LYMMVALE re-opened on Saturday to a flurry of activity with many tales of the atmosphere generated by anglers with varying expectations.

Not as many anglers as expected turned up the night before, with only half a dozen or so there, but as daylight approached angler after angler arrived with on-site Lymm Angling Club officials eventually turning some members away.

The fishing was a lot better than I expected - tench and barbel dominated catches, with carp action a little slow at first. Things are already settling down and some nice carp have now been landed.

I can now announce further good news regarding re-openings on Saturday. Tabley Mere will open, although at this time of year night fishing is not allowed.

We also intend opening another carp-dominated water at the same time, although at the time of writing we are awaiting to gain agreement from the owners.

Rivers are quite high at the moment and hopefully that will flush any remaining pollutant from the River Dane.

That follows a disastrous pollution incident, which killed thousands of fish including barbel to more than 10lbs in weight.

Whatever the pollution substance was, it's thought to have entered the river downstream of our stretches via the River Croco, which flows into The Dane at Croxton, Middlewich.

The River Severn continues to produce decent bags of chub and barbel. Unlike stillwater fish, river fish cannot lie semi-dormant when the conditions are adverse, in fact it's quite the opposite.

That is because river fish have to contend with strong currents in wet conditions, and as a result they burn energy to contend with them.

Therefore they have a need to feed to replace their energy reserves, which anglers can use to their advantage.

Village Pool's recent de-oxygenation appears to be coming to an end, with oxygen levels now at reasonable levels. Hopefully we will be able to announce an opening date very soon - watch this space.

Paul Rylance and Craig Wheeldon took a break from work and club duties to fish Monks Moat at the weekend.

Craig, who is an absolute beginner to carp fishing, could not have chosen a better tutor than Paul. It wasn't long before he bagged his first carp, which was a fully scaled mirror that weighed in at just less than 10lbs.

The club's annual meeting will take place at Bank Quay Social Club in Green Street, Warrington, on October 17 at 8pm. Valid licences are required to gain entry.

Proposals to be discussed include subscription rates, Grimsditch Mill Pool, rod limits and membership capping.

I can be contacted on 411774, but be prepared to leave a message.

Neil Jupp