PERSISTENCE paid off for Carl Harrison during a busy few days of sport last week.

Following a slow start, during which a tench took a pellet on his final cast at Grey Mist Mere after seven hours without a single bite, he landed a personal-best specimen of 6lbs 12ozs on his second trip.

A visit to Woodshaw Reservoir, where he fished pellet on a small feeder, yielded eight skimmers, 22 crucians and a roach.

From the same peg on Sunday, he was rewarded with another eight skimmers and 21 crucians during a shorter afternoon session.

Eric Smith’s recent visits to Cicely Mill Pool proved eventful.

He caught three bream and seven crucians in a first session, then nine crucians and a bream in the second.

It was blowing a gale for his final stop, for which he left his bait at home in the fridge.

Pellets in his holdall provided a substitute of sorts, only for Eric to nod off in his chair while the sun shone down on him.

At least he salvaged something – a solitary, tiny roach.

In-form Ray Boden has done it again, beating his rivals in our popular Mersey Series match on Saturday for a fourth successive week.

Alternating between pole and stick-float, he loose-fed maggots to keep the bites coming.

It resulted in a mixed catch of roach, chub and dace that totalled 10-6-0.

Ant Higham, known as the King of the River, returned to winning ways the following day, Sunday.

He fished his usual method – groundbait feeder and maggot – for a net of 5-6-0.

Derek Bibby took second prize with 5-3-0 taken on pole and maggot.

Rod Fraser, a veteran of matches on the River Weaver, worked his magic on a different water during our latest disabled and over 60s fixture.

His winning haul of perch and roach weighed 6-14-0.

Lenny Dutton was runner-up with 4-12-0.

Can I remind our members that it’s important to report any discharges into our rivers or fisheries immediately? Don’t delay.

The association’s headquarters, at 52 Parker Street, are open every Friday between 7pm and 9pm for memberships, subscriptions, night-permit renewals and any queries.

I’d be grateful if more members sent to me their catch reports for inclusion in this column, by email to frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or call me on 01928 716238.

Results:

Saturday, Mersey Series: 1) Ray Boden 10-6-0; 2) Martin Lenihan 9-6-0; 3) Jimmy Byrne 9-5-0; 4) Mike Dench 5-12-0.

Sunday, Mersey Series: 1) Ant Higham 5-6-0; 2) Derek Bibby 5-3-0; 3) Ray Boden 5-0-0; 4) Dave Hill 4-10-0.

Monday, disabled and over 60s: 1) Rod Fraser 6-14-0; 2) Lenny Dutton 4-12-0; 3) Eddie Frangleton 4-10-0; 4) Derek Bibby 4-2-0.

Fixtures

Saturday, Mersey Series: Draw 9am, Kingsway allotments.

Sunday, Mersey Series: Draw 9am, Victoria Park.

Monday, disabled and over 60s: Draw 10am, Preston Brook.