Another season has passed and I am glad to report that the litter problems we had on some of our waters has shown a marked improvement due to the vigilance and work of our bailiffs team. We still have litter problems on the car parks especially Newbridge Pool. I except that this car park is used by other clubs and the general public perhaps a letter to the owners is called for. I must again caution members that litter left on our waters could lose us fisheries please take all litter home with you especially discarded line. The River Weaver has had an up and down year with a slow start due partly to the low water levels we have had due to work on the Vale Royal locks that has taken place. The work is now finished and we should return to more settled conditions. The river produced some remarkable weights in the Winter League and other matches from September until the cold snap in early December, I will leave that to the match secretary to show in his report.

River Dane
The restocking of the River Dane has continued in 2009 with a further 6500 roach, dace and barbel. The EA provided the fish paid for from the fund created by the pollution in 2006, we have a further stocking to take place in 2010 this will be the last consignment. Members are asked to continue with the drying of all nets when moving from water to water, this practice does help to prevent the spread of any fish diseases.

River Weaver
The river again has fished well with large numbers of bream, with specimens up to 9lbs and 10lbs plus, the presence of roach in the river continues to increase, remember to handle them with care. Remember that to fish the Rilshaw Lane section of the river during May to June, a working party sticker is required. Information on work parties will be posted on the website and in the local press, this is the members opportunity to put something back into our sport. I am sure you have seen in the local press the changes that may be taking place on the river frontage, you can rest assured we will make all necessary representations to protect our fishing interests.

Top Flash and Halls
The Flash is recovering from the fish loses of 2005, once again it is producing some large catches of bream and carp in excess of 30lbs. The river at the Flash is a neglected fishery it is a water that will produce good catches to any member having a go.

Marton Hole
This water is not over fished; the water contains some very large specimens of several species and is well worth the effort required to fish this water. The chub continue to grow well in this water with the best now approaching 6lbs plus The resident carp population continue to make rare appearances, but when they do some of them are very large fish with fish in excess of 30lbs recorded, with some nice rudd and roach showing and some very large Perch swim in this fishery 5lbs plus with specimen fish of other species present it is well worth a sizes.

National Pool
The pool is proving very popular with members due to its easy access, and good quality catches of most species are being recorded, with some up to specimen weight. The river is still as popular as it gives easy access for members with good catches during the warmer months.

Newbridge Pool
The pool has enjoyed a weed free season and has fished well for all species with easy access to all swims. Some work is envisaged to be undertaken to improve the riverside access to swims. The fishery management team had a major clean up on the water and have since kept a wary eye on anyone fishing the water to prevent any further litter problems. The water contains some very good specimen size fish of most species including grass carp to 18lbs plus, well worth a day and very close to the car park.

Tommy's Hole
This water is not heavily fished by members, the reason being the walk from the car park;. The water would suit any members who like quiet secluded waters. The problem we had with the local landowner and the footpath has now been resolved with the hedge being cut back to create a better access.

New Pool
The pool has again fished well and continues to be as popular as ever, the carp in the pool have continued to improve in weight with fish to 29lbs 14ozs being recorded. The pool suffered low oxygen problems and as a result the EA have advised us to look at desilting the pool as soon as possible. The night fishing by members has been a success with the bonus of very little poaching going on, compared to the levels we have had in previous seasons. The night fishing rules will be looked at to see if we can make any improvements. The new car park has been a success with no vehicle damage reported.

The Ocean
The Ocean has again fished very well and is a popular as ever, the local police force has patrolled the water and will continue to check for EA licences in conjunction with the EA bailiffs some 15 members of the public where prosecuted for non production of a current EA licence and a WDAA permit. If you are fishing in the "no go" areas of the pool you will be moved and possibly lose your right to fish the water. The water has again been problematic water with litter. A major clean up was necessary resulting in 17 bin liners of litter being removed. If this happens again I am sure we stand a good chance of losing this fishery!

Wyvern House Pool
The water has fished very well and is extremely popular with the junior members. This water has a serious litter problem not all down to anglers, members of the public use it as a park and access to Dean Estate leaving food wrappers and other litter.

Fishery Improvements
Once again the Affiliated Clubs and some individual members taking part in working parties continues to amaze me, the enthusiasm shown by all is a credit to membership of WDAA. A "well done" to all members for taking part. This has resulted in steadily improving the facilities for all members and I would like to propose a vote of thanks from the Fishery Management team to all members that took part. The policy committee are to meet prior to the AGM in March. A report will be produced for the website after the AGM. Individual members are turning out in increasing numbers to obtain their working party stickers and this has helped enormously with the work commitments that we have. The management of our fisheries is on going, if any individual member or clubs have ideas that they think we could adopt to improve our fisheries, then write to me or use the Delegates Meeting as a platform to bring them to the attention of the GPC committee. I would like to thank our bailiffs for the marvellous job they do on behalf of the Association, without this dedicated group we would have a lot more problems. It is a thankless job policing waters but it is carried out with consideration for members and the rules of the Association. In conclusion, I would like to thank Guy Humphreys the assistant Fishery Manager for all his work in my absence and the bailiffs for their continued good work without whose help and assistance my job would be impossible, I would also add my thanks to the WDAA officials and Committee for their continued support.

T Ratcliffe, Fishery Manager