ERIC J Smith managed to wangle a couple of days off work and what better way to enjoy them than a few sessions on Cicely Mill Pool.

On Monday, he fished a maggot feeder on both rods and was soon into his first fish. Half a dozen skimmers to 12ozs followed, then the small roach moved in and it was a fish every cast as the feeder settled.

The following day he fished method feeders hoping this might attract a better stamp of fish but went five hours without a bite.

The day was saved in the last hour when three bites produced three bream, all about 3lbs.

At his favourite haunt again on Sunday Eric spent about an hour swapping stories with a carp angler who had two runs which produced a common of 26lbs 14ozs 0drs and a mirror of 23-12-0. Not bad from a shallow fishery in January.

On Monday I had a meeting regarding an ongoing access problem on our stretch of the River Wye and being accompanied by committee member Ade Green I was coerced into taking my tackle (that is, what little was left from my burglary in November).

Business over, it would have been a sin not to take advantage of the weather (no rain). Despite the river carrying a fair bit of extra water it was a lovely day.

Ade elected to ‘let me’ have the peg he fished which produced only a single chub on our last visit – nothing to do with the high water, no flat area, and making cloven hooves almost a necessity while he sat in relative comfort.

I soon realised I had to go back to the car for a rod-rest and on my return Ade informed me he had caught his first fish, a chub, and promptly produced pictures on his phone and even a short video of his catch almost as though he thought I wouldn’t believe him!

Anyway rod-rest in place I was soon into my first fish, a cracking brown trout which came out of the water like an Exocet missile.

Ade’s barbed remark that all I could catch was brownies soon went out of the window when after a few more trout I slid my net under a fighting fit chub.

Our session ended with Ade on three chub and trout and yours truly five chub, to 4lbs, trout, and the best grayling I have caught for a good number of years around the 2lbs mark.We both lost a few fish on snags and it really didn’t matter who caught the most fish – believe that and you’ll believe anything!

Thanks to the members who turned up on Sunday for the working party at the Mount Fishery, Buckley, where overgrown and dangerous tree branches were removed making much improved access to pegs.

Our bailiff Brian Jones informed me that there had been a few good catches of roach lately.

Our Mersey Sunday Series was won this week by Martin Lenihan, fishing a groundbait feeder and maggot for 20 small roach weighing 1-9-6.

Our Monday Disabled and Over 60s match on the Bridgewater Canal at Walton saw Lennie Dutton take his first win of 2017 with a catch of mainly roach plus a few perch taken on bread punch and pinkie.

WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street are open every Friday between 7pm and 9pm for new memberships, subscriptions, night permit renewals, and any queries.

Email catch details to frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a ring on 01928 716238.

Results:

Mersey Sunday Series: 1, Martin Lenihan 1-9-6; 2, Jim Gannon 1-2-4; 3, Ant Higham 0-14-0; 4, Ray Boden 0-9-14. Disabled and Over 60s (Bridgewater Canal): 1, Lennie Dutton 5-6-6; 2, Jimmy Byrne 4-7-4; 3, Alan Brown 4-0-6; 4, Geoff Brooks 3-13-8.

Fixtures:

Sunday, Mersey Series: Draw 10am at Kingsway Allotments.Monday, Disabled and Over 60s (Bridgewater Canal): Draw 10am at Preston Brook under M6 Bridge.