NEIL Plunkett has set himself a challenge for the last couple of years to try to winkle out a tench from Grey Mist Mere during December.

The weather forecast this past week didn’t look too promising, however on Wednesday Neil managed to time his visit just before we had our first taste of the winter’s snow.

Casting a small maggot feeder around midway to try to find fish that had woken up resulted in a tentative bite and soon a grumpy 5½lbs tench lay in the landing net.

One bite, one fish, but good fun and mission accomplished.

It is not very often that both Bridgewater Canal and Mersey matches don’t take place, but the freezing weather conditions this week saw both cancelled.

Although matches are advertised, it is wise to check with the organiser that they are still on until this weather improves.

Committee members Ade Green and Mike Dench decided to give both the above venues a miss and set out instead for Appleton Reservoir.

Targeting roach, they both fished a small ground bait feeder with maggot or double pinkie on the hook and soon started catching small roach.

A change by Mike to corn on the hook with a few grains in the feeder saw him up his catch rate with a better stamp of fish.

Ade had to leave early, but Mike was still catching and stayed on undeterred by the sudden snow squalls.

He reckoned he had thirty-plus roach, the majority between six and 8ozs for a weight of between 12 and 15lbs.

A reminder to text Tom Fahey and Geoff Cropper on 07538 494353 with your cormorant sightings on our fisheries.

This is vitally important and the duo are collating all your information. Also noisy scaring measures may be employed where required.

I really would welcome a few more catch reports! if you have any to contribute, please email them to frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a call on 01928 716238.

WAA headquarters at 52 Parker Street are open as usual every Friday night between 7pm and 8.30pm for 2018 night permits/membership renewals, new members, subscriptions, and any queries.

Fixtures:

Sunday, River Mersey Series: Draw 10am at Victoria Park.

Monday, disabled and over 60s: Draw 10am at Woodshaw Reservoir.