THE long spell of settled weather has been both brilliant for spawning success and for sport in general with most fisheries on top form.

At Woodshaw Reservoir there is plenty of sport with small tench, rudd, and skimmer bream. Our volunteer working party have now repaired all the pegs.

Some members think that small is beautiful and tiny Ackers Pit certainly tends to prove the theory with the resident hoards of roach in a continuous feeding frenzy. It really does not matter what bait is used - you will catch fish. Meat and corn for carp to 6lbs.

Just a reminder that the Nat West Young Angler tickets are now on sale from either HQ, Junior Matches, or on bank from bailiffs John Bristow and Mike Monks, price £1.

Our bailiff informs me that Astle Pool is producing some good catches of roach, carp, and occasional bream. Island pegs are the most productive.

At Cicily Mill Pool Alan Pearce had a red letter session on Tuesday. When legering meat he had a succession of tench to 5lbs-8ozs-0drms and four bin lid-sized bream. Cruciens are also feeding well with float fished maggot for best results.

The Trent & Mersey Canal is fishing well with bream nets of 20-50lbs and individual fish of 4lbs from the Salt Barge. Anglers are fishing meat for the better stamp of fish. Corn is also accounting for roach to 1lb and a lot of 10-12oz skimmers.

The key seems to be that anywhere out the main boat run will produce. Hemp and tares also worth a try.

Rixton Clay Pits are worth a visit with the tench still feeding well and carp reported to 15lbs. Roach and some large perch on maggot.

On the River Mersey catches have been reported to 6lbs of roach, gudgeon, dace, and chub with the latter absolutely packing on weight. Both pole or tip methods are working with evening the best time.

Despite some overgrown swims the Trent at Clay Mills is still popular and little wonder with 40-50lb nets of roach, bream, and odd barbel on offer. Dave Pepper reports chub to 4lbs from below the outfall and a perch of 4-0-0 that took his free-lined dead bait intended for pike.

Barbel are really active on the Severn catchment despite low water conditions. If you find the fish you will bag up. Loton Park is worth some attention and Four Crosses on the River Vyrnwy. More reports please.

Catches of dace, small chub, and grayling on the River Dee. Our Webmaster Julian Smallman tried a different approach from his usual stick float method and fly-fished leaded nymphs to target the grayling stocks, but he had to be content to take small chub and dace.

HQ Parker Street is open as usual tonight 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: Women's Summer Series: 1, Helen Thompson, 3lbs-3ozs-0drms; 2, Lynda Lythgoe, 2-9-0; 3, Sharon Dobson, 1-2-5; 4; Pam Wyatt, 1-0-0.

Honorary Members: 1, Reg White, 5-6-2; 2, Charlie Brannon, 2-7-2; 3, Ron Hargreaves, 1-13-8; 4, Bill Stockton, 1-1-0

Summer Series Minnows/Juniors/Intermediates:

Minnows: 1, Jonathan Jones, 12-9; 2, Chris O'Hara, 8-10; 3, Richard Lenihan, 8-9; 4, Paul Mather, 5-15. Juniors: 1, Mike Savage, 6-1-2; 2, Gary Bateman, 3-3-6; 3, Dean Meadows, 2-6-12; 4, Andy Webb, 2-1-6. Intermediates: Ben Hibbert, 4-11-0.

Coming events:

Saturday: Shield Contest, draw 9am, Grappenhall Sports. Book in with Chris Grehan 01925 635373

Monday: Disabled & Over 60's, draw 10.30am, Grappenhall Sports Club ( pegs 601-641).

Wednesday: Police Series (Open), draw 5.30pm, on bank Beech Road (pegs 384-415).

Prizes for two age groups 5-10 & 11-15.

Tuesday: Senior Sweepstake, draw 5.30pm, Keckwick Hill Br. (pegs 71-120). Women's Summer Series, draw 5.30pm, on bank Denbury Ave (pegs 480-510).

Thursday: Intermediate/Junior/Minnows Series, draw 6pm Cliffe Lane (pegs 589-621).

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