Fish Tales

This time 116 anglers competed for bumper payouts thanks to sponsors Ripon Interiors.

Leeds man Martin Thorpe lifted the much sought after trophy and a cheque for £500 when he tipped the scales at 41.0.0 and finished well out in front.

Martin soared to victory despite pulling out an unfancied draw, peg 187 below the Bell Bank at Sharow.

The low conditions made the streams productive and Martin waggler fished caster over to far bank willows and was soon into action netting 21 chub at steady intervals.

Meanwhile, upstream of the North Bridge on the Willowgarth glide, Marsh Tackle's Steve Smith snatched runners up spot.

Also on the waggler and caster Steve picked up 11 specimens for 23.14.0 from Steven Newns of KL Tackle hot on his heels with 23-3-0 of chub and dace from above Barn island.

Other backing weights: Colin Hyam (Hull) 20.0.0; Ian Lumb (Turners Tackle) 18.9.0; Ray King (RSPS Tek Neek Trabucco) 17.8.0.

The Swale at Scruton hit top form during Saturday's Northallerton and District Open on the River Swale.

The infamous Kenny Close of RSPS Tek Neek Trabucco weighed in a staggering net of 71.6.0.

Fishing opposite the scar below the ICI bend he worked the loafer float with wasp grub and caster along far bank willows and collected 21 chub up to 4.0.0 backed by a lone grayling.

I was delighted to find barbel in my swim on Bramper Bend and five specimens - the best 9.13.0 - fell during a hectic late burst on bomb and triple caster backed by two early chub caught on wasp cake for 39.5.0 from Adrian Evans of Brotherton 24.7.0 and Dave Watkin of Derbyshire Angling Federation 17.14.0.

Rounding off a family double Cyril Close took Sunday's Thornaby AA September Cup staged on the middle Tees at Croft to Hurworth.

Chub decided the event when Cyril tamed a low clear river putting together 21.1.0

Cyril above the Croft Railway Bridge swapped between the float and bomb with a combination of bronze maggot and worm to tempt 12 small chub and an eel from under the arches.

Quality roach between 12ozs to 1.0.0 made up the majority of Dave Nicholson's second place net of 13.6.0. Working waggler and caster down mid river off the stump peg at Hurworth delivered.

Next weekend sees the eagerly awaited Tees Championships but following Sunday's Yarm AA Alan Wells Memorial on the lower reaches anglers will be praying for rain as competitors struggled on a sluggish river.

Shotton Match Groups Derek Fox notched up yet another Yarm win taking a hard earned 8.6.0.

Drawing peg eight at Harkers Farm Derek went for roach and found seven metres on the pole and squatt most effective.

Bream failed to show and Quaker Tackle's Martin Robson two above the Levenmouth relied on perch landing 6.11.0 of them to feeder and worm approach towards the other side.

Other result: Bradford No1 AA Hirst Cup River Swale at Maunby: 1 Steve Parker (West Park) 10 chub to stickfloat and caster 26.4.0 from peg 8; 2 Chris Wilson (Bradford) 21.4.8; 3 Phil Atkins (Bradford) 5.1.0.

Carp Scene

Big carp marked Wednesday's Open at the Woodlands Lakes for E J Tackle's Graham Twohey who weighed in 99.13.0.

Once again 'in form' Wagtail captured everyone's attention giving the best midweek bag for the second time.

Fishing on peg 12, Graham gave a powerful performance when he hauled out just five beauties for 60.0.0, his largest one a common of 14.0.0.

Sticking to the long pole approach towards the boards and down the side luncheon meat also added smaller samples to round off a brilliant day's sport, not dwelling on a few lost fish.

Runner-up Keith Kotchie of Featherstone sat on Skylark three and found the fish in an obliging mood. Offering little pieces of luncheon meat at 13 metres Keith carped his way to 89.3.0.

Woodland Lakes (Saturday) Skylark Wagtail & Curlew (75 pegs): 1 Mark Coyne (Map Elton) 73.2.0 - Mixed bag on legered meat against the boards off corner peg 34 Skylark Lake; 2 Ian Thompson (Elton Tackle) 67.6.0; 3 Dave Harris (CAC) 66.5.0.

Steve Rothery pushed aside carp supremo Dean Smith during Thursday's Match at the Oaks Sessay when he hammered out 73.2.0 to steal the show.

Pegged on 62a Steve used a meat attack on the inside on top of the near shelf and brought out carp all match. Dean in contrast choose a farside approach off peg 11 and couldn't match the winner's pace as he had settle for 69.4.0 on pole and pellet at 13 metres.

Sunday - Maple Lake (60 rods): 1 J Brian (HAS) 50.0.0 small carp to maggot and pellet off peg 62; 2 Dave Pimlott (Drennan Elton) 40.10.0 3 Chris Hall (Oaks) 40.0.0.

Fixtures

Tomorrow: Woodland Lakes Open.

Sunday: Idle & Thackley Open River Swale at Swainby - Tickets 01274 / 618569.

DBT AA Scottish & Newcastle Trophy River Tees Coniscliffe.

River Tees Championships Lower Tees Yarm.

River Calder Championships.

North Central League (3) River Wharfe, Wetherby.

Don McMasters Cup River Tees at Over Dinsdale.

Oaks Sessay Open Maple Lake.