TO confirm the rumour, one of our members has recently caught a fantastic 41-8-0 carp from Big Sandiway.

There seems to be a reticence to report such specimen catches from both lakes on this Association owned asset.

Surely it is catches such as this that encourage new members and ensure we retain existing ones.

However, I expect there are always those who would like to keep the place to themselves.

Jim Gannon, who does a lot of work on the Mersey to ensure that the pegs are kept in good order, took a day off on Monday when he enjoyed a session on peg 33.

Fishing groundbait feeder and maggot he caught eight quality bream.

Gary Chadwick and his dad Ken also had a memorable session on the river. Fishing groundbait feeder and red maggot they had bream of 6-5-0, 8-8-0, 10-1-0 and 10-6-0.

Gary said that the larger fish would hardly fit in the net and he also lost four hefty specimens.

I fancied a session ‘floater fishing’ for carp and decided on High Legh Fisheries.

Before setting up, I checked for any anglers present. Brian Machin had caught eight carp using legered worm tipped with fake corn. They were all from 2lbs to 8lbs.

He then told the tale that his son had been asked to load his float gear but on arriving at the venue saw it was instead his carp tackle. Anyway, his son forgiven, Brian added another carp to his tally before he left.

As for me, I fed the water hens as only one carp showed any interest.

Stuart Roberts took his first trip of the season to the Dee at Worthenbury.

He had only caught a few small dace on the tip at the point of chatting to our bailiff Mike Lewis and just as he was bringing in another the rod slammed over.

They soon realised it was a large trout. It wasn’t hooked, it had the dace across its jaws just as pike do.

Next thing, there was a big swirl and the dace was gone but justice occurred as the trout was now hooked and ended up in the net.

The Saturday Mersey match series fished at Kingsway allotments was won this week by Pete Jones with four quality bream plus roach caught on groundbait feeder and maggot for a weight of 15-10-0.

River veteran Rod Frazer took second place with 10-13-0 made up of a single bream of 4lbs, the rest skimmers and roach caught on both pole and caster and groundbait feeder and maggot.

Our Sid Jones Open held on Sunday at Mersey Walk saw match organiser Ray Boden take his first win of the season with a weight of 15-2-0 made up of skimmers and roach plus a bonus 3lb bream all caught on pole and maggot.

Kevin Hall took the runner-up spot with a similar mix of fish weighing 11-12-0.

Our Disabled and Over 60s match on Monday was fished on the Trent & Mersey Canal at Farm Road, Northwich, which saw Rod Frazer in winning form taking first place with 4-2-2 of roach and perch.

Two pegs away Geoff Brooks took second place with a weight of 3-8-0.

Thanks to those members who take the trouble to send in catch reports which are really appreciated by fellow members as it helps them to know how waters are fishing and plan their outings. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a call on 01928 716238.

WAA headquarters at 52, Parker Street are open every Friday, 7pm-9pm, for new memberships, renewing subscriptions or night permits.

Results:

Mersey Series: 1, Pete Jones 15-10-0; 2, Rod Frazer 10-13-0; 3, Jimmy Byrne 6-11-0; 4, Ray Boden 6-4-0.

Sid Jones Open: 1, Ray Boden 15-2-0; 2, Kevin Hall 11-12-0; 3, Jimmy Byrne 11-11-0; 4, Jim Gannon 9-11-0.

Disabled and Over 60s, Bridgewater Canal: 1, Rod Frazer 3-2-8; 2, Jimmy Byrne 3-1-0; 3, John Dagnall 3-13-6; 4, Lenny Dutton 2-3-12.

Fixtures:

Saturday, Mersey Series: Draw 9am, Kingsway Allotments.

Sunday, Mersey Series: Draw 9am, Victoria Park.

Monday, Disabled and Over 60s: Draw 10am, Woodshaw Reservoir, Wigan.