishing a field of eight junior anglers Craig Locke weighed 29-6-0. The fourteen year old represents Workshops and District AA.

SCAPA PORRITT AC

THE Riley Trophy will be held on Cliffe Reservoir at Stubbins this Sunday (August 6). Draw time 7.15am fishing 8am to 1pm.

ROYAL HOTEL

SEA ANGLERS

(Tottington)

NEXT meeting of the club will be held at the Royal Hotel on Sunday, August 6 at 1.30pm.

The next trip aboard Lady Gwen II will be on Sunday August 20.

BURY SENIOR SECTION

NEXT club match, the August Cup, will be held on Parkers this Sunday. Draw 9am, fishing 10am to 3pm.

Members are reminded that on Sunday August 13, Hennon Street AC have a fifteen peg match booked on the streamside at Parkers.

The club propose to have a working party on Parkers Lodge at Elton Vale on Saturday, August 12. The main job in hand to clear fieldside paths and approach roads using strimmers and cutter. Please meet on the banks at 9.30am.