Saturday's 2003 River Swale Preservation Society Mike Winney Memorial Trophy staged on the middle reaches proved a strange match as the river rose a foot but remained crystal clear, writes JEFF HERBERT.
Nevertheless, catches were outstanding a winning weight of 48.10.0 with 12 double figured nets on a day when 30 anglers totalled 310.11.0 at the scales.
Winner of the 2002 Masters and former record holder of the NFA National Darlington's Rob Stubbs added the Mike Winney to his impressive C.V after an action packed five hours above Sand Hutton Wood.
Initially on the Avon and caster ten chub came from a mid river line but as the flow picked up Rob switched to bomb and grub pulling out six more. However highlight was when Rob slipped the net under a super 'barbel double' with specimens of 9.0.0 and 8.4.0 landed after Titanic battles.
Then RSPS Tek Neek Trabucco's John Leyland at the beginning of the deeps at Ainderby legered bread and grub collecting seven chub weighing 17.9.0 followed by Turners Tackle rod Graham Skirrey who latched into four heavyweight chub for a level 17.0.0 in Harrison's field at Gatenby; the same area that produced a stunning bream of 7.14.0 for Selby's Dave Robson.
Heavy overnight rain changed the picture completely for Sunday's Swale fixtures. Only one fish was caught during Idle and Thackley's Open at Swainby when Brotherton's Simon McArdle netted a priceless chub of 2.5.0 to legered worm from a venue over 4ft in flood.
The Upper reaches around Catterick and Ellerton fared better with most of the extra water passing through and Darlington's Dave Nicholson couldn't believe his luck when he drew the same peg he'd won the previous Darlington BT match and even better quality chub were still keen to feed.
Two above the Blue Board at Ellerton feeder and bread down the deep nearside gulley produced seven specimens for 31.3.0.
Best of the rest Charlie Hodgson also Darlington worked two above the wires for 15.9.0 of chub from Bobby Trees Darlington 12.3.0.
A sensational Thirsk AC Pairs match on Yorkshire's tiny Cod Beck saw 11 competitors crack double figures.
Doncaster's Anthony Hartley made his long journey worthwhile taking 17.14.0 to the scales. Pegged above Dalton Bridge stickfloat and maggot delivered 15 chub.
A pound behind came Bentley Angling Centre's Don McAllister off peg eight on the town stretch in Thirsk. Don picked up small chub and grayling on the stickfloat and bronze maggot.
Others: Cliff Lofthouse (Ripon) 13.9.0; Pat Adams (RSPS Tek Neek Trabucco) 13.3.0.
Winning Pair: John Fletcher and Cliff Lofthouse 25.6.0.
Chublets again dominated on the Lower Tees lacking colour during Yarm AA's March Open.
Yarm Flynn's Keith Jones was of the first of nine bags over the 10.0.0 mark.
Keith three above the Levenmouth feeder fished across the river alternating bread and maggot collecting 16 samples to make up 14.14.0.
Tony Leeming of Newman Scott followed three below the Levenmouth and relied on feeder and bread for 13.14.0 from Steve Fern (Yarm) 13.9.0 and Derick Fox (Eden Meadows) 13.3.0.
Carrying an extra three-foot on the Ouse and still rising throughout the final round of the Acomb Tackle Winter League Series hinged on odd bream and skimmers for success.
Nigel Rhodes of Anglers Corner below the bay at Fulford opted for groundbait feeder with caster and worm. A trio of skimmers obliged pushing him ahead of the big 95 entry on 5.8.0.
Barlby Village Stores clinched the league title thanks to a second place net of 5.2.0 taken by Mick Potter.
Pegged on the Palace Bend Mick on the pole and pinkie a foot from the bank picked up small roach and perch before a bonus bream of 4.0.0 snapped up his bait in the dying minutes.
Top three teams on the day: 1 Barlby Village Stores 11.7.8; 2 Anglers Corner 10.14.0. 3 Acomb Tackle 10.12.8.
Final table: 1 Barlby Village Stores 85 pts; 2 Mitre 78; jt 3 Cochranes & Acomb 76; 5 Wibsey 74; 6 Bar Six 64.
Carp round-up
Woodland Lakes, Wednesday's Open (65 rods). Skylark Kestrel Waggler Curlew Dragonfly Swallow & Mallard Lakes: 1 S Fearnley (Elton Tackle) 53.0.0 of carp off Waggler 3; 2 S Wood (Leeds Police) 37.0.0; 3 S Medd (Billingham AC) 35.11.0.
Saturday's Open (93 rods), all eight match Lakes: 1 K Fryatt (Elton Tackle) 37.14.0 Mallard 16 all carp including fish up to 6.0.0; 2 M Longhirst (Elton Tackle) 24.4.0; 3 M Coyne (Map Elton) 24.3.0.
Sunday's Open (74 rods), all eight match Lakes: 1 J Cowgill (Bradford) Curlew 3, all carp 36.5.0; 2 Alan Gregory (Elton Tackle) 29.13.0; 3 Harry Lockwood (Fryston) 28.3.0.
Oaks Sessay Sunday Open Maple Lake: 1 A Harker (CAC) 40.12.0. Peg 1, pole corn & maggot for all carp; 2 Mark Calvert (Map Elton) 26.4.0; 3 I Exley (Midi Team Dons) 20.10.0
Carpvale Pool Moor Monkton, Sunday Open Cyprio Lake: 1 S Howard (Headingley AC) 36.12.0; 2 S Sharples (Armley) 33.2.0; 3 Paul Forcett (Armley) 29.0.0.
Fixtures
Today: *Middlesbrough AC Last Cast Open River Swale Gatenby to Baldersby. Tickets on (01642) 899288. All rivers close at midnight for coarse fishing until June 16.
Tomorrow: *Woodland Lakes Open - Tickets on 01845 / 526110.
Sunday: *Northallerton and District AC Work Party Carthorpe Pond - 9am. *Woodland Lakes Open. *Oaks Sessay Open. *Carpvale Fishery Open
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article