Carp go off the feed at Grey Mist (From Warrington Guardian)

Carp go off the feed at Grey Mist

SPORT on the Bridgewater Canal was dire for Warrington Anglers' Association's Winter League match on Saturday.

The event was held on the Acton Grange Bridge to Moore length.

Most anglers struggled for ounces with catches mainly made up of small perch.

The winner, Craig Richie, bagged up on the rushes near to Moore Post Office. He had just over 6lbs of caster roach and several perch around the 1lb mark.

By contrast, in the Disabled and Over 60s match, which was held six days earlier at Cliffe Lane, anglers needed more than 4lbs of fish to get into the prizes.

Ron Durr won the match with a net of fish weighing 7lbs 7ozs 7drms. Catches comprised of bream to 2lbs, skimmers and roach.

Dennis Greenall reeled in a quality 2lbs perch on caster.

Pike have become more active as the water has cleared.

Steve Daley, fishing no further than a foot from the towpath, had four pike during a Sunday morning session.

They took either whole mackerel or sardine and weighed in at 8-7-0, 11-2-0, 11-12-0 and 13lbs.

Ian Jenks only had one run on his float-fished sardine at the Kelloggs stretch at Manchester but it turned out to be a personal best pike of 26-12-0.

Ian was gutted as he had forgotten his camera but he was still more than happy with his catch.

Carp have gone off the feed on Grey Mist Mere but Mark Preston managed to catch a mirror carp of 24-2-0 and John Bibby took a fish of 19-2-0.

Both fish were caught on a new prototype boilie that both anglers have been field-testing.

It took half an hour before roach settled confidently on to the loose fed maggot which was regularly introduced by Dave Wright at Ackers Pit on Sunday.

Fishing the pole at 12 metres out brought a succession of plump roach to Dave's landing net with fish weighing in at 12ozs.

Local bailiffs tell me that Town Park Lake has produced a few decent upper doubles recently and a pike of 22lbs.

Meanwhile, work has continued around the margins of this popular fishery and rubbish left by non-members has been removed.

Contact me with your catch reports on 01928 716238. Alternatively, fax me on 713898 or e-mail me at frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk.

HQ Parker Street will be open as usual tomorrow, Friday, between 7pm and 9.30pm for new members and subscriptions.

Frank Lythgoe

Coming events: Saturday: Junior Winter Series, draw noon, Walton Arms (pegs 302-328). Monday: Mersey Match, draw 9am, Weir Lane. Monday: Disabled and Over 60s, draw 10.15am, Star Inn (pegs 518-588).