MATCH angler Bill Pickles reports that the Bridgewater Canal is really on form with winning match weights and pleasure catches going into double figures.

Anglers do not realise what they are missing. Roach catches have been better than ever and bream, specially small skimmers, are everywhere.

The canal is alive with mature fry. Hot spots are Moore, Preston Brook, Oughtrington, and London Bridge. Please note that members should not park or obstruct the canal towpath at Camsley Bridge. We will not tolerate any behaviour to the contrary.

Rixton is fishing well for tench with plenty of fish around the 1.5 to 2lbs range on maggot or corn. Pole fished close up to the weed is the best method. All seems quiet on the carp scene, reports please.

At Grey Mist Mere one angler landed six tench to 7lbs on maggot. Also plenty of carp being caught, mainly doubles plus several smaller fish which, I am assured, are home bred. Roach and smaller tench to running line or pole tactics with maggot and caster best bait.

Sandiway Small Lake is still in the news as Tommy Partington had 12 tench to 4lbs and bream to 7lbs on the small lake. I managed a two and a half hour session on Sunday night using a groundbait mix I could never repeat (all part used bags) plus several pints of bag-burnt casters.

I ended with 30 tench to 4lbs plus perch and a few quality roach. A pair close by had a succession of bream and tench and another member also caught tench.

On the large lake sport is somewhat slower but the size of fish get bigger with bream reported to 9lbs and tench to 6lbs plus a small carp of 12lbs taken on boilies.

Cicily Mill Pool is worth a visit for tench to 5lbs, cruciens to 1lb and bream to 1.5lbs. Pole fished corn gave Alan Johnson a cracking night session when he bagged up on cruciens and bream.

Similarly at Woodshaw Reservoir cruciens and skimmer bream are providing hectic sport. This pocket-sized fishery, almost as big as Ackers Pit, is worth a visit.

Dave Richards fished the River Severn at Bicton using a maggot feeder cast across the river to a feature he had lots of small fish. Gudgeon. Roach, dace, and chub to 1lb made up the bulk of his catch but the icing on the cake came with a personal best chub of 4-10-0 and his first barbel of 6lbs and 6-6-0. He reports pike a problem, so for river pike sport Bicton is the place.

HQ Parker Street is open on Friday night for subscriptions, new members, or a chat. I can be contacted with your queries and catch reports on 01928 716238, fax 713898.

Frank Lythgoe

Warrington Anglers' Association results:

Disabled & Over 60s: 1, Doug Thom 5-5-0; 2, Brian Pilkington 4-5-0; 3, Geoff Brooks 4-1-0; 4, Ken Graham 3-1-11.

Coming events: Tuesday: Senior Sweepstake, draw 5.30pm on bank Denbury Ave (pegs 480-520); Women's Summer Series, draw 5.30pm on bank grass path Cliffe Lane (pegs 590-621).

Wedesday: Police Young Angler Final (Series), draw 6pm on bank Preston Brook (pegs 1-40).

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.