PHIL Hancock made his River Mersey debut on Monday and set his stall out by fishing the quiver tip and a small groundbait feeder presenting maggot on the hook.

He ended with a good net of fish which included roach, perch, small skimmers and some of the biggest gudgeon he has caught in many a year.

He experienced a lot of pike activity, losing a number fish that were snatched off the hook, but most important is that there is now another Mersey convert.

Sunday’s Mersey Series saw Jeff Shaw’s roach catch of 13lbs 13ozs 12drs, caught on long pole tactics, give him a clear win with almost 6lbs to spare over second-placed Ray Bowden on 7-15-0.

The top four anglers all fished pole tactics, where it seems more bites are converted to fish in the net as opposed to anglers using the feeder.

The Disabled and Over 60s match was fished on the Mersey again on Monday, but the results were down slightly.

Veteran match angler Frankie Holden was the top rod with 6-0-0 of roach and perch, followed by Derek Bibby’s similar net of 4-12-0.

Alan Robinson visited our pocket-sized High Legh Fishery for the first time on Friday and was pleased with his catch of eight carp taken on pop-up boilies fished against the island.

Although there was nothing approaching double figures, the fish put up a good fight on his light feeder set-up. There is still a substantial reward offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for setting fire to the covered-in working area at Grey Mist Mere over the weekend of 22/23 of September.

On Saturday we are having a clean-up around this fishery so anyone who wishes to help meet on the car park from 9am.

Keep sending in 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.

Results: Mersey Series: 1, Jeff Shaw 13-13-12; 2, Ray Bowden 7-15-8; 3, Dave Hill 7-4-0; 4, Bob Brander 6-10-5. Disabled and Over 60s: (Mersey): 1, Frank Holden 6-0-0; 2, Derek Bibby 4-12-0; 3, Lennie Dutton 4-6-6; 4, Bud Leigh 4-0-0.

Forthcoming events: Sunday: Mersey Series, draw at 9am at Victoria Park (fish 74 back). Monday: Disabled and Over 60s, draw at 10am at Star Inn. Call John Dagnall on 635486.