Frank Lythgoe’s Warrington Anglers Association column…

MARLEY Preston has started 2022 well with a carp of 20-2-0 caught from Grey Mist on New Year’s Day on the usual ‘secret bait.’

He was out again on the fishery the following day and was rewarded with another carp of 21-8-0. A cracking start for this keen young angler, who now has a two-fish head start over his dad Mark.

Marley Preston

Marley Preston

Steve Rogers tried out his new drop-shot spinning rod on Monday with a short two-hour session on the Bridgewater Canal at Dunham.

The Christmas present wasn’t exactly tested to breaking point but Steve was more than pleased with his brace of perch – both of which he reckoned were just under a pound – caught on a small green fish lure.

Our Monday disabled and over 60s match took place this week on the Bridgewater Canal at Hilltop Road.

Alan Clarke started 2022 off well by clocking up his first win in these matches with a weight of 6-1-0.

Alan only needed two fish, which just happened to be a brace of bream that fell to bread punch.

In fact, it turned out to be a ‘bream or bust’ event as second placed George Barber – aka ‘The Breadman’ – put his single slab on the scales sending the needle round to 3-15-0.

Third place was another single bream and then weights plummeted to 2oz for fourth, which I must mention was taken by well-known angler Alan Faulkner, who recently qualified by way of age and was fishing his first match with ‘the lads.’

The angler with the most fish – three small roach – was Jimmy Byrne, who took a section win with 0-1-10 – it can only get better! Sixteen anglers fished.

The Mersey Series match on Sunday was fished on the Victoria Park section of the river. Again it was carrying extra water, which set the scene for an all-feeder match.

Ray Boden was the winner with a catch of 20 roach and perch for 2-8-0 taken on feeder and maggot.

Ade Green hung on to his runner-up spot from the previous week with 2-1-0 on the same method. Eighteen members fished.

Ian Brody has organised another working party at Rixton Claypits on Sunday, January 9, starting a 9am. Any help is appreciated if just for an hour or so – all 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/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.

I really appreciate any catch reports from members, especially at this time of the year when they are understandably few and far between with there being not many anglers out fishing.

Email frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk or give me a call on 01928 716238

Results:

Disabled and over 60s (Woodshaw Reservoir): 1, Alan Clarke 6-1-0; 2, George Barber 3-15-0; 3, Ray Boden 3-0-0; 4, Alan Faulkner 0-2-0

Mersey Series: 1, Ray Boden 2-8-0; 2, Ade Green 2-1-0; 3, Neil Buist 1-15-0; 4, Roy Hollis 1-8-0

Fixtures:

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

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