IAN James reports an enjoyable day’s sport at Arley Reservoir on Monday.

He used a groundbait feeder and double maggot to target bream there, but all he caught inside the first two hours were roach up to a pound.

Eventually his tip shot around, and Ian struck into a better fish – a bronze beauty of around 3lbs soon lay in the landing net.

That was followed by eight more fish around the same stamp.

It is more years than I care to remember since we stocked tench into the Bridgewater Canal from the old Neptune Club car park at Preston Brook.

Well this week a neighbour showed me a photograph of a cracking olive-coloured beauty, around 3.5 to 4lbs, that he had caught the day before from that very spot.

He has also been catching quality roach and bream from the same area too.

His tip? Head there early in the morning or in the evening when there is less chance of boat traffic.

There are working parties scheduled for this weekend on our waters.

The first is on the large lake at Sandiway, and some areas will be closed on Saturday.

Members using the small lake may be disturbed while volunteers remove line.

The Mount fishery will be closed from Friday evening while trees are removed, and hopefully reopened on late on Sunday.

We’ve heard grumbles too about lilies at Grey Mist Mere, and I can confirm they will be treated in the coming days.

Thanks are owed as well to the council, who have agreed to treat the Japanese knotweed that has spread from their refuse site.

Geoff Brooks, our association’s vice-president, took first prize in our disabled and over 60s match on the Bridgewater Canal at Acton Grange Bridge.

In the past, to be drawn on the Moore side brought with it a chance to win.

That’s not the case now though, and the leading four weights came from pegs on the opposite bank.

He netted 3-7-12 of pole-caught roach and gudgeon taken on pinkie and caster in the final hour.

Derek Bibby won our Mersey Series match on Saturday using feeder tactics and maggot for a weight of 6-2-0 made up of three skimmers, roach, and perch.

Jim Gannon was in the money again too, finishing second with 4-8-0 using the same method.

He made it a double when he prevailed on Sunday too, this time with 6-4-0 taken on the pole and groundbait feeder.

Our association 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, call me on 01928 716238.

Results:

Disabled and over 60s, Monday: 1, Geoff Brooks 3-7-12; 2, Graham Belton 2-12-0; 3, Stu Patterson 2-5-10; 4, Jimmy Byrne 1-14-5.

Mersey Series, Saturday: 1, Derek Bibby 6-2-0; 2, Jim Gannon 4-8-0; 3, Ray Boden 3-9-0; 4, Jimmy Byrne 3-3-0.

Mersey Series, Sunday: 1, Derek Bibby 6-4-0; 2, Jimmy Byrne 5-11-0; 3, Ray Boden 4-3-0; 4, Jim Gannon 3-0-0.

Fixtures:

Saturday, Mersey Series: Draw 9am, Kingsway Allotments.

Sunday, Mersey Championship: Draw 9am, Victoria Park.

Monday, Disabled and over 60s: Draw 10am, Trent & Mersey Canal, Billinge.

Tuesday, Mersey Series: Draw 9am, Kingsway Allotments.