TENCH have become very active on Lymm Angling Club waters over the last week, particularly on Grimsditch Mill Pool, where anglers have landed the olive-coloured fish in good numbers.

Lymmvale water keeper John Stubbs cashed in on the good form of the mill pool, landing between 60 and 70 tench from 8ozs to 3½lbs.

John’s catch was backed up with skimmer bream, rudd and roach to well over 1lb and the total weight for his session was estimated at 130lbs.

All baits are working well but it is the bigger baits, such as corn or pellet, which tend to tempt the larger specimens.

The news from Grimsditch Mill Pool is not all good as poaching of the water has increased.

Extra bailiff patrols have been mobilised. Several poachers have already been caught and their details handed to police.

Lymmvale’s sport has been patchy and it is anglers that choose to stay on for longer sessions who have been producing the better returns.

One such member, Joe Paul, fished a 48-hour session on the water and landed 13 tench, including two that tipped the scales over the 9lbs mark and one that weighed 10lbs 4ozs.

Backed by two double-figure carp, the best a common carp weighing 17lbs, it was a session Joe will never forget.

Following up on last week’s 46lbs catfish from Crabmill Flash, a further catfish of 45lbs 8ozs has been landed, indicating that these giant specimens have responded quickly to the warmer conditions.

The captor was Environment Agency officer Paul Bennett and it was landed at 5.30am.

Belmont Pool continues to throw up several 20lbs-plus carp each week. Paul McLean landed two mirror carp on an overnight session, one weighing in at 18lbs and the other at 22lbs.

Meanwhile, assistant head bailiff Brett McPhee popped on to the water for a short evening session and landed a mirror carp of over 23lbs.

Brightly coloured boilies and sweetcorn continue to be the most productive baits.

Club member Jeff Mowberry landed a succession of double-figure carp in the last week from both Belmont Pool and nearby Founders Pool.

Both waters have fluctuated between being very busy and very quiet and it is just a question of luck as to whether you find a free peg to fish from.

Finally this week, a mention of Woodside Pool, which continues to produce excellent bags of roach, tench, crucian carp and rudd to simple float tactics.

A club trustee took his 13-year-old grandson there recently and saw him land more than 100 fish, including a stunning roach of 1lb 14ozs and a crucian carp of 3lbs 2ozs.

Members should note that Woodside Pool can be fished with one rod only, a fact that was accidentally omitted from the club’s 2009 printed rules.

But there are no restrictions on the type of material used in the rods although anglers are advised to exercise extreme caution when fishing near overhead power cables.

To contact the club, e-mail secretary@lymmanglersclub.com or use the new help-line number 07928 933453 but be prepared to leave a message.