DUE to the weather conditions there have not been many anglers on the bank this past week.

However, a welcome report has been received from member Stuart Peters who braved the -5 degree conditions to fish the Alyn.

The river level was low and gin clear so he wasn’t expecting any explosive action but he persevered, spending almost as much time walking as fishing.

But to Stuart this was proper winter fishing that he was brought up to; so, fishing every stretch of accessible water that he thought worthwhile, he finished his session with three small grayling and losing a 1lb+ fish on his last cast.

Our members’ Mersey Series Christmas Prize Match was fished this week upstream of Mersey Walk, hoping for a repeat of the past few weeks’ fantastic winter sport.

Though the weather had other ideas as the thaw caused an influx of cold melt water which put the fish off the feed.

With only one small roach in my net, I got battered by the anglers either side of me, one of which was the winner Kevin Hall with a net of roach and a skimmer bream for 5lbs 2ozs 0drs.

Match organiser Jimmy Byrne was the runner-up with half a dozen small roach caught early in the match for 1-14-0.

Thanks to him for not only running the match along with Ray Boden but for sourcing the prizes which saw every angler go home with some Christmas-cheer. Eighteen anglers fished.

The cold weather put the block on the second attempt to run our Disabled and Over 60s Christmas Prize Match on Monday as the Bridgewater Canal was still unfishable, being covered with a thick sheet of melting ice. Match organiser Jimmy Byrne is keeping his fingers crossed that the canal will be fishable on Monday, December 27, so the event can actually go ahead before the new year.

Our WAA headquarters at 52, Parker Street, Warrington WA1 1LT remains closed but members can 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, 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

Here’s hoping that Santa brings you some new fishing tackle along with the socks and after-shave. Have a good Christmas.

Results: Mersey Series: 1 Kevin Hall 5-2-0; 2 Jimmy Byrne 1-14-0; 3 Rod Fraser 1-10-0; 4 Andy Hoyle 1-6-0.

Fixtures: Monday: Disabled & Over 60s, Christmas Prize Match, Bridgewater Canal, draw 9.45am, Walton Church (£5 all-in, no change given). Tuesday: Members Mersey Series match, draw 8.45am, Mersey Walk, peg 75 back.