Our latest Warrington Anglers Association column

JOHN Dunn fished the Bridgewater Canal just over a week ago at Delph Lane and enjoyed a few hours’ decent sport following a slow start.

He fished the pole alternating between red maggot and punched bread to end up with ‘four big black slabs’ and some smaller ones. The biggest at just over 4lbs took some landing as it turned out to be hooked in the tail.

Some of our Wigan fisheries have been a bit slow due to spawning, not so Mowpin where Paul Anderton had over 100 roach on Friday and his son lost a decent fish, probably a carp which snapped him.

David Leigh was catching chub at ‘D’ Pool and then hit the jackpot with a nice common carp. Although these pools are only small, our local bailiff/volunteer team who tend them with great care and devotion assure me that they are full of fish.

Dean Loftus raked a swim at Cicely Mill Pool at 5am on Sunday morning, where he fished the pole at 10 metres starting off with caster over hemp which brought four tench to the net, losing three in the weed after which sport went quiet at around 9am.

A change to maggot brought perch and silvers in company with a brace of bigger tench and a new PB at 7-6-0. He fished 5am to 1pm…the early bird etc?

Our disabled and over 60s Monday match was held this week on the Bridgewater Canal at Keckwick but despite me witnessing shoals of fish along the length just over a week ago during one of my bike rides, members found bites were few and far between.

Match organiser Jimmy Byrne was the winner as he fished the pole at over 13 metres to find the fish.

He tempted three skimmers using single pinkie plus a few tiny roach and a silver bream for 1-13-0.

Lenny Dutton was second with 1-5-0 made up of small roach. Nineteen anglers fished.

Thanks to members who have abided by the closed-off spawning areas on various fisheries this past week or so.

Eight carp have died, more than likely due to spawning stresses, at Phoenix Park Lake where a member acted promptly by reporting the matter to the Environment Agency and ourselves.

Our WAA headquarters at 52 Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT remains closed on Friday evenings but members can post to this address or put their book or request in an envelope with their payment and a stamped addressed envelope through our HQ door, where mail is collected and dealt with most days.

Alternatively, you can post to Warrington Anglers Association PO. Box 71, Warrington WA1 1LR where mail is collected weekly.

Catch reports from members, pics or funny stories are always welcome. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a call on 01928 716238

Results:

Monday, disabled and over 60s: 1, Jimmy Byrne 1-13-0; 2, Lenny Dutton 1-5-0; 3, Geoff Brooks 1-4-0; 4, Rod Fraser 1-1-0

Fixtures:

Monday, disabled and over 60s: Draw 9.45am at Bridgewater Canal, Daresbury Labs Peg 144. £5 all-in. Exact money only, no change given. Covid rules apply.