ACTION for Lymm Angling Club members is a bit hit and miss at the moment with catches tending to come in short-lived spurts.

Unfortunately, that can result in short-stay anglers gaining no action whatsoever and therefore going home a little disappointed.

Silver fish are by far the safest bet at the moment, offering steady action on Grimsditch, Village, Farm, Founders and Woodside pools.

Tench action is increasing although it is night anglers and early birds that are benefiting most.

One such angler was committee member Paul Rylance, who landed two tench of around 6lbs while night fishing for carp on Lymmvale but unfortunately did not land any of his chosen quarry.

For his efforts he received some friendly ridicule from the carp fraternity and on behalf of tench I take playful offence, as tench are pretty close to being my own personal favourite species.

River ace Cliff Taylor spent a session on the River Severn at Atcham at the weekend and reported the river four foot up from normal and dropping fast.

Despite what would appear to be perfect conditions for this time of year, Cliff went on to report very little action apart from one pull round bite near to the end of his session, which unfortunately did not result in a landed fish.

Over the past week there have been two occasions brought to the club's attention relating to members crossing lines on Belmont Pool, with one of the incidents requiring a bailiff to be called out.

Such incidents are totally unacceptable as the guidance on this cannot be simpler.

If you are the only angler on a water then the whole of that water is your swim. However, if fellow anglers join you on the water then things change dramatically.

So, if you are fishing outside of the swim directly in front of you, you must not fish in a swim directly in front of another angler, regardless of who got there first.

To do this with no regard for the other angler is not only unsportsmanlike, it is also a form of bullying and will not be tolerated by the club.

In future, when a bailiff is called out to sort out such problems, the angler deemed in the wrong will be charged a call-out penalty fee and be the recipient of disciplinary action.

Work parties continue this Saturday, meeting as usual at 9am at Whitley Pool storage area. Again attendees must be mindful of their own health and safety requirements, including consideration on what to wear to keep warm and dry, with special thought given to footwear as stout boots will be required, preferably with toe protection.

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