NOT too many members are taking advantage of the potential of Ackers Pit, which following a de-watering and silt removal a decade ago was stocked with crucians, rudd, roach, perch, tench, and carp, plus a smattering of bream that found their own way from the Bridgewater Canal via the feeder sluice that maintains the water supply.

Ken Grimshaw enjoyed his visit to the fishery this week, fishing a light waggler and feeding maggot for a catch of 15 plump roach and a carp of around 8lbs that really gave him a few anxious moments on his 20’s hook and 1½lbs BS hook length.

All in all, quite a pleasurable three hours’ fishing at this time of the year.

Saturday’s Mersey Match series on the river at Kingsway North was won by organiser Ray Boden with a net made up of three perch, the rest roach for a weight of 8lbs 2ozs 0drs caught on pole and maggot.

Arthur Plumb, fishing the same method, was in second place with 6-3-0.

Barry Chambers was still on form following his last week’s double win by topping the weights in our Sunday Series fished at Mersey Walk with a net of pole caught caster roach for a weight of 7-6-0.

Jimmy Byrne was the runner-up with a similar catch taken on pole and maggot for 6-12-0.

Our Monday disabled and over 60s match was fished this week on a gin-clear Trent & Mersey Canal at Farm Road.

Contrary to expectations, catches were much better than last week with a number of anglers topping the 3lbs mark.

Jimmy Byrne took first place, weighing in a respectable canal winter weight of roach and perch for 4-11-11 taken on the pole and bread punch, later changing over to caster for better stamp roach and perch.

‘The Breadman’ – aka George Barber – was second with 4-2-3 taken on his favourite bait.

He had almost a bite every cast for four hours, ending up with something approaching 120-plus small roach and a couple of rudd, all less than an ounce barring one of 4 ounces.

It certainly looks good for the future if these youngsters manage to escape the cormorants.

Things are getting desperate…only one catch report this week so a reminder that I really appreciate your reports – good, bad, or indifferent – as they help follow members to know how waters are fishing and to plan their outings.

Please email 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 between 7pm and 8.30pm for renewals, new members, subscriptions, and any queries. The new 2019 night permits are also now available.

Results:

Saturday, Mersey Series: 1, Ray Boden 8-2-0; 2, Arthur Plumb 6-3-0; 3, Jimmy Byrne 4-10-0; 4, Martin Kettle 4-5-0

Sunday, Mersey Series: 1, Barry Chambers 7-6-0; 2, Jimmy Byrne 6-12-0; 3=, Neil Buist/Ray Boden 6-9-0

Monday, disabled and over 60s: 1, Jimmy Byrne 4-11-11; 2, George Barber 4-2-3; 3, Ron Durr 3-8-7; 4, Pip Woodier 3-6-8

Fixtures:

Saturday, Mersey Series: Draw 10am at Kingsway Allotments

Sunday, Mersey Series: Draw 10am at Victoria Park

Monday, disabled and over 60s: Draw 10am at Bridgewater Canal, Houghs Bridge