29th December 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

29th December 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

Quite a few members have been out on our fisheries mainly after, but some during Christmas, the former no doubt trying out their presents. I even liquidised and sieved some bread as I fancied escaping from the house for a few hours but after looking at the chocolate-coloured Bridgewater canal I banged it in the freezer for another time. A good number braved the recent Storm Bella with overnight sessions and thankfully no bivvies reported lost or damaged. I have heard of no notable catches, quite understandable considering the time of the year. However, there are members who start their carp fishing during the winter period as numbers of anglers on the waters lessen

The only catch report I have this week was from the Bridgewater where members have been targeting predator fish. On Sunday Alan Reynolds had caught eight perch, best about a pound from the Lymm village area on a small orange and yellow drop-shot lure when his rod bent into a much bigger fish which definitely wasn't a perch. The result was a pike around 5 or 6lbs which after a five-minute fight lay in his landing net and turned out to be his last fish of the session.

It was a small but dedicated band of anglers who fished this Sunday's Mersey Match at Victoria Park in a river that was highly coloured and carrying lots of extra water due to the heavy rains. It really was a matter of searching for bites and Jimmy Byrne led the way with six small roach for 10oz taken on feeder and maggot close in. Alan Faulkner caught three roach drawing with Jim Gannon for second place with a weight of 3oz. But the upside is they were able to be on the bank fishing and after all a match is a match.

Our Disabled & Over 60's match, held again on the Bridgewater Canal at Hough's Bridge saw George Barber aka The Breadman slip down into third place and match organiser go up from his last week's fourth place to make it two wins in as many days. He fished pole and bread punch for a net of small roach for 1-11-0. Only an ounce separated Jimmy and second placed Roy Rogers who fished the same method for 1010-0.

WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT will remain closed on Friday evenings until further notice. Members can simply post to this address or put their book or request in an envelope with their payment, a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door where mail is collected and dealt with most days. Alternatively, you can post to Warrington Anglers Association PO. Box 71, Warrington WA1 1LR where mail is collected weekly. New memberships, Renewals and night permits are also available online from Warrington Anglers Association website. If you need any further information please give me a call or email as below.

At this time of the year with less anglers out on the banks and sport slowing as we edge towards the winter period, I really need your catch reports. They are all very much appreciated by fellow members. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a ring on 01928 716238.

On behalf of Warrington Anglers committee may I wish all members and readers of this column a Happy New Year.

Frank Lythgoe

 

Results:

Mersey Series

1)      Jimmy Byrne   0-10-0

2)      Jim Gannon/Alan Faulkner 0-3-0

 

Disabled & Over 60's

1)      Jimmy Byrne     1-11-0

2)      Roy Rogers        1-10-0

3)      George Barber  0-14-0

4)      Neil Buist           0-10-0

Coming Events:

Sunday:

Mersey Match (members only) Draw 9am Mersey Walk (Please Note £5 pool or £10 all-in, no coins and exact money…no change given).

Monday:

Disabled & Over 60's Bridgewater Canal, draw 9-45am Hough's Bridge. (Please Note £5 all-in, no coins, exact money….no change given).

22nd December 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

22nd December 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

Mersey Walk was this week's river match venue where after an absence of a fair number of weeks the bream decided to put in an appearance. Pete Jones included two four pounders in his catch which along with some roach produced a 9-10-0 decisive win. Jimmy Byrne took second place with a net made up of one four-pound bream, three skimmers, and a few roach for a weight of 7-11-0. I don't know what Pete was using on the hook but Jimmy as usual completely open with all aspects of his fishing had his on worm. Third placed Dave Hill fished close in on maggot throughout and ended up with 5-5-0 of small roach. Overall a much better result all round from those of previous weeks and if members fancy their chances there will be another match the day after Boxing Day.

Our Disabled & Over 60's match held again on the Bridgewater Canal at Hough's Bridge saw George Barber aka The Breadman who it is rumoured has shares in Warburtons Bakery take the winner's purse with 3-10-0 of roach on his not-so-secret bait😊. Richie Baker included a 1.5lbs skimmer in his catch of roach for a weight of 2-10-0 and second place. It is nice to see some of our older members enjoying some safe social interaction and enjoying their sport on the bankside during this pandemic, and long may they continue.

Mike Pritchard enjoyed his weekly Saturday session on the Walton stretch of the Bridgewater where fishing pinkie throughout as he couldn't get a bite from his caster swim, he ended up with twenty-five fish, mainly roach including a few around the pound mark, plus a few perch.

Despite Warrington Anglers having a number of stretches on the Macclesfield Canal I rarely receive any reports, so thanks to Jim Ross for sharing his recent three fish catch. He pole-fished two swims using worm and caster down the track to end up with two perch which he estimated at over 1.5lbs taken on worm, losing a bigger one at the net, plus a decent roach of 1lb plus which took single caster.

 After changing to a faster server to enable membership renewal options we now have administration access to the rest of the site which is in need of updating including the maps. The members area is currently out of commission. Any ideas out there would be more than welcome.

WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT will obviously remain closed on Friday evenings until further notice. Members can simply post to this address or put their book or request in an envelope with their payment, a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door where mail is collected and dealt with most days. Alternatively, you can post to Warrington Anglers Association PO. Box 71, Warrington WA1 1LR where mail is collected weekly. If you need any further information please give me a call or email as below.

At this time of the year with less anglers out on the banks and sport slowing as we edge towards the winter period, I really need your catch reports. They are all very much appreciated by fellow members. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a ring on 01928 716238.

On behalf of Warrington Anglers committee may I wish all members and readers of this column a safe and happy Christmas.

Frank Lythgoe

 

Results:

Mersey Series

1)      Pete Jones       9-10-0

2)      Jimmy Byrne   7-11-0

3)      Dave Hill           5-5-0

4)      Jim Gannon     4-9-0

Disabled & Over 60's

1)      George Barber 3-10-0

2)      Richard Baker   2-10-0

3)      George Hollis    2-6-0

4)      Jimmy Byrne     2-5-0

Coming Events:

Sunday:

Mersey Match (members only) Draw 9am Victoria Park (Please Note £5 pool or £10 all-in, no coins and exact money…no change given).

Monday:

Disabled & Over 60's Bridgewater Canal, draw 9-45am Hough's Bridge. (Please Note £5 all-in, no coins, exact money….no change given).

15th December 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

15th December 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

Our weekly Sunday Mersey Series was fished this week along the Victoria Park stretch and saw Dave Hill the winner with 2-8-0 of small roach caught on feeder and maggot. Jimmy Byrne fishing the same method took second place with 2-5-0.

The following day our Disabled & Over 60's match took place on a chocolate coloured the Bridgewater Canal at Hough's Bridge due to heavy rain. Mike Worley took his second win of the year since July with 1-11-0 of small roach taken on pole and pinkie. Ray Boden on the next peg was the runner-up and also caught small roach for a weight of 1-8-0. Mike was sandwiched between Ray and third placed Neil Buist.

Night Fishing update:
Despite some easing of Covid-19 restrictions the situation is still extremely fluid and there are still a lot of members on 'furlough leave', working from home, or have lost their jobs. In the interests of fair play and to give all members the chance to fish the following applies:-
Single night fisheries are unchanged as per Rule 10 page 10 of your membership card.
Worthington Lakes, Moore Quarry, Rixton Clay Pits, Phoenix Park Lake, Budworth Mere, The Mount, and Sandiway Small Lake all revert back to 2 nights (if required). Big Sandiway remains at 2 nights. Only one night-booking per member each week or two non-consecutive single night bookings and Sunday counts as the first day of the week. No consecutive two-night bookings.
Current rule applies that you must be off the water by 12 noon following your night session and arrive at the fishery no earlier than 1 hour before sunrise but must be on the water by 9pm. Members MUST have a confirmed booking before proceeding to a water for a night session.
All bookings strictly by TEXT only between 9am and 6pm. Bookings no more than 3 days ahead.
Remember that everyone must adhere to any current government or local restrictions/guidelines which obviously take precedence. Let's not forget that we are very fortunate to be able to get out and enjoy our sport. Keep an eye on our website homepage for any further updates.

Members can renew subscriptions and obtain their night permits online from our website. New joining members can also purchase night permits as part of their package. Members should make allowances regarding delivery due to the increased load on the postal service running up to Christmas.

WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT remain closed on Friday evenings until further notice. Members can simply post to this address or put their book or request in an envelope with their payment, a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door where mail is collected and dealt with most days. Alternatively, you can post to Warrington Anglers Association PO. Box 71, Warrington WA1 1LR where mail is collected weekly. If you need any further information please give me a call or email as below.

At this time of the year with less anglers out on the banks and sport slowing as we hit the winter period, I really need your catch reports. They are all very much appreciated by fellow members. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a ring on 01928 716238.

Frank Lythgoe

 

Results:

Mersey Series

1)      Dave Hill        2-8-0

2)      Jimmy Byrne 2-5-0

3)      Pete Jones     1-11-0

4)      Jim Gannon   1-4-0

Disabled & Over 60's

1)      Mike Worley   1-11-0

2)      Ray Boden       1-8-0

3)      Neil Buist         1-4-0

4)      George Hollis  1-3-0

Coming Events:

Sunday:

Mersey Match (members only) Draw 9am Mersey Walk (Please Note £5 pool or £10 all-in, no coins and exact money…no change given).

Monday:

Disabled & Over 60's Bridgewater Canal, draw 9-45am Hough's Bridge. (Please Note £5 all-in, no coins, exact money….no change given).

Virus-free. www.avg.com

8th December 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

8th December 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

Reports of members in various lengths of the Bridgewater Canal targeting pike or perch. Trevor Baker had caught a few small perch last weekend drop-shotting in Lymm village and on his last cast, we've all done 'the last cast' scenario. He thought he had hooked into a small pike but was really pleased when he slid his net under a perch around 1.5lbs. Another member has spent some time on the canal near Daresbury over the last couple of weeks where having caught a few Jacks he had one on Saturday that went bang on 13lbs. All were caught using sea dead-baits (a mix of types). Proof is in the picture, the fish in this instance not the angler😊

Renowned local match angler Steve Brookes reports that a couple of weeks ago along with his mate Rod Fraser they had a fantastic session on Appleton Reservoir catching over 40lb of prime roach up to a pound between us. Steve was outclassed on the day when Rod took the honours with 25lb to his 18lb (weighed, not estimated). Maggot and groundbait feeder on a short chuck off the dam wall.

Tom O'Connell sent in a cracking report of an eight carp catch from Appleton reservoir during the first week in November. Well, he has only gone and done it again when he fished a night session on the 28^th November, again catching eight fish (must be his lucky number).  He arrived for an 8am start but the peg he wanted was in use so patience being one of his virtues he waited and finally started fishing around 3:30pm. Tom baited up with six middy spods of Cheshire particles and within twenty minutes he had the first fish; and it carried on from there, after every fish he put in two more spods of bait. He fished solid bags over the particles and one of the fish in the pics he included he had caught a couple of weeks ago at 28lbs.

Following the reports of Mersey regulars who had been out on the river last week catching plenty of roach during their sessions; unfortunately, it wasn't the case on Sundays return to match fishing after lockdown.  However, reward equals effort and Jimmy Byrne's practice session paid off as by the narrowest of margins he was the winner with 2-9-0 of small roach caught on feeder and maggot. On the adjacent peg Neil Buist aka 'The Engine' took second place, just an ounce adrift with 2-8-0 fishing the same method. Match organiser Ade Green could have kicked himself as after struggling for bites and just a few fish in the net he changed tactics to fishing close in during the last forty minutes and reckoned he put well over a pound in his net. One of those 'light-bulb' moments Ade😊

Our Disabled & Over 60's match held the following day on the Bridgewater Canal at Hough's Bridge fared slightly better with match organiser Jimmy Byrne putting together a net of mainly small roach caught on bread punch plus a few better stamp caster fish for a weight of 4-12-0. This secured Jimmy his second win in as many days and he almost doubled the weight of second placed Ron Durr who put 2-11-0 on the scales. For you 'pikers' there was plenty of predator presence with Alan Clarke playing one for five minutes…. pike don't count in matches.  

Members Update: You can now renew memberships and obtain night permits online from our website. New joining members can also purchase night permits as part of their package.  

WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT will obviously remain closed on Friday evenings until further notice. Members can simply post to this address or put their book or request in an envelope with their payment, a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door where mail is collected and dealt with most days. Alternatively, you can post to Warrington Anglers Association PO. Box 71, Warrington WA1 1LR where mail is collected weekly. If you need any further information please give me a call or email as below.

At this time of the year with less anglers out on the banks and sport slowing as we edge towards the winter period, I really need your catch reports. They are all very much appreciated by fellow members. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a ring on 01928 716238.

Frank Lythgoe

 

Results:

Mersey Series

1)      Jimmy Byrne 2-9-0

2)      Neil Buist       2-8-0

3)      Dave Hill        2-6-0

4)      Nick Roberts 2-2-0

Disabled & Over 60's

1)      Jimmy Byrne    4-12-0

2)      Ron Durr           2-11-0

3)      Richard Baker  2-6-0

4)      Bob Fitzpatrick 2-1-0

Coming Events:

Sunday:

Mersey Match (members only) Draw 9am Victoria Park (Please Note £5 pool or £10 all-in, no coins and exact money…no change given).

Monday:

Disabled & Over 60's Bridgewater Canal, draw 9-45am Hough's Bridge. (Please Note £5 all-in, no coins, exact money….no change given).

1st December 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

1^st December 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

Callum Leonard sent me a few pictures of a few Grey Mist carp he has caught this past month with fish of 17-6-0, 23-1-0, 24-2-0, topped by the fishery legend Houdini at 28-0-0 which he caught on his very first visit to the fishery. He said that they were all caught using a mixture of different boilies, or it could be taken another way that presentation is king. Thanks Callum and hope you continue to catch and share information with fellow members.

Now Small Sandiway isn't exactly that at 17.5 acres but it is dwarfed by its adjacent sister lake, Big Sandiway at 53 acres and so understandably earned that name. The site has to be the best purchase that Warrington Anglers Association has ever made. The small lake is full of a variety of specimen fish including a healthy stock of carp which we top up each year with VS Fisheries six summer specimens, the best of the best etc as they are sorted for the fastest growth each year. Despite this on Sunday evening committee member Phil Higgins latched onto the only fish of the night, a stunning mirror of around 25lbs.

A number of the Mersey regulars have been out on the river this past week with plenty of roach being caught on their sessions. Jimmy Byrne today (Tuesday) caught fifty roach while Bas Chambers had sixty-three plus a solitary skimmer. All fish were caught using small feeder and single maggot tactics. I understand the Mersey legend Ray Boden has also been catching roach but on his favourite pole and maggot.  So, the match is back on this Sunday and if the temperature doesn't plummet too far and the river is not in flood prospects are looking good.

I know that some of the 'old boys' have been out having a few sessions on the Bridgewater Canal around Houghs Bridge, possibly in anticipation on matches being back on again when we go into the Covid-19 three tier system. Well, good news, our Disabled & Over 60's match is back on Monday, 7^th December subject of course to everyone adhering to the conditions that make this possible. Lots of tiny roach have been showing which although frustrating in catches is good for the future.

WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT will obviously remain closed on Friday evenings until further notice. Members can simply post to this address or put their book or request in an envelope with their payment, a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door where mail is collected and dealt with most days. Alternatively, you can post to Warrington Anglers Association PO. Box 71, Warrington WA1 1LR where mail is collected weekly. If you need any further information please give me a call or email as below.

At this time of the year with less anglers out on the banks and sport slowing as we edge towards the winter period, I really need your catch reports. They are all very much appreciated by fellow members. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a ring on 01928 716238.

Frank Lythgoe

Coming Events.

Sunday:

Mersey Match (members only) Draw 9am Mersey Walk, pegs 45 up. (Please Note £5 pool or £10 all-in, no coins and exact money…no change given).

Monday:

Disabled & Over 60's Bridgewater Canal, draw 9-45am Houghs Bridge. (Please Note £5 all-in, no coins, exact money….no change given).

24th November 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

24th November 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

On Saturday Mike Pritchard had an enjoyable session at Hough's Bridge aka the dead length despite the wads of floating leaves which didn't seem to put the fish off the feed. He started off on pinkie for a few small roach, then a change to bronze maggot brought more bites and bigger fish. He had been feeding a caster peg and spent the last hour catching some better stamp roach in the 6 to 8oz bracket. He ended up with around forty roach and half a dozen perch. There were a few pike striking around his peg. As Mike said, "Enjoyable."

 Tom O'Connell reports having a good session on Appleton Reservoir just over three weeks ago when he landed eight carp 18-4-0, 22-8-0,20-2-0, 21-7-0, 28-0-0, 18-8-0, 20-7-0, and 23-5-0.  At one point he was taking photos of a fish when his other rod went and his friend hardly complained when had to play it which was a good 20lbs plus. Tom even managed to foul hook one which was a just over 20lb, it must have been 'solid'. He caught all his fish about 80yards out over a kilo of mix particles using solid bags. He reckoned that he would have had more carp but for running out of solid bag mix but still it was a great session.

Eddie Bates reports catching pike of 11-8-0, 6-0-0, and on his last cast the biggest at 13-4-0. The fish were caught on smelt from the Bridgewater Canal in the Lymm area. I have spoken to a few members along the canal this week who are catching mainly small pike around 6lbs or so and perch either spinning or drop-shotting. They are all simply happy to still be able to go out fishing during these certainly unprecedented times.

Please Note High Legh fishery is now closed until further notice while ongoing remedial work continues. Thanks to the members who turned out for the working party last Saturday who removed a good number of self-seeded trees that had taken over with the result that their decomposing leaf-fall had almost wiped out the fishery. Loads of rotting leaves were scooped out of the margins.

WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT will obviously remain closed on Friday evenings until further notice. Members can simply post to this address or put their book or request in an envelope with their payment, a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door where mail is collected and dealt with most days. Alternatively, you can post to Warrington Anglers Association PO. Box 71, Warrington WA1 1LR where mail is collected weekly. If you need any further information please give me a call or email as below.

At this time of the year with less anglers out on the banks and sport slowing as we edge towards winter I really need your catch reports. They are all very much appreciated by fellow members. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a ring on 01928 716238.

Frank Lythgoe

17th November 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

17th November 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

Thanks to a member who on Wednesday alerted myself and the Environment Agency on their 0800 807060 emergency number to seeing carp on the surface gasping for oxygen on our High Legh Fisheries. Also, the prompt response by the EA Fisheries staff and a heavy overnight downpour saved the fish stocks that were on the cusp of a complete wipe-out. The deoxygenation was caused by masses of rotting leaves from the heavily wooded area around the banks and both islands. Thanks also to the members who managed the aeration equipment on a 24hour basis over four nights and the small band of volunteers who also got busy tackling the problem by removing leaves from the margins and thinning out the mass of self-seeded trees. We buried nine carp initially followed by a further three fish that were found amongst the leaves on Sunday. The fishery is now closed until further notice while ongoing remedial work continues.

Friday saw our annual carp stocking top-up with five VS Fisheries bred fish being introduced to Grey Mist, Moore Quarry, Small Sandiway, and ten went into the 53acre Big Sandiway Lake. The fish averaged 22.7lbs and the biggest at each fishery saw the Mist with a 24-13-0, Moore 22-6-0 plus a fully scaled mirror at 20-10-0, Small Sandiway best was 24lbs, and finally Big Sandiway by sheer luck received the biggest at 25-4-0. All mirrors this year. Sorry we could not advertise to members as we do normally as Covid-19 restrictions put the kibosh on that.  

Kian Finn aged 15years enjoyed his session at Grey Mist on Saturday morning replacing his previous PB of 19-7-0 with a mirror carp of 22-6-0. The fish fell for a Mainline pink and white 14mm cell pop-up boilie soaked in bumble berry goo. Well done Kian.

Mike Dench fished Appleton Reservoir on Saturday where he targeted the quality roach that this fishery holds. Using ground-bait feeder tactics and double red maggot he went three hours without any sign of fish but then they switched on and it was a roach every cast. Evidently two members who fished pegs on the wall had even better roach sport.

We have been putting quite a number of old photos which are part of the history of Warrington Anglers Association on our Facebook page trying to identify the members in them. If any member can help it would be greatly appreciated. Many are what I rescued from a damp shed at the rear of the British Legion in St Austins Lane which we used as our headquarters for many years. Once a hoarder always a hoarder otherwise they would have been lost forever.

WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT will obviously remain closed on Friday evenings until further notice. Members can simply post to this address or put their book or request in an envelope with their payment, a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door where mail is collected and dealt with most days. Alternatively, you can post to Warrington Anglers Association PO. Box 71, Warrington WA1 1LR where mail is collected weekly. If you need any further information please give me a call or email as below.

I really need your catch reports coming in at this time of the year as sport slows. They are all very much appreciated by fellow members. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a ring on 01928 716238.

Frank Lythgoe

10th November 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

10th November 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

Junior member Zack Royle fished Grey Mist last week with his dad Trevor. It was chilly but when his rod ripped into action the excitement and subsequent adrenalin flow soon warmed them both up. His dad was busy getting the scales ready whilst Zack played the fish for a good ten minutes before it lay in the net. It weighed in at 23-7-0 and a new PB for this keen young angler.

Committee member Mike Dench decided Sunday was the right time to try out his new toy, a Cadence Pole on the Bridgewater Canal. After a look at a couple of likely areas he decided on Grappenhall trees choosing a swim with the rhododendron bush on the far bank. In true matchman style he had brought maggots, pinkies, casters, bread punch, and hemp. Unlike another committee member (I won't mention his name) who arrived at another fishery only to find at his swim that his casters had fallen out of his bag onto his drive and although he had liquidised bread for feeding in his bag, he had left the vital slices of bread for punch hook-bait on his kitchen table. Needless to say, his day didn't go too well catch-wise unlike Mike's who started off on caster which brought a few roach but soon decided to change to bread punch. This brought a fish every put-in and although nothing of any size kept him busy.  The roach carried on feeding when he made another change to double pinkie then he hit something which eventually took everything including his elastic. He reckons it was a perch, certainly a quality fish which would easily shed his barbless hook. He ended up pleased with both his new toy and his days fishing having caught lots of roach, perch, and some rudd. 

Mike even witnessed and took a photo of Lukasz Witkowski's new PB Bridgewater Canal perch caught on the same stretch on a soft lure, it was just over 1.85lbs They are all in there, it's just catching them😊

Generally, quite a number of smaller perch and pike have been coming out all along both the Bridgewater and Trent & Mersey Canals, mainly taken on the innumerable lures that are on the market nowadays. So far not too many large pike have been reported but enough smaller ones to keep anglers interested. The clue is watch for where the silver fish are starting to shoal as the colour starts dropping out of the canal in some areas and the fish look for better cover from cormorants which now are everywhere.

Mike Kay made the most of his session on Ackers Pit, even more enjoyable with the absence of rain. He fished pole and bronze maggot at 9metres for eight roach and two carp of around 7/8lbs which stretched his elastic to absolute limits.

WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT will obviously remain closed on Friday evenings until further notice. Members can simply post to this address or put their book or request in an envelope with their payment, a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door where mail is collected and dealt with most days. Alternatively, you can post to Warrington Anglers Association PO. Box 71, Warrington WA1 1LR where mail is collected weekly. If you need any further information please give me a call or email as below.

I really need your catch reports coming in at this time of the year as sport slows. They are all very much appreciated by fellow members. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a ring on 01928 716238.

Frank Lythgoe

Virus-free. www.avg.com

4th November 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

4th November 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

It was a rainy dismal day last Saturday at Ackers Pit but even whilst 'blanking' throughout the session it didn't dampen the spirits of Tommy Lawton aged 7 years. With his dad Wes they had gone through the motions without a single complaint from this keen young angler, albeit nothing to show for their efforts. Thankfully the well-known saying, 'everything comes to he who waits' came true on this occasion when as they started to pack-up for the day the youngsters red maggot offering was taken by one of the resident carp which he landed. I would like to bet his letter to Santa mentions fishing tackle😊

The muddy conditions around some of our fisheries haven't put members off with Rixton Claypits producing a decent catch at this time of the year for Graham Riley when he fished a groundbait feeder and double maggot for a final count of five bream around 2lbs plus and a very late in the season tench which he reckoned was around the 5lbs mark. This week Simon Oldfield enjoyed a session at Appleton Reservoir where he had twenty decent roach on double red maggot with a few on corn sorting out some better stamp fish.

The Sunday Mersey Match Series was fished this week on the Victoria Park stretch with again swollen and coloured river conditions which saw anglers struggling for bites. The match results eclipsed my last week's account of 'the lowest weights on the Mersey for some time' when the winner this week Karl Guy needed only 1-14-0 to take the winners envelope for the first time. He caught a few small skimmers and roach on feeder and maggot and was followed by Jimmy Byrne who drew an end peg with an all roach net of 1-12-0.

Our Disabled & Over 60's Monday match was fished by fifteen members this week on the Bridgewater Canal at Moore. George Barber aka 'The Breadman' was the winner with 3-2-0 of small roach taken on the pole at 11metres; I'm sure you can guess the bait😊. Ron Durr took second place also with an all roach catch for 2-8-0.

ANGLING TRUST NEWS

 04 November 2020

Fish safely, locally and respect the 'rule of two' during lockdown

Having now examined the government's new Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations the Angling Trust is pleased to be able to offer some initial guidance and interpretation to anglers and fishery providers. Our formal guidelines will be published following further consultation with colleagues at Sport England and DCMS once Parliament has debated the regulations today and passed them into law.

Overall, the Angling Trust is pleased that ministers have recognised the value of allowing angling and some other forms of outdoor recreation to continue through the forthcoming lockdown period. However, the new rules are more complicated than we had hoped and anglers should be fully aware of what we can and can't do in the next 28 days.

How to Fish

The regulations are clear and you can only leave home to fish with members of your own household, your support bubble or with one other individual. The Rule of Six is now effectively the Rule of Two for most of us. The tightening of the rules on 'gatherings' means that match fishing or any other organised fishing event is prohibited by law during lockdown. However, competitive fishing will be able to resume once there is a return to the three-tier system of restrictions.

On this basis we can announce that all Angling Trust competitions are suspended for the period covering 5^th November – 2^nd December 2020.

Where to Fish

Angling is deemed a permissible form of 'outdoor recreation', and a lawful reason to leave home. It can take place, without time limits, within the provision allowing people "to visit a public outdoor space for the purposes of open-air recreation".

A 'public outdoor space' is defined as an 'outdoor place to which the public have, or are permitted, access (whether on payment or otherwise).' We believe this clearly includes riverbanks, towpaths, beaches and stillwaters that can either be accessed freely or on the payment of a day ticket or subscription levied by the owner or leased to a publicly available fishing association. The government clearly intends for people to be able to take their outdoor exercise and recreation in the form of angling and these regulations allow this to occur.

Fisheries are not on the published list of businesses that the government has ordered to close and there is no reason that they should do so providing that they operate in accordance with the rules

It does not permit club outings or organised amateur sporting activities of any sort. All indoor or social facilities in any way connected with a fishing venue must close or refer to the relevant Government guidance. Fishing tackle shops, whether onsite or not, can only operate a 'click and collect' service.

Travelling to fish

Whilst the government have chosen not to write their travel guidance into law we are urging anglers to respect the advice which states that it is permissible to travel in order to:

"to spend time or exercise outdoors – this should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel to do so if necessary (for example, to access an open space)"

Put simply, you can travel to go fishing but long journeys should be avoided 'wherever possible'. Sea anglers should focus on their local beaches and fishing marks and freshwater anglers should not be travelling hundreds of miles in search of fishing during lockdown. It is up to the individual to apply common sense and act within the spirit of the government's guidance. You absolutely cannot leave home to fish if you have Coronavirus symptoms or are self-isolating.

How long to fish

There are no limits on the time that can be spent on outdoor recreation which means that anglers are able to continue fishing into and through the hours of darkness providing the other rules are observed.

Fishery Management

Essential fishery management work, which clearly cannot be undertaken from home, can continue as can any necessary, socially distanced working parties fall within the provisions for 'voluntary work'. Appropriate risk assessments must be in place and numbers should sensibly managed.

Summary

This is going to be an extremely difficult period for everybody and as anglers we must recognise that we are fortunate that our chosen form of recreation can continue even though there are restrictions on what we can do. The Angling Trust made the case for fishing based on the health and wellbeing benefits that angling offers coupled with the importance of reducing pressure on other open spaces by allowing us to continue to safely enjoy the social isolation and peace that fishing brings. It is incumbent on us all to continue to act responsibly and to fish safely, fish locally and respect the Rule of Two.

WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT will obviously remain closed on Friday evenings until further notice. Members can simply post to this address or put their book or request in an envelope with their payment, a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door where mail is collected and dealt with most days. Alternatively, you can post to Warrington Anglers Association PO. Box 71, Warrington WA1 1LR where mail is collected weekly. If you need any further information please give me a call or email as below.

I really need your catch reports coming in at this time of the year as sport slows. They are all very much appreciated by fellow members. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a ring on 01928 716238.

Frank Lythgoe

RESULTS:

Mersey Match Series:

1)      Karl Guy               1-14-0

2)      Jimmy Byrne       1-12-0

3)      Paul Fields           1-6-0

4)      Jim Gannon         1-3-0

Monday Disabled & Over 60's:

1)      George Barber    3-2-0

2)      Ron Durr              2-8-0

3)      Jimmy Byrne       2-6-0

4)      Ray Boden           1-13-0

COMING EVENTS:  

ALL MATCHES ARE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE UNDER COVID 19 RULE

Virus-free. www.avg.com

27th October 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

27^th October 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

Trevor Royle and three other bailiffs decided on a well-deserved night session at Grey Mist last Wednesday following a work party on the fishery. Well, as the story goes two caught and two who didn't and swear that Trevor was using some secret bait! He ended the session with four fish topped by 'Houdini' at a weight of 28lbs. Fish were caught using a KD rig with a bright orange wafter over a bed of 2kg of boilies at 40 yards. Mike O'Dea had two mirrors the first being 14lbs and the second at 20lb 3oz, both were taken on Dynamite monster tiger nut wafters fished on blowback rigs over crushed and broken boilies soaked in the Monster Tiger Nut bait soak. 

Ian Rose fished Woodshaw Reservoir on Friday and found it hard going with not a bite for the first hour. Then small roach started feeding and he had eight taken on pole and single pinkie at 9metres before he struck into what he expected was another roach but his elastic went to full stretch and ten minutes later a cracking crucian lay in his landing net. Only a few more roach followed but Ian was more than happy with his session.

The Sunday Mersey Match Series was fished this week on the Mersey Walk stretch which saw the river swollen and coloured, definitely not ideal conditions and not surprising that members found bites few and far between. Local rod Derek Bibby stuck it out on the feeder and maggot to win with the lowest Mersey weight for some time with 3-5-0 of small roach. Jimmy Byrne took second place with only an ounce separating them when the scales stopped at 3-4-0. He fished the tip but changed later to pole at 5metres.

Our popular Disabled & Over 60's Monday match was fished by eighteen members this week on the Bridgewater Canal at Houghs Bridge. The canal 'fished its head off' according to winner and match organiser Jimmy Byrne. He drew a peg in 'the dead length' near the bridge and caught around a hundred small roach plus a few perch alternating between pinkie, maggot, and caster for a weight of 7-6-0. Second placed angler Rod Fraser drew the opposite end of the stretch and had a similar mix of fish for 7-4-0. Weights averaged out at over 4.5lbs per angler.

WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street remain closed on Friday evenings until further notice. Members renewing can simply put their book or request in an envelope with their payment, a stamped addressed envelope, and post it through our HQ door where mail is collected and dealt with most days. If you need any further information please give me a call or email as below.

I really need your catch reports coming in at this time of the year as sport slows. They are all very much appreciated by fellow members. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a ring on 01928 716238.

Frank Lythgoe

RESULTS:

Mersey Match Series:

1)      Derek Bibby        3-5-0

2)      Jimmy Byrne       3-4-0

3)      Alan Faulkner      2-6-0

4)      Neil Buist             1-13-0

Monday Disabled & Over 60's:

1)      Jimmy Byrne       7-6-0

2)      Rod Fraser           7-4-0

3)      Alan Brown         6-14-0

4)      Dave Hill/Ray Boden 5-13-0

COMING EVENTS:

SUNDAY

Mersey Match Series, Members only (23 pegs) MUST BOOK ON. Draw 9am Victoria Park, Peg 12 up.  (Please Note £5 pool or £10 all-in, no coins and exact money…no change given).

 MONDAY

Disabled & Over 60's Draw 9-45am Bridgewater Canal, Tramps Grave, Moore Village. (Please Note £5 all-in, no coins, exact money….no change given.

20th October 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

20^th October 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

Trevor Connor tried his hand for the first time at drop-shotting this week and decided to keep close to home and fish the Trent & Mersey Canal at Billinge. Two hours with nothing and not so much as an encouraging twitch despite changing his lures several times. Finally, it was a case of another change of lure and the standard 'one last cast' when his luck changed and his rod tip dipped into a decent fish. Eventually he netted a perch which he reckons was easily his PB but sadly no scales and estimated around 2lbs plus. Three smaller perch followed and as Trev said, "He'll be back."

On the last day of his holiday Neil Plunkett decided on another session our Hay-on-Wye stretch after lunch. Same tactics as in last week's column but this time he caught more fish. Ten chub including a couple of smaller ones taken on double maggot using a 16's hook with long trace and maggot feeder. Just as he started to pack-up his rod tip arched almost doubling over on his ground bait feeder and meat rod.  It felt like he had hooked a submarine but eventually after lots of screaming drag and gentle pumping Neil got it to his 18inch net but could only get the front half in!  With no scales he just unhooked it and let it recover before seeing it casually swim off.  It was the biggest barbel he had ever seen, must have been 30 inches long at least and fat as a barrel with huge fins. He reckoned that If it wasn't a double it must have been close. Happy days and a nice end to his break.

Despite the fact that I may strain our friendship I felt I must share a recent telephone non-catch report from our committee member Ade Green who films his famous weekly vlog covering our Sunday Mersey Match Series and whenever he goes fishing to a WAA water. His venue on this occasion was our smaller 17.5acre lake at Sandiway but on his arrival it didn't start well when after exchanging his security gate key regularly with new members who in the past who had trouble operating our locks and then using their keys without problems he finally came unstuck with a rogue key. He had to barrow his gear from the main gate to his swim but on route it got worse when he hit a bankside surface tree root and barrow and tackle overturned. Undeterred he re-loaded and arrived at his swim setting up his 'Go-Pro' on a rod rest to film the session. He wasn't too forthcoming what happened next but heard a plop and his expensive camera was no longer visible. So, after ages searching his swim with his landing net, zilch, he decided to fish.  Later a flash of inspiration saw him trek back to his car for a rake. Again, nothing but as he was packing-up he checked by his rod-rest and bingo. So, folks the result was no fish just a short 'on the way' film account. Keep filming Ade😊

Our Sunday Mersey Match Series was fished again this week on the Mersey Walk stretch of the river but it seems the 7am draw to miss a high tide deterred a lot of members.  Jimmy Byrne ran the match this week and took first place for good measure. He fished the pole and maggot throughout at between 7.5 to 9.5 metres loose-feeding maggot. He was kept busy putting a hundred fish on the scales for a weight of 11-1-0. Alan Faulkner fished the same method and wasn't too far behind the winner with 10-12-0. Please Note: For you sleepy-heads next week's draw is back to 9am😊

Our Disabled & Over 60's Monday match was fished by fifteen members this week on the Bridgewater Canal at Stage Lane, Oughtrington. The winner David Hill drew on the edge of 'the wides' and enjoyed an all roach catch of 6-2-14 caught on the pole using both bread and caster. Second placed Rod Fraser also had a similar net for a supporting weight of 5-2-7. In fact, it was all roach with not a bream in sight.

Don't forget folks keep an eye on the news regarding any Covid-19 fishing restrictions. Briefly travelling to and from Wales to fish is currently not allowed. Members who live in Wales can fish Welsh waters as long as they can walk or cycle to their local venue; but they should check for further detail and updates on the Angling Trust or Welsh Government websites.

WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street remain closed on Friday evenings until further notice. Members renewing can simply put their book or request in an envelope with their payment, a stamped addressed envelope, and post it through our HQ door where mail is collected and dealt with most days. If you need any further information please give me a call or email as below.

Especially at this time of the year as sport slows, I really need your catch reports coming in as they are all very much appreciated by fellow members. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a ring on 01928 716238.

Frank Lythgoe

RESULTS:

Mersey Match Series:

1)      Jimmy Byrne      11-1-0

2)      Alan Faulkner    10-12-0

3)      Bob Clough          7-2-0

Monday Disabled & Over 60's:

1)      David Hill             6 -2-14

2)      Rod Fraser           5-2-7

3)      George Barber    4-7-5

4)      Geoff Brooks       4-4-13

COMING EVENTS:

SUNDAY

Mersey Match Series, Members only (27 pegs) MUST BOOK ON. Draw 9am Mersey Walk, Peg 75 back. (Please Note £5 pool or £10 all-in, no coins and exact money…no change given).

 

MONDAY

Disabled & Over 60's Draw 9-45am Bridgewater Canal, Houghs Bridge. (Please Note £5 all-in, no coins, exact money….no change given.

13th October 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

13^th October 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

Heather-May Spiers aged 10years accompanied by her mum Kelly visited Ackers Pit on Monday to try to fit in a quick hour's session after school. The keen young angler fished waggler and red maggot and was rewarded with two carp. Well done Heather-May.

Following a family Monday morning walk around Hay-on-Wye Neil Plunkett managed to fit in four hours fishing on our Association owned River Wye fishery in the afternoon. He had eight nice chub to over 4lbs, all caught on the tip using luncheon meat or peperami as bait, a 5-foot hook link and ground bait with added dampened pellets in a heavy feeder as the river was fining down after the recent rain. Neil commented: "What a fabulous river and a great session."

Please note the directions to our car park at the Wye should now read: As you drive through the entrance gate from the road our parking area is just twenty yards or so further on the right-hand side of the lane. No vehicles beyond this point.

Last week Paul Gaskell set out to fish at Appleton Reservoir but was disappointed to find on his arrival that every peg was taken so a quick change of plan saw him at Rixton Claypits. As it turned out he enjoyed a cracking session catching decent roach all afternoon up to 8ozs. He fished waggler and caster.

Our Sunday Mersey Match Series was fished this week on the Mersey Walk stretch of the river but despite being a bright sunny day the river was carrying lots of extra water. Another member drew match organiser Ade Green the end peg number 75, and after setting up a new tip rod for the first time he christened it on his third cast with a 6lbs bream. Unknown to him as it turned out it was enough to give him first place, but in angling anything can happen, so he carried on landing a further three smaller bream, a skimmer, and twenty roach which gave him a total weight of 11-4-0. He fished feeder alternating between pinkie and maggot. Jimmy Byrne took second place with 4-6-0. Fifteen fished. Please Note: Next week's draw is 7am fish 8 -12.

Our Disabled & Over 60's Monday match was fished this week on the Bridgewater Canal at Moore where the winner Richard Baker drew the stick-ups and fishing the pole using both maggot and caster ended up the clear winner with a net of four bream together with over twenty roach for a weight of 15-3-0 and he lost three further bream. Jimmy Byrne drew the 'Tramps Grave' peg and maintained his runner-up position of the previous day with 3-15-8 made up of small roach and perch caught on pinkie. Seventeen fished.

WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street remain closed on Friday evenings until further notice. Members renewing can simply put their book or request in an envelope with their payment, a stamped addressed envelope, and post it through our HQ door where mail is collected and dealt with most days. If you need any further information please give me a call or email as below.

Especially at this time of the year as sport slows, I really need your catch reports coming in as they are all very much appreciated by fellow members. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a ring on 01928 716238.

Frank Lythgoe

RESULTS:

Mersey Match Series:

1)      Ade Green          11-4-0

2)      Jimmy Byrne        4-6-0

3)      Alan Faulkner      2-12-0

4)      Ed Frangleton/Roy Everson 2-4-0

Monday Disabled & Over 60's:

1)      Richard Baker   15 -3-0

2)      Jimmy Byrne       3-15-8

3)      George Hollis      3-7-8

4)      David Hill             3-6-10

COMING EVENTS:

SUNDAY

Mersey Match Series, Members only (27 pegs) MUST BOOK ON. Draw 7am Mersey Walk. (Please    Note £5 pool or £10 all-in, no coins and exact money…no change given).

MONDAY

Disabled & Over 60's Draw 9-45am Bridgewater Canal, Stage Lane. (Please Note £5 all-in, no coins, exact money….no change given.