FOUNDERS Pool has reopened.

This will be of particular good news to those who have a 'gold' overstamp as that means they can fish it immediately.

Founders Pool was one of the first three waters controlled by Lymm Angling Club on the Antrobus Golf Course site. Founders holds a good head of carp, which have been recorded up to 27lbs. The water also holds specimen roach and perch, with rudd, bream, crucien carp and the odd cat fish.

Members who are entitled to fish this water are reminded that they are restricted to the trackside pegs and that the maximum stay for night anglers is 24 hours.

Roach are this year's surprise species with specimens reported from the Sankey Canal, Statham Pool, Spring Pool, New Pool and Village Pool. It is fairly easy to deduct that current conditions must suite these species, although the difference in their behaviour from one water to the next is graphic. The big roach from Spring Pool and New Pool are predominantly bottom feeders, while at Statham and Village Pools they are feeding midwater. Perhaps this is to do with a trickle of foodstuffs constantly dripping from the surrounding trees on Statham and Village, whereas this cannot be the case on Spring and New due to the lack of mature bankside trees, who knows? Only observations made over a long period of time may give a clue to this.

Roach are also featuring strongly on Lymm Dam, Longbarn Pool and the Sankey Canal, although more so at the Canal, where the fish dominating are averaging over 4ozs, when last year they were only averaging 3ozs.

Several species of fish are beginning their spawning rituals, including carp and orfe. When this happens feeding becomes a secondary consideration and angling can suffer accordingly. This is what is happening on some waters.

Club bailiff Phil Wain's biggest fish on Statham Pool was a wild carp of 10lb 8ozs.

Longbarn Pool and the Sankey Canal have produced good bags of fish, with the bailiff reporting catches of tench in all areas.

Subscriptions can continue to be paid by post to the PO Box, or in person at Jimmy Shaw's tackle shop on Evelyn Street, Sankey Bridges, or at the Manor Lock Pub in Latchford each Wednesday from 7.45pm to 10.15pm.

Work parties continue on Saturday. There is still a lot to do and members are asked to assist. The party will meet on Whitley Pool car park at 9am.

I can be contacted on 411774.

Neil Jupp