IAN Carter reports having a good roach session on Sunday at Phoenix Park Lake, fishing the pole at 10 metres.

He loose-fed maggot and tiny pellets of groundbait to have the fish virtually crawling up his rod.

Included in his estimated 20lbs catch was a couple of skimmers and a tench of around 3lbs.

Members tend to think of this as a carp or pike fishery, but when we hold our annual coaching for juniors everybody catches.

It’s definitely worth a visit as this mixed fishery contains a good head of fish no matter your preference.

Winner of this week’s Mersey Sweepstake on Saturday was Derek Bibby with 10-2-0 made up of two skimmers around 1.5lbs apiece, plus 7lbs of roach and perch.

However it was not all straightforward, for two hours into the match he struck into a fish that snapped his pole.

It forced him to improvise, move from his 13-metre line where the fish were feeding to 11 metres.

Jimmy Byrne was second with a catch of six skimmers and fifteen roach for 8lbs.

There were better weights this week on our Mersey Sunday Series, Jimmy Byrne maintaining his winning streak by putting 14-13-0 on the scales.

He had been catching roach and perch steadily when he decided to have a go on his tip rod. Bingo, his first cast was a 5lbs bream.

A change of venue from the Bridgewater Canal to the Mersey saw weights drop in this week’s disabled and over 60s match.

Byrne was in the money again, taking the winner's spot with 9-5-8.

was good to see veteran Stan Deakin dust off his greenheart rod and make the frame in fourth spot.

A pair of trolley handles was found on the pavement near St John’s School, left by someone fishing the river when they loaded their gear into the car. Contact Cheshire Angling.

Members wishing to fish the popular Pairs Series need to book now with Jeff Stoll or Cheshire Angling.

Keep catch reports coming in as they are invaluable to this column and fellow members planning fishing trips.

Ring me on 01928 716238 or e-mail frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk.

HQ 52 at Parker Street is open between 7 and 9pm every Friday for subscriptions, new memberships, night permits or queries.

n Results Mersey Saturday Sweepstake: 1, Derek Bibby 10 -2-0; 2, Jimmy Byrne 8-0-0; 3, Geff Shaw 6-4-0; 4, Ade Green 4-15-0.

Mersey Sunday Series: 1, Jimmy Byrne 14-13-0; 2, Ray Bowden 9-2-0; 3, Mike Dench 6-3-0; 4, Derek Bibby 6-2-8.

Disabled and over 60s: 1, Jimmy Byrne 9-5-8; 2, Jimmy Gannon 5-14-12; 3, Jeff Clare 4-12-14; 4, Stan Deakin 3-4-0.

n Forthcoming events, Saturday: Mersey Saturday Sweepstake, draw 9am on the bank at the Kingsway North Allotments.

Sunday: Mersey Sunday Series, draw 9am through the gates on Mersey walk.

Monday: Disabled and over 60s, draw 10am at Star Inn, Statham. Contact John Dagnall at Cheshire Angling on 635486.