OUR bailiff team who look after waters in the Wigan area report that Woodshaw reservoir is fishing very well at present for all species with plenty of silvers being caught.

Two members fished there for the first time last week and started their session with small roach, but in the last couple of hours the bigger fish moved in on their feed.

They ended their session catching tench, bream and crucians and were so impressed they were back on the fishery the following day.

The weather turned nasty, but although not as productive as their first visit they still enjoyed good sport in the atrocious conditions.

This week’s Saturday Series on the Mersey had to be cancelled due to the drop in level on the river which is due to a fault on one of the sluice gates at Howley Weir.

There is little that the Manchester Ship Canal Company can do to effect a repair until flood conditions improve to allow divers to safely inspect the structure.

If it happens this next week the level will need to be reduced even further however I have asked that levels be dropped gradually in order that fish are not sluiced out to below the weir.

The next day with the river in flood our Sunday Mersey Series was quite literally a washout resulting in only two anglers catching fish. Alan Morris had one roach and an eel and Norman Gannon a small eel.

Needless to say some anglers took the ‘early bath’ option which definitely proved the right decision for Neil Buist, who rather than waste his bait and precious fishing time went to Appleton Reservoir.

Fishing the groundbait feeder and maggot he caught 40 roach ranging from 4 to 12oz.

The pressure was taken off the resident fish on the Dead Length for Monday's Disabled and Over 60s match when it was moved to the Tramps Grave at Moore.

It was pegged either side through to the post office and the ‘stick-ups’, where normally the latter would be a top draw.

However it produced only ounces as it turned out whereas Derek Bibby, pegged opposite the post office, received an early Christmas present by winning the event with a nice net of small skimmers and roach taken on pole and punched bread.

Derek weighed in 6-0-6 with second place going to vice president Geoff Brooks with 5-9-4 from the next peg.

As happens at this time of the year the fish were tightly shoaled and it was down (aside from skill) to the luck of the draw. Please note earlier draw next week December 21 of 9.30am.

It is getting that time of the year when reports are scarce so please email me details of any catches to frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or you can ring me on 01928 716238.

Our headquarters at 52, Parker Street are open on Friday between 7pm and 9pm for subscriptions, new memberships/night permits, and any queries.

Results: Mersey Saturday Series: 1, Jim Gannon 2-1-0; 2, Ray Boden 1-14-0. Mersey Sunday Series: 1, Martin Lenihan 7-10-0; 2, Alan Morris 2-5-0; 3, Derek Bibby 2-3-0; 4, Roy Everson 2-2-0. Disabled and Over 60s (Bridgewater): 1, George Barber 5-12-4; 2, Lennie Dutton 4-5-0; 3, Mike Daniels 4-6-0; 4, Jimmy Byrne 4-5-2.

Forthcoming events: Saturday: Mersey Saturday Series: Please note series will resume in the new year.Sunday: Mersey Sunday Series, draw 10am, Victoria Park. Monday: Disabled and Over 60ss (Prize Match), draw 9.30am, Warrington Gun Club adjacent Houghs Bridge.