SPORT has deteriorated on Warrington Anglers' Association's rivers due to a shortage of rain.

However, the River Mersey has continued to produce reasonable catches. A fair few roach and skimmers plus the odd decent perch have been taken on maggot and caster. Pole and feeder methods have been producing the best results.

A team of adult and junior members from the Netherly Valley Youth Angling Project turned their attention to Budworth Mere for the first time on Sunday.

Project leader Tom Marshall has told me that the sport was so good they are planning a return trip at the weekend.

Tom's exact words were, "It must have been wall to wall fish. I have never seen the kids so made up."

Youngsters fishing the waggler caught hybrids, roach, perch and skimmers on maggot while those using a quiver tip on a groundbait feeder had bream to 4lbs on worm, maggot and corn.

The Bridgewater Canal has been providing excellent sport despite being low on water.

James Wheelan fished pole and caster at Keckwick Hill Bridge and had 11 bream to 3lbs plus skimmers and roach weighing a combined total of approximately 30lbs.

At the Manchester end, Waters Meet has been alive with roach and skimmers.

Hemp has been accounting for 15lbs nets of quality roach while a delighted John London has reported catching 23 skimmers and eight bream to 3lbs using his own concoction of pellet paste at Bay Malton.

I have just returned from a successful week in Milton Keynes with the Whiteacres NFA women's England squad, which not only picked up the team gold for the second year in succession but also came away with a few individual medals. See the back page for the full story.

Having been away I need to catch up on how our waters have been fishing so please contact me with your catch reports on 01928 716238. Alternatively, fax me on 713898 or e-mail me at frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk.

HQ Parker Street will be open as usual between 7pm and 9.30pm for new members, subscriptions or for a chat about angling.

Frank Lythgoe

Results: Intermediate Summer Series (overall points): 1, Chris Harding, 9pts; 2, Steven Hirst, 10pts; 3, Mike Lavin, 12pts.

Coming events: Today, Thursday: Junior and Minnows Summer Series final, draw 6pm, on the bank opposite Euclid Avenue. Sunday: Mersey Series, draw 9am, Weir Lane. Monday: Disabled and Over 60s, draw 10.15am, Grappenhall Sports Club.