Frank Lythgoe’s Warrington Anglers’ Association column...

JONNY Hughes has clocked up his first pike catch of the year from Rixton Claypits.

Dead-baiting, he tried mackerel first but no luck, however this thankfully changed when he swapped over to smelt.

A few days earlier with most of the Claypits covered in ice, Stu Ripon hadn’t had a bite for two hours and was about to call it a day when his bite-alarm sounded resulting in a pike catch, while committee member Stuart Brazier managed a small jack from Statham Pool.

Bailiff Chris Connell fished Woodshaw Reservoir with a swing-tip and an old Mitchell match reel with rod to match. He ended up with nine decent roach all caught on bread.

Sunday saw him back on the water again fishing a session from 10am to 4pm for what was looking like a disaster from peg 5 until he decided to move to peg 1 for the last hour and ended up with two skimmers and a roach. Two other members fishing caught crucians and roach.

Our Members Mersey Series match on Sunday was fished on the Mersey Walk stretch with river levels back to normal.

Joint winners with equal weights of 8lbs 2ozs 0drs were Bob Campbell and Al Faulkner. It was Bob’s first match for some time but he had definitely not lost his mojo when he feeder-fished bread-punch almost to the opposite bank for his mainly roach catch along with a few skimmer bream from peg 58.

Al drew peg 67 on the bend next to where the old feeder bridge once stood and fished a groundbait feeder with bronze maggot and pinkie for a cracking net of roach.

I christened one of my Christmas presents, a new rod and reel, and came third from peg 65 with a mixed net of roach and skimmers for 6-2-0. As my old friend Chris Grehan would say, “You’re better being lucky than good.” Thirteen anglers fished.Our disabled and over 60s match was fished on the Bridgewater at Walton, again better results than the previous week.

The Breadman (George Barber) was the clear winner from a peg on the Walton Arms side of Walton Bridge. He pole-fished bread throughout, ending up with a bonus skimmer to add to his net of roach for a weight of 4-13-0.

He stopped Alan Brown, pegged near the steps, from making it three consecutive wins. Alan also fished bread and was more than happy to take second place with an all roach catch for 3-4-0. Sixteen Anglers fished.

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.

Come on folks, please get in touch as your catch reports are especially welcome at this time of the year as sport slows and not as many of you on the banks. Lots of members rely on your shared information for their angling visits. Email secretary@warrington-anglers.org.uk

Results: Mersey Series: 1= Bob Campbell/Al Faulkner 8-2-0; 3 Frank Lythgoe 6-2-0; 4 Alan Morris 5-10-0. Disabled and over 60s: 1 George Barber 4-13-0; 2 Alan Brown 3-4-0; 3 Jimmy Byrne 2-13-0; 4 Stu Patterson/Roy Rogers 2-1-0. Fixtures: Sunday: Members Mersey Series match, draw 8.45am, Mersey Walk. Monday: Disabled and over 60s match, Bridgewater Canal, draw 9.45am, Walton Church (£5 all-in, no change given).