19th January 2021 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes
Due to current weather conditions, there has not been a lot happening only the occasional small fish from Woodshaw Reservoir and the Bridgewater Canal, so to help cheer everyone up I included several reports from this same week twelve months ago on the 21st January 2020: -
Despite the muddy conditions around Appleton Reservoir members are still regular visitors although wellies are an absolute necessity, better still thigh waders. Tom Lythgoe reported catching a lovely dark mirror over the weekend weighing 23lbs which he had also caught at 21lbs last year.
Clifford Buckley decided on Fosters Pools as his venue of choice this week and fished 'D' where despite the freezing temperature he managed a small 5lbs common, lost a couple of good fish, but added some roach and skimmers for an enjoyable few hours fishing.
I haven't had a report from any of our stretches of the Macclesfield Canal for what seems like an age so was pleased that Dennis Millburn had enjoyed a number of productive trips there of late, mainly catching quality roach plus some cracking perch. On Thursday he fished near the Queens Head feeding two swims with chopped worm in one and liquidised bread in the other. Bites were slow but he managed to end his session with three perch around 1.5lbs mark and eight chunky roach.
The Mersey Match on Sunday drawn at Kingsway allotments was certainly a surprise result when Ant Higham aka King of the River obliterated the opposition with a winning weight of 5-10-0 set against Roy Everson's runner-up result of 1-10-0. It seems Ant was struggling as were the rest of the field until he saw a decent sized fish swirl in the margin to his right and immediately lobbed his feeder roughly in its vicinity. He started catapulting maggots into the swim and bingo ten minutes later his tip shot round and it was fish on and a case of game over. It turned out to be a koi carp which someone had illegally released from their pond. I am reliably informed that Ade Green on the next peg was weeping and ended up coming next to last with 3oz!
Our Disabled and Over 60's Match on the Bridgewater Canal took place this week at the Walton Road Bridge stretch where Roy Rogers caught fifteen tiny roach for a weight of 0-11-10 to take his first win of 2020. George Hollis took second place with 0-9-4. Certainly, a massive fall in weights from the previous week when the lowest weight was 2-18-0, so needless to say they will be drawing back at Hough's Bridge next week.
Many thanks to the members who turned up to help with our annual top-up carp stocking last Friday where thankfully the rain held off until after the event. Some cracking fish were shared between Grey Mist, Moore Quarry, and Sandiway Lakes with the smallest at 22bs and largest at 25-8-0. Stocking photographs are currently on our members Facebook page.
BACK TO PRESENT DAY:
Last week Tim Poulter fished the Dead Length on the Bridgewater Canal using float fished smelt and ended up with one pike landed and one lost. Certainly, from his pic it looked in great condition. Mike Pritchard ventured out for the first time since Christmas on the same length of the canal, targeting roach and perch using pinkie but after trying a few swims he had to come to terms with his first dry net for some considerable time. However, he did report seeing other anglers catch several pike.
Our volunteers have been carrying out some work on the Appleton Reservoir car park which will be re-stoned once the bramble and self-seeded saplings have been removed. However, members are reminded that they MUST ONLY park on the car park and not on the roadside or private property. Failure to do so will put your membership in jeopardy. If you cannot access the car park go and fish another one of our waters.
Because of this horrible virus our 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 and 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. You can now renew memberships and night permits online from our Warrington Anglers Association website. It works a treat on mobile, tablet, or laptop.
Please note that the option for online renewals only will be temporarily suspended for a few weeks around the end of the month to allow us time to post out the new memberships.
Don't forget to send me any of your reports or stories as at this time of the year there is not a lot happening, so good, bad, or indifferent they will help fellow members to plan any trips to the bankside. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a ring on 01928 716238.
Stay safe,
Frank Lythgoe
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