WARRINGTON Anglers' Association member Stuart Roberts decided to cure his workday Monday blues by going fishing instead this week.

He fished at Ackers Pit for the first time in two years and as he said: "I think I caught it just right."

In a four-hour session, he reeled in seven bream to 2lbs, 46 roach to 12ozs and a few perch and gudgeon. The successful method was waggler and maggot. The latter proves how a different approach can bring results as this week, most anglers have relied on the pole which accounted for roach to 1lb and a few bream. Maggot and caster were the best baits.

Sport on the Bridgewater Canal seems to be improving with bailiff Barry Flemming reporting a reasonable catch of perch and gudgeon to 6ozs on white pinkie. He also lost two larger fish that straightened his fine wire hook. A friend of Barry's caught mainly roach to 1lb plus some skimmers.

Hot spots at present are Lymm Village, Oughtrington (near the boats) and Broadheath Marina where bream to 3lbs are being caught on bread and caster. Some good nets of roach have also been reported, the best of which weighed in at 15lbs and included a bream of 3lbs. The haul of fish belonged to Ian Lucas, who fished on pole and caster a few pegs from Barsbank Aqueduct.

Plenty of dace and grayling are being caught on the River Dee at Worthenbury using stick-float and tip methods. Small grayling and chublets are being caught at Worthenbury Brook.

The River Alyn is still worth a visit. Members are bagging up on small chub, dace and a few trout. Maggot and stick-float are proving to be the best method.

We carried out an emergency fish rescue on Wednesday where a pond was being drained for building work. The 300 roach went into our tiny but popular Bennett's Rec Pool. Hopefully they will give the youngsters who use it some good sport when the weather improves.

We will be carrying out another fish rescue today, Thursday. Anyone who fancies volunteering for the netting team should give me a ring.

We intend to boost the Sankey Canal stock at Carter House and Runcorn Town Park Lake in the next month to bring the resident fish into a feeding mode.

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

HQ Parker Street is open as usual on Friday between 7pm and 9.30pm. Drop in for subscriptions, new members or to chat and catch up on the news.

FRANK LYTHGOE

Results: Disabled & Over 60s: 1, Wally Powell, 6-2-0; 2, Bill Welsby, 4-8-0; 3, Ron Lever, 4-5-0; 4, Roger Peet, 3-5-0.

Coming events: Saturday: Senior Open, draw 11am, Walton Arms (pegs 181-350); Warrington Winter League (pegs Lymm Boats); Junior Winter Series, draw noon, Pickerings Br (pegs 672-700). Monday: Disabled and Over 60s, draw 10.30am, Star Inn (pegs 355-395).