WARRINGTON Anglers' Association have made a start on a weed control programme at Grey Mist fishery, having treated 500 square metres.

It will be a long job because we cannot treat too large an area otherwise as the weed dies there would be a massive drop in oxygen and fish deaths would inevitably be the result.

However, there are plenty of fish moving. They love the weed so included in the control programme is the reinstatement of 'non-invasive' aquatic plants to provide essential cover.

At present the Mist is fishing well with Damien Eastham banking a mirror carp of 20lbs which took a fancy to his meat offering.

Anthony Outlaw netted 80lbs of carp with fish of 10, 14, 16 and 18lbs on his special boilie mix.

Pole anglers fishing the clear patches in the weed are bagging up on roach and perch on maggot or caster. As a matter of interest our working party spotted a good number of roach estimated at 2.5lbs while working in the boat.

Eddie Cardus set out his stall for the famous barbel on our River Severn fishery at Loton Park but was out of luck.

However, he landed a personal best with brace of chub which he described as 'peas in a pod,' each weighing in at 5-2-0.

Member Alan Morrow, after reading last week's column, made his first visit to the River Dee at Worthenbury and had a red letter day.

Alan bagged up on quality dace and grayling and was ripped-off a number of times by 'monster pike'. He estimated his weight at 30 to 35lbs all taken on stick float and red maggot.

For the record we scored another good result in the NJAA Championships on the River Avon at Evesham on Saturday when our intermediate gold team came second in a powerful line-up of river teams.

Considering we went and fished without a practice it was a cracking result. The team consisted of Andy Gough, Adam Hollis, Mark Bibby, and Ian Proudman. Three Counties won the event with 11 points to our 15.

Appleton Reservoir, although it has plenty of fish moving, has only produced a rod average of 1.9 fish. Lures are not the answer with the majority of fish being taken on small imitations either in the surface film or just beneath.

HQ Parker Street is open as usual tonight, Friday, for new members, subscriptions, or just drop in for a chat about fishing.

I can be contacted with your queries or catch reports on 01928 716238 on fax 713898. If you have not paid your 1998 subscriptions please do so immediately.

Frank Lythgoe

Results:

Disabled and Over 60s: 1, Brian Pilkington 15-2-0; 2, Ron Lever 10-1-0; 3, Bill Stockton 9-15-14; 4, Bob Brander 8-4-8; 5, Brian Barber 4-2-10.

Honorary members: 1, Bill Pickard 5-3-3; 2, Dave Burgess 2-3-2; 3, Roy Hargreaves 2-0-3; 4, Gearge Seddon 1-7-6.

Mersey Championship: 1, Bill Stockton 8-10-0; 2, Stan Deakin 4-8-0; 3, Frank Lythgoe 3-2-0.

Coming events: Tomorrow: Stan Jackson Open, draw 8am, Atlantic Street (Linotype car park); Women's TSB Rosebowl, draw 12.30pm on bank, Barsbank Aqueduct (pegs 789-818). Monday: Disabled and Over 60s, draw 10.30am, Grappenhall Sports Club.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.