ON Friday, Bridgewater Canal regular Mike Pritchard struggled when he visited the ‘Dead-length’ at Walton where, as I have mentioned regularly, the fish tightly shoal up during the winter months.

But, as with all angling sessions, you are either ‘on fish or not’ and Mike couldn’t get a bite.

Eventually ‘the bread-man’ aka George Barber, who is a regular on the local match scene, turned up to try his luck 20 yards or so further up the canal.

I am not exactly certain but would more than hazard a guess that he first of all potted some liquidised Warburtons into his swim as according to Mike, he started catching from the off.

I was right, as I have since spoken with George, who told me that he fished punched bread throughout and ended his session with 150 to 200 fish.

As for Mike, he moved to a swim 20 yards to the other side of George and straight away started catching on pinky.

This week, I am reporting on some really desperate Warrington Anglers match results.

Our Sunday Mersey Series, which has been supported throughout the winter by a hardy band of match anglers despite some atrocious river and weather conditions, saw anglers struggling for bites.

But when the chips were down Ade Green, fishing a ground-bait feeder and maggot, managed to winkle a dozen tiny roach from his swim for a weight of 15ozs to take the win.

Pete Jones only weighed two fish, a tiny roach and bonus 10ozs skimmer bream for his 11ozs to take second place.

Just when you would think it couldn’t get any worse, a change of venue for our disabled and over 60s to the Trent & Mersey Canal at Farm Road proved wrong.

Iconic angler Roy Rogers fished pole and pinky for a weight of 0lbs 4ozs 12drs. Well-known local rod Jimmy Byrne was the runner-up with 0-2-10.

For the record, 14 anglers fished but only five had a bite!

It gets really desperate as regards catch reports at this time of the year, so any reports are more than welcome, including ‘humorous bankside happenings.’ Send to frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a ring on 01928 716238.

WAA headquarters at 52 Parker Street are open as usual every Friday between 7pm and 9pm for 2018 night permits/membership renewals, new members, subscriptions, and any queries.

Results:

Sunday Mersey Series: 1, Ade Green 0-12-0; 2, Pete Jones 0-11-0; 3, Ray Boden 0-10-0.

Disabled and over 60s; 1, Roy Rogers 0-4-12; 2, Jimmy Byrne 0-2-10; 3, George Barber 0-1-12; 4, Stan Charnock 0-0-14.

Fixtures:

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

Monday, disabled and over 60s: Draw 10am at ‘Dead Length’ Bridgewater Canal.