PAUL Floyd noticed a couple of years ago that there was an exceptionally good roach spawning season at Sandiway Lakes.

The following year he went and set his stall out for them and had loads in the 4 to 6oz. range. This year he has found the average stamp to be between 8 and 10oz. so last week he set up a maggot feeder fishing about 60 yards out and had an estimated 17lbs.

The previous week, fishing the same method, he doubled that with roughly 35lbs. There are also some specimen red fins but I think that bigger baits are more likely to have a chance of getting past their younger cousins.

On Sandiway small lake, Barry Powell is still finding his tried and tested method of firing in balls of Krill groundbait coupled with method mix and two 10mm boilies on the hook most effective.

He reports catching four tench, four bream and two cracking mirrors of 16lb.2oz and 23lb. 10oz.

Steve Winsor has fished our stretch of the River Dee at Shocklach for the last two Fridays and had a fantastic time catching mostly grayling up to 1.5lbs and plenty of dace.

He reports good numbers of salmon parr in catches, which bodes well for future stocks. The successful method was the stick float fished two rod lengths out with red maggot on hook and feeding hemp and maggots.

Our Mersey match on Saturday saw match organiser Ray Bowden, who has had a raft of runner-up prizes, move up and change places with last week’s winner with 8-15-0 and over 2lbs to spare on Danny Sixsmith with 6-11-0.

The absence of bream has seen the winning method change from the tip to mainly roach and perch caught on the pole. For the record the rest of the field were unchanged.

This year’s Mersey Championship winner, fished on Sunday, was Lee Clark with 6-6-0 of roach and perch taken on pole and maggot.

As it seems so predictable, you will have to guess yourselves over who was second with a similar catch and a weight of 5-15-0.

The Disabled and Over 60s match was Alan Brown’s third win of the year in this popular series with 4-10-0. Derek Bibby was in runner-up spot with 3-4-10 – and to prove that you just cannot keep a good man down, Alf Seddon made the frame again.

Bob Morris reports his Woodshaw Team made up of members from the area were runners-up in the Manchester CAAG match held at Firtree Fishery. Winners were Ramsbottom AA, who have won the trophy every year.

However, Bob was pleased with his new team he entered at the last minute, especially as the younger element fared the best, Mike Rudd won his section with 18-10-0 and Lewis Turner came second in his.

There seems to be an increase in persons poaching our fishing on the Mersey using boats, some may even be members.

Firstly, members are not allowed to fish any of our waters from boats and, secondly, anyone fishing on the stretches that we control are clearly poaching which is an offence under the Theft Act.

Please keep those catch reports coming in as they are invaluable to this column and fellow members planning fishing trips. Either ring me on 01928 716238 or email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk. HQ 52, Parker Street is open as usual between 7 & 9pm on Friday, for subscriptions, new memberships/night permits, or any queries.

Results: Mersey Saturday Sweepstake: 1, Ray Bowden 8-15-0; 2, Danny Sixsmith 6-11-0; 3, Martin Lenihan 5-5-0; 4, Jimmy Byrne 3-8-0. Mersey Championship: 1, Lee Clark 6-6-0; 2, Ray Bowden 5-11-0; 3, Mike Dench 3-11-12; 4, John Green 3-2-0. Disabled and Over 60s: 1, Alan Brown 4-10-0; 2, Derek Bibby 3-4-10; 3, Geoff Brooks 3-2-3; 4, Alf Seddon 2-14-0.

Forthcoming events, Saturday: Mersey Saturday Sweepstake, draw 9am on the bank at the Kingsway North Allotments. Sunday: Mersey Sunday Series, draw 9am through gates Mersey Walk (fish 74 back). Monday: Disabled and Over 60s, draw 10am Star Inn, Statham. Contact John Dagnall at Cheshire Angling 01925 635486.