WARRINGTON Anglers' Association's eight-year-old Dominic Nunn caught a cracking chub weighing in at around 4lbs from the River Dane at Holmes Chapel.

The fish was taken on quiver-tipped maggot feeder, presenting a hair-rigged piece of luncheon meat on the hook.

Dominic fished sensibly in a snaggy swim with a 6lbs main line and 5lbs hook length.

A decent chub of 4lbs is reported from another tiny river, the Perry at Ruyton-Xl-Towns, by member Chris Henstone.

He took the fish on float-fished double maggot. Although none on this occasion, he confirms previous reports from other anglers of catching roach up to 2lbs from this venue.

Alan Broadstairs fished the River Dove on Monday and bagged up on grayling and trout. Fishing a small maggot feeder he had 18 grayling, five trout and a small barbel of about 3lbs. Members were put off this fishery in the past when a number of vehicles had paint work ruined by cows. Now the car park ensures that your car is safe.

Our local bailiff reports that sport on the River Ribble at Balderstone is well below par with only a few small chub reported. We need some constant temperatures to get fish feeding.

Nearer to home, the River Mersey is still producing roach and chub to feeder-fished maggot but, strangely, the gudgeon and perch are not showing. Anthony Higham won his first match on the Mersey on Sunday with 3lbs 12ozs 4drms of roach and chub followed by Ray Bowden with 2-12-0 in runner-up spot.

Pike to 19lbs are being caught from Sandiway Lakes on dead bait. One thing for certain is that these fish have piled on weight in the last few seasons. The person who told me is notorious for getting things wrong but reckons that a massive fish of 29lbs has been caught from the big lake. Now I know that carp have been landed to this weight but not pike....reports please!

Anglers who broke the ice at Astle Pool caught small roach on maggot. On the subject of breaking ice, sometimes if it is too thick the vibrations caused can actually stun the fish where they then die in an icy grave. Makes you think?

Please contact me with your catch reports on 01928 716238, fax 713898 or e-mail frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk. HQ Parker Street will open as usual tomorrow, Friday, between 7pm and 9.30pm for new members, subscriptions, etc.

Frank Lythgoe

Coming events: Senior Winter Series, draw 11am, London Bridge (pegs 360-550); Local Winter League (pegs 560-620). Sunday: Mersey Match, draw 9am, Weir Lane. Monday: Disabled and Over 60s, draw 10.15am, Star Inn.