Children

LYMM Angling Club member Elwyn Jones' long quest for a Bollin barbel ended when he caught two of the species within days of each other.

One weighed 4lbs 1oz 0drms and the other pulled the scales down to 5-8-0. Both came from a swim only one-and-a-half feet deep, along with his usual catch of dace and perch.

Bollin specialist John Hodson tells me that Elwyn was fishing what John thought was his secret swim, and despite my efforts John would not divulge his secret to me.

Barbel action on all our stretches of the River Severn and River Vyrnwy has been very good. Night anglers are getting the best catches with the best report coming from Steve Sanders, who caught 19 from a gravel bar swim adjacent to Willow Row on our Rossall stretch. Steve's catch came to ledgered luncheon meat and ranged from 2lbs to 10-5-0.

Lymmvale continues to produce specimen tench with several reported of more than 9lbs. One such fish came to Pete Danson on Thursday and came among a haul of tench averaging an impressive 6lbs. Pete also landed carp of 15lbs and 16lbs.

Belmont Pool carp have been keeping members extremely happy over the last week, including Andy Walsh and Sean Ruslin. Andy landed, among several doubles, a mirror of 22-6-0, and Sean landed a fine brace of 20-0-3 and 25-9-0.

Founders, Statham, Village, Sandybank and Whitley Pools are all producing big carp, with decent bream coming from Statham Pool, Lymm Dam and Shakerley Mere.

Lymm Angling Club had its usual stand and ledger casting competition at Sunday's Cheshire Game and Angling Fair.

The efforts of our promotions group was enhanced by the recruitment of some young members. Both Chris Jupp and Dave Anders worked hard alongside veteran performers Jeff Monton and Sam Clark to create a substantial interest in our casting competition, with a queue to compete throughout the day from youngsters anxious to demonstrate their casting prowess.

Recent night patrols have come across children illegally fishing on some of our day ticket waters, some of whom were completely ill prepared for their session. Most had been dropped off by parents to be picked up the next day.

The dangers to unsupervised children in such circumstances are numerous and obvious and it is the club's policy to inform both the police and the social services when these vulnerable children are encountered.

New Pool has been suffering the effects of an alga bloom, which has resulted in its performance reflecting this situation. Hopefully the situation will improve as the bloom completes its cycle.

I can be contacted on 411774.

Neil Jupp