THANKFULLY the spate of large bream deaths on Shakerley Mere seems to have abated.

The incident was a significant one and was a downside to the glorious weather we have been enjoying.

Whitley Pool has been fishing particularly well and its full spectrum of carp have been very accommodating over the past week.

While no monsters were reported, the varying shapes, colours and sizes have been enough to provide some very interesting sport.

Tench have also featured well but seem to feed in very tight time periods, switching on and off with almost immediate effect.

The carp in Belmont Pool and Beech Pool currently have a similar feeding pattern, with fish coming to the banks in spurts of action.

Nevertheless, the productivity of those short bursts is such that the average catch over a session remains very good.

That was demonstrated by Lymm Angling Club member James Jackson, who fished Belmont Pool from early morning to late afternoon and caught five mirror carp ranging from 13lbs to 17lbs.

That's not unusual, you may say, but when you find out that all the fish were caught in just half an hour from 1pm to 1.30pm you may think differently.

Woodside Pool opened to some serious sport with rudd and roach dominating action, although not to a great degree with sweetcorn or similar sized bait on the hook.

Tench, crucian and grass carp have been landed, as have koi carp and ghosties.

Many of our members recently made their annual pilgrimage to the banks of our river stretches and, as usual, those targeting barbel did not fare too well with catches.

The seasoned river anglers knew that was likely be the case anyway but the true draw is the crack of getting on the banks and savouring the delights of running waters.

It will be some time next month when barbel action seriously takes off following the completion of their spawning activities.

I am aware that one of our newer members has been totally mesmerised by the spectacular beauty of Tabley Moat and, while new to the club, that individual is not new to fishing.

While visiting that water, he was totally convinced he spotted carp to almost 40lbs.

I can remember about 12 years ago that while team member Alan Smith was netting and up to his waist in water, he was knocked off his feet by the weight and power of an escaping fish. He described it as a brute of a fully scaled carp.

As is the nature of nettings, it was in the depths of winter and poor Alan was close to suffering from hypothermia.

Other mammoth carp have been reported by members but I must point out that none of those fish have been reported as being caught.

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

Neil Jupp