THE freezing weather put paid to sport on Warrington Anglers' Association stillwater fisheries this week.

However, one of our up-and-coming junior anglers, Alistair Evans, showed his mastery of using the pole and punch on Thursday when he fished the Bridgewater Canal at Cliffe Lane.

The fish were so tightly shoaled that an angler two pegs away only had four fish while he caught a roach or a gudgeon every put-in at 11 metres.

In contrast, the hardy band of veterans who fished the Disabled and Over 60s match on Monday had to break the ice before starting to fish.

Ron Durr continued his run of success with another win, albeit a lower weight of 1lb 10ozs 0drms of small roach taken on punch bread.

Thankfully, the River Mersey produced a few bites although it was nothing to write home about and for some it was really a struggle in our Sunday winter series.

Match regular Paul Harding again led the way with a mixed net of roach and skimmers for 4-2-0 closely followed by Jeff Shaw with 3-12-0. Feeder and maggot was the best method.

Grayling and chub are the mainstay of sport on the River Dane but the water is low and clear and you really need to find a deeper hole to have a chance of a few fish. Maggot is still the best bait.

Dace and chub are tightly shoaled on the free stretch at Farndon with reported catches of up to 60lbs taken on heavy bolognaise floats fished down the middle.

Almere Farm is producing a few barbel to 6lbs with dace and perch on maggot from the deeper swims.

Let me have your catch reports on 01928 716238, fax 01928 713898 or e-mail frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk.

HQ Parker Street will be open as usual tomorrow, Friday, between 7pm and 9.30pm for subscriptions and new memberships.

Results: Mersey Winter Series: 1, Paul Harding 4-2-0; 2, Jeff Shaw 3-12-0; 3, Alan Faulkener 1-10-0; 4, Jim Shaw 1-8-0.

Disabled and Over 60s: 1, Ron Durr 1-10-0; 2, Henry Gaskell 1-4-0; 3, Barry Holbrook 0-15-0; 4, Bill Stockton 0-13-0.

Forthcoming events: Saturday: Macclesfield Canal Open, book in with James on 07796 934193. Sunday: Mersey Series, draw 9am at Weir Lane (The match will be cancelled if conditions are considered dangerous). Monday: Disabled and Over 60s, Draw 10.30am at Star Inn.