BARBEL have been feeding on our stretch of the Ribble at Hurst Green, and Steven Gledhill has been there to make the most of it.

I’ve seen photographs of his catch, which included six totalling 11-3-2 and another that crept into double-digits.

He rang the changes in terms of bait, catching using pellet, boilies and luncheon meat.

Two more quality specimens, and a few chub, followed when he retuned on Saturday.

Paul McConnell feared he may have to write off a planned session on the river when his car broke down on the way.

However, after fixing it, he squeezed in an hour’s sport during which he landed an 11-pounder.

Geoff Maddock introduced Mike Louch to the pleasures of fishing on the Mount at Buckley on Sunday, when his friend landed a carp that weighed just short of double figures.

This fishery is thriving, with the best specimens there including roach of more than 2lbs along with quality tench, bream and perch.

There is always a chance as well of a rod-bending carp or two.

Ray Boden found Kingsway allotments to be to his liking again when he collected another win in our Mersey Series fixture on Saturday.

His net, weighing 10-7-0, contained roach and perch caught using pole and maggot tactics.

Second-placed Rod Frazer adopted the same method, but fished caster to land 7-2-0.

Sunday’s Mersey Series match was won by Neil Davies, who caught on pole and caster throughout for haul weighing in at 7-4-0.

Bream shoals are conspicuous by their absence, and I’ve a sneaking suspicion a Hilbre Islands predator is responsible.

Association vice-president Geoff Brooks’ net of 5-0-8 was a winning one during our latest disabled and over 60s match on the Bridgwater Canal on Monday.

It was great to see him back collecting the coin.

Our headquarters at Parker Street are open every Friday, between 7pm and 9pm, for memberships, subscriptions, night-permit renewals and any queries.

Keep sending catch reports by email to frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk, or call me on 01928 716238.

Results:

Saturday, Mersey Series: 1, Ray Boden 10-7-0; 2, Rod Frazer 10-2-0; 3, Alan Birchall 7-0-0; 4, Martin Kettle 5-12-0.

Sunday, Mersey Series: 1, Neil Davies 7-4-0; 2, John Green 6-13-0; 3, Dave Hill 5-11-0; 4, Mike Dench 5-7-0.

Monday, Disabled and over 60s (Bridgewater Canal): 1, Geoff Brooks 5-0-0; 2, Stu Patterson 4-2-6; 3, Jimmy Byrne 3-11-2; 4, Dickie Wernham 3-7-12.

Fixtures:

Saturday, Mersey Series: draw 9am, Kingsway allotments.

Sunday, Mersey Series: draw 9am ,Victoria Park.

Monday, disabled and over 60s (members only): draw 10am, Bridgewater Canal, Pickering’s Bridge.