ON Friday, Bridgewater Canal regular Mike Pritchard struggled when he visited the ‘Dead-length’ at Walton where, as I have mentioned regularly, the fish tightly shoal up during the winter months.
But, as with all angling sessions, you are either ‘on fish or not’ and Mike couldn’t get a bite.
Eventually ‘the bread-man’ aka George Barber, who is a regular on the local match scene, turned up to try his luck 20 yards or so further up the canal.
I am not exactly certain but would more than hazard a guess that he first of all potted some liquidised Warburtons into his swim as according to Mike, he started catching from the off.
I was right, as I have since spoken with George, who told me that he fished punched bread throughout and ended his session with 150 to 200 fish.
As for Mike, he moved to a swim 20 yards to the other side of George and straight away started catching on pinky.
This week, I am reporting on some really desperate Warrington Anglers match results.
Our Sunday Mersey Series, which has been supported throughout the winter by a hardy band of match anglers despite some atrocious river and weather conditions, saw anglers struggling for bites.
But when the chips were down Ade Green, fishing a ground-bait feeder and maggot, managed to winkle a dozen tiny roach from his swim for a weight of 15ozs to take the win.
Pete Jones only weighed two fish, a tiny roach and bonus 10ozs skimmer bream for his 11ozs to take second place.
Just when you would think it couldn’t get any worse, a change of venue for our disabled and over 60s to the Trent & Mersey Canal at Farm Road proved wrong.
Iconic angler Roy Rogers fished pole and pinky for a weight of 0lbs 4ozs 12drs. Well-known local rod Jimmy Byrne was the runner-up with 0-2-10.
For the record, 14 anglers fished but only five had a bite!
It gets really desperate as regards catch reports at this time of the year, so any reports are more than welcome, including ‘humorous bankside happenings.’ Send to frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a ring on 01928 716238.
WAA headquarters at 52 Parker Street are open as usual every Friday between 7pm and 9pm for 2018 night permits/membership renewals, new members, subscriptions, and any queries.
Results:
Sunday Mersey Series: 1, Ade Green 0-12-0; 2, Pete Jones 0-11-0; 3, Ray Boden 0-10-0.
Disabled and over 60s; 1, Roy Rogers 0-4-12; 2, Jimmy Byrne 0-2-10; 3, George Barber 0-1-12; 4, Stan Charnock 0-0-14.
Fixtures:
Sunday, River Mersey Series: Draw 10am at Kingsway Allotments.
Monday, disabled and over 60s: Draw 10am at ‘Dead Length’ Bridgewater Canal.
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