IT’S the time of year when flora that is both in and around water bursts into life, transforming apparently lifeless lagoons into visions of true beauty.

Lilies and reeds forage up through the shallows to add an array of greenery to the boundaries of waters that are now becoming increasingly coloured by feeding fish.

Walk Mill Pool near Chester is one venue on which the fauna has flourished and its appearance seems to have given all of the fish species present the confidence to feed more freely.

Crucian carp and tench, along with some of the most stunning rudd and roach that I have seen, have all been caught in good numbers, with virtually every bait in the book getting a response.

Word has obviously spread quickly about the good sport on offer here as the number of anglers tackling the venue has increased considerably over the last week or so.

Owing to the density of lilies and weed growth around the water’s edge, Lymm Angling Club members are currently permitted to cut out swims so long as they dispense with the cuttings considerately.

Grimsditch Mill Pool continues in excellent form with tench, roach and bream proving the main sport and the occasional carp giving anglers who fish with lighter tackle some scary moments.

At a recent work party, overhanging branches were cut back from around the water in order to reclaim pegs and allow more light and wind to reach the pool.

Besides making more pegs available and enabling anglers to cast without the fear of snagging on an overhanging branch, the work carried out will help to resolve some of the oxygenation problems that have occurred on the water in recent years.

Following its recent surge in captures, Crabmill Flash has taken a backwards step, although a catfish of 35lbs 5ozs and a bream of 10lbs 14oz, both of which have been landed in the past week, serve as a reminder to all of this water’s big fish potential.

Shakerley Mere has been one of the busiest waters, with up to 30 anglers camping out in search of the venue’s big carp.

The fish seem to have withdrawn a little as a result of the angling pressure but a respectable number of fish around the 15lbs mark have graced the bank, with the best reported carp being a mirror of 19lbs.

The key to success here appears to be to avoid the attentions of the swans and diving ducks, which have a tendency to hone in on baits as soon as they hit the water. Diversionary tactics need to be deployed to keep the birds away from the area you actually want to fish.

The carp in both Belmont Pool and Beech Pool seem to show few signs so far of withdrawing from their current feeding spell.

Fish of the week was a mirror carp that fell to Jeff Mowberry during a visit to Belmont Pool.

The big-shouldered fish tipped the scales at a very impressive 26lbs 8ozs – a specimen in anybody’s book 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.