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

OUR annual carp top-up stocking has taken place with fish pre-ordered 12 months ago.

My initial worry was the view of a completely iced over canal when I opened our bedroom curtains.

A few frantic phone calls and thankfully I was assured there was enough water clear of ice at the car park end of Grey Mist, which was our first port of call. The mix of VS Fishery C6 carp kicked off with five fish averaging a midge under 22lbs apiece topped by a sixth fish of 26lbs 4ozs 0drs.

Next was Moore Quarry, again a similar five fish average plus a bonus 27pounder. Small Sandiway followed, the same amount topped with another 27lb fish.

Last came Big Sandiway where 10 carp were stocked, again maintaining the 22lb average. The surprise of the day was when Viv Shears produced the final fish of the day – a cracking C7 carp of 29lbs.

Many thanks to everyone who turned out to help on such a bitterly cold day.

The Sunday Mersey Series was fished upstream of Mersey Walk and saw committee member Mike Dench the winner with a net of quality roach plus a single perch and skimmer for a weight of 13-4-0.

Having drawn peg 50 Mike would have fished a float rod or the pole but when he arrived at his peg to set-up the choice had already been made for him as he had left his rods at home. His winning method was the pole at 12 to 13 metres feeding red maggot and caster and with either double or single on the hook.

Kevin Hall was the runner-up from peg 55 with 12-12-0 made up of chunky roach and a bonus skimmer hooked on the ‘all out’ but unlike the winner all were caught on a mix of methods, groundbait feeder and bolo with maggot at the business end. Fourteen members fished.

More work was carried out at Rixton Claypits by our small but dedicated group of volunteers. Overgrown fallen waterside trees were removed and angling access vastly improved.

It goes without saying that the more volunteers who turn up the greater the amount of project work achievable. So, if you fancy a bit of exercise among like-minded people simply turn up for the next advertised event.

In a similar vein two of our committee members are looking to ‘recruit’ a group of member volunteers to form a team to set about improving our prolific association-owned Wide Hole fishery at Poynton. If you are interested, contact me with your details and I will pass them on.

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.

Catch reports are welcomed. Lots of members rely on your shared information for their angling visits. Email secretary@Warrington-anglers.org.uk with your catch details.

Results: Mersey Series: 1 Mike Dench 13-4-0; 2 Kevin Hall 12-12-0; 3 Andrew Hoyle 12-4-0; 4 Bob Clough 11-4-0.