THE River Mersey is worth a visit for Warrington Anglers' Association members with one chunky roach weighed in at the final of the successful Mersey Basin Campaign Series on Sunday of 1lb 5oz 0drms.

Bream, chub and gudgeon also feature in catches, although the dace that were in good numbers during last season are now scarce. Red maggot or caster are best baits with the quiver tip currently scoring over the pole.

A second Mersey Basin Campaign Series starts on Sunday, draw 9am at Victoria Park Car Park. If you are interested book in at Cheshire Angling or at the number below.

The River Dee has not been on its best form of late but members are bagging up on its small tributary the River Alyn. Plenty of small chub, dace and grayling to either the pole or stickfloat methods.

Lots of small chub are showing in our stretch of the River Wyre at Garstang to maggot and stickfloat. Please return trout which occasionally go absolutely suicidal.

Eddie Cardus had chub to over 2lbs in a short session on the River Dane then at the River Severn at Bicton he had barbel of 5 and 6lbs.

The River Derwent is on good form with plenty of grayling, quality roach and an explosion of gudgeon. Our bailiff Paul Buck had a hectic session on the pole to take chub to 5-8-0 plus several bream to 6lbs. The perch seem to have almost vanished which probably accounts for the appearance of minnows.

Fur & Feather tickets are now on sale, priced at £15 from HQ, Chris Grehan at Matches, or by post to PO Box 71 WA1 1LR. Date is the 19th December. Raffle proceeds are again going to St Roccos Hospice.

Carp are still coming out at Grey Mist in fair numbers, mostly doubles. Best areas are the boathouse and the far end of the fishery.

Perch are still showing up in increasing numbers from the Bridgewater Canal with 8lbs being taken in one session. Punch bread accounting for roach and skimmers.

Chub to 3lbs have been reported from the small lake at Sandiway. Lots of fish moving with tench and bream still showing in numbers, particularly on the small lake.

HQ Parker Street is open as usual tonight, Friday, for subscriptions, new members, or simply call in for a chat and to catch up on the news. I can be contacted with your queries and catch reports on 01928 716238 Fax 713898.

Frank Lythgoe

Results, Mersey Basin Series: 1, John Shields, 5lbs 7ozs 13drms; 2, Paul Healy, 5-7-11; 3, Paul Field, 4-2-2; 4, Brian Cooke, 2-6-10. Final Overall Points: 1, Ken Stockton, 23; 2, Paul Healey, 36; 3, Bob Birchall, 39 (on weight); 4, Matt Daly, 39.

Women's Winter Series: 1, Marian Wharmby, 10-12-0; 2, Janice Holland, 5-15-0; 3, Pam Wyatt, 3-14-0; 4, Sandi Alcock, 2-2-0.

Junior Winter Series, Minnows: 1, Chris O'Hara, 3-2-0; 2, Richard Lenihan, 2-3-0; 3, Joe Dagnall, 1-0-1. Juniors: 1, Andy Webb, 4-11-0; 2, Mike Lavin, 2-10-6; 3, Andrew Lewis, 2-3-13.

Saturday Open: 1, Pete Cunniffe, 9-4-0; 2, John Pimlott, 6-11-0; 3, Jimmy Hines, 6-7-0; 4, Paul Keeley, 6-4-0; 5, John Holland, 6-0-0.

Disabled & Over 60s: 1, Denis Greenhalgh, 5-14-4; 2, John Pargetan 3-10-2; 3, Brian Pilkington, 2-9-5; 4, Tom Rice, 2-2-0.

Coming events, Saturday: Junior/Minnows Series, draw noon, Pickerings Br car park (pegs 672-700). Senior Open, draw 11am, Walton Arms (pegs 200-350). Women's Winter Series, draw 11am, on bank Beech Road (pegs 389-404). Local Winter League, draw 9am, Star Inn (pegs 460-520)

Sunday: Sunday Six Series, draw 9am, Grappenhall Sports Club (pegs 416-671). Second Mersey Basin Campaign Series, new draw time 9am, Victoria Park (Howley Weir to Kingsway Br & Allotments).

Monday: Disabled & Over 60s, draw 10.30am, Star Inn (pegs 800-840).

Wednesday: Mid-week Series, draw 11am, Star Inn (pegs 510-558).

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