UNSURPRISINGLY all the matches advertised in last week’s column were cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.

Despite this, a few diehards still turned up and found places free of ice.

At the time of going to press there are some fishable areas on the Bridgewater Canal, with the Mersey, Moore Quarry and Appleton Reservoir also ice free.

On Sunday I saw a couple at Preston Brook practicing in vain for their regular Disabled and Over 60s series.

George Barber, wearing his distinctive head gear, and his pal John Barton had found a fishable length free of ice opposite what used to be the Neptune Moorings Club.

George was catching roach and skimmers on the pole at 10 metres using punch bread, and after a slow start with the same method John’s sport soon picked up. Mersey-mad duo Ant Higham and Paul Harding, with their match cancelled, fished the bank opposite the ‘magpies circle’.

I’m banking on nobody other than a couple of locals sussing out where this is, because I have received a death threat if I reveal the exact whereabouts.

Both fished the feeder and though bites were finicky in the hard winter conditions, both used maggot or bread punch to end up with 17 fish between them.

The Appleton Reservoir working party on Saturday was snowed off, but a few members have expressed an interest so it will be rescheduled.

It is with great sadness that I report the death of John Weedon.

John was a well known and respected angling journalist, who on his annual visits to our HQ, was always good for a laugh with tales from his numerous fishing trips to Ireland.

He served on a number of angling committees and organisations over many years, always giving honest but forthright views in the development of our sport.

Our condolences go out to his family.

His funeral is tomorrow, Friday, starting 12.30pm at Abram Church followed at 1.30pm by cremation at Ince.

Keep sending your catch reports to 01928 716238 or frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk. HQ 52 Parker Street is open as usual between 7pm and 9pm on Friday for subscriptions, new memberships/night permits or any queries.

Frank Lythgoe

Results: Due to adverse weather conditions all matches were cancelled.

Forthcoming events (weather permitting): Saturday: Warrington Anglers Local Winter League (Walton – Moore). Sunday: Mersey Series, draw at 9am on bank near the 40s pegs, entry/pools £10 all in. Monday: Disabled and Over 60s, draw at 10am at Star Inn. Call John Dagnall on 635486.