WARRINGTON Anglers' Association's Thomas Cochrane had a phenomenal catch of more than 100 roach, skimmers and gudgeon on Friday.

His catch on the Bridgewater Canal opposite Daresbury Laboratory eclipsed his father Steve and grandfather David.

What makes this catch even more amazing is that Thomas is only nine years of age! The successful method was short pole and pinkie fished on the near shelf.

The River Alyn at Ithells Bridge provided some interesting sport on Sunday for avid fly-fisher Kevin Wilkinson.

Using an 8ft 4's rod and dry fly he had six chub to 1lbs and a grayling. The chub gave a good account of themselves on the light tackle.

By contrast, Jim Sayer fished the same venue on the following day and, using stick-float and maggot, had 11 chub to 1lbs as well as plenty of small grayling and dace. Different methods were used but both enjoyed their sport.

The River Mersey is producing some decent catches of roach to 1lbs and there seems to be a resurgence of perch to 6ozs with a few better specimens, although chub are currently thin on the ground.

You needed 6lbs to frame in the match on Sunday. That is quite respectable considering the low oxygen and flow conditions. Pole fished caster or maggot accounted for most fish.

There is now a new lock fitted at our River Derwent Fishery at Darley Abbey, which gives access to the car park adjacent to the pools that members may also fish.

The river has produced a few surprise carp to 10lbs during the past week. They were probably escapees from the floods two years ago.

Ian McGovern fished the bend at the upper end of the stretch for a mixed net of roach, perch, chub and a bream of 6lbs.

I know that I mentioned in last week's column that I would be doing my rain dance but the result has definitely been an unqualified success.

Swimmers who have been trespassing on our fisheries have thankfully vanished because of the simple change in weather. Sorry to all you sun worshippers, but needs must.

Let me have your catch reports on 01928 716238, fax 01928 713898 or e-mail frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk. HQ Parker Street will be open as usual tomorrow, Friday between 7pm and 9.30pm for subscriptions and new members.

Results: National Fund Series: 1, Stuart Conroy 9-4-0; 2, Stuart Birchall 5-11-15; 3, Ian Morrison 5-4-0; 4, Bob Clough 4-2-0. Junior Match Series: 1, Mike Chung 2-7-10; 2, Jon Andrews 2-2-0; 3, Jamie Hirst 2-1-6. Intermediates: 1, Chris Francis 3-6-0; 2, Andrew Lewis 3-4-14; 3, Joe Dagnall 2-13-0. Minnows: 1, Adam Dukes 1-12-0; 2, Andy Unsworth 1-5-0; 3, Gavin Balmer 1-3-12; 4, Hannah Duckworth 1-1-0. Mersey Series: 1, Phil Matthews 7-13-0; 2, Steve Leyland 6-14-15; 3, Jim Shaw 6-6-12; 4, Ian Roberts 6-2-0. Disabled and Over 60s: 1, Ron Durr 5-15-3; 2, Eddie Cooke 2-13-0; 3, Roger Peet 2-6-4; 4, Bill Stockton 2-5-8.

Forthcoming events: Today, Thursday: Minnows, juniors, and intermediate series, draws 6pm on bank opposite Euclid Avenue (pegs 540 to 588). Sunday: Tom James Open (Macclesfield Canal), draw 9am at Queens Head. Monday: Disabled and Over 60s, draw 10am at Star Inn (pegs 65 to120). Tuesday: Honorary and Pensioners, draw 11am on bank (pegs 145 to 165). Senior Match Series, draw 5.30pm on bank opposite Denbury Avenue.