WITH much sadness I am reporting the passing on Sunday following a short illness of former Warrington Anglers' Association committee member Irene Robinson, wife of our chairman Dave.

Our condolences go to Dave and all of their family.

Many of our fisheries are seeing fish either spawning or shoaling up in readiness. Anglers should not under any circumstances target spawning fish. As a result, areas on some waters are taped up and closed to any kind of fishing.

I know that this is a difficult time to make accurate judgements but, simply, if fish are spawning let them get on with it.

It was the first ever visit to our High Legh fishery last week for Barry Asson and his son Sam, 15. They both caught loads of small silvers and perch.

Barry fished waggler over-depth with red maggot and Sam caught the same fish on a method feeder and then upped the anti when he caught a carp on double red maggot after adding a groundbait mix. He then changed to a wafter to attract a nice tench from this small but picturesque fishery.

Barry said: “The boy had to get one over on me again with the lovely carp and tench.” Something then jogged my memory and I found my previous report I wrote about them dated May 19, 2020, when they enjoyed a session at Woodshaw Reservoir where Sam caught some nice crucians and loads of roach and rudd. His dad Sam did catch but had to admit he was put to shame.

Ian Millington enjoyed a nice morning’s fishing on The Mount at Buckley where float-fishing on red maggots, corn, and bread he had a large catch of roach topped by a chunky mirror carp. Ian reported lots of carp moving up in the water, obviously ready for spawning.

Ken Hewitt and Dave Gardner were also at High Legh on Monday morning where they reported the water level being slightly down but they both still caught.

Ken had eight roach up to 8ozs and a perch which weighed just over 1.25lbs.

Dave kicked off on the feeder and lost the first carp but ended up with a brace, best 15lbs, which fell to red krill; plus, over a dozen roach and perch caught on maggot. I’ll wager that Ken’s pet robin he was feeding on Ackers Pit last week is missing him.

Our Monday Disabled and Over 60s match was fished on the Bridgewater Canal at Pickerings Bridge where the winner, Stu Patterson, fishing pinkie, had a roach catch which was boosted by a bonus bream nudging the 4lb mark for an overall weight of 4lbs 2ozs 0drs.

Ron Durr, who was pegged near the bridge a few pegs away from the winner, added a small bream to his net of small roach to end up exactly a pound lighter with 3-2-0 to take second place. Nineteen anglers fished.

It is intended to form a working party group to maintain pegs and tidy swims along our lengths of the River Mersey. Anybody who can spare time to help please get in touch with me and I will pass your details on to the team leader.

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 membership 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.

Get in touch as your catch reports are always welcome as lots of members rely on your kindly shared information for their angling visits. Email secretary@warrington-anglers.org.uk

Results:

Trent and Mersey Open (Saturday), Morrisons stretch, Northwich: 1 Martin Lenihan 3-15-12; 2 Steve Brooks 2-14-12; 3 Kevin Simpson 2-10-0; 4 Jeff Stoll 2-2-12.

Disabled and Over 60s (Bridgewater Canal, Pickerings Bridge): 1 Stu Patterson 4-2-0; 2 Ron Durr 3-2-0; 3 George Barber 2-5-0; 4 Paul Ashton 1-15-0

Fixtures: Monday: Disabled and Over 60s, Bridgewater Canal, Acton Bridge, draw 9.45am (£5 all-in, exact money only, no change given).