THE opening of the new coarse fish season on the rivers was a disappointment for most anglers due to the low flow conditions.
There were a few successes for Warrington Anglers' Association members, such as Dave Bridge, who fished on the Trent at Claymills with Brian and Tony Lewis.
They mainly fished by stick float and alternated between caster, hemp and red maggot to catch dace, roach, chub and bream.
The new barrier has not yet been installed by Severn Trent Water so there is currently a half mile walk to the venue.
The new pegs on the River Dee at Almere Ferry were full on the first day but fish were few and far between - only the odd dace, perch or eel. A seal was spotted so it is little wonder that the fish were not in a feeding mood. Please report any sightings to me immediately. A few chub and eels were reported from Shocklach and Worthenbury.
The Ribble at Balderstone was generally quiet but at least one angler got among the barbel with five fish. The best weighed 8lbs and it was pellet and boilies which accounted for most fish on a river that is low and weedy.
The River Mersey is in need of an injection of oxygenated water as levels have been low. Catches have been made up of small roach, eels and the occasional chub and have ranged from a few pounds to 4lbs plus. There are lots of fry and small fish showing.
At Sandiway Lakes, Tony Fielding reported catching eight tench around the 7lbs mark. They all took boilie, six at a range of 70 yards and one on a 30-yard line.
The best catch went to the rod of Martin Shaw with a trio of bream weighing in at 10lbs 2ozs 0drms, 11-0-0 and 13-2-0. These are the biggest reported so far this year and were caught on boilie while feeding hemp and maize.
Philip Chadwick, aged 14, got into the tench at Grey Mist Mere on Saturday with five fish, four of which were between 2lbs and 3lbs, but they were dwarfed by a specimen of 9-2-0. The fish fell to Mainline Fusion pop-up boilies.
The Bridgewater Canal is fishing well. Geoff Brooks and Stan Deakin had more than 100 fish apiece in a three-hour night session last week. There was nothing above 6ozs but sport was excellent. Included in Geoff's catch were half a dozen rudd around 5ozs to 6ozs.
Steve Daly had three carp from Thelwall on boilie, the best of which was a common of 15lbs.
Contact me with any catch reports on 01928 716238, fax 01928 713898 or e-mail frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk. HQ Parker Street will be open as usual tomorrow, Friday, between 7pm and 9.30pm for new members and subscriptions.
Frank Lythgoe
Results: Juniors match: 1, Dan Griffiths 2lbs 9ozs 8drms; 2, Marc Foxall 2-8-9; 3, Liam Wright 2-1-4. Minnows: 1, Matt Baker 3-8-8; 2, Tom Meadows 2-3-3; 3, Jack Weekes 1-1-0; 4, Becky Mogey and Chesney Baker, 1-0-0. Disabled and Over 60s: 1, Brian Pilkington 4-6-0; 2, Keith Hay 3-13-7; 3, Ron Lever 3-11-0; 4, Alf Seddon 2-12-5. Tuesday Midweek Special: 1, Stu Birchall 6-8-0; 2, Bob Clough 4-6-0; 3, Derek Bibby 3-8-0; 4, Chris Grehan 3-4-0. Arthur Brown Cup: 1, Janice Holland 2-14-0; 2, Bev Smith 1-15-8; 3, Pat Bielderman 1-12-8.
Coming events: Today, Thursday: Juniors, draw 6pm, Grappenhall Bridge; Minnows, draw 6pm, on bank opposite Euclid Avenue. Monday: Disabled and Over 60s, draw 10.15am, Star Inn (pegs 368-408). Tuesday: Honorary and OAPs, draw 1.15pm, Pickerings Bridge (pegs 672-710); Senior Match Series, draw 5.30pm, Keckwick Bridge.
