SADLY I report that long-standing member and well-known local angler John Dagnall has died.

After a brief stay in hospital, he died on Friday. Our thoughts are with his family.

John’s funeral will be at Walton Lea Crematorium on Tuesday, September 24, at 12.20pm.

Alan and Angeline Oates waded a good distance down the River Alyn from Rossett Bridge section using nymphs (olives and red tags) and later in the day dry flies, catching trout on this occasion.

Kevin Oates fished the lower section with maggots and had some decent sized grayling.

Following the pollution and subsequent fish mortality at Statham Pool it is now open to members again. I would appreciate any detailed catch reports. Thanks to all the volunteers who gave up their time.

This weekend’s Mersey matches have been cancelled due to essential work required on Howley Weir to clear debris in the control gates caused by vandals. Peel Ports will be starting to lower the river level as slowly as practicable tomorrow, Friday, as they have to finish the job before Friday, September 13.

The Saturday Mersey match series fished at Kingsway Allotments saw match organiser Ray Boden clock up his third successive win on his favourite pole and maggot method.

His net of roach and perch that sent the scales needle round to 5-6-0 was way down on his previous weights. Pete Jones was in second place with 4-10-0.

Sunday’s Mersey match fished at Mersey Walk ended up as an individual event which was won by Neil Buist with a weight of 11-8-0 made up of a bonus 3lb bream plus skimmers taken on groundbait feeder and maggot.

Ray Boden took the runner-up spot with 10-14-0 of perch and roach caught on pole and maggot.

Our Disabled and Over 60s match on Monday was held at the Trent and Mersey Canal, Billinge, saw Rod Fraser draw the wide and enjoyed a comfortable win with a net of silver bream and roach for 7-2-8. He fished pole and caster.

Jimmy Byrne was in second place with a catch of roach, perch, and gudgeon for a weight of 4-13-8.

There were a good number of weights in the 3lbs plus range helped no doubt by the increasing numbers of gudgeon that have made a comeback this year.

There is a working party at Sandiway Lakes on Saturday on both fisheries. Carl Wallace is running the one on the small lake, meet around 10am on the first car park. He will be there all day for general tidying up, trimming, mowing, strimming etc. Andrew Hewson is running the one on the big lake, again meet around 10am at the second car park. Anyone got any gear take it with them. Everybody welcome, any time that you can give will be much appreciated.

Email your catch reports to frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or call me on 01928 716238.

WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street are open on Fridays between 7pm and 9pm for such enquiries as new memberships and night permits.

Results:

Saturday: Mersey Series: 1, Ray Boden 5-6-0; 2, Pete Jones 4-10-0; 3, J Gannon/P Bibby 2-9-0.

Sunday: Mersey Series: 1, Neil Buist 11-8-0; 2, Ray Boden 10-14-0; 3, Bob Clough 9-9-0; 4, Dave Hill 7-12-0.

Monday: Disabled and Over 60s (Trent & Mersey Canal, Billinge): 1, Rod Frazer 7-2-8; 2, Jimmy Byrne 4-13-8; 3, Alan Brown 4-4-4; 4, George Hollis 3-10-4.

Fixtures:

Monday: Disabled & Over 60s, draw 10am, Bridgewater Canal, Daresbury Labs, peg 144.