Frank Lythgoe’s Warrington Anglers’ Association Column

SPORT this past week has been up and down at many of our fisheries but still there have been some notable catches, while many anglers are simply just happy to be able to go out fishing again.

Tony Evans enjoyed a short morning session at Ackers Pit where, fishing a waggler and simple bread paste, he connected with seven decent carp and after some rod-bending moments only four made it to his landing net. Nothing massive but he put the best at around the 8lbs mark. I will bet that there will not be many of the younger anglers who have even considered using bread paste. Both that and Blue-cap cheese were the staple baits when I was a kid!

Still on Ackers Pit, several members and a local resident have expressed their concern regarding an upsurge in the rat population. A photograph sent to me this week showed seven of the pests feeding on either duck bread or particles of anglers’ bait. So, I would ask members is keep the lids securely on your bait tubs, try not to drop any on the bankside, and take any unused bait home.

Alan Campbell had an enjoyable five-hour session on Sunday at Statham Pool, ending up with a mixed bag of around 20 roach, chub, skimmers, perch, and a tench of 1.5lbs all caught on double red maggot. In addition, he landed two nice commons both in the 8-9lbs range which fell to feeder fished banded pellet.

Stuart Roberts had a good day on the River Dee at Worthenbury where he fished stick-float and maggot and reckons he lost loads of dace off the hook, probably only landing one in 10. Understandably he was getting a bit frustrated when out of the blue came a 5lb chub. Following this he hooked a grayling of about 1lb that went leaping out all over the place then came off at the net.

Stuart couldn’t get a bite after that so he went for a walk to suss out another swim. He was just about to move when two other anglers turned up and dropped into this other peg. It turns out that they did him a favour as eventually changing his shotting pattern from bulk to shirt button style he landed a five-pounder on his first cast and from then on kept catching until he ran out of bait.

He ended up with chub from 1lb to 5lbs along with dace for around 32lbs. He didn’t even mind the leaky wader that much as the river was quite warm!

Scott Broadhurst made his first visit to Grey Mist on Sunday morning which he christened with a nice mid-double mirror on his first cast. Although nothing much happened afterwards except for two small roach, a lost tench and countless liners. Scott was covered in his first brew off the day after the carp bolted through his other rod. An enjoyable but damp session!

Phil Stevens reckoned it was nice to get back on the River Mersey after a 10-year membership gap. It was a slow start but once put on the right track by a kindly regular he caught a couple of nice bream on the feeder followed by a fish a chuck in the last hour when he changed over to float fishing just a rod length out.

Our Sunday Mersey Series took place on the Mersey Walk length and saw the two end pegs take first and second places. The win went to veteran matchman Derek Bibby who fished both groundbait feeder and pole tactics for a weight of 10-2-0 of roach and skimmers. Drawn at the opposite end of the Jimmy Byrne weighed his catch at 7-2-0.

Nineteen anglers turned out for our Disabled and Over 60’s match on the Bridgewater Canal at Pickerings Bridge which saw Ron Durr take first place with 3-15-4 of small roach and perch. Second place went to Derek Bibby with a similar net of fish for 3-9-4.

Many thanks to the select group of members who have volunteered their services to form a fishery management volunteer group for our Wide Hole Fishery at Poynton. You could still join these volunteers and make a real difference to this fishery; either ring me or drop me an email.

WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street remain closed ntil further notice. Members renewing can simply put their book in an envelope with their payment, a stamped addressed envelope, and post through our HQ door where mail is collected and dealt with daily.

Keep your catch reports coming as they are all very much appreciated. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or call 01928 716238.

Results:

Sunday Mersey Series: 1, Derek Bibby 10-2-0; 2, Jimmy Byrne 7-2-0; 3, Ray Boden 6-2-0; 4, Pete Howard 5-4-0.

Monday: Disabled and Over 60s: 1, Ron Durr 3-15-4; 2, Derek Bibby 3-9-4; 3, Jimmy Byrne 3-5-14; 4, Rod Fraser 3-4-0.

Fixtures:

Sunday: Mersey Members Match (23 pegs), draw 9am, Victoria Park, pegs 34 back (Note £5 pool or £10 all-in, no coins and exact money, no change given).

Monday: Disabled and Over 60s, Trent & Mersey Canal, draw 9.45am, Farm Road (Note £5 all-in, no coins, exact money, no change given).