Frank Lythgoe brings us the latest from Warrington Anglers Association...

OUR annual top-up carp stocking will take place on Friday, January 17, starting at Grey Mist around 10am followed in turn by Moore Quarry and finally Sandiway Lakes.

Members are more than welcome to attend and watch or help introduce the 20 C6 fish in the 20-23lbs size range.

On Saturday, Simon Oldfield and his stepdaughter Ella Reynolds had an enjoyable afternoon’s fishing at Ackers Pit.

They finished up with nine feisty carp taken on pole and maggot tactics, with member Martin James accompanied by his young daughters on hand with the landing net and top advice.

Simon, who relinquished his membership seventeen years ago, commented, “Feels good to be back.” Let’s hope it is one of many such sessions.

Last week, Stuart Peters had both a day off work and some leftover bait so decided on a trip to the Ribble to kick-off 2020 following his year-end successful trip to this venue.

Sport was a little slower this time and bites few and far between but he still managed a cracking brace of barbel of 9lbs 2ozs 0drs and 9-6-0, his first chub off the stretch weighing 4½lbs and a brace of grayling around a pound which made his 150-mile round trip worthwhile.

The Mersey match on Sunday was another low weight affair, which was not really unexpected under the river conditions.

Dave Hill was the winner, needing only 11oz of small roach caught on groundbait feeder and maggot. Ray Boden took second place with 5oz.

Our disabled and over 60s match on the Bridgewater Canal took place this week at the Hough’s Bridge stretch, where Ray Boden drew a peg adjacent the Walton Gardens entrance where he fished the pole using maggot and pinkie.

It seems that punched bread attracted lots of small roach whereas the better sized fish preferred a live bait and a bit of movement in the deeply coloured water.

Ray had 2lbs to spare over second-placed Jimmy Byrne when his net of all roach sent the scale pointer to 10-8-8 for a decisive win.

Jimmy drew in the middle of the length and fished the same method for 8-3-10. Fifteen fished the four-hour match and 2-18-0 was the lowest weight.

The Bridgewater Canal matches at Boothstown have been put on hold for the time being, so watch this space for when they are back on the calendar.

Don’t forget to keep those reports coming as at this time of the year there is not a lot happening, so good, bad or indifferent they will help fellow members to plan any trips to the bankside.

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 9pm. New members are welcome to call in and join, current ones can renew their subscription or night permit.

Results

Sunday, Mersey Series: 1, Dave Hill 0-11-0; 2, Ray Boden 0-5-0; 3, Ant Higham 0-4-0; 4, Stan Charnock 0-2-0

Monday, disabled and over 60s: 1, Ray Boden 10-8-8; 2, Jimmy Byrne 8-3-10; 3, Mike Worley 5-6-4; 4, Ron Durr 5-5-0

Fixtures

Sunday, Mersey Series: Draw 9am at Kingsway Allotments

Monday, disabled and over 60s,Bridgewater Canal: Draw 10am at Walton Church