Frank Lythgoe's Warrington Anglers' Association column

GREY Mist must be one of the most productive tench fisheries in the region.

It also conjures up fond memories taking me back almost 70 years when I would cycle there on the black sit-up bike my dad had made me from old ones dumped and rescued by a home-made grappling iron from the Mersey opposite where we lived at Paddington Bank.

The tench were not as big then but there were plenty of ‘bars of soap’ to help cement my lifelong interest in our sport.

A new face targeting the tench at Grey Mist, Artur Cieslak, started off on the float before deciding it was too windy and settled for a method feeder and sweetcorn. The end result was eight quality tench.

No weights were taken, but clearly they were cracking specimens and a very happy Artur judging by the pictures he shared with fellow members.

Artur Cieslak with one of the tench he caught at Grey Mist Mere (Image: UGC)

The previous day David Tomkinson (aka The Tench Whisperer) enjoyed another productive session landing 14 fish, with the best being 7lbs 9ozs 0drs.

After a series of 10 blanks, Josh Bamber ended his streak of bad luck by catching a great looking 20lb+ mirror from Appleton Reservoir. His 16mm krill boilies did the job.

Derek Watts enjoyed a day session at Budworth Mere, finishing up with five jack-pike caught using floating wobblers.

He lost a couple of fish and on one occasion the jack-pike following his rig was itself being followed by a much bigger specimen which clearly had a different target in mind altogether! He also reports good shoals of rudd and roach topping and another angler catching a couple of carp on a feeder.

Regular column contributors Dave Gardner and Ken Hewitt aka The Dynamic Duo set out, as described by the latter on ‘maggot drowning’ on a pleasant sunny day at High Legh Fisheries.

The conditions looked ideal and Dave caught what turned out to be the biggest fish of the session, a 7lb carp on his first cast using feeder and maggot.

He also added another dozen roach and perch, using both float-fished and feeder-fished pellet and maggot. He lost seven fish, probably carp.

Ken had a mixed bag of roach and perch alternating between seven-metre whip with maggot, and a few on method feeder and pellet, a total of 14 fish. As he stated, an enjoyable relaxing session.

Anglers have reported a Chinese Mitten Crab from the River Alyn and a Signal Crayfish from the River Derwent. These are invasive species and if anglers are absolutely certain of their identity and can responsibly remove and humanely kill them that is preferable. If you cannot bring yourself to do this then such a catch should be released immediately where you caught it. It is a good idea to inform the Environment Agency as soon as possible on 0800 807060.

The two working parties this weekend at Moore Quarry will centre around the path area and swim maintenance. Any help would be appreciated. Saturday kicks off at 1pm and on Sunday at 9.30am.

I am still awaiting information from Peel Ports regarding sorting out the ongoing problem at Howley Weir.

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 more than welcome as many members rely on your shared information for their visits to the bankside. Email secretary@Warrington-anglers.org.uk

Fixtures: Sunday: Our Mersey Series is on hold at the present time due to the current river conditions and we are still awaiting news of forthcoming remedial works from Peel Ports. Monday: Disabled and Over 60s match, draw 9.45am, Bridgewater Canal, Daresbury Labs (£5 all-in, no change given).