ALAN Davenport visited Grey Mist Mere and, as usual, some irresponsible member had left the barrier open.

If caught, they will become an ex-member.

It did not affect Alan’s sport, because taking a mobile approach he had two pike on float-fished lamprey and another on a shallow diving lure.

The fish were all between six and eight pounds, but to catch them he fished virtually all swims.

The previous week he fished on the River Dane with my father, and between them they managed four chub up to 3lb 8oz and also a brown trout and a grayling.

The fish were suckers for Alan’s home-made cheese paste, even the trout and grayling.

Glynn Jones made the 200-mile journey up to the River Alyn and was rewarded with some good sized dace, chub, and grayling from the deeper runs throughout the stretch.

He even added some nice brownies that muscled in and took his trotted maggots.

This venue is always worth a visit even when the main river is carrying extra water as the fish take cover from the main current.

When Gareth Evans visited a muddy and chocolate-coloured Trent & Mersey Canal at Farm Lane on Friday, it didn’t at first glance look too appetising.

The wind was on his back, making fishing comfortable.

Add to this the fact he found all his fish at three metres and it boiled down to a pleasurable day's sport.

Using only bread punch he caught skimmers, decent roach and a stunner of a perch that needed subduing with a pulla bung.

Seven pairs graced the bank of the Trent & Mersey Canal at Barnton on our pairs match and sport couldn’t have been more different; in fact, it was described as ‘patchy at best’.

Winner Jon Andrews made the most of his end peg draw and had a mixed net of skimmers, roach and perch for 6-6-8. Jeff Shaw was runner-up with 4-9-12. Leading pair on the day was Jeff Shaw and Bob Clough with six points.

It looks like a couple of the newly stocked fish carp been already caught so I expect it will not be too long before they are named. Saturday Sweepstake on the Mersey was cancelled this week due to a heavily flooded river but it is business as usual next week weather permitting.

E-mail catch reports to frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or call me on 01928 716238.

Headquarters at 52 Parker Street are closed on Boxing Day but open as usual the following Friday, from 7pm.

Results Pairs Match (Individuals): 1, Jon Andrews 6-6-8; 2, Jeff Shaw 4-9-12; 3, Phil Cross 3-9-0. Pairs: 1, Jeff Shaw/Bob Clough 6pts (weight countback); 2, Bob Campbell/Phil Cross 6; 3, Jon Andrews/Mike Dench 9.

Fixtures Saturday, Mersey Saturday Sweepstake: draw 9am, through gates at Mersey Walk.

Sunday, Mersey Sunday Series: draw 9am, Victoria Park Allotments.

Monday, Disabled & Over 60s: draw 9.30am at Star Inn, Statham. Contact John Dagnall on 635486.