BY and large, sport at most fisheries is unpredictable at present and with the onset of colder weather, it is more than likely to be even more so.

Places to try include Appleton Reservoir, where the roach fishing is fairly consistent along with the chance that carp may start feeding.

The Bridgewater Canal, where the clarity of the water is better at Grappenhall towards Manchester, is worth a punt for perch and pike either spinning or drop-shotting, take your choice.

Roach are feeding in the usual places where they shoal at this time of the year such as Lymm Village and Walton Gardens, where there are also numbers of pike striking at hooked silvers.

The Boxing Day Special match on the River Mersey was one of extremes, where winner Jimmy Byrne put his catch of bream between four and 6lbs plus roach on the scales for a weight of 49lbs 14ozs 9drs.

Jim Gannon took the runner-up spot with two bream for 5lbs. All fish for both anglers caught on a groundbait feeder and maggot.

Our Sunday Mersey Series this week saw match organiser Ray Boden win the final event of 2018 with 4-14-0 of roach and perch taken on feeder and maggot.

In what was a close match, Alan Morris was not too far behind with 4-6-0.

The first Mersey match of the year – our New Year’s Day Hangover Special – was won by Jimmy Byrne with a weight of 10-11-0 made up of skimmers to a pound and roach around 8oz taken on groundbait feeder and maggot.

Alan Faulker took second place with 8-13-0 on the same method.

I really need you to send me your catch reports – good, bad, or indifferent – as they help fellow members to gauge how waters are fishing and to plan their outings and give me something to write about.

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. The new 2019 night permits are now available from HQ. You can no longer book on with last year’s numbers.

Results:

Boxing Day Mersey Special: 1, Jimmy Byrne 49-14-9; 2, Jim Gannon 5-0-0; 3, Ray Boden 3-8-0; 4, Dave Hill 3-0-0

Sunday, Mersey Series: 1, Ray Boden 4-14-0; 2, Alan Morris 4-6-0; 3, Ant Higham 4-3-0; 4, Derek Bibby 3-11-0

New Year’s Day Hangover Cure Match: 1, Jimmy Byrne 10-11-0; 2, Alan Faulkner 8-13-0; 3, Ray Boden 6-3-0; 4, Jim Gannon 5-12-0

Fixtures:

Sunday, Mersey Series: Draw 9.45am at Mersey Walk

Monday, disabled and over 60s: Draw 10am at Preston Brook, under motorway bridge.