22nd December 2009 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

 

For the better part of a week many of our stillwater venues have been covered by a layer of ice in the arctic conditions that seem to have brought some parts of the country to a standstill. However it would take more than Jack Frost can throw at them to stop some of our members from enjoying their sport as they simply turned their attentions to our river fisheries.

 

Ian Jones did a spot of pike fishing on the Alyn/ Dee confluence not really expecting to get any takes but was pleasantly surprised by a brace of fish weighing in at 12-8-0 topped by a beautifully marked specimen of 17-0-0. Both fish fell to sprat.

 

Locally the Mersey is still fishable although sport at our regular Sunday match was decidedly slow with Gary Mannion needing only 2-1-12 to take the top spot. He was closely followed by Roy Everson only 12drams light with 2-1-0 and in third place match regular Jeff Shaw put 1-10-11 on the scales to get in the frame.

 

I don't know how our two venue Sunday pairs event will fare on the as I have no doubt that there will be a lot of snow melt water from the higher reaches of the Mersey  and as I write there is still ice on most of the canal with only small areas of open water.

 

May I take this opportunity to thank those members who have contributed to this column over the past year and to wish both them, our members, and those who follow this weekly missive a very merry Christmas.

 

Please keep sending in your catch reports as they help both fellow members and your management committee in their continuous fishery evaluation. Tel. 01928 716238 FAX 01928713898 or e-mail frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk.

HQ Parker Street is closed over the Christmas New Year period but will be open again on Friday evening 8^th January 2010 between 7 & 9-30pm for subscriptions, new members, etc. In the meanwhile new memberships can be purchased from any of our tackle shop outlets (see our website for your nearest).

 

Frank Lythgoe

 

Results:

Mersey Series

1) Gary Mannion     2-1-12

2) Roy Everson        2-1-0

3) Jeff Shaw             1-10-11

 

Coming Events:

SUNDAY

Members Pairs Event (Ticket Only from Cheshire Angling)

MONDAY  4^th January

Disabled & Over 60's

Draw 10-30am Stockton Heath British Legion

(Contact John Dagnall 01925 635486)

 

 

 

15th December 2009 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

 

The Mersey was only slightly better for the Christmas Fur & Feather match after the dryer weather but still not back on good form.  However I am very pleased to say Disabled & Over 60's match organiser John Dagnall showed the way, on only his second cast he had a nice bream about 1.5lb the rest of his net was made up of small roach and skimmers. It was not the same story unfortunately for all competitors as there were several `dry' nets.

 

 The Monday Disabled & over 60's match went without a hitch with a full turn out and fair catches throughout and as usual a prize for everyone who took part. Many thanks to all who helped out with both matches and especially to Paul Harding who was out at the crack of dawn on Sunday morning before the Mersey match clearing flood debris from in front of pegs.

There were some prizes un-claimed after the Mersey F&F match which can be collected from Cheshire Angling before 24th December. Any not picked up by that time will be raffled off on the 27^th December Pairs match and proceeds donated to the WAA junior fund.

 

The tickets for the Pairs match will be on sale at Cheshire Angling from  Thursday 17^th price £16 per pair all in (one to fish on the Bridgewater Canal and the other to fish on the Mersey). This will also accommodate mixed junior and senior pairs so that the junior member can fish the canal and the senior can fish the River. The draw is at Stockton Heath British Legion 8.30am and tea and toast will be available from 8am.

 

There are still plenty of pike being caught on the Bridgewater canal and our bailiff Ron Williams tells me that there were five anglers down at the river Dane on both Saturday and Sunday  but only small chub and dace were caught. The recent flood waters have scoured out quite a few willow bushes and given the river a real good clear out so there may be some good sport to be had over the holiday period for members with new `Christmas presents' to try out!

 

There have been rumors and much speculation circulating recently that night fishing arrangements are to be changed at Sandiway.  The WAA management committee as always is looking at every fishery and periodically such issues are looked at and perceived problems considered.

Just to set the record straight at the present time there is no plan to change anything. If in the future there is a problem it will be re assessed and addressed.

 

This is why members' reports and input are appreciated and we are grateful to those who take the time to send in their catch reports and observations they are really useful to both other members and your management committee in their continuous fishery evaluation. Tel. 01928 716238 FAX 01928713898 or e-mail frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk.

HQ Parker Street will be open on Friday evening as usual between 7 & 9-30pm for subscriptions, new members, etc.

 

Lynda Lythgoe

 

Results:

 

Mersey Fur & Feather

 

1) John Dagnall 3-12-4

2) Mike Dench 3-2-7

3) Steve Lewis 2-10-10

4) Bob Clough 2-6-12

 

Disabled & over 6o's Fur & Feather

1) Stan Deakin 3-9-9

2) Alan Brown 2-0-0

3) John Sharp 1-14-12

4) Lennie Dutton 1-10-6

 

Coming Events:

SUNDAY

Mersey Series draw 9 am Weir Lane

 

MONDAY

Disabled & Over 60's

Draw 10-30am Stockton Heath British Legion

(Contact John Dagnall 01925 635486)

 

8th December 2009 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

 

The Mersey had improved slightly last Sunday and catches improved marginally however the weather forecast predicts a dry spell during the next few days continuing over the weekend. So all being well it should be perfect for the Fur & Feather with good catches too.

 

Thanks must go to Dot and John and Helen Dagnall who have done all the `shopping' for prizes for both of the Fur & Feather matches, I know from experience it is not an easy task especially when you need to spread the cash as far as possible in order so that every competitor gets a prize.

So a big thank you is also due to the members who have very kindly donated prizes when in some cases they are not even fishing. It is great to have such very generous support for these events.

 

The river Dee has been fishing well when members have been able to get to the banks with good nets of roach and dace coming out. Just a note of caution and this is important a member kindly reported that when he went for a look at the Dee at Worthenbury on 3^rd December when the river was still well up the path has been damaged during the recent floods. The damage is towards the end of the track approx 25m before the gate to the WAA parking. There was so much water still on the path it was impossible to see he grounded his 4x4 in a huge hole fortunately there was no damage to his vehicle but it would probably have been a different story for a `normal' car.

 

The Bridgewater is still fishing well with some nice roach catches and perch to 1lb plus being caught in matches.  It is particularly good at this time of year for  the predator anglers young Tim Poulter is still putting into practice what he learned at the recent PAC teach in he had another three pike around the 6lb mark just wobbling deadbaits close in between Grappenhall and Lymm.

 

Another member hooked what his mate referred to as just a `baby' although it was giving a fair account of itself. "Just bring it into the side and I will unhook it in the water" he was instructed.

His mate got down on the bank ready to do just that however when he actually saw the `babies teeth' at close range he had a change of heart and decided to net the fin perfect 19lb 6oz pike  instead.

Still close to home some illegal pegs and platforms have appeared on the off side of the Sankey canal between the canal and the railway members must not attempt to fish from them there is absolutely no fishing allowed from anywhere but the towpath side this is part of the conditions of our lease agreement none member fishing there are poaching the EA and British Railway police have been informed.

 

For members who would like to take part the Mersey Fur & Feather tickets are still a few left on sale at Cheshire Angling on production of your membership card. Price £8 all in.

Many thanks to those members who take the time to send in their catch reports as they are really useful to both other members and your management committee in their continuous fishery evaluation. Tel. 01928 716238 FAX 01928713898 or e-mail frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk.

HQ Parker Street will be open on Friday evening as usual between 7 & 9-30pm for subscriptions, new members, etc.

 

Lynda Lythgoe

Results:

Warrington Local League

1) Graham Belton 6-3-0

2) David Brookes 5-10-0

3) Ian Morrison 4-3-0

 

Teams on the day

1) Assi 21pts

2) Joint Cheshire Angling Gold & Warrington Red 20pts

 

Overall position

 1) Warrington Red

2) Cheshire Angling Gold

3) Black Claggers

 

Mersey Series

1) Eddie Frangleton 5-1-0

2) Paul Harding 4-3-0

3) Antony Higham 2-0-0

 

Trent & Mersey Open

1) Ged Martin 12-10-0

2) Steve Knowles 12-9-0

3) Martin Taylor

 

Disabled & over 6o's

1) Harry Morris 2-7-5

2) Dave Blears 1-14-3

3) Stan Charnock 1-10-2

4) Lennie Dutton 1-5-2

 

Coming Events:

SUNDAY

Mersey Series

 Fur & Feather Match. Ticket only

draw 8 30 am Victoria Park  Presentation Stockton Heath Legion

MONDAY

Disabled & Over 60's Fur & Feather Match. Ticket only

Draw 9-30am Stockton Heath British Legion

(Contact John Dagnall 01925 635486)

 

 

 

1^st December 2009 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

 

The Trent & Mersey Canal has suddenly found some form providing pleasure anglers with excellent catches of roach and bream. George Hollis fished a sheltered peg behind ICI works over the weekend and had a fish every put in on pole and bread punch. The Saturday match saw anglers needing double figures to get in the first three with the winner, John Brogden putting a mixed net of 19-8-0 on the scales for a well deserved win.

  

Our regular River Mersey event was really hard with Anthony Higham taking the honours making it three wins out four in the past month with 1-7-0. Members will need to get some practice in on this venue for the forthcoming Fur & Feather and Pairs events. I reckon that as regards the latter good points on here will be decisive. Vice President, Geoff Brooks won our Disabled and over 60's match on the Bridgewater Canal, almost doubling the next weight with a mixed net for 6-6-0.

 

Pike can be a nuisance at times as they attack and occasionally rip keepnets in their efforts to get at the fish inside. This week however the tables were turned as Michael Pritchard steadily catching roach on pinkie from his favourite Cliffe Lane peg heard a commotion at his net and as is the norm gave it a shake to scare off the marauder. When this failed he put his landing net in for extra persuasion but soon realised that the predator was entangled by its razor sharp teeth so scooped at what he thought was a small jack only to be met with a dead weight. Two hands on the job and more effort and a surprised fin perfect 14lbs plus pike lay on the grass. Michael released the fish several pegs away and carried on catching.

 

In a joint venture with our partners Stockton Heath Parish Council our volunteers have this past week repaired eroded bank at Ackers Pit. It looks a bit stark at the moment but aquatic planting initiated by the Environment Agency is ongoing and will eventually mask the harshness of the timber and improve habitat. On dry land we have already been successful in obtaining a Green Machine Grant of £451 which enabled us to plant lots of bluebells, foxgloves, yellow flag iris, primrose, wild garlic, marsh marigold, and honeysuckle with the aid of our small but dedicated band of angler/council volunteers who are determined that Ackers will remain a green oasis for all who visit.

 

For members who would like to take part the Mersey Fur & Feather tickets are on sale at Cheshire Angling on production of your membership card. Price £8 all in.

 

Many thanks to those members who take the time to send in their catch reports as they are really useful to both other members and your management committee in their continuous fishery evaluation. Tel. 01928 716238 FAX 01928713898 or e-mail frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk.

HQ Parker Street will be open on Friday evening as usual between 7 & 9-30pm for subscriptions, new members, etc.

 

Frank Lythgoe

 

 

Results:

Mersey Series

1) Anthony Higham   1-7-0

2) Jim Byrne              1-5-0

3) Paul Harding         1-0-5

 

Disabled & over 6o's

1) Geoff Brooks      6-6-0

2) Dave Blears        3-12-6

3) Trev Bainbridge 2-14-0

4) Ron Durr             2-5-9

 

Trent & Mersey

1) John Brogden     19-8-0

2) Graham Beeton   12-5-0

3) Ken Power          12-0-0

4) Harry Morris         9-3-0

5) John Andrews      8-14-0

 

Coming Events:

SUNDAY

Mersey Series draw 9a m Weir Lane

MONDAY

Disabled & Over 60's Draw 10-30am Stockton Heath British Legion

(Contact John Dagnall 01925 635486)

 

 

 

24th November 2009 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

 

The River Mersey understandably fished hard on Sunday with all the extra water coming down from swollen feeder streams so understandably only a few hardy souls attended. Mersey devotee Jimmy Gannon took the honors with 3-1-0 taken on feeder and maggot.

 

However the Disabled and over 60's match where 22 members braved the wind and rain were well rewarded for their efforts with excellent catches. George Barber put 7-1-0 on the scales for another win to add to his collection in this popular event. All but four anglers weighed in with John Dagnall having the lowest weight of 1lb 14oz!  The venue was Beech Road which has been below par throughout the summer but has now suddenly come into its own despite the appalling weather.

 

There have been some decent pike showing on the canal with reports of the fish plundering the tightly shoaled roach. This was the case on our local winter league as the majority of weights came from within a few pegs with pike attacking the shoals throughout the match. I was after these toothy predators I would definitely be having a chuck in the Dunham area.

 

Junior member Tim Poulter had the first pike of his fishing career after picking up some hot tips at our joint PAC event on the Bridgewater just over a week ago. A subsequent visit to the Bridgewater accompanied by his brother and Dad Gary saw him take the single figure fish on dead bait. Gary puts his sons success down to all the help and information received from the pike anglers at the teach-in event. Gary says Tim has not stopped smiling since and advises any one interested in pike fishing to contact the PAC for guidance.

 

Our bailiffs' reports from the Wigan waters and are mixed but Woodshaw Reservoir is still fishing reasonably well with cruciens putting in an appearance from some pegs. At Worthington Lakes there are still some fair bream and roach catches to be had on small feeder and maggot from Arley and a the odd decent carp from Adlington. Worthington is very patchy and hard the water is now obviously very high and therefore access is limited to some pegs.

 

 Forster's lodges are a mixed bag, but loads of fish are moving on both the carp pool and Mowpin so it's a shame that more members don't explore these small fisheries. However the nearby D&C are still being well visited with anglers having nice catches of silver fish and the occasional carp.  Johnson's pool patchy but only a few members fishing it, however there's plenty of fish movement.

 

For members who would like to take part the Mersey Fur & Feather tickets are on sale at Cheshire Angling on production of your membership card. Price £8 all in.

 

Many thanks to those members who take the time to send in their catch reports as they are really useful to both other members and your management committee in their continuous fishery evaluation. Tel. 01928 716238 FAX 01928713898 or e-mail frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk.

HQ Parker Street will be open on Friday evening as usual between 7 & 9-30pm for subscriptions, new members, etc.

 

Frank Lythgoe

 

 

Results:

 

Warrington Local League

1. Dave Caddick 8-13-0

2. Neil Buist 8-0-2

3. Gary Mannion 6-10-0

 

Teams on the day

1. Black Claggers 27pts

2. Warrington Red 21pts

3. Cheshire Angling Gold 20pts

 

 Current overall position

1. Warrington Red

2. Black Claggers

3. Cheshire Angling Gold

 

Mersey Series

1) Jimmy Gannon 3-1-0

2) Paul Harding 2-13-3

3) Jeff Shaw 1-10-12

 

Disabled & over 6o's

1) George Barber 7-1-0

2) Barry Owen 6-13-6

3) Dave Blears 6-1-2

4) Ron Durr 5-7-2

 

Coming Events:

SUNDAY

Mersey Series draw 9a m Weir Lane

MONDAY

Disabled & Over 60's Draw 10-30am Stockton Heath British Legion

(Contact John Dagnall 01925 635486)

 

 

 

16th November 2009 Warrington Guardian notes

The weather affected most of our river venues over the weekend with high water levels rendering most of them unfishable. Despite the river conditions the regular Sunday match took place on the river Mersey with Anthony Higham taking first place for the second week in succession with a weight of 6lb-10oz.  Saturday saw what has become an annual popular coaching event targeting Pike. The event was organised in conjunction with our committee member Geoff Gauton and Mark Leatherhead from the PAC. Fourteen members took part in the coaching session and they were rewarded with the capture of twelve pike up to 12lbs. All fish fell to the dead bait method.

Due to previous week success on the Trent and Mersey canal Craig Ritchie ran another match at the big lock in Middlewhich and once again the weights were outstanding with Jimmy Byrne taking first place with an all roach catch of 16lb-11oz taken on caster.

Grey Mist Mere has been very quite this week with no reports of any significant catches. Members please note that the right hand side of the mere will be closed this Saturday to enable continuation of construction of the pathway. To help hasten the work a machine will be employed on the day hence the closure for safety reasons. Volunteers would also be welcome to help out so if you could spare the time contact Reg Lewis on the water.

Despite the low water conditions the Sankey Canal is fishing well at Spike Island with carp and quality roach/ perch being taken. Our member Peter Manay has reported having good sport with pike up to 15lbs taken on dead bait at the wide hole on the Macclesfield canal.

Reports have been received that Appleton Reservoir has started to fish well with good numbers of roach and perch being taken on feeder tactics from the field side.

Tickets for the fur and feather match or on sale and can be obtained from the Cheshire Angling on production of your membership card. There are a limited number of tickets so if you are thinking of taking part remember to obtain your ticket soon to avoid disappointment.

Another reminder about the new North West ECHO launch social event which will be held at British Railway Club, Winwick Road, Warrington on Friday 20^th November guest speakers Ruth Lockwood of English Carp Heritage Organisation and North West professional carp angler Jamie Clossick entry £3 on the door juniors and ECHO badge holders free. Bar and raffle.

Chris Grehan

Match Results

Trent & Mersey Canal

1^st J Byrne          16-11-0

2^nd G Belton       10-0-0

3^rd K Green          8-14-0

4^TH G Mannion    8-10-0

5^th A Caddick       7-2-0

River Mersey

1^st A Higham     6-10-0

2^nd J Byrne        5-7-0

3^rd H Morris      1-14-0.

 

Disabled & Over 60s

1^ST G Barber        4-4-9

2^nd B Stockton     2-7-1

3^rd H Newton       2-6-2

4^TH T Bainbridge  2-1-4

 

 

 

10th November 2009 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

 We have had some decent reports from anglers on the Mersey good catches of dace from near the rowing club the shallower pegs are best for the dace best bait maggot.  A beautiful 30lb pike was also reported although the area was not disclosed by the angler who caught it.  Despite flood warnings the Mersey was only running a few inches above normal level on Sunday after a number of very wet days leading up to the match, consequently members anticipating floods stayed away and only seven fished. The weights were lower than normal and regular Anthony Higham only needed 3-6-0 taken on feeder and maggot for a win.  

The match on the Trent and Mersey was won by Phil Matthews with an all bream catch of 24lbs on pole -fished worm and pellet. Now the colder weather has arrived specimen perch are starting to show with a 4lb 7oz fish reported this week, lob worm accounting for larger fish.  

The Bridgewater has also been fishing well especially on Monday after the first frost when the bread and caster came into play.

Our 'Fish of the Month' junior competition for October has caused a bit of a problem this month as unfortunately none of the entries conformed to the rules of the competition which are on the WAA website, found under the `Catch of the Month heading.

However briefly, any carp entries must have pictures of both sides of the fish, the weight of the fish whatever species must supplied the name of the captor, details of a witness to the catch and of course it must have been caught on WAA water within the current month.  In the interests of fair play we have not been able to award the prize this month but the committee have decided to award a special prize and James Brown receives a Korda fish care kit.

The Pike Anglers Club is holding their annual `Pike Anglers on Tour' training event for us on the Bridgewater canal on Sunday 15^th November at Statham all are welcome. I would strongly advise any angler senior or junior who is interested in targeting these predators to go along and meet the PAC members for advice on safe handling techniques, rigs tackle etc.  Juniors should be accompanied by an adult as we cannot take responsibility for children dropped off at the canal.

An event of interest to carp anglers will be the English Carp Heritage Organisation North West social evening and fundraising event which is being arranged by Andy Dutton. It is being held on 20^th November at 7.30pm British Rail Social Club Winwick Road, Warrington WA2 7TT. Guest speakers will be well known North West carp angler Jamie Clossick and ECHO's Ruth Lockwood there will also be a raffle and plenty of time for renewing old acquaintances and socialising.

 Many thanks to those members who take the time to send in their catch reports as they are really useful to both other members and your management committee in their continuous fishery evaluation. Tel. 01928 716238 FAX 01928713898 or e-mail frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk.

HQ Parker Street will be open on Friday evening as usual between 7 & 8-30pm for subscriptions etc.

 

Frank Lythgoe

 

 

Results:

 Warrington Local League

1) Graham Stokes 6-2-0

2) George Barber 5-4-0

3) Martin (must be solid) Griffiths 4-2-0

Teams on the Day

1)      Warrington Red 22pts

2)       Saracens Head  19pts

3)      Joint Cheshire Angling & Assi 17pts

 

Overall

1) Warrington Red 65 Pts

2) Black Claggers 58pts

3) Cheshire Angling 57pts

 

Disabled & over 6o's

1) Harry Newton 2-2-2

2) Denis Bates 2-1-1

3) Billy Stockton 1-15-2

4) Lenny Dutton 1-14-2

 

Mersey Series

1) Anthony Higham 3-6-0

2) Jimmy Gannon 2-6-0

3) Helen Dagnall 1-9-2

 

Coming Events:

SUNDAY

Mersey Series draw 9a m Weir Lane

MONDAY

Disabled & Over 60's Draw 10-30am Stockton Heath British Legion

(Contact John Dagnall 01925 635486)

 

 

 

3^rd November 2009 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

As the weather changes we are fast approaching that time of the year when the result of a days fishing can be unpredictable and either feast or famine. The Mersey match on Sunday for example was fished in atrocious conditions with the river rising three foot during the event with a match on an adjacent stretch being abandoned. However our brave souls carried on and the result on paper looks really good with Gary Mannion putting 9-6-0 on the scales for a decisive win and runner up Ross Whiteman with 6-10-8. The eight anglers who bothered to weigh-in had a total weight of 33lbs which was made up mainly of bream.

Our dynamic duo, Ernie Hutchinson and Dickie Wernham found a sheltered area on the Trent & Mersey Canal during Sundays' windy conditions. The pair although distinguished anglers are accident prone in the extreme and this occasion proved not to be the exception to the rule. They soon got into their stride and were both catching roach and skimmers in good numbers on both pole and waggler when they heard a creaking sound followed by a loud crack and a hefty tree deposited itself in the canal only inches away from Dickie. Unperturbed the pair carried on fishing counting it as a bonus that at least no more boats would be going through their swim on that day.

Our 'Fish of the Month' competition for October was won by Martin Lindon with a massive sea-trout taken in the last week of the season from one of our stretches on the Upper Severn. The fish which has previously been reported was 35.5inches in length and had a girth of 16inches and was independently assessed as weighing in the region of 18.5lbs using a salmon calculation table as a guide. Martin who hails from Bromsgrove caught the fish on a copper spoon and wins £100 worth of BaitTech products plus a Korda carp care kit. The junior prize will be decided next week as we are still awaiting catch detail.

Many thanks to those members who take the time to send in their catch reports as they are really useful to both other members and your management committee in their continuous fishery evaluation. Tel. 01928 716238 FAX 01928713898 or e-mail frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk.

HQ Parker Street will be open on Friday evening as usual between 7 & 9-30pm for subscriptions, new members, etc.

Frank Lythgoe

Results:

Disabled & over 6o's

1) Jeff Clare 5-12-5

2) Denis Bates 4-2-2

3) Barry Owen 3-4-2

4) John Dagnall 3-2-4

Mersey Series

1) Gary Mannion 9-6-0

2) Ross Whiteman 6-10-8

3) Jim Shaw 5-3-8

4)Jim Byrne 4-4-5

Coming Events:

SUNDAY

Mersey Series draw 9a m Weir Lane

MONDAY

Disabled & Over 60's Draw 10-30am Stockton Heath British Legion

(Contact John Dagnall 01925 635486)

27th October 2009 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

It's been a funny sort of a week plenty of fish being caught on most venues with the weather continuing to remain un-seasonably mild. Member Bernard Anderson has certainly found the conditions conducive to good catches. After pre-baiting a peg he fancied on the Mersey with all the dregs of old bait he had hanging around combined with some out of date baits which couldn't be offered for sale in the shop he managed a session last Wednesday. The result eight nicely conditioned river carp all in fine fettle and giving a good account of themselves. A decent river catch by any standards.

Friday tea time saw Bernard on Grey Mist for a planned night session the result seven nice fat carp all upper doubles and twenties no pre-baiting involved or required this time just 1.5 kilos of 10ml Nash Scopex squid liver boilies all were caught between 3am and early morning when he had to leave for work!

The Mersey wasn't at its best last Sunday although as one member commented considering how high and fast the water level rose during the match was it didn't fish too badly at all.

The Bridgewater is still fishing pretty well with good catches of small fish all along with pike showing in the usual areas. One of the competitors on Monday's match got a decent pike right to the net on light tackle only to have hook ping out at the last second.

There have been plenty of pike showing on venues from Statham Pool where one member was exasperated at being pestered by a cheeky pike lying in the margins snatching roach as he reeled them in to the Bridgewater. Several decent fish have been caught by anglers specifically targeting these predators but as these specialist anglers put a lot of time and effort into locating the exact whereabouts of the bigger specimens they don't disclose the exact locations so I would not repeat them here in case I am leading anyone astray!

Again if you fancy targeting these fascinating predators turn up to the PAC `Pike Anglers on tour' day on the Bridgewater canal on Sunday 15^th November at Statham.

Find out how the experts find the pike, how to rig up and fish for them and most importantly how to handle pike safely without damaging them and without falling victim to the razor sharp teeth yourself .

Dickie Wernham and Ernie Hutchinson who incidentally will be celebrating his 77^th birthday today (Happy Birthday Ernie) went up to Wide Hole on Sunday and had excellent sport much to the disgust of match anglers on the opposite side of the canal who had to endure watching the pair catching all day while their own floats for the most part stay stubbornly still. Ernie had a nice bream of 1.5lb snatched from his hook by a big pike and Dickie had the best perch of the day which was a good 2lb+ among their catch.

We always welcome your catch reports which are really useful to both other members and your management committee in their continuous fishery evaluation. Tel. 01928 716238 FAX 01928713898 or e-mail frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk.

HQ Parker Street will be open on Friday evening as usual between 7 & 9-30pm for subscriptions, new members, etc.

Lynda Lythgoe

Results:

Warrington Local League

1 Alan Faulkner 4-2-0 War Red

2 Graham Stokes 4-1-0 Cheshire Angling

3 Geoff Wyatt Black 3-10-9 Claggers

4 Mike Chung 3-9-0Warrington Youth

Teams on the day

1 Cheshire Angling 19pts

2 Warrington Red 18pts

3 Joint Clampits, Assi &Black Claggers 17pts

Mersey Series

1 Lenny Dutton 4-9-0

2. Paul Harding 4-2-10

3. Jimmy Gannon 3-14-8

4. Helen Dagnall 3-2-6

Disabled & over 6o's

1) Ronnie Durr 2-10-4

2) George Barber 2-9-1

3) Bud Lea 2-7-0

4) John Dagnall 2-6-6

Coming Events:

SUNDAY

Mersey Series draw 9a m Weir Lane pegs 73 up

MONDAY

Disabled & Over 60's Draw 10-30am Stockton Heath British Legion

(Contact John Dagnall 01925 635486)

20th October 2009 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

Last Saturday the juniors and Minnows group had their prize presentation following a fun team match on the Bridgewater Canal organised by Helen Dagnall and the coaching team rounding off the very successful 2009 outdoors section of the Minnows and junior series of events.

The formula for each team, a senior angler, three minnows and a Junior or Intermediate the match was run on a point's basis, the winning team was announced at the end of the presentation. The winning team each received a special trophy and fishing tackle vouchers for £25, with the senior team member receiving a voucher for a meal for two. It has to be said there was a great deal of banter and friendly insults exchanged when the winning team turned out to be captained by our Chairman Chris Grehan.

All the minnow's present received certificates of achievement and new Minnows kit comprising of t-shirt and hooded top these were kindly funded by a grant from Warrington Borough Council Sports Forum. It was great to see so many children and young people enjoying the experience and congratulating their peers when the prizes were presented.




The parent and child basic tackle and bait preparation sessions indoors will be starting shortly so if you are interested in booking a place please email your details or drop them into Cheshire Angling as soon as possible.

Despite the Mersey still looking a bit colored and out of sorts the match catches on Sunday soon dispelled the anglers fears and as the final result proved there are plenty of prime bream to be caught as the winners 13lb plus net showed but equally pleasing and a good indication of things to come was Dave Brookes 8lb catch of all small dace. The total weight caught by the 12 anglers who weighed out of the 17 who fished was 82lb. I still can't believe we can talk about the MERSEY and 8lb of dace in the same sentence!

Worthington lakes are still suffering from algae but as reported by Ernie Hutchinson and Dickie Wernham still fishing well. On Sunday they fished Worthington because access is easier at the moment due to the water level being much lower and as Ernie commented you can get down the bank out of the wind.
They had some excellent sport on waggler and pole, good bream and roach but an angler fishing on Arley had a bream of over 6lb and best fish of the day. There are some very nice barbel being caught from Worthington too at the moment.
The good bream are turning up everywhere; Bill Stockton clinched the winning spot in the Disabled & over 60's match on Monday with a big black 'un' of over 4lb in his 5-3-2 catch while newbie Paul Bibby on his first 'outing' since his 60th birthday finished in 4th place with a mixed bag of roach, perch and skimmers.

We always welcome your catch reports which are really useful to both other members and your management committee in their continuous fishery evaluation. Tel. 01928 716238 FAX 01928713898 or e-mail frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk.
HQ Parker Street will be open on Friday evening as usual between 7 & 9-30pm for subscriptions, new members, etc.

Lynda Lythgoe


Results:
Mersey Series
1 Dave Hill 13-12-12
2. Helen Dagnall 9-7-0
3. Paul Harding 8-10-4
4. Dave Brooks 8-0-0

Disabled & over 60's
1) Bill Stockton 5-3-2
2) John Sharpe 4-8-6
3) Brian Pilkington 3-5-4
4) Paul Bibby 2-7-12


Coming Events:
SUNDAY
Mersey Series draw 9a m Weir Lane pegs 1 up
MONDAY
Disabled & Over 60's Draw 10-30am Stockton Heath British Legion
(Contact John Dagnall 01925 635486)

13^th October 2009 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

Last week the River Mersey was giving exceptional sport but what a change in fortunes in just seven days as the weights plummeted. Bud Leigh needed only a level 4lbs to take the money and the total anglers catch was less than 10% of the previous week's total. Granted the water was unusually coloured, possibly by works taking place on the Ship Canal.

By contrast WAA Winter League fished on the Bridgewater Canal at Grappenhall absolutely fished its socks off with local rod Jim Byrne putting 8-5-10 on the scales for first place, closely followed by Cheshire Anglings Dave Brooks on 8-5-1. Being the first match of this popular series it's early days yet but last years winners Warrington Red started the ball rolling with a win and a two point lead over runners up Black Claggers. Roach and skimmers made up the majority of catches.

Michael Burdock our local bailiff at Association owned Wide Hole at Poynton report catching his personal best pike to date and the biggest reported from this water. The specimen weighed in at 23lbs and fell for dead bait. This pocket sized fishery which is fed from the Macclesfield Canal is a prolific winter pike fishery so if you fancy plenty of action just ensure that you have the right gear such as unhooking mat, forceps, stout glove etc to safeguard the welfare of these prehistoric predators.

Dennis Deakin had a personal best common carp of 15-9-0 taken from Cicily Mill Pool which came as a bonus interruption to the steady sport he was enjoying with bream and tench. Dave Grindley reports a good net of crucians and roach with his mate Glyn Brow and his son James joining him in the afternoon to quickly get amongst the action. Junior member James had his best ever crucian which was in the region of 3lbs plus.

Last week I reported that member Martin Lindon had captured a massive sea-trout measuring 35inches in length and 16inches in girth from one of our Severn fisheries but had no scales so it wasn't weighed. Well the upshot is that I have had a number of 'experts' look at the photo evidence and it has been confirmed as a sea-trout, but the best bit is that the estimated weight is in the region of 18lbs! Sorry no competition as too many people are in on this information.

We always welcome your catch reports which are really useful to both other members and your management committee in their continuous fishery evaluation. Tel. 01928 716238 FAX 01928713898 or e-mail frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk.

HQ Parker Street will be open on Friday evening as usual between 7 & 9-30pm for subscriptions, new members, etc.

Frank Lythgoe

Results:

Disabled & over 6o's

1) Ian McLean 2-14-8

2) Harry Newton 2-13-5

3) John Sharp 2-6-6

4)Dave Blears 2-2-6

WAA Local Winter League

Individuals:

1) Jim Byrne 8-5-10

2) Dave Brooks 8-5-1

3) Kev Green 7-10-7

4) Chris Grehan 5-13-5

Teams: Warrington Red 23points, Black Claggers 21, Cheshire Anglers 16, Saracens 14

Coming Events:

SUNDAY

Mersey Series draw 9a m Victoria Park

MONDAY

Disabled & Over 60's Draw 10-30am Stockton Heath British Legion

(Contact John Dagnall 01925 635486)

6^th October 2009 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

Martin Lindon reports the capture of a massive sea-trout from one of our stretches on the upper reaches of the River Severn. The fish measured a mind boggling 35inches in length and 16inches in girth. Unfortunately despite Martin's practice to return all trout and grayling the copper spoon was too deep down to save the fish. He has been fishing for over forty years and for him this is the fish of a lifetime and was well worth the long wait. On the downside the fish was not weighed but photos will be eventually posted on our website and members can judge for themselves. We may even have a guess the weight competition with 'experts' first deciding on the weight.

Our local bailiff team report that our Wigan fisheries are still all producing good sport with Worthington Lakes possibly the better bet despite the recent drop in temperatures. Roach and skimmers to small groundbait feeder with maggot are giving the most consistent results.

The River Mersey has been giving some exceptional sport with Ray Bowden putting 12-8-0 on the scales to take top spot in our regular Sunday match. Runner up Jeff Shaw was exactly 1lb light with 11-8-0 followed closely by our Chairman Chris Grehan on 11-2-0. Roach, skimmers. Hybrids, and bream made up the bulk of nets. Thirteen anglers weighed just over 110lbs taken on feeder, bolognaise, or pole with caster taking the better stamp of fish.

Some anglers with bait boats are taking liberties on Grey Mist Mere with the use of banned particles which I am reliably informed they have been depositing in vast quantities. Aside from the illegal use of these baits there is also the aspect of excessive amounts of others such as pellets which bait boat or not can only be introduced by PVA bags, that is to say those that can legitimately be cast in with conventional rod and line. Too much food decomposing on the bottom cannot be good for fish welfare and more than likely will not increase catches. The committee hates unnecessary bans so it's up to you the users to use common sense and reason.

We always welcome your catch reports which are really useful to both other members and your management committee in their continuous fishery evaluation. Tel. 01928 716238 FAX 01928713898 or e-mail frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk.

HQ Parker Street will be open on Friday evening as usual between 7 & 9-30pm for subscriptions, new members, etc.

Frank Lythgoe

Results:

Mersey Series

1) Ray Bowden 12-8-0

2) Jeff Shaw 11-8-0

3) Chris Grehan 11-2-0

4) Harry Morris 10-14-0

Disabled & over 6o's

1) Barry Owen 3-14-0

2) Brian Pilkington 3-12-0

3) Harry Newton 3-7-2

4) Ronnie Durr 2-8-2

Coming Events:

Mersey Series draw 9a m Victoria Park

MONDAY

Disabled & Over 60's Draw 10-30am Stockton Heath British Legion

(Contact John Dagnall 01925 635486)