Warrington Anglers' Association round-up with Frank Lythgoe

MERSEY maestro Jim Gannon enjoyed a cracking catch when he dragged himself away from his favourite river and made his first visit to the Weaver Navigation.

Fishing a waggler set-up and maggot he had a fish almost every cast, his haul including roach, bream, skimmers, chub, and rudd.

Mike Morton was so impressed with the bream sport on a visit to Wide Hole that after chatting to bailiff Dave Frangleton he offered to help him in cutting back and opening up some new pegs. Worth a trip to this Association owned fishery - the fishing can be great as the fish move in from the canal for sanctuary.

Dave Smith made his first visit to the Dee and despite describing the track 'an adventure’ soon forgot this minor difficulty when he caught five grayling, loads of small chub, and several larger ones.

Sadly, I report the recent death of former committee member Geoff Gauton who, aside for being a keen volunteer on our working parties, also held the post of head bailiff for a number of years.

His last big job for WAA was to replace our signs on all Bridgewater Canal bridges using his pike fishing boat which he also used to patrol the canal.

Geoff was also a well-known pike angler and an active member of the Pike Anglers Club.

Our thoughts are with his wife and family. His celebration of life is to be held at Walton Lea Crematorium on Wednesday, September 18, at 1pm.

Our disabled and over 60s match on Monday was held at the Bridgewater Canal on the Daresbury Laboratories stretch where in-form Rod Fraser, who drew an end peg, repeated his success of the previous week with a catch of caster-caught roach and perch for a weight of 4-3-12.

Alan Brown, who also drew an end peg, took second place with a net of smaller fish alternating between bread-punch and pinkie for 3-7-0. Sixteen fished.

Saturday and Sunday members' Mersey matches are back this weekend.

The Saturday one really needs more anglers to take part for the organiser to continue running them.

Following the recent pollution and subsequent fish mortality at Statham Pool it is heartening to hear that on Sunday Ian Kennedy caught two carp, a common and a mirror and lost two further fish. More reports please.

Thanks to members who send in catch reports which help fellow members to know how waters are fishing and plan their outings. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or call 01928 716238.

WAA Headquarters at 52, Parker Street is open on Fridays between 7pm and 9pm. Call in for memberships, to renew subscriptions or arrange night permits.

Results: Monday: Disabled and Over 60s Bridgewater Canal: 1, Rod Frazer 4-3-12; 2, Alan Brown 3-7-0; 3, Lenny Dutton 3-4-10; 4, Jimmy Byrne 3-2-4. Fixtures: Saturday: Mersey Series, draw 9am, Kingsway allotments. Sunday: Mersey Series: Draw 9am, Mersey Walk. Monday: Disabled and Over 60s, draw 10am, Bridgewater Canal, Stage Lane/Grantham’s Bridge.