DYLAN Coyle, aged nine, is now coming up to his third year as a Warrington Anglers’ Association member.

From those early beginnings, he has become an avid angler and caught a fair selection of different species, although he had, as yet, to catch his first pike.

After trying for the past two months, a recent short session and change of venue to Statham Pool finally brought success.

Dylan’s sprat dead bait was taken by one of these toothy predators and, after a brief fight, the pike lay in his landing net.

It is one of those angling milestones that will be in his memory forever. Well done Dylan!

Twenty-two members fished our annual disabled and over 60s prize match held on the Bridgewater Canal at Houghs Bridge on Monday.

Catches were made up of mainly roach and perch, with the better results coming from pegs between Houghs and Walton Gardens Bridges.

Lennie Dutton took the winner’s purse for the second week in succession and weighed in 8lbs 4ozs 10drs, which is a cracking catch for this time of the year.

Barry Chambers, on the adjacent peg, was in second place with 7-12-11. Everyone received a prize.

That well-known saying that ‘age is but a number’ certainly holds true for octogenarian Norman Gannon, who had the fish of the day and the biggest weight during our Mersey Sunday Series but failed to get in the money.

Unfortunately his catch, which gave a good account of itself on light tackle, was a salmon around the 5lbs mark and they do not count in matches.

Jimmy Byrne took the winner’s purse with 3-6-0 of small roach taken on a ground bait feeder and maggot. I expect it was some consolation that Norman’s brother Jim took second place as rumour has it that they share winnings.

A reminder to text Tom Fahey and Geoff Cropper on 07538 494353 with your cormorant sightings on our fisheries.

This is vitally important and the duo are collating all your information. Also noisy scaring measures may be employed where required.

WAA headquarters at 52 Parker Street are open as usual every Friday between 7pm and 8.30pm for night-permits, membership renewals, new members, subscriptions, and any queries.

Please email catch details to frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a call on 01928 716238.

Results:

Disabled and over 60s: 1, Lennie Dutton 8-4-10; 2, Barry Chambers 7-12-11; 3, Jimmy Byrne 7-4-11; 4, Ronnie Durr 5-14-10.

Sunday Mersey Series: 1, Jimmy Byrne 3-6-0; 2, Jim Gannon 2-9-0; 3, Ed Frangleton 1-3-0; 4, Ray Floor 1-0-0

Fixtures:

Sunday, River Mersey Series: Draw 10am at Kingsway allotments.

Monday, disabled and over 60s: Draw 10am at Bridgewater Canal, Cliff Lane Bridge.