POSSIBLY due to the temporary Moore Quarry closure, Sandiway Lakes were busier than ever over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The small lake has shown the best form, with catches of quality bream, tench, and recently-stocked carp, which are packing on weight.

There have been reports of a bream in the 14lbs bracket but no further details as yet.

Predictably, Grey Mist Mere has also seen plenty of anglers on the banks, with good numbers of carp and especially tench reported.

Mike Johnson had a decent session, catching three carp and a tench. The carp were mirrors of 21lbs 8ozs 0drms and 15lbs, a leather of 20lbs.

Last Wednesday took us a step closer to opening Ackers Pits when I joined the Environment Agency’s dedicated seven-member team in the enormous task of planting up the fishery with aquatic plants.

They even supplied the plants and, clad in chest waders and life jackets, it was no time at all before they were in the water planting furiously. All I can say on behalf of Warrington Anglers’ Association members is a big thank you because without them we would still be thinking about the job.

As regards Moore Quarry, we are still closely monitoring the situation of a number of fish affected by a light fungal growth but the situation is apparently improving and it could be re-opened soon.

There has certainly been an increase in members out fish-spotting on this water and they have been rewarded with viewing specimens not normally so easily seen.

On the closure issue I must stress that fish welfare in Warrington Anglers’ Association will always take precedence over anglers’ sport.

Johnsons Pool has been producing chub and small carp to 75lbs to pole and loose-fed maggots. Anglers fishing from the newly constructed comfortable pegs have voted it a hit thanks to all the hard work put in by the ‘Wigan Team’.

On the Fosters Pool complex, anglers on ‘C’ have been catching lots of small roach. Next door on ‘D’, there have been plenty of small carp and dozens of suicidal roach, with Ian Hannay reporting an average of four per minute in one hectic spell.

I predict that these popular fisheries will vastly improve with more bait going in.

Lots of small tench and rudd are feeding at High Legh Fisheries, along with ghost carp to mid-double figures.

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.

Forthcoming events:

Monday: Disabled and Over 60s, draw 10.30am at Stockton Heath British Legion (contact John Dagnall on 635486).