WARRINGTON Anglers' Association's Jim Dolan fished Budworth Mere for the first time on Thursday and he soon appreciated the potential of this ice age lake.

He caught a 6lbs bream which he described as 'golden and in great condition'.

I believe that Jim's ledger set up of 4lbs main line and 2lbs hook length to an 18's hook was a shade on the light side for this water but it certainly worked for him.

All of the fish fell to double red maggot.

As reported last week, Malcolm Crawshaw caught tench of 6lbs 8ozs 0drms and 7-4-0 within an hour of setting up on the large lake.

He fished overnight and ended up with eight tench to 7-14-0, mirror carps weighing 15-4-0 and 17-2-0 plus six bream to 9lbs.

The fish were all caught on mainline maple eight boilies over a bed of hemp and response pellet.

The tench at Woodshaw Reservoir responded to last week's sunshine with catches of 15 fish in the 2 to 3lbs range.

Plenty of roach and rudd have been taken on maggot in the margins.

Astle Pool bailiff Ron Williams has reported that anglers have been catching small carp, bream, and tench.

The carp were mainly lower doubles but 12-year-old Jake O'Regan tempted a mirror weighing in at a hefty 16-12-0.

The best tench weighed 4lbs and the best bream weighed 6lbs.

Wide Hole, which is often overlooked, has been giving plenty of predator action with small pike in the 4lbs to 7lbs bracket.

This water is ideal for any member who fancies trying their hand at piking.

However, anglers should make sure that they have the basics - an unhooking mat, forceps and a leather glove.

If you are a 'first timer' then ask someone with experience to help or borrow one of the club's piking videos.

Rixton Claypits has fished poorly this week but the odd tench, roach and perch have been caught.

A few anglers who hold night permits have been failing to book their sessions.

Members must telephone the number on their night permit between 9am and 6pm to book their session.

Failure to comply could result in the withdrawal of their permit.

Contact me with any catch reports on 01928 716238. Alternatively, fax me on 713898 or e-mail me at frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk.

HQ Parker Street will open as usual on Friday between 7pm and 9.30pm for new members, subscriptions or for a chat about angling.

Frank Lythgoe

Results: Sid Jones Open (Carterhouse): 1, Lee Clarke, 5-13-0; 2, Graham Stokes, 5-11-0; 3, Tony Fairhurst, 3-5-0.

Coming events: Saturday: John Leigh Trophy, draw noon, on bank (pegs 670-710). Monday: Disabled and Over 60s, draw 10.15am, Star Inn.