CONTINUING with his Bridgewater Canal pike campaign, Garry Whitehead was scouting potential areas on his way home from work for a planned session the next day.

Having spotted a few of the predators chasing roach he rushed home for his tackle because of “Opportunist fishing at its best.” Result – a cracking looking pike and venue definitely sorted for the following morning.

Float legered sardine proved to be the successful method, with three pike to show for his efforts.

Ken Hewitt and Dave Gardner have been on their travels again, with Ken on his first outing for three months. They chose the Bridgewater Canal at Preston Brook, taking advantage of the protection offered by the M6 motorway bridge in the predicted inclement weather.

The canal was highly coloured as is usual after any amount of wet weather so conditions were not ideal. Ken landed the only fish, a bream of 1.5-2lbs caught on triple white maggot using a 5m whip. As he said: “Good to be back on the bank.”

Alan Kennet fished Woodshaw for the first time on Monday using pole and maggot/groundbait tactics at 11 metres but found it hard going with no sign of fish after an hour.

A change of tactics to loose-fed pinkie close in saw him avoid a potential dry-net, eventually catching half a dozen small roach.

Our disabled & over 60s match was fished on the Bridgewater at Walton and with the canal a chocolate colour was understandably hard going with bites fairly scarce. The winner Alan Brown stuck to bread punch to put together a net of small roach for a weight of 2lbs 7ozs 0drs. Match organiser Jimmy Byrne took second place with again a catch of tiny roach plus a little perch also on bread. Seventeen Anglers fished.

Last Friday the Mersey level was dropped for the initial examination of the work required to make the weir future proof. The levels should hopefully be back to normal for Sunday’s match. Despite the report that three species of shark have been discovered in the Mersey, including at Howley Weir, they don’t count in matches.

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 membership book or request in an envelope with their payment and a stamped addressed envelope, through our HQ door at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT 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.

Your catch reports are especially welcome. Lots of members rely on your shared information for their angling visits. Email secretary@warrington-anglers.org.uk

Results: Disabled & Over 60s match: 1 Alan Brown 2-7-0, 2 Jimmy Byrne 2-0-0, 3 Al Faulkner 1-8-0, 4 George Barber 1-7-0.

Fixtures: Sunday: Members Mersey Series Match, draw 8.45am, Victoria Park (levels permitting). Monday: Disabled & Over 60s match, Bridgewater Canal, draw 9.45am, Hough Bridge (£5 all-in, no change given).