RALPH Bennett fished a morning session on the Sankey St Helens Canal at Charterhouse and enjoyed cracking sport, catching more than 50 Rudd, 25 roach and six perch.

The roach included one of almost a 1lb plus a few others around 6 ounces. He fished the waggler and loose-fed maggots between one and two rod lengths out.

Ralph was impressed by the quality of the fish and even the rudd were around 3 to 4 ounces with a few bigger ones, all in great condition.

The canal with its reed lined swims looks the business so I am not surprised that a return visit is definitely on the cards.

On Saturday I was chatting to one of our new bailiffs at Grey Mist Mere and watched a couple of anglers land a few tench on the far side.

It turned out to be Stu Gibson, who I hadn’t seen for 20 years or so, fishing with his mate, who landed another fish as we were discussing the merits of pole tactics to target the tench.

I had tried a quick pole session the week before but after getting a fish out of the weed it partially straightened and slipped the hook.

So Sunday afternoon, not to be beaten and armed with beefed up pole gear ready for the olive beauties, I baited up the same car park swim.

Three maggots on a size 14s Guru spade end carp hook brought a procession of perch so a change to a 16mm Sticky Krill boilie whittled down to pellet size brought my first decent fish.

It was followed by two more and a couple slipped the hook. But with three carp visiting my unhooking mat, one a decent double still no tench!

Neil Heaton’s report of his 28lb 4oz mirror carp from Moore Quarry just missed my last week’s deadline to this column but what a superb fish and a new PB for the captor.

He also had a 20lb 8oz common. The fish fell to Jamax Baits that Neil and his mates have been testing in different flavours.

Bob Cole reports catching a 9lbs plus barbel on Wednesday from our stretch of the River Severn at Bicton on pellet. A fortnight earlier he landed a chub of 4-8-0 from the Dee at Shocklach trotting down using maggot.

Our bailiff reports that there are poachers operating on the Dee in the Worthenbury area so I would ask members to keep their eyes peeled for anything suspicious. Report incidents immediately on the Environment Agency FREE PHONE NUMBER 0800 807060.

The runaway winner of our Saturday Mersey Series this week was Paul Harding, who showed off his unquestionable feeder skills with 21lbs of bream and skimmers which included one of 6-13-0.

Veteran match ace Jimmy Byrne was in the money again in runner-up spot with 10-15-0. Special mention should be made of Barry Chambers all roach catch taken on the pole at 6metre on caster.

Bob Clough made it a hat-trick of wins at Sunday's Mersey match with 12-0-0 and for good measure it was also his third end peg draw in as many weeks.

The river was pushing through but Bob ignored the slack water in front of him and cast a heavy groundbait feeder towards the far bank into the main flow.

He landed a bonus 6lbs bream backed up with skimmers and roach all taken on red maggot. Rumour has it that he has picked up so much coin lately that he’s opened two cash Isas! Manchester rod Karl guy continued his run of form weighing 9-12-0 for second place.

This week our Disabled and Over 60s match was fished on the Bridgewater Canal on the Cockfight length and saw Jimmy Byrne win in what was a close field with 4-6-0 of small silver fish.

Graham Belton put a similar net on the scales for 4-2-10 and second place. The majority of anglers had over 2lbs.

Please note that the Jack Bellis Memorial Match takes place on Saturday, September 13. Contact Cheshire Angling for details on 01925 635486 Grey Mist working party on Sunday, September 7 so if you fancy putting something back into your sport just turn up on the morning.

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, Paul Harding 21-0-0; 2, Jimmy Byrne 10-15-0; 3, Barry Chambers 10-1-0, 4, Derek Bibby 9-6-0. Mersey Sunday Series: 1, Bob Clough 12-0-0; 2, Karl Guy 9-12-0; 3, Jimmy Byrne 6-1-0; 4, Paul Hitchen 5-14-13. Disabled and Over 60s: 1, Jimmy Byrne 4-6-0; 2, Graham Belton 4-2-10; 3, Lenny Dutton 4-0-12. 4, Alan Brown 3-12-0.

Forthcoming events: Saturday: Mersey Sweep, draw 9am on the bank at the Kingsway North Allotments, contact Ray on 07790317714. Sunday: Mersey Series, draw 9am near allotments at Victoria Park (fish 11 up). Monday: Disabled and Over 60s: Bridgewater, draw 10am at Star Inn, Statham. Contact John Dagnall 01925 635486.