Frank Lythgoe’s Warrington Anglers’ Association column

A MORNING session on Grey Mist turned out to be not at all bad for member Gareth Jones when he was rewarded with a cracking specimen tench of 10lbs 4ozs 0drs along with one of 8-8-0 plus three further fish around 6-8-0.

Phil Brown reports a productive morning session last Thursday catching three tench – the biggest at 7-10-0 – taken on mini pop-up and fake pellet close in.

He was back on the Mist again this Tuesday but this time enjoying a float session, catching loads of roach and a tench.

His comment of “what more can you want” sums it up for me on a water that I have fished from the age of four having been taken there by my grandfather for my very first fishing trip.

A catch by Elias Jones of small roach which included six hand-sized tench taken on pole and soft pellet in the margin bodes well for the future.

For those that enquire about the lilies, it has been treated a number of times up to last year and further spraying is planned this year.

I had a trip (no gear) to the Weaver Navigation on Tuesday evening and it is looking fabulous, certainly the dredging work above the Frodsham Swing Bridge is having little if any effect on our stretch.

Ken Hewitt and Dave Gardner were there this past week and complimented the lads who had done a cracking job on the access and pegs.

I think Dave was somewhat surprised when I informed him it was all carried out by a ‘one-man band’ who wishes to remain anonymous.

Anyway, the lads – using running line float and tip methods – saw Ken with six perch to 1½lbs and four roach whilst Dave started with a couple of small roach and a cracker of 2.2lbs on maggot feeder, a bream of 3lbs plus and an eel around the same weight.

Ian Marsden reports 28 fish from a three-hour session on Monday – skimmers to 1.25lbs, roach to 8oz and a couple of rudd plus an eel.

Dave Brettle enjoyed another productive night session on Appleton reservoir landing four carp to 20lbs.

David Maine’s morning session on Thursday saw him targeting the roach stocks using a small groundbait feeder and double maggot.

He left his keepnet at home but reckoned that he ended up with around 20-plus roach and a tench around three pounds.

The Mersey Match series on Sunday saw another member clock up his first win on the river when Nick Roberts drew peg 74 – how was he to know he would be sat on a shoal of bream in his swim.

All credit to Nick, he capitalised on his luck evidenced when the scales came round to his peg and he put seven bream in the weigh net with the biggest at 7-15-0 along with skimmers, roach and perch for a runaway win with 38-6-0 all caught on worm and feeder tactics.

Alan Faulkner drew a peg at the opposite end of the match to take second place with 8-5-0 of roach and perch taken on pole and maggot.

Thankfully, sport picked up for the week’s disabled and over 60s Monday match on Woodshaw Reservoir.

Match organiser Jimmy Byrne was the winner with 9lbs exactly made up of 20 skimmers, roach and perch taken on pole loose-feeding red maggot.

John Ashwin – a newcomer to the match series – took second place with 8-4-0 of mainly skimmers caught on groundbait and maggot.

Please note there is a working party organised at Rixton Claypits on Saturday starting at 11am for those member volunteers who like a lie-in. If you fancy helping, simply turn up and you will be made very welcome.

Our WAA headquarters at 52 Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT remains closed on Friday evenings but members can simply post to this address or put their book or request in an envelope with their payment and a stamped addressed envelope through our HQ door, where mail is collected and dealt with most days.

Alternatively, you can post to Warrington Anglers Association PO. Box 71, Warrington WA1 1LR where mail is collected weekly.

Catch reports from members, pics or funny stories are always welcome. Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a call on 01928 716238.

Results:

Disabled and over 60s: 1, Jimmy Byrne 9-0-0; 2, John Ashwin 8-4-0; 3, Mike Worley 7-3-0; 4, Alan Brown 6-10-0

Mersey Series: 1, Nick Roberts 38-6-0; 2, Alan Faulkner 8-5-0; 3, Mike Dench 8-4-0; 4, Ray Boden 7-4-0

Fixtures:

Sunday, Mersey Match – Sid Jones Open: Draw 8.45am at Victoria Park. Non-members £5 peg fee. £5 optional pool. Exact money only, no change given. Covid-19 rules apply.

Monday, disabled and over 60s, Bridgewater Canal, Preston Brook: Draw 9.45am under motorway bridge, peg 1 up. £5 all-in. Exact money only, no change given. Covid-19 rules apply.