IT’S official!

Yes, there is a seal chomping on our fish brood stocks on the River Mersey.

Trapped between two weirs, it must feel like a kid in a sweet shop while for the fish there is little chance to escape.

All we can hope for is a large flood to enable its return to Hilbre Island.

Meanwhile Tony Williams, an association newcomer and reborn pike angler, posted his first catch report after spending a morning on the Bridgewater Canal – between Pickering’s Bridge and Thelwall Station – on Sunday.

Fishing a small silver and gold spinner, he ended the session with a tally of seven pike to around 7lb.

All were in tip-top condition, with the majority coming from the moored boats adjacent to the bridge.

Ste Wharton, a tree surgeon known as ‘Big Tree Ste’, finished 2015 with a flourish on the small lake at Sandiway with a session that started an hour before dawn.

After a slow start without a catch, his spirits lifted at 11am when he spotted fish in his swim.

He soon landed his first carp, the catalyst for a purple patch that fizzled out after 11 carp, three bream, and a lone tench had graced his unhooking mat.

All were caught using Solar Bait’s dairy cream boilies over a bed of hemp and chopped boilies.

The River Mersey was again unfishable on Sunday, prompting the cancellation of our weekly series match.

It will return this week, weather permitting, after a 10am draw at Mersey Walk.

Weights were down on Monday during our disabled and over 60s match held on the Bridgewater Canal at Walton.

Stu Patterson clocked up a first win of 2016 fishing the pole and bread punch to weigh in 2-8-10 of roach.

Alan Brown finished as runner-up, fishing the same method, with 2-4-2.

Our headquarters at Parker Street are open as usual every Friday, from 7pm, for night-permit renewals, subscriptions, memberships and any queries.

Email catch reports to frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk, or call 01928 716238.

Results:

Disabled and over 60s (Bridgewater): 1, Stu Patterson 2-8-10; 2, Alan Brown 2-4-2; 3, Barry Chambers 2-1-2; 4, Trev Bainbridge 1-14-14.

Fixtures: Saturday, Mersey Series: Matches to resume shortly.

Sunday, Mersey Series: Draw 10am, Mersey Walk (weather permitting).

Monday, disabled and over 60s: Draw 10am, Hough’s Bridge.