I ENJOYED a trip to Woodshaw Reservoir on Monday evening to have a chin-wag with the team and coaches who just happened to be running their annual youngsters BBQ prize-giving match.

This is the sequel to the Woodshaw Junior Series, won as reported last week by Lewis Turner.

It was a cracking turnout of youngsters and supportive parents, everyone received a prize goody bag and the beef burgers etc. also went down very nicely. Many thanks to everyone who made this such a successful event.

Paul Wood enjoyed a six-hour session on this same venue where fishing the pole at 10metres and alternating between pellet and corn he had roach to 8ozs and around fifty crucians to 2.5lbs.

Ian Dempsey fished the water on Friday and got amongst the tench using pole and soft paste taking fish to over 3lbs. This venue is worth a visit and if you have not yet made the trip you are missing out.

Sandiway Lakes are notorious for their secrets being kept close to the chest by members who seem afraid that if catches are reported ‘the place will be rammed’.

Both lakes offer different challenges but generally are producing the goods depending on your quarry, be it carp, tench or bream which seem to be the main target species.

Chris Bates reports five tench, all females, from Big Sandiway this past week, although targeting carp he was pleased with fish between 8 and just over 10lbs. For the record he did lose a carp, but that’s fishing.

With low flow and possibly oxygen levels down, the Mersey didn’t fish too well on this week’s Saturday match but Jeff Shaw showed his mastery of slider fishing with an all roach catch for 6-9-0 followed in second place by skimmer magnet Jim Gannon with 2-15-0 taken on the tip.

The Sunday series more or less mirrored the previous day with newcomer Rod Frazer, who cut his teeth on the Weaver taking the money with 4-7-13 taken on the waggler and alternating between maggot and caster. Ray Bowden fishing the pole wasn’t too far behind in runner-up spot with 4-2-6. Our Disabled and Over 60s match was fished at Preston Brook and saw Jeff Clare double the weight of his nearest rival with 7-14-1, boosted by a couple of decent bream plus small silvers.

Alan Brown was in second place with 3-14-2 and there was only ounces separating a good number of weights. Match organiser John Dagnall was first out of the coin.

Please keep those catch reports coming in as they are invaluable to this column and fellow members planning fishing trips. Either ring me on 01928 716238 or email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk. HQ 52, Parker Street is open as usual between 7 & 9pm on Friday, for subscriptions, new memberships/night permits, or any queries.

Results: Mersey Saturday Sweepstake: 1, Jeff Shaw 6-9-0; 2, Jim Gannon 2-15-0; 3, Barry Chambers 2-12-8; 4, Derek Bibby 2-10-0. Mersey Sunday Series: 1, Rod Frazer 4-7-13; 2, Ray Bowden 4-2-6; 3, Derek Bibby 3-15-10; 4, Jeff Shaw 3-13-5. Disabled and Over 60s: 1, Jeff Clare 7-14-1; 2, Alan Brown 3-14-2; Graham Belton 3-13-9; 3, Derek Bibby 3-11-3.

Forthcoming events: Saturday: Mersey Sweep, draw 9am on the bank at the Kingsway North Allotments. Contact Ray on 07790317714. Sunday: Mersey Series, draw 9am through the gates at Mersey Walk fish 42 up. Monday: Disabled and Over 60s, draw 10am Star Inn. Contact John Dagnall, 01925 635486. Inters/Juniors Summer Series, draw 6pm. Contact Helen Dagnall, 01925 635486. Tuesday: Minnows Summer Series, Bridgewater Canal, draw 6pm opposite Euclid Avenue. Contact Helen Dagnall.