Tuesday, 20 October 2020

20th October 2020 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

20th 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.