ERIC Smith went to Cicely Mill Pool on successive days, and will return after a productive visit on both occasions.

On Saturday, he caught a 3lb tench along with a similar-sized bream, plus five crucians.

A further five followed on Sunday, each time using double dead red maggot and method feeder spraying in the swim.

“Opinions of what is a bad day’s fishing differ vastly,” he said after being told by fellow members numbers visiting the water had been down due to poor sport.

Keith Starkey was another to fish there, ending his session with a personal-best crucian carp weighing 2½lbs.

He lost similar-sized fish at the net too.

Vice-president Geoff Brooks clocked up a first win of the year in our disabled and over 60s match – held this week on the Bridgewater Canal – with a haul of 7lbs 4ozs 0drs.

He found large perch to boost his catch, along with lots of gudgeon.

Committee member Graham Belton was runner-up.

Match organiser Ray Boden is rarely out of the frame in the Mersey Series.

So last week I assumed he had taken a holiday when his name didn’t appear in the results.

He returned at the weekend with an impressive pole catch of 8-10-0 of roach and perch on maggot, with Jimmy Byrne more than 2lbs adrift.

Dave Hill was the winner on Sunday, fishing the stick float and loose-fed maggot for a net of roach and small 2oz hybrids – the latter good news for the river’s future.

He weighed 7-4-0 against runner-up Ray Boden, who also used running-line tactics.

Ray fished the bolognese and maggot for 6-4-0 of roach and hybrids.

The Mersey is certainly not a one-method fishery; it is, as with all angling, simply a case of getting it right on the day.

E-mail catch reports to frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk, or call me on 01928 716238.

Our headquarters at 52 Parker Street are open every Friday, from 7pm, for subscriptions, memberships, night permits and queries.

Results:

Mersey Saturday Series: 1, Ray Boden 8-10-0; 2, Jimmy Byrne 6-8-0; 3, Barry Chambers 5-11-0; 4, Derek Bibby 5-5-0.

Mersey Sunday Series: 1, Dave Hill 7-4-0; 2, Ray Boden 6-4-0; 3, Paul Hitchen 5-12-0; 4, Alan Morris 5-2-0.

Disabled and over 60s: 1, Geoff Brooks 7-4-0; 2, Graham Belton 5-8-0; 3, Jimmy Byrne 4-14-4; 4, George Barber 4-6-8.

Fixtures:

Saturday, Mersey Saturday Series: Draw 9am, Mersey Walk.

Sunday, Mersey Sunday Series: Draw 9am, Victoria Park Monday, disabled and over 60s (River Mersey): Draw 10am, Victoria Park.