MEMBERS are still enjoying pike catches on the Bridgewater Canal where on Saturday, Trev Myers fished the stretch at Broadheath where he landed two fish of 8lbs and 13lbs 4ozs 0drs on legered sprat.

A different method on the move suited Alan Rogers, who enjoyed his session drop-shotting at Lymm on Sunday catching four small jacks and two perch.

Match anglers are still reporting lots of pike activity between Hough’s and Walton Bridges – always worth a punt at this time of the year.

The carp at Grey Mist switched on for a brief spell over the weekend where at least four twenties were reported caught.

Pegs are understandably still muddy due to the high river levels, which overwhelm the non-return gate that goes into the Mersey. Nothing apparently happening carp-wise elsewhere.

The Mersey match series on Sunday was fished at Mersey Walk where due to the river carrying extra water following overnight rain, everyone without exception struggled.

In fact, struggled really doesn’t do it justice as the winner Stan Charnock, who is believed to be Warrington Anglers Association’s oldest ever match winner, converted his only two bites in the last 15 minutes into two roach for 9oz.

Stan caught on feeder and maggot, as did second placed Dave Hill on 8oz. I think I can confidently comment that it couldn’t get any worse!

However, thankfully there was a world of difference the next day at our disabled and over 60s match fished on the Bridgewater Canal at Hough’s Bridge.

Match organiser and this week’s winner Jimmy Byrne reckoned that “it absolutely fished its head off” as he put together a net of roach plus a few perch for a weight of 11-15-0.

Jimmy fished the pole and started alternating between bread and pinkie but a change to caster found the better stamp fish. Alan Brown was the runner-up with 8-8-0.

Eighteen anglers fished for a total weight of 88lbs and an average of over 4.5lbs per man and a cracking result at any time of the year for a four-hour canal match.

Warrington Rowing Club are having a winter race day on Sunday, so anglers should steer clear of any pegs upstream of Victoria Park.

The new 2020 membership books will be posted out this week and should be dropping through letter boxes by Monday.

Please 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, Stan Charnock 0-9-0; 2, Dave Hill 0-8-0; 3, Ant Higham 0-2-0; 4, Jim Gannon 0-1-0

Monday, disabled and over 60s: 1, Jimmy Byrne 11-15-0; 2, Alan Brown 8-8-8; 3, Geoff Brooks 6-13-0; 4, Ron Durr 6-7-4

Fixtures:

Sunday, Mersey Series: Draw 9am at Victoria Park

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