VOLUNTEERS returned to Grey Mist Mere again on Saturday when, despite the miserable weather, they tidied the paths and access.

There is still more weed to remove if we are to remain on course for dye treatment in March, so keep an eye out for further working party dates.

The Mist is fishable where weed has been removed, and I know from the small number of anglers who have been on the bank that a few fish are coming out.

During a visit to Moore Quarry on Monday, which looked spectacular in its autumn colours, I chatted to our bailiff Ian Robinson.

He told me he'd landed a 23-8-0 mirror carp a few days before – that appeared to have vanished after it was stocked two years ago – at 19lbs along with a 15-8-0 common that has piled on the pounds from its initial weight of 9-8-0.

There are already some stonking fish, but the future is bright with such growth-rates reported.

George Barber enjoyed a productive session on the Bridgewater Canal at Preston Brook over the weekend, when he fished pole and punched bread to land 10lbs of skimmers and roach.

I’ve spotted anglers spinning or drop-shotting while wandering the banks this past week, and fancy christening a new rod which arrived in the summer.

Don’t forget to have an unhooking mat, if you use such methods.

On a day when conditions meant weights were down across the board, pole power made the difference for organiser Ray Boden in Saturday’s Mersey Series match.

His all-roach catch, taken on maggot, amounted to 4-11-0 to snatch victory away from runner-up Jim Gannon who used groundbait and feeder tactics to put 4-7-0 – consisting of a bonus skimmer, roach, and perch – on the scales.

Anglers who took part say something noxious in the Mersey had a dramatic impact on their catches the following day, Sunday.

Martin Lenihan emerged as the victor with 15 tiny eels, taken on feeder and maggot tactics, for a weight of 1-13-0.

Neil Buist was second, catching eels and a couple of roach for 1-7-0.

Lenny Dutton won our disabled and over 60s match on the Bridgewater Canal, netting 2-11-0.

Email catch reports to frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or call me on 01928 716238.

Our headquarters at 52 Parker Street are open every Friday, from 7pm, for subscriptions, memberships, permits and any queries.

n Results: Mersey Series, Saturday: 1, Ray Boden 4-11-0; 2, Jim Gannon 4-7-0; 3, Jimmy Byrne 3-11-0; 4, Ade Green 2-15-0.

Mersey Series, Sunday: 1, Martin Lenihan 1-13-0; 2, Neil Buist 1-7-0; 3, Jimmy Byrne 1-3-0; 4, Jim Gannon 5-0-0.

Disabled and over 60s (Bridgewater): 1, Lennie Dutton 2-11-0; 2, Ernie Lea 2-6-4; 3, Graham Belton 1-12-4; 4, Stu Patterson 1-10-10.

n Fixtures: Saturday, Mersey Series: draw 9am, Mersey Walk, Sunday, Mersey Christmas Prize Match: draw 9am, Mersey Walk. Book with organiser Ray Boden on 07790 317714 by quoting membership number.

Monday, disabled and over 60s (Trent & Mersey): draw 10am, Farm Road.