Frank Lythgoe's Warrington Anglers Association column...

NEIL Plunkett was rewarded with a cracking roach session at Appleton Reservoir last Thursday, when he decided to give the fishery a try as the weather turns cooler.

He fished the tip with a small groundbait feeder and hemp with corn on the hook to catch 30 roach with some over a pound.

The carp anglers there were also into fish with the nearest one to him landing five. A good all-round fishery.

Now this is where envy starts to creep in as Neil was out again the following day with a change of venue to Rixton Claypits.

Fishing a method feeder with corn and meat, his first fish was a lovely roach over a pound followed by five others until the bream moved in, resulting in 18 of the bronze beauties coming to the net.

Our picturesque stretch of the Weaver Navigation is still producing some good sport from the pegs maintained along with the never-ending grass strimming by our anonymous dedicated volunteer. Andy Corr reports a good Friday morning session of roach, skimmers and gudgeon.

Members thinking of fishing the venue on Saturday would be advised to give it a miss between the times 8am to 4pm, when Runcorn Rowing Club will be holding an event which could involve as many as 40 boats (or more) on the water competing in what are in effect time trials.

Ian Roberts reports having a good dace catch from the River Dee at Worthenbury and he stopped counting at 30! All fell to stick-float and bronze maggot.

There was a similar report from further downstream on our Shocklach stretch by Tony Baron, who had grayling, small chub and a few dace whereas his mate in a deeper swim had a better day with plenty of nice-sized dace. Our rivers will no doubt benefit by the recent rain.

Our Sunday Mersey match series was fished on the Victoria Park stretch of the river and saw a reversal of last week’s Boden/Billing result, with Harry Billing reclaiming first place pushing Ray into the runner-up spot.

Harry fished his usual pole with maggot and pinkie for a mixed net of roach and perch for a weight of 9-15-0.

Ray wasn’t that far behind when he put a similar catch on the scales which registered 9-9-0. Nineteen anglers fished.

Our disabled and over 60s Monday match was fished this week on the Bridgewater Canal at Hill Top Road.

It had been some time since a match was held on these pegs but Jeff Stoll certainly had no trouble finding the fish with a winning weight of roach plus a few rudd for 7-13-0.

He fished pole and bread-punch changing to caster which brought some better stamp roach to 8oz. Second placed Ron Durr with 4-8-0 included a bonus bream of around 2.5lbs to his net of roach.

Due to the early morning horrendous weather, only 11 anglers fished so a change of scenery to Woodshaw Reservoir next week should boost attendance with reports of plenty of crucians, roach and perch being caught.

Our WAA headquarters at 52 Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT remain 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, Jeff Stoll 7-13-0; 2, Ron Durr 4-8- 0; 3, Alan Brown 3-11-0; 4, Roy Rogers 3-0-0

Mersey Series match: 1, Harry Billing 9-15-0; 2, Ray Boden 9-9-0; 3, Neil Davies 8-3-0; 4, Ade Green 5-0-0

Fixtures:

Sunday, Mersey Series (members only): Draw 8.45am, Mersey Walk. Entry £5 and £5 optional pool. Exact money only, no change given. Covid-19 match rules apply.

Monday, disabled and over 60s, Woodshaw Reservoir: Draw 9.45am. £5 all-in. Exact money only, no change given. Covid-19 match rules apply.