DEE RECOVERY
The cold waters of the River Dee washed a “wall of death” alongits middle reaches in July last year and killed every fish that camewithin its wake.
It was a virtual wipe-out of millions of salmon, roach, dace,chub, perch, pike, bream, trout, eels and flounders, and only now isthere an indication that the offenders might be brought tojustice.
“It is encouraging to report that significant progress has beenmade in identifying the probable pollutant and polluter”, says KeithAllanson, Chairman of the Dee Fisheries Recovery Group.
“But these investigations are still going on and involve both theNorth Wales Police and the Environment Agency.
“Further details cannot be released at this time”.
However, on a more practical and positive note, the Recovery Grouphave been involved in assisting with the restocking of 40,000 fishwith a rough break down of 20,000 roach, 10,000 dace, 10,000 chub and1,000 barbel.
Estimated costs of the recovery plan put the cost at £150,000over three years and an application has been made to the WelshAssembly for funding.
As with all rivers, the Dee is subject to a close season and willreopen for fishing on June 16.
BOUGH
Gary Bough thought his way to a win as he tackled a wind-whippedBeech Pool in the Burton Mere Fisheries Open match.
The Birkenhead angler thankfully isn’t supersticious, so drawingpeg 13 wasn’t a problem, but the fish were not in the mood to feedand Gary had to keep changing tactics to produce 17lb 8oz.
At the start he pole fished at 10 metres with maggot, worm andcaster, but every now and again swopped over to a small crumb feederto keep small carp and skimmers coming to the net.
Ian Smith (Holywell) had 11lb 3oz and Ron Williams (Chester)finished on 9lb 11oz.
Meanwhile, on Burton Mere itself – the main lake – Ray McBridefrom Connahs Quay had a nightime battle with a terrific 21lb 13ozmirror carp.
Ray was fast asleep in his “bivvy” when the electronic alarmsounded at 4am after the huge carp had picked up his fruit flavouredboilie bait.
TEAM ENGLAND
Warrington’s Stuart Conroy is included in the Drennan Team Englandsquad for the European Championship taking place in Bulgaria on June30.
England’s new managers – Mark Downes and Mark Addy – played safewith their first selection and chose a talented, though predictableline up.
Bob Nudd, Tom Pickering and Alan Scotthorne, three former WorldChampions, are in a side with Steve gardener, Will Raison andConroy.
“Plovdiv is a great venue where the waggler and pole is sure toplay a role”, said Mark Addy (Keenets NW).
“Carp, roach and bream have all played their part and the chosenanglers have the experience to sort it out quickly and provide uswith the chance of winning a medal”.
MESCAR
Dennis Peterson has enjoyed great match fishing success atLydiate’s Mescar Lake and done it with humble shop-bought maggot onthe hook.
He has a point to prove because he is regularly told that pellets,corn and caster are better, but the other anglers are going to have arethink!
This week Dennis, who fishes for Ted Carter’s Southport, he wonthe open sweepstake with a level 16lb from peg as he pole fished upto 13 metres out to catch orfe, carp, roach, rudd.
Just one ounce behind was Mark Halliwell (Ted Carter’s Southport)then came Roy Simms (Image Liverpool) with 14lb 15oz.
It was Andy Hamlett’s first visit to Meadow View Fishery and cameaway with a winning 17lb 8oz catch from Lark Pool.
Normally associated with the Weaver and Trent & Mersey Canalas part of the Vale Royal Angling Match group, Andy was soon into theswing of catching carp, taking small mirror and commons to 1lb onpole gear at 12 metres with single and double maggot.
EASTER MATCH
A new match on the local calendar is the two-day Sankey CanalPairs Tournament taking place on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
Matchmen will fish as teams of two with daily prizes forindividuals but the overall result is based on the total weight ofthe pair.
Entry costs £ 10 per team covering the two days plus £ 11per angler per day pools cash.
Tickets are limited and early booking is advised to Ray Boden(Cheshire Angling) on 07762 347566.
Dave Houghton
www.leisureangling.co.uk