THE Sankey St Helens Canal in the Carterhouse area has suffered fish deaths over the weekend, mainly bream to date as well as several perch and carp.

The Environment Agency and Halton Council have been brilliant and it is a complex issue, but it is down to the extremely poor water quality as a result of the Runcorn Bridge works.

In all the years I have known the fishery, there has never been problems of this magnitude.

Appleton Reservoir has been producing some good catches of roach to feeder tactics and maggot and carp are also putting in regular appearances.

Our head bailiff, Jay Makin, was in action just over a week ago and, after spodding in a generous helping of hemp and corn, he fished a pop-up and was rewarded with his first fish, a 19lbs mirror that gave a good account of itself.

A brace of tench around the 6lbs mark followed and as darkness came rolling in with thunder and heavy rain for good measure, it also brought a further six carp and the final fish of the night, a 23lbs dark mirror carp.

Our disabled and over 60s match on Monday was held on the Bridgewater Canal at Preston Brook and was certainly a close-run thing as there was barely a couple of ounces separating second and fourth place.

Winner Jimmy Byrne was over 1½lbs clear with a total weight of 5lbs 14ozs 13drs made up of skimmers and roach. Graham Belton was second with 4-5-6.

Our Tuesday Mersey match was won this week by Derek Bibby with 7-8-0 of roach and perch caught on the pole and maggot. Ray Boden was the runner-up with 6-8-0.

Ray Boden won the Saturday Mersey match with a weight of 9-8-0 of roach, perch, and a bonus 1½lbs skimmer bream taken on the pole and maggot. Jimmy Byrne was second with 7-7-0 caught on groundbait feeder and maggot.

Ade Green has been knocking on the door for some time in the Mersey Series and finally has secured a win when he took the top honour in our rod-only match with a weight of 9-10-0 made up of roach and perch taken on bolo and maggot.

Only two ounces behind was second-placed Alan Birchall, who fished the same method for 9-8-0.

There is a working party on Sunday at the Mount starting at 10am. If you fancy helping out, just turn up and ask for Derek or Brian. You will be made more than welcome.

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

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

Results:

Disabled and over 60s (Bridgewater Canal, Preston Brook): 1, Jimmy Byrne 5-14-13; 2, Graham Belton 4-5-6; 3, Stu Paatterson 4-5-4; 4, Geoff Brooks 4-3-4.

Tuesday Series (River Mersey): 1, Derek Bibby 7-8-0; 2, Ray Boden 6-8-0; 3, Rod Frazer 6-4-0; 4, Jim Gannon 5-1-0.

Saturday Series (River Mersey): 1, Ray Boden 9-8-0; 2, Jimmy Byrne 7-7-0; 3, Jim Gannon 4-4-0; 4, Chris Wray 4-3-0.

Sunday, Rod Only Contest (River Mersey): 1, Ade Green 9-10-0; 2, Alan Birchall 9-8-0; 3, Neil Davies 7-0-0; 4, Pete Jones 5-8-0

Fixtures:

Saturday, River Mersey Series: Draw 9am at Kingsway Allotments.

Sunday, Association Rod Only Match, River Mersey: Draw 9am at Victoria Park.

Monday, disabled and over 60s: Draw 10am at Bridgewater Canal, Keckwick Bridge, Delph Lane.

Tuesday, River Mersey: Draw 9am at Kingsway Allotments.