27th December 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

27^th December 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

As far as I am aware we had one brave member out on Christmas Eve who set-up in a peg clear if ice on Small Sandiway hoping for a Christmas Carp… it wasn't to be as his session was short-lived, ruined by a massive sheet of melting ice that floated into his swim causing a total wipe-out. I really hope he was compensated with some great presents the next morning😊

Our Members Mersey Series match fished this Tuesday, once again this week upstream of Mersey Walk with the hope of a few bites. Kevin Hall showed that he had the measure of this stretch after drawing peg 55 and putting together a net of small roach, one bonus pounder, and a couple of skimmer bream for a weight of 3-4-0 to chalk up his second win in successive weeks. He fished a groundbait feeder and maggot as did match organiser Jimmy Byrne who was the runner-up from peg 64 with twenty small roach for 2-15-0. It was a small turnout probably due to Christmas over indulgence!

After two cancellations due to a frozen canal, it was third time lucky and all systems go for our Disabled & Over 60's Christmas Prize Match on Monday. Fished at Walton as fish seem to annually shoal up here in the colder weather it saw The Breadman aka George Barber the decisive winner with a catch of small roach from a peg in the rhododendrons near Walton Bridge. It isn't exactly a mystery what bait he used to put together a weight of 4-0-8. Second placed Jimmy Byrne mixed it a bit with both bread and pinkie for six perch plus small roach for 3-3-6. Everyone got a prize with a good number to be made available next week for those that turn up.

Our WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT remains closed on Friday evenings but members can simply post to this address or put their membership book or request in an envelope with their payment and a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT 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.

Come on folks, please get in touch as your catch reports are especially welcome at this time of the year as sport slows and not as many of you on the banks. Lots of members rely on your shared information for their angling visits. Email secretary@warrington-anglers.org.uk

Happy New Year.

Frank Lythgoe

Results:

Mersey Series:

1)      Kevin Hall           3-4-0

2)      Jimmy Byrne     2-15-0

3)      Ian Titchard      2-13-0

4)      Ade Green        2-1-0

Disabled & Over 60's Christmas Prize Match Bridgewater Canal

1)      George Barber 4-0-8

2)      Jimmy Byrne    3-3-6

3)      Ron Durr          2-9-8

4)      Roy Hollis        1-15-6

 

Coming Events:

SUNDAY: (New Year's Day)

Members Mersey Series Match draw 8-45am Mersey Walk peg 75 back.

MONDAY:

Disabled & Over 60's … Draw 9-45am Walton Church (£5 all-in, exact money only, no change given).

20th December 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

20^th December 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

Understandably due to the weather conditions there have not been many anglers on the bank this past week however a welcome report from member Stuart Peters who braved the minus 5-degree conditions to fish the Alyn. The river level was low and gin clear so he wasn't expecting any explosive action but nevertheless he persevered spending almost as much time walking as fishing. But to Stuart this was proper winter fishing that he was brought up to; so, fishing every stretch of accessible water that he thought worthwhile he finished his session with three small grayling losing a pound plus fish on his last cast.  

Our Members Mersey Series Christmas Prize Match was fished this week upstream of Mersey Walk hoping for a repeat of the past few weeks fantastic winter sport. However, the weather had other ideas as the thaw caused an influx of cold melt water which put the off the feed. With only one small roach in my net, I got battered by the two anglers either side of me, one of which was the winner Kevin Hall who put together a net of roach and a skimmer bream for a weight of 5-2-0. Match organiser Jimmy Byrne was the runner-up with half a dozen small roach caught early in the match for 1-14-0. Thanks to him for not only running the match along with Ray Boden but for sourcing the prizes which saw every angler go home with some Christmas-cheer. Eighteen anglers fished.

The cold weather put the block on the second attempt to run our Disabled & Over 60's  Christmas Prize Match on Monday causing the event to be cancelled again as the Bridgewater Canal was still unfishable being covered with a thick sheet of melting ice. Match organiser Jimmy Byrne is keeping his fingers crossed that the canal will be fishable next week on Monday 27^th December so the event can actually go ahead before the New Year.

Our WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT remains closed on Friday evenings but members can simply post to this address or put their membership book or request in an envelope with their payment and a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT 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.

Come on folks, please get in touch as your catch reports are especially welcome at this time of the year as sport slows and not as many of you on the banks. Lots of members rely on your shared information for their angling visits. Email secretary@warrington-anglers.org.uk

Anyway, here's hoping that Santa brings you some new fishing tackle along with the socks and after-shave…. have a good Christmas.

Frank Lythgoe

Results:

Mersey Series:

1)      Kevin Hall           5-2-0

2)      Jimmy Byrne     1-14-0

3)      Rod Fraser         1-10-0

4)      Andy Hoyle       1-6-0

Disabled & Over 60's: Cancelled - Canal Frozen - Again

 

Coming Events:

TUESDAY:

Members Mersey Series Match draw 8-45am Mersey Walk peg 75 back.

MONDAY:

Disabled & Over 60's Christmas Prize Match Bridgewater Canal. Draw 9-45am Walton Church (£5 all-in, exact money only, no change given).

13th December 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

13^th December 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

Last Thursday saw our annual carp top-up stocking take place with fish pre-ordered twelve months ago. My initial worry was the view of a completely iced over canal when I opened our bedroom curtains. A few frantic phone calls and thankfully I was assured there was enough water clear of ice at the car park end of Grey Mist, our first port of call. So, the mix of VS Fishery C6 carp kicked off with five fish averaging a midges under 22lbs apiece topped by a sixth fish of 26-4-0. Next was Moore Quarry, again a similar five fish average plus a bonus 27pounder. Small Sandiway followed, the same amount topped with another 27pound fish. Last came Big Sandiway where ten carp were stocked, again maintaining the 22lbs average. The surprise of the day was when Viv Shears produced the final fish of the day a cracking C7 carp of 29lbs. Many thanks to everyone who turned out to help on such a bitterly cold day.

The Sunday Mersey Series this week was fished again this week upstream of Mersey Walk and saw committee member Mike Dench the winner with a net of quality roach plus a single perch and skinner for a weight of 13-4-0. Having drawn peg 50 Mike would have fished a float rod or the pole but when he arrived at his peg to set-up the choice had already been made for him as he had left his rods at home. His winning method was the pole at 12 to 13 metres feeding red maggot and caster and with either double or single on the hook. Kevin Hall was the runner-up from peg 55 with 12-12-0 made up of chunky roach and a bonus skimmer hooked on the 'all out' but unlike the winner all were caught on a mix of methods, groundbait feeder and bolo with maggot at the business end. The river fished well again so let's hope it carries on in that mode for the Christmas prize match on Sunday. Fourteen members fished.

The cold weather put the block to our Disabled & Over 60's intended Christmas Prize Match on Monday causing the event to be cancelled as the Bridgewater Canal was covered with a thick sheet of ice. Match organiser Jimmy Byrne is hoping for better conditions when he gives the Christmas Prize Match another try next week on Monday 19^th December.

More work carried out on Sunday at Rixton Claypits by our small but dedicated group of volunteers when overgrown fallen waterside trees were removed and angling access vastly improved. It goes without saying that the more volunteers who turn up the greater the amount of project work achievable. So, if you fancy a bit of exercise amongst like-minded people simply turn up for the next advertised event.  

In a similar vein two of our committee members are looking to 'recruit' a group of member volunteers to form a team to set about improving our prolific Association owned Wide Hole fishery at Poynton. If you are interested, please ring or email me with your details and I will pass them on.  

Our WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT remains closed on Friday evenings but members can simply post to this address or put their membership book or request in an envelope with their payment and a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT 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.

Come on folks, please get in touch as your catch reports are especially welcome at this time of the year as sport slows and not as many of you on the banks. Lots of members rely on your shared information for their angling visits. Email secretary@Warrington-anglers.org.uk

Frank Lythgoe

Results:

Mersey Series:

1)      Mike Dench     13-4-0

2)      Kevin Hall         12-12-0

3)      Andrew Hoyle 12-4-0

4)      Bob Clough      11-4-0

Disabled & Over 60's: Cancelled - Canal Frozen

 

Coming Events:

SUNDAY:

Members Mersey Series Christmas Prize Match draw 8-45am Mersey Walk peg 75 back.

MONDAY:

Disabled & Over 60's Christmas Prize Match Bridgewater Canal. Draw 9-45am Walton Church (£5 all-in, exact money only, no change given)

6th December 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

6^th December 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

Anybody who wishes to see our annual carp stocking it starts at Grey Mist at around 10am on Thursday 8^th December 2022 then onwards to Moore Quarry and Sandiway Lakes.

Last week David Tasker after four blank sessions whilst using light gear on the Bridgewater Canal he stepped it up with a stronger set-up and bingo it worked when he landed a beautifully marked pike from the Preston Brook stretch. In the heat of the moment coupled with his concern about fish welfare it wasn't weighed but the size alone was enough for David to recognise it as his new PB. The successful method was a Fox 10cm roach lure fished close to the margin whilst walking the bank…. as a form of exercise it doesn't get much better!

At the other end of the Bridgewater in the Spud Wood stretch at Agden a lively jack pike took his lure and saved what was looking like being a blank for Paul Knowles. Still targeting predators Chris Taylor braved the colder mornings of this past week on a 'perch hunt' and was rewarded for his efforts with a couple of his target stripeys.

Wide Hole at Poynton is usually a summer fishery but Ed Warwick decided the location suited his first foray into dead-baiting for pike. He float-fished smelt over depth and was more than made up when he ended up his session with three fish, the best he reckons was around 10lbs. Worth a visit.

The Sunday Mersey Series this week was fished this week upstream of Mersey Walk and Ray Boden was the clear winner with a weight of 12-11-0. He caught mainly on the pole and maggot and a few on the tip for a net of roach and perch from end peg 59. Next door on peg 58 Ant Higham aka The King of the River took second place with a similar catch taken on bolognaise and maggot for 9-10-0. The river fished well so let's hope the predicted colder weather doesn't impact too much on next week's match. Thirteen members fished.

Our Disabled & Over 60's fished their Monday match this week on the Bridgewater Canal at Walton where the winner Jimmy Byrne drawing peg 14 fished the pole and alternated between bread punch pinkie to put together a net of sixty small roach and perch for a weight of 3-8-0. Runner-up Paul Ashton drew next door on end peg 15 catching a similar mix of fish for 2-10-0. Fifteen anglers fished. A reminder folks that the Christmas Prize Match is next week on the 12^th December.

Our WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT remains closed on Friday evenings but members can simply post to this address or put their membership book or request in an envelope with their payment and a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT 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.

Come on folks, please get in touch as your catch reports are especially welcome at this time of the year as sport slows and not as many of you on the banks. Lots of members rely on your shared information for their angling visits. Email secretary@Warrington-anglers.org.uk

Frank Lythgoe

Results:

Mersey Series:

1)      Ray Boden     12-11-0

2)      Ant Higham     9-10-0

3)      Jimmy Byrne   7-14-0

4)      Roy Everson    7-11-0

Disabled & Over 60's:

1)      Jimmy Byrne   3-8-0

2)      Paul Ashton    2-10-0

3)      Ron Durr         1-14-0

4)      Neil Buist        1-11-0

Coming Events:

SUNDAY:

Members Mersey Series draw 8-45am Mersey Walk peg 75 back.

MONDAY:

Disabled & Over 60's Christmas Prize Match Bridgewater Canal. Draw 9-45am Walton Church (£5 all-in, exact money only, no change given)

29th November 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

29th November 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

James Shimmon had a good day's sport on The Mount at Buckley on Friday, and was more than happy at this time of the year with his catch of six carp. Four were in single figures weight-wise, a 13lb common and a 12lb mirror on his last cast to top the day off. He tempted four fish on Mainline cell boilies and two on DNA baits gear.

Ian Grainger reports a catch of four perch from the Trent & Mersey Canal along the Farm Road stretch. He was drop shotting with tiny lures and four perch isn't a bad catch, but even better when two of them were over a pound topped by one just nudging the 2lb mark.

The Sunday Mersey Series this week drawn at Victoria Park and again saw the river carrying a lot of extra water making it a heavy feeder event, although a few tried the float. Kevin Hall who was back on the river for the first time this year drew peg 31 and made it pay with a winning weight of 6-9-0. He fished the feeder with maggot and caster, but not a touch on worm for a net made up of roach, three skimmers and a perch.  Ian Titchard was close on his heels taking second place with a similar catch for 6-6-0. Fourteen members fished.

Our Disabled & Over 60's fished their Monday match this week on the Bridgewater Canal at Houghs Bridge where the winner John Ashwin fishing the pole and pinkie put together a net of roach and perch to which he added a bonus decent sized stripey for a weight of 4-14-0. Neil Buist aka The Engine was the runner-up with a net of roach and perch taken on bread punch and pinkie for 4-11-0. Eighteen anglers fished.

There has been quite a fair amount of work done by our volunteers around our fisheries over this past couple of weeks, another couple of pegs finished to a high standard at Grey Mist, steps completely overhauled and fencing at Sandiway Lakes, brush clearance at Rixton, and tree removal at Wide Hole. There are also working parties coming up on the Sankey St Helens Canal details will continue to be posted on our volunteers' page. Any member who fancies helping on any of our waters is more than welcome, simply get in touch or join our Warrington Anglers Facebook volunteers' group.

Anybody wanting to hone their predator fishing may be interested in an appearance on Saturday 3^rd December by well-known Gord Burton aka The Piking Pirate and others at newly re-opened Newton Tackle & Baits, Unit 1a, Suez Street, Newton Le Willows WA12 9PJ.

Our WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT remains closed on Friday evenings but members can simply post to this address or put their membership book or request in an envelope with their payment and a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT 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.

Come on folks, please get in touch as your catch reports are especially welcome at this time of the year as sport slows and not as many of you on the banks. Lots of members rely on your shared information for their angling visits. Email secretary@Warrington-anglers.org.uk

Frank Lythgoe

Results:

Mersey Series:

1)      Kevin Hall     6-9-0

2)      Ian Titchard 6-6-0

3)      Roy Hollis     4-4-0

4)      Neil Buist      3-12-0

Disabled & Over 60's:

1)      John Ashwin   4-14-0

2)      Neil Buist        4-11-0

3)      Jimmy Byrne   4-7-0

4)      Peter Jones     4-2-0

Coming Events:

SUNDAY:

Members Mersey Series draw 8-45am Mersey Walk peg 75 back.

MONDAY:

Disabled & Over 60's Match Bridgewater Canal. Draw 9-45am Houghs Bridge (£5 all-in, exact money only, no change given).

22nd November 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

22nd November 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

On Saturday the Perch Maestro aka Michael White set out for an early morning session on the Bridgewater Canal searching for signs of movement when he spotted roach topping and cast his lure amongst them and as he stated, found a perch. A stunning fish indeed during what turned out to be a brief one-hour visit. The successful method was an FFS floating finesse stick set up on a Texas rig. Thanks Mike, for explaining the set-up to me. It must have been a coincidence as I had only dug my drop-shot rod and gear out on that same day, not saying that I will catch much, but need the exercise!

Stuart Ripon was out targeting the Rixton Claypits pike on Tuesday with only one jack-pike to show for his efforts. But, as he said, "It's nice to be out. Rixton is stunning this time of the year!" And I would add this fishery along with others are being vastly improved by the efforts of the volunteer working parties giving their time up to make angling better for fellow members.

Dave Gardner was out on the Mersey on Monday where despite sport being much harder due to the change in weather as we head towards winter….not long to go. He set-up a float rod and in the first ten minutes landed his only two fish, a brace of perch around the pound mark, caught with the hook loaded with four maggots. With nothing happening despite trying other baits he was back home after three hours to thaw out.

We have all no doubt heard about the current bird flu situation and the doom and gloom being spread that our Christmas turkey may be in short supply. Well anglers should be aware that if you see a dead wild bird please don't touch it. If you find one or more dead birds of prey, or three or more dead gulls or wild waterfowl (swans, geese, and ducks), or five or more of any species you can help and find how to report them at: https://www.gov.uk/guidence/avian-influenza-bird-flu#report-dead-wils-birds.

The Sunday Mersey Series this week drawn at Mersey Walk saw the river carrying a fair bit of extra water and started with unseasonal pleasant weather conditions, however with an hour or so to go the heavens opened, but hey that's fishing. Jimmy Byrne was the winner in a low weight event with a net of roach taken from peg 70 on a groundbait feeder and red maggot. claim his third win from the four so far fished since the problems with the weir stopped our regular series. Ray Boden was demoted back to second place with a catch of roach and perch taken on the same method from peg 59. Eleven members fished.

Our Disabled & Over 60's fished their Monday match this week on the Bridgewater Canal at Walton with Mike Worley the decisive winner with 3-7-0 of roach caught on the pole alternating between punch bread and pinkie. Only 3ounces separated the next three weights with Jeff Stoll taking the runner-up spot again for the second successive week with a net of roach plus perch with 2-6-0. Fourteen anglers fished.

Our WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT remains closed on Friday evenings but members can simply post to this address or put their membership book or request in an envelope with their payment and a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT 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.

Come on folks, please get in touch as your catch reports are especially welcome at this time of the year as sport slows and not as many of you on the banks. Lots of members rely on your shared information for their angling visits. Email secretary@Warrington-anglers.org.uk

Frank Lythgoe

Results:

Mersey Series:

1)      Jimmy Byrne     6-13-0

2)      Ray Boden         5-3-0

3)      Ken Hall             4-10-0

4)      Frank Lythgoe  4-6-0

Disabled & Over 60's:

1)      Mike Worley     3-7-0

2)      Jeff Stoll             2-6-0

3)      Ron Durr            2-4-0

4)      Alan Faulkner   2-3-0

Coming Events:

SUNDAY:

Members Mersey Series draw 8-45am Victoria Park peg 34 down.

MONDAY:

Disabled & Over 60's Match Bridgewater Canal. Draw 9-45am Houghs Bridge (£5 all-in, exact money only, no change given).

15th November 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

15th November 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

Mike Chris had a cracking evening session on the Ribble on Monday with a catch of four chub to around 6.5lbs. But the icing on the cake was an additional four barbel with the biggest at 13-8-0 all caught using Vortex Bait 8mm crab, krill, and oyster pellets. Mike has regularly fished the river throughout the season where he has caught a fair number of doubles and reckons that the bigger fish tend to come at this time of the year.

Jonny Hughes with his son Daniel reported a great 'dad and lad' pike session at Rixton Claypits on Sunday morning. The pair are normally keen bass anglers and only joined in September having so far caught more pike than their preferred salt water species. Previously having had no luck with lures they found the most successful bait was trout with sardine oil, result this week was two all.

Gary Chadwick had a belting morning session this past weekend catching loads of decent sized perch and roach. The successful method was float-fished worm over pinkies. Boat traffic was light which Gary reckons improves sport making it a top winter venue. He also reported lots of pike striking so worth a visit whatever your fancy.

Dave Gardner who for a change was out on his own on Monday at Statham Pool reported an enjoyable but mixed mornings fishing. Having already caught over half a dozen chunky perch, suddenly his float dipped and whatever he had hooked shot off in a flash and embedded itself in the lilies, result no fish and a straightened hook. Next came a small tench but nothing for the next hour or so until he started catching a few roach, one being claimed by a pike for his breakfast. All fish caught on float-rod and maggots.

The Sunday Mersey Series this week drawn at Victoria Park saw a complete reverse of last week's conditions with the river being a fair bit lower but nevertheless pleasant weather conditions for the time of the year. Ray Boden dropped to second place last week but not for long as Sunday's match saw him back to claim his third win from the four so far fished since the problems with the weir stopped our regular series. Ray caught a cracking net of pole caught roach and perch on maggot from peg 23 for a weight of exactly 19-0-0. Jonathan Green was the runner-up from peg 28 with a similar net of fish which included a couple of skimmers for 16-4-0 taken alternating between a long whip and rod at around 8 metres. It fished really well with a fair number of anglers catching double figure nets. Seventeen members fished.

Our Disabled & Over 60's fished their Monday match this week on the Bridgewater Canal in the Houghs Bridge length. The winner Alan Faulkner put together a decent net of roach on pole and bread punch plus a few perch on pinkie for a weight of 5-10-0. Jeff Stoll made the most of an end peg draw to take second place with over thirty perch plus a few roach caught alternating between maggot and pinkie for 5-5-0. Sixteen anglers fished.

Our WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT remains closed on Friday evenings but members can simply post to this address or put their membership book or request in an envelope with their payment and a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT 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.

Your catch reports are more than welcome as many members rely on your shared information for their visits to the bankside. Email secretary@Warrington-anglers.org.uk

Frank Lythgoe

Results:

Mersey Series:

1)      Ray Boden          19-0-0

2)      Jonathan Green 16-4-0

3)      Harry Billing        15-1-0

4)      Bas Chambers    14-4-0

Disabled & Over 60's:

1)      Alan Faulkner    5-10-0

2)      Jeff Stoll             5-5-0

3)      Ron Durr            5-1-0

4)      Alan Brown       4-13-0

Coming Events:

SUNDAY:

Members Mersey Series draw 8-45am Mersey Walk peg 75 back.

MONDAY:

Disabled & Over 60's Match Bridgewater Canal. Draw 9-45am Walton Church. (£5 all-in, exact money only, no change given).

8th November 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

8th November 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

Some sad news to start this week's column is that member Keith Hay passed away peacefully last Thursday. Keith was a longstanding member of our management committee and certainly left his mark on many of our fisheries, no job was too big or too small whether it be peg building, netting, or stocking fish; if there was a problem, he would always find a solution. My first meeting with Keith when he came along to help with our annual trout introduction. I watched with amazement as he lashed a rope to the stocking bin full of water and trout and lower it hand over hand into the River Gowy from the A56 Bridge, normally it took two of us to do the job! Our condolences to his wife Ethel and family at this time. The funeral is at 3pm on Tuesday 29^th November at St Helens Crematorium.

Last Thursday morning Phil Hughes was in his words 'just having a look' walking along the Bridgewater Canal searching out some likely spots which may hold decent sized pike as his best on previous visits peaked at 7lbs. He had with him a light bait casting rod with a salmo jerk bait lure at the business end and occasionally tried the odd cast not expecting much action as he moved slowly along the bank. Suddenly he hooked into what was obviously a sizeable fish and after some heart stopping moments landed a cracking looking pike. The fish sent the scales round to 22lbs but after taking off the weigh-net Phil settled on 19-8-0.

Committee member Andy Burrows accompanied by our head bailiff James Makin, Keith Starkey, and Trevor Royle spent the best part of Wednesday working clearing branches and repairing a peg at Grey Mist. Jobs completed Andy and James set-up for a night session already armed with the knowledge that a few carp had been caught that day. It was really windy making casting a bit hit and miss and the night was spent devoid of any action. However, the reward came at least for Andy at 8am on Thursday morning in the shape of a mirror carp weighing in at 18-4-0. Successful method was Sticky Krill 4mm pellets and groundbait in a PVA bag and a 15mm banoffee pop-up on the hook.

Our Sunday Mersey Series this week saw a change in conditions with the river carrying a fair amount of extra water. It was fished at Mersey Walk where Harry Billing who missed last week's match drew peg 58 from where he won two weeks ago. Well guess what, no he didn't draw the same peg but drew next door at number 58 and secured another win with a weight of 16lbs of roach and perch. His successful method was the pole at 9metres and maggot. Ray Boden took second place from peg 74 two weeks ago and uncannily repeated the performance by drawing it again this week. Ray fished the tip with a groundbait feeder and maggot for a weight of 12-6-0 made up of nearly all skimmers to 2lbs. Thirteen members fished.

The Disabled & Over 60's fished their Monday match this week on the Bridgewater Canal at Moore where the winner Paul Aston put together a net of roach and a small skimmer on pole and bread punch for a weight of 3-12-0. Runner-up Alan Faulkner using the same method with an all roach catch for 3-10-0. Seventeen anglers fished.

Our WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT remains closed on Friday evenings but members can simply post to this address or put their membership book or request in an envelope with their payment and a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT 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.

Your catch reports are more than welcome as many members rely on your shared information for their visits to the bankside. Email secretary@Warrington-anglers.org.uk

Frank Lythgoe

Results:

Mersey Series:

1)      Harry Billing     16-0-0

2)      Ray Boden       12-6-0

3)      Jimmy Byrne     8-1-0

4)      Peter Jones       6-9-0

Disabled & Over 60's:

1)       Paul Ashton      3-12-0

2)      Alan Faulkner    3-8-0

3)      Alan Brown        2-12-0

4)      George Hollis     2-9-0

Coming Events:

SUNDAY:

Members Mersey Series draw 8-45am Victoria Park peg 34 down.

MONDAY:

Disabled & Over 60's Match Bridgewater Canal. Draw 9-45am Houghs Bridge, Walton. (£5 all-in, exact money only, no change given).

1st November 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

1^st November 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

It is some seven months since Cameron Daly aged 9years headed this column but he's back, this keen young angler with a preference for pike fishing was back on the Bridgewater Canal last week. Using the method of drifted baits, he caught two of the predators on the far shelf and another plus a perch from the towpath side. His dad Ste was no doubt as in the past demoted to 'camera kid,' tea-boy, and using his words, 'netting Noddy'. However, Ste did manage a trip on his own to Grey Mist this week targeting the tench from this prolific fishery. It didn't work out as such for he eventually realised that all the liners and line twitches weren't his species of choice so in the last hour a desperate change of approach was needed to save 'a blank'. Rummaging in his gear he put together some 5lbs mainline and 4lbs BS flouro along with a tiny 30g feeder and 16's hook baited with three red maggots. The change thankfully saved the day as he caught fourteen cracking looking roach which are probably rarely targeted in this fishery.

Gary Whitehead managed to fit in a three-hour piking session on the Bridgewater Canal last week, trying a different area on this occasion. Using fresh sardine as bait on size 6 hooks he was quite happy when ending up with three lovely marked specimens, two as he was about to pack up. This winter Gary is mounting a pike campaign on the canal so watch this space.

On Tuesday afternoon I spotted an angler, obviously predator fishing walking along the Bridgewater. I cannot help myself and stopped Mark Clare on his return to both check that he was a member and if he had caught anything. It was positive on both counts, as he reported catching five small pike, best a female of around 8lbs, all taken on a Rapala minnow lure.

Anthony Rough enjoyed a few hours float fishing for perch on The Mount at Buckley on what was a nice sunny afternoon. He caught twenty-five perch presenting large prawns as bait to avoid the smaller fish.

A late report from Appleton Reservoir from Steve Wright who has caught small carp in the past whilst match fishing but this was his first ever targeted carp session when specifically, set-up with the right gear. He was rewarded with a mirror of 18lbs tempted on a 15mm wafter.

Sunday saw the second of our River Mersey Series for some time due to higher following the damage to Howley weir. This week it was fished at Victoria Park where there were again some cracking catches with the winner Ray Boden putting a net of mainly roach plus a few perch on the scales for a weight of 21-10-0. He fished peg 26 using maggot on the pole at 11metres. Nick Burrows who drew peg 31 was the runner-up fishing the same method for 18-15-0. Unusually only four skimmers were caught throughout the match with roach by far the predominant species. Fifteen members fished.

The Disabled & Over 60's fished their Monday match this week on the Bridgewater Canal opposite Daresbury Laboratories and saw 'The Breadman' (George Barber) the winner with an all-roach net for 3-10-0. He drew the first peg past the Bridge opposite the Labs and as you would have expected caught all his fish on bread punch and feeding liquidised Warburtons. Second placed Alan Faulkner drew the short length which by appearance always looks the better choice, but after starting off on bread punch and only a few tiny fish he changed to maggot alternating with worm to take perch and roach for 2-10-0. He reported lots of pike striking which didn't help but good news for our winter pike anglers. Eighteen anglers fished.

Our WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT remains closed on Friday evenings but members can simply post to this address or put their membership book or request in an envelope with their payment and a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT 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.

Your catch reports are more than welcome as many members rely on your shared information for their visits to the bankside. Email secretary@Warrington-anglers.org.uk

Frank Lythgoe

Results:

Mersey Series:

1)      Ray Boden       21-10-0

2)      Nick Burrows  18-15-0

3)      Bas Chambers 17-2-0

4)      Jimmy Byrne   16-5-0

Disabled & Over 60's:

1)       George Barber 3-10-0

2)      Alan Faulkner    2-10-0

3)      Ron Durr            2-9-0

4)      Paul Ashton       2-8-0

Coming Events:

SUNDAY:

Members Mersey Series draw 8-45am Mersey Walk peg 75 back.

MONDAY:

Disabled & Over 60's Match Bridgewater Canal. Draw 9-45am Tramps Grave, Moore. (£5 all-in, exact money only, no change given).

25th October 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

25^th October 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

On Wednesday at Appleton Reservoir Darren Smith with nothing happening was just about to call it a day when out of the blue the Gods smiled down on him and he was suddenly playing a decent fish. After a few heart stopping moments, a mirror carp was safely in his landing net which turned out to be a new PB weighing exactly 25lbs. The fish was caught on a small wafter fed using a PVA bag.

The same day The Perch Maestro aka Michael White was out again working his magic on the Bridgewater Canal with his usual lures when he landed a stripey which he reconned to have caught four times over the past three years in roughly the same area. Its weight had varied from nearing 3lbs to the current of just under 2-5-0.

Wednesday for some reason seems to have been one of those days as Tim Poulter who ventured out to the Bridgewater Canal to add to his past weeks piking action. Sadly, despite hooking five pike each one refused to cooperate, result 5-nil. However not one to accept defeat Tim sopped off at Statham Pool on his way home for a last-ditch effort and was rewarded with a 3lbs jack. At least it wasn't a blank.

Dave Gardner and Ken Hewitt aka the Dynamic Duo have been on their travels again, this time to the Bridgewater Canal at Preston Brook, taking advantage of the protection offered by the M6 motorway bridge in the predicted inclement weather. Ken, still happy following his recent win of a Korda goody bag in a competition on our Facebook group set-up a pole and maggot at 7metres. He ended up with a catch of perch ranging for a couple of ounces to around a 1.5lbs, losing a bigger one at the net, plus three roach. Dave using both a waggler and method feeder had four roach, one over a pound. Ken obviously is keeping a tight grip on his luck!

Following an abortive trip to Grey Mist Mere on Thursday which unusually saw a full car park and most pegs taken Neil Plunkett undeterred ventured out again the following day. This time to one of his other favourite venues, Rixton Claypits which saw him with the place completely to himself. Fishing feeder tactics with frozen sweetcorn as bait he landed six decent sized bream plus a surprise jack pike which took his feeder on the retrieve. Added to this and taken on waggler, same bait plus maggot he caught roach and perch to end his session with a bonus tench of 5lbs. Neil commented, "All that close to home, sat in the sunshine and silence, what a great water."

Sunday saw a welcome return of our River Mersey Series due to higher water levels helping to ensure selected pegs were suitable to fish following the damage to Howley weir which is currently awaiting repair. Harry Billing made peg 57 pay with a catch of quality roach, skimmers, and hybrids taken on the pole for a winning weight of 24-11-0. Second placed Ray Boden wasn't too far behind with a weight of 23-5-0 of bream and roach taken mainly on the tip. Only nine members fished due to other commitments but after these weights I rather think that more will be tuning out for the next match at Victoria Park.

The Disabled & Over 60's fished their Monday match this week on the Bridgewater Canal at Walton and saw Chris Wray the winner with a net of quality roach and perch caught on pole fished worm and caster for a weight of 5-11-0. Paul Ashton took second place helped by a bonus bream of 2.5lbs which added to his catch of roach and perch gave him a total of 5-6-5. Catches along the match were mainly roach and perch. Fifteen anglers fished.

Our WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT remains closed on Friday evenings but members can simply post to this address or put their membership book or request in an envelope with their payment and a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT 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.

Your catch reports are more than welcome as many members rely on your shared information for their visits to the bankside. Email secretary@Warrington-anglers.org.uk

Frank Lythgoe

Results:

Mersey Series:

1)      Harry Billing    24-11-0

2)      Ray Boden       23-5-0

3)      Jimmy Byrne   14-3-0

4)      Bud Lea              9-8-0

Disabled & Over 60's:

1)       Chris Wray       5-11-0

2)      Paul Ashton      5-6-5

3)      Alan Faulkner/George Barber 4-2-0

Coming Events:

SUNDAY:

Members Mersey Series draw 8-45am Victoria Park peg 34 down.

MONDAY:

Disabled & Over 60's Match Bridgewater Canal. Draw 9-45am Daresbury Labs. (£5 all-in, exact money only, no change given).

18th October 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

18^th October 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

One of our volunteer bailiffs Michael White does a cracking job, but he can also catch fish, especially specimen perch from the Bridgewater Canal. An evening session this past week saw him land three such fish, all over 3lbs apiece which for many anglers including myself were the fish of a lifetime. Using FFS stick and skirted Kraken lures he reckons that once he casts to a shoal and is lucky enough to hook a fish the remainder scatter and its onwards to find another shoal in the autumn clear water conditions.

Steven McCarthy was certainly enjoying his day session on Wednesday at our popular Grey Mist Mere fishery when I chatted to him on the bank. He had already landed a 16lbs mirror and 25lbs common carp along with three tench, best 7lbs. All were tempted using strawberry boilies.

Tim Poulter had a good start to his first pike session of the year when first visiting Rixton Claypits he caught three jack-pike and then still looking for more action went to the Bridgewater Canal at Walton to end his day on a high note with another pike landed successfully. Jonny Hughes also enjoyed a sunny morning's pike fishing at Rixton again being rewarded with a pike for his efforts, certainly worth a visit. On Sunday Paul Knowles also enjoyed his first pike foray of the year on the Trent & Mersey Canal at Barnton. Fishing with sardine he was rewarded with a lovely looking pike.

The Disabled & Over 60's fished their Monday match this week on the Bridgewater Canal at Moore and saw Alan Faulkner improve his last week's fourth place result with a win, weighing in a mixed net of roach and perch for 5-8-0. Alan had a bite every put-in for the first 1.5hours of the match, mainly roach on bread punch and the occasional perch when he swapped to pinkie.  It was a close-run thing as second placed Alan Brown was only 2oz short with his weight of 5-6-0. Catches along the match were mainly roach and perch with a few bonus skimmers for the luckier anglers. Pinkie was the bait of the day with a few like the winner catching on bread punch. Thirteen anglers fished.

Thanks to all volunteers who turned out for working parties this past week at Phoenix Park Lake which saw two pegs fully refurbished, at Rixton amongst other work a really big snag was removed, and some tree branch trimming took place at Statham Pool. Anybody wishing to volunteer please get in touch or simply turn up at advertised work parties and you will be made very welcome.

One thing that really gets to our bailiffs and volunteers are the so-called anglers who leave litter; OK they are in a minority but their disregard for their surroundings reflects on the decent majority. So, a reminder of Rule 13. No tents, fires, disposable barbeques, single use bottles, or cans/tins/plastic packaging etc are allowed on our fisheries. It is simple really; purchase and use re-usable containers they are cheap as chips. You have been warned!

Our WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT remains closed on Friday evenings but members can simply post to this address or put their membership book or request in an envelope with their payment and a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT 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.

Your catch reports are more than welcome as many members rely on your shared information for their visits to the bankside. Email secretary@Warrington-anglers.org.uk

Frank Lythgoe

Results:

Disabled & Over 60's:

1)       Alan Faulkner    5-8-0

2)      Alan Brown        5-6-0

3)      Bob Fitzpatrick  4-11-0

4)      Alan Clarke/Jeff Stoll    4-2-0

Coming Events:

SUNDAY:

Members Mersey Series draw 8-45am Mersey Walk peg 75 down.

MONDAY:

Disabled & Over 60's Match Bridgewater Canal. Draw 9-45am Walton Church (£5 all-in, exact money only, no change given).

11th October 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

11^th October 2022 Warrington Anglers Association Guardian Notes

Last week Neil Plunkett ended a short holiday break at Hay on Wye with a productive five-hour session on our river stretch catching six roach, six chub, and six barbel (sign of the devil or what). All were caught on the feeder fishing the river as it fined down after heavy rain and using pellet or corn as hook baits. Neil commented, "Fantastic sport and a kingfisher zooming up and down in front of me as I fished. Bliss!!!!"

On Monday Anthony Rough had a short but enjoyably productive afternoon session on the River Alyn at Rossett where trotting with maggots he landed a dozen or so grayling. Tim Poulter also reported brilliant sport on the same venue over a week ago using the same method. He caught over thirty grayling with the best approaching the 2lbs mark along with dace, trout (one looked like a sea-trout around 2lbs), and a single chub.

Dave Tomkinson aka The Tench Whisperer was back at Grey mist last Thursday and within ten minutes had landed a cracking male of 8-9-0. Dave ended his session with fourteen tench down to around 3lbs but the first fish of the day was still the heaviest specimen. He fed sweetcorn and hemp along with almost a kilo of 10mm boilies.

The last time Andy Corr fished on the Trent & Mersey Canal was over twenty years ago on a winter league. No such pressure last weekend when he set up for his first ever pleasure session at Barton Basin fishing on the pole at 11metres with bread punch. The end result was around a hundred fish, the better stamp roach and skimmers moving onto his bait during the last hour. He tried worm before he packed up for the day and caught skimmers and quality perch fished over his punch line. All in all, loads of bites on a picturesque canal.

Paul Dewhurst had a trip out to the Macclesfield Canal at Astbury this week, an hour's drive, but as he said, "Well worth it." Fishing across he caught quality roach and hybrids on chopped worm and numerous ruffe and perch when using the same method down the track (middle). Three of the perch were around the pound mark topped by the last fish of the day at 1-8-0.

Anyone looking for some pike action as the temperatures drop try the Bridgewater Canal where Steve Simpson fishing a replica pike lure landed three, best around 12lbs from Broadheath. Jacks showing at Rixton.

The Disabled & Over 60's fished their Monday match this week on the Bridgewater Canal at Hill Top Road. The canal was losing its colour, possibly due to the reduction in boat traffic and some anglers struggled for bites. Not so Stu Patterson who was pegged near the bus stop and reportedly fished pinkie throughout for a decisive win with his weight of 10-3-0. Stu was catching roach but enjoyed a really busy spell during which he hooked five bream and landed four. Second placed Mike Worley also had a bonus bream which along with a four roach gave him a weight of 3-11-0. Seventeen anglers fished.

Our WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT remains closed on Friday evenings but members can simply post to this address or put their membership book or request in an envelope with their payment and a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT 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.

Your catch reports are more than welcome as many members rely on your shared information for their visits to the bankside. Email secretary@Warrington-anglers.org.uk

Frank Lythgoe

Results:

Disabled & Over 60's:

1)       Stu Patterson 10-3-0

2)      Mike Worley      5-12-0

3)      Peter Jones        2-11-0

4)      Alan Faulkner    4-10-0

Coming Events:

MONDAY:

Disabled & Over 60's Match Bridgewater Canal. Draw 9-45am Tramp Grave, Moore (£5 all-in, exact money only, no change given).