Frank Lythgoe brings us the latest news and views from Warrington Anglers Association...

MIKE Dench made a spur of the moment decision on Sunday to fish our stretch of the River Ribble at Hurst Green – mainly because he had a pint and a half of red maggots that needed using up in his fridge.

As things turned out, it was the right choice.

He travelled light, setting up with an 18ft float rod loose-feeding maggots and trotting down his swim with an Avon float set-up on 4lbs mainline to 0.10 hook length.

He ended his session with nine chub that included two fish estimated at 5lbs and 6lbs, which gave him a few anxious moments before they were safely in his landing net plus five small grayling and three brownies to over a pound.

Anthony Rough enjoyed a short session on the Alyn at Hope on Monday, fishing several swims with a small stick float and loose-feeding maggots.

He caught some quality trout and ended up with seven grayling – the best being slightly over the pound mark – and 11 trout up to 1lb. All fish were caught on single maggot.

Anthony reckoned after four blanks on the run, it was a nice change to get a bend in the rod and was almost considering buying a set of golf clubs. Phew, saved by the bell!

Sunday was a blustery dull day at Appleton Reservoir when Neil Davies cast in his groundbait feeder with caster, pinkie, and sweetcorn offerings.

It took over an hour before his first bite came to double maggot and most fish that followed were small.

A change to a single piece of corn later in the afternoon brought a better stamp of roach.

Our Mersey match on Sunday drawn at Mersey Walk saw Ant Higham – aka ‘King of the River’ – repeat his winning ways of the previous week with a weight of 2lbs 2ozs 0drs of small roach taken on feeder and maggot.

Veteran match angler Derek Bibby took second place with 1-15-0.

The disabled and over 60s Match on the Bridgewater Canal this week was moved back to Hough’s Bridge in the divine hope that there wouldn’t be a repeat of last week poor results from the opposite end of the length, where Roy Rogers only needed 15 tiny roach to win.

Someone was looking down kindly on them as Ron Durr caught 108 roach for a winning weight of 6-10-8. Match organiser Jimmy Byrne was second with 5-13-4.

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, Ant Higham 2-2-0; 2, Derek Bibby 1-15-0; 3, Alan Faulkner 1-11-0; 4, Jimmy Byrne 1-8-0

Monday, disabled and over 60s: 1, Ron Durr 6-10-8; 2, Jimmy Byrne 5-13-4; 3, Roy Baker 4-11-8; 4, Ray Boden 4-7-8

Fixtures:

Sunday, Mersey Series: Draw 9am at Kingsway Allotments

Monday, disabled and over 60s: Draw 10am at Bridgewater Canal, Hough’s Bridge