THANKFULLY following the freeze-up all our still-waters are now open for business although the weather conditions do not look too promising.

Nevertheless I am certain that members will be on the banks over the weekend.

The Mersey Series match on Sunday was cancelled for the second consecutive week and conditions were so bad that even the dynamic duo of Paul Harding and Ant Higham called it a day.

Although I believe that there was a fishable swim opposite the ‘cully mines’ but it remained empty over the weekend.

A few members have asked about barbel on our stretch of the Dane at Holmes Chapel, well all I can say is we have stocked them along with grayling years ago so if any member have had any barbel catches from the fishery please drop me an email.

I know that the stretch holds good numbers of chub so it could be they are out competing their whiskered cousins by sheer weight of numbers.

Several persons were apprehended by the Environment Agency for fishing with nets on the River Mersey at Woolston.

Whenever members come across set-lines or nets they should leave them to enable the EA to catch these criminals and ring the Environment Agency on 0800 807060.

Our Warrington Anglers Local Winter League was fished in what can only be described as testing conditions in the ‘Dead Length’ of the Bridgewater Canal on Saturday.

To set the scene three of the Warrington Red team were ‘snowed in’ and they lost big-time with only one member fishing.

Bob’s Lot took the team win but Woolston were really on form to take the runner-up spot.

Again it was a Woolston gain when team member Alan Clarke took the individual win with 4-0-9, certainly a good net of fish in the conditions.

Keep sending your catch reports to 01928 716238 or email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk.

HQ 52, Parker Street is open as usual between 7 and 9pm on Friday, for subscriptions, new memberships/night permits, or any queries.

Frank Lythgoe

Results: Warrington Anglers Local Winter League: Individuals; 1, Alan Clarke (Woolston) 4-0-9, 2, Paul Hughes (Saints) 3-9-0, 3, Neil Davies (Cheshire) 3-4-6. Teams on the day: 1, Bob’s Lot 19points, Woolston 17, Cheshire Gold 15, Saints 13. Sections: A, 1st Bob Campbell 3-1-7, 2nd Paul Bibby 2-1-2. B, Adam Harman 2-0-7, Ross Wightman 0-14-6, C, Alan Clarke 4-0-9, Paul Hughes 3-9-0, D, Alan Faulkener 2-4-0, Phil Cross 2-2-5. Teams Overall: Cheshire Gold 99points, Saints & Bob’s Lot 91, Black Claggers 27, Warrington Red 76, Woolston 62.

Forthcoming events: (Weather permitting) Sunday: Mersey Series: Draw 9am on bank near the 40’s pegs entry/pools £10 all in. Monday: Disabled & Over 60s: Draw 10am Star Inn. Contact John Dagnall at Cheshire Angling 01925 635486.