The Dynamite Baits AT/CRT Canal Pairs made its way northwards to Wigan and District’s stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Long gone were the memories of the summer’s heatwave, with near gale force winds forcing a last-minute change to the pegging and thousands of pounds of carbon heaving a sigh of relief.

Twenty-six anglers lined the canal and they were treated to some cracking canal fishing with all anglers weighing 2lb plus. Leading the way in A section and storming the match on an individual basis was Dave Trafford off peg A10, taking a solitary point for his pairing.

Dave caught a cracking mixed net of fish, consisting of three skimmers of 1.5lb at 10 meters on bread and the rest was made up of roach, which he followed out to 14 meters on hemp. Dave’s partner Stuart Bird was also having a cracking day on peg B13. Making the most of his end peg draw Stuart finished in third place in the section with 6lb 10oz of mainly roach.

The second qualifying pair on the day were Daz Shaw and Boydan Krupnyckyj, with Daz second in A section. Drawing next to the match winner, Daz caught a near all roach net of 8lb 4oz 4 drams on bread and pinkie, with a 1.5lb perch as a late hat tip. Boydan backed him up superbly with a hard earnt 3lb 15oz 4 drams from the middle of B section peg 8.

The Angling Trust would like to thank Trevor Smith from Wigan and District for all his work organising the qualifier. Anglers are reminded that chances to get a ticket for the final are running out fast, so have a look on our booking system for up to date availability.

Results

1. Dave Trafford & Stuart Bird, 4 points (Qualify)
2. Daz Shaw & Boydan Krupnyckyj 8 points (Qualify)
3. Marc Ellement & Richard Yates 10 points (11lb 1oz 12 drams)
4. Shaun Birchall & Simon Wain 10 points (10lb 15ozs 12 drams)