Angling

In Saturday's River Swale Preservation Society Les Winder Memorial Middle Swale Championships competitors were greeted with the river nearly over the peg numbers. However precious Rivercare points were at stake and a potential £1,000 for the eventual winner so 36 rods decided to try their luck.

Thirsk's Alan Miller fishing peg 261 upstream of Baldersby Buttress caught the day's only fish a chub of 4.1.0, which fell to legered cheese and much to his delight was worth a cool £250 and 15 points.

More rain overnight and Sunday's eagerly awaited big Yorkshire Ouse Championships had little chance of survival with most of North Yorkshire's water heading towards York. The match is now set for Sunday, November 10.

Boroughbridge and District's Open on the Ure also became another casualty.

The Tees Barrage again proved its worth as the North East Winter League fixture went ahead as planned on the river between Scarfoothill Wood and Eaglescliffe Golfcourse.

Stokesley's Tony Shaw tamed a windswept and coloured venue putting an impressive 15.13.0 on to the scales to finish individual winner during round three.

Drawing peg 186 opposite Whitehouse Farm bottom limit, always a good draw when the river is pushing hard, groundbait feeder and worm approach a third out into slacker water secured 6 good skimmers backed by four roach.

Only other man to break double figures came Mr Consistent Derek Fox who returned 12.15.0. The Newman Scott Red ace three below the Levenmouth feeder fished worm taking a mixed bag consisting of 23 roach three skimmers a chublet dace and an eel.

Team Metro eased out Newman Scott Blue on the day by just two points but overall the Blue's now share top spot along with Cleveland Angling Centre on seven points.

Teams on the day: 1 Metro MG 90 pts; 2 Newman Scott Blue 88; 3 RSPS Tek Neek Trabucco 83; 4 Cleveland Angling Centre 81; jt 5 Shimano Quaker MG & Newman Scott Red 76.

League to date: jt 1 CAC & Newman Scott Blue 7 pts; 3 Shimano Quaker MG 8; 4 Metro MG 13; 5 Newman Scott Red 16; 6 Stokesley 21.

Over on the Nidd the Knaresborough Piscatorials Open around Knaresborough was fishable. Two foot up at the onset and hindered by a procession of fallen leaves the 50 die-hards gave their best as the venue rose another foot during the match.

Legered lobworm and single fish determined the outcome as GT Angling's Ken Wright on peg 112 at Chapmans Bottom connected with a match clinching barbel of 5.0.0 while Stuart Holt of Guiseley Angling, five below the winner, pulled out a quality chub of 4.6.0.

Carp Scene

Thankfully Stillwater carp enthusiasts didn't have to worry about floods but strong winds and showers tested umbrellas to the limit.

At Woodland Lakes the maggot feeder proved the winning combination for the leaders during Saturday's well attended open spread around five of the match lakes on this extremely popular complex.

A mixed bag of all sorts tipped the verdict in Tony Neesom's favour from an unexpected draw, peg 9 on Curlew Lake.

Tony of Elton Tackle opted for both the maggot feeder and pole and corn at 13 metres taming carp up to 7.0.0 bream to 4.0.0 along with tench barbel etc on his way to 43.5.0.

Then on Kestrel 26 runner up Thorne Match Group's George Grundy pinned his faith solely on the maggot feeder and was kept busy throughout taking a steady supply of small carp to finish just behind on 40.2.0.

Others: Kevin Hill (Sensas Garbolino) 37.13.0 Mark Lucas (Ted Carters Preston) 31.12.0.

Woodland Lakes (Wed) - Partridge Skylark Wagtail and Curlew (56 pegs): 1 J Hamer (Team Lineside) 48.12.0; Skylark 11 Pole corn & caster 7 metres all carp including a mirror of 8.0.0; 2 S Mitchell (Tri Cast Calder) 38.2.0; 3 T Ferguson (Cleveland Police) 36.5.0.

A total of 58 hopefuls braved the elements for Sunday's Open at the Oaks Fishery Sessay, which brought about an exciting finale.

Every fish counted on a day when accuracy at the scales was critical with six bags over 40.0.0 all chasing victory.

Mark Silman of Maver Barnsley Blacks framing fifth at the Woodlands on Saturday emerged top dog at the Oaks registering 49.4.0. On peg three, pole down the middle utilising maggot attracted carp up to 3.0.0.

Pole and maggot also worked a treat for Snaith's John Kenning who grabbed second place by 2ozs. Fishing out to 13 metres off peg 65 John located carp across to the island enough for 46.13.0 followed by Ian Bowman of Maver Barnsley Blacks 46.11.0; Andy May Sensas Daves 45.6.0; and Dave Pimlott Elton Tackle 42.6.0.

Oaks Thursday - Maple Lake: 1 Rab Ogilvy (Oaks) 48.4.0; 2 R Holmes (Map Elton) 38.8.0; 3 M Coyne (Map Elton) 36.12.0.

Trout News

Leighton Reservoir's trout season came to a close on Sunday and the last week was good despite poor weather.

B Porter of Northallerton and I Thornberry from Darlington both landed rainbows of 9.0.0 apiece while T Cox of Newton Aycliffe earned a bottle of whisky grassing a tagged rainbow of 5.8.0 on a black and green fritz. 101 visitors landed 184 trout.

This year's Theakston Trophy Final saw 34 qualifiers battle it out on Leighton Reservoir and Darlington anglers fared well!

Tom Atkinson lifted the prestigious Trout Trophy and the £100 cheque taking a six fish bag totalling 14.8.0. Charlie Newton Darlington followed 13.8.0 from Anthony Rutter Stockton 11.13.0.

Redworth Lakes Jubilee continues to produce plenty of double figured rainbows - Brian Elliott of Billingham headed five heavyweights biggest 15.3.0 caught on an olive hot tail. Late afternoon best. Bloodworm zonkers and cat's whisker taking majority of fish.

The venue remains open seven days a week then from December till end of February 2003 the fishery will only open on Thur. Frid. Sat & Sund only.

Fixtures

Saturday, November 2: *Woodland Lakes Open - Tickets on 01845 526110.

Sunday, November 3: *Thornaby AA Festival Cup River Tees - Croft to Hurworth. *Northallerton and DAC Grayling Cup River Swale - Scruton. *Ripon Pisc. Open (80 pegs) River Ure - Hutton Beck to Barn Island Tickets on 01765 605467. *Yarm AA Baillie Cup Lower Tees. *Albert Hill WMC visit Tees - Over Dinsdale. *Richmond AS Collins Cup Thorpe Perrow. *Tadcaster APA Open River Wharfe - Smaws Ings. Tickets on 01937 832972. *Chester le Street Open River Wear. *Bradford City AA JD Illingworth Trophy River Ure - Brampton. *Thirsk AC Winter Series (1) Cod Beck. *Oaks Sessay Open Maple Lake. *Woodland Lakes Open.