LYMM Angling Club matters have been dominated by the de-oxygenation of Founders Pool this week.

The venue has never before been affected by such an occurrence but a disaster was avoided by an early warning from a member and a quick response by club officials.

Within an hour and a half of receiving a report of distressed fish, the club had installed and fired up aeration equipment which immediately helped the situation by introducing oxygen into the water.

On arrival, oxygen content readings showed that the water contained only five per cent of the oxygen it should have held.

This low level of oxygen would have undoubtedly led to significant fish losses but the water has now stabilised and been re-opened to the public.

Action has been steady at the club's other waters although many have been suffering from algae blooms.

One such water is Village Pool, where the bloom is of the blue/green variety which can cause health problems.

Hands which come into contact with blue/green alga need to be washed thoroughly before being used for eating or drinking.

A specimen of 35lbs 8ozs 0drms has dominated this week's catfish scene.

The fish was taken at Lymmvale, which has also given up a 23-7-0 common carp to member Steve Everett. Double sweetcorn on a size 12 hook, float fished in 10ft of water, was the successful method.

Belmont Pool has remained the most prolific of the club's carp waters with hundreds of doubles being reported this month.

Also on Belmont Pool, work has commenced to reduce the amount of overhanging branches on the venue's island.

Steve Daley, along with other river specialists, has continued to enjoy the bounty of the Bollin.

Chub, dace, roach and perch have been forming the bulk of catches while salmon have been nowhere to be seen despite reports to the contrary from the Environment Agency.

However, plenty of brown trout have been showing. They weigh up to 7lbs and provide a spectacle by trying to leap up the weir at Heatley Mill.

Low water levels at the River Severn has led to very clear water. As a result, the best catches have been taken in low light conditions and even then anglers have had to be quiet and still.

Nevertheless, decent chub and barbel catches at Atcham and Rossall Grange have been reported by river bailiff Dave Shard.

He helped a member land a pike at Rossall, which he described as 'a long mean fighting machine which weighed 14-9-0 and was beautifully coloured'.

I can be contacted on 411774.

Neil Jupp