Warrington Anglers Association column

WAA headquarters at 52 Parker Street are now closed on Friday evenings until further notice.

Members can still pay their subscription or night permit either by posting through the office door enclosing their membership book, cheque, and stamped addressed envelope or posting direct to Warrington Anglers Association, 52 Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT.

Similarly, new members can download a form from our website and do the same as we are currently trying to direct all mail to our HQ.

New members can of course still join online but night permits are only available as above. If you need any further information, please give me a call or email as below.

Also, in the interests of member/volunteer safety with regard to Covid-19, our AGM scheduled for Thursday, March 19, at Grappenhall British Legion has been postponed until further notice.

The current flooded conditions on some waters is undoubtedly increasing pressure on others.

As a result, the committee have decided that anyone fishing night sessions and due to leave the water must do so by 12noon to make it fairer and easier for fellow members to find an available peg.

There are a number of our fisheries that suffer annually from flooded and muddy banks, such as Cicely Mill Pool and Statham Pool, but in my 70-plus years of fishing it has never included Grey Mist Mere.

Now, we have had members giving their views of collapsed drains being the cause, however quite simply the drains are fine and have been rodded out with the water flowing into the River Mersey as intended when Biffa altered the design from a cast pipe to plastic.

The reality of the situation is the sheer volume of water entering our fishery coupled with sustained high river levels which then obviously close the clapper valve holding back the flow. Dry weather and normal river levels needed

Ray Boden’s recently organised canal match at Boothstown saw some cracking results, with Ray heading the field with a net of roach caught on bread and caster for 13lbs 12ozs 0drs.

Chris Grehan, fishing the same method with two swims at nine and 11 metres, was in second place with 11-4-0 and reckoned he could have ‘done’ the winner if it hadn’t been for a disaster when his top pole sections blew into the canal just at the time he was getting ‘one a chuck,’ resulting in over half an hour wasted with its retrieval. That’s fishing.

The Monday disabled and over 60s match was back on the Bridgewater Canal at Walton this week and saw 17 hardy regulars turn up.

Although everybody caught, the fish were tiny and winner Bud Lee had just over 15 fish for 1-1-8 caught on pinkie and bread punch.

George Hollis was the runner-up with less than an ounce separating him with 1-0-12.

Jimmy Byrne has had a few recent visits to our Woodshaw Reservoir fishery, when members have been catching roach, skimmers, and the occasional crucian so that’s where it’s all happening on Monday.

Any reports at this time of the year are welcome as there is not a lot happening, so good, bad, or indifferent they will help fellow members to plan any trips to the bankside.

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

Results:

Sunday, Bridgewater Canal, Boothstown: 1, Ray Boden 13-12-0; 2, Chris Grehan 11-4-0; 3, Neil Buist 8-8-0; 4, Chris Ray 6-10-0

Monday, disabled and over 60s: 1, Bud Lee 1-1-8; 2, George Hollis 1-0-12; 3, Ray Boden 0-13-8; 4, Mike Worley 0-11-6

Fixtures:

Sunday, Bridgewater Canal Boothstown: Draw 9.30am opposite The Moorings Pub M28 1YB. Book on at Warrington Tackle & Guns, 01925 823441

Monday, disabled and over 60s: Draw 10am at Woodshaw Reservoir, Wigan