The hottest day of the year stirred the carp into action during Wednesday's Carpvale Open at Moor Monkton and competitors witnessed a feeding frenzy, writes Jeff Herbert.

Top venue regular Dave Wright delivered 2002's best so far a sensational bag of 96.2.0.

Drawn on peg 12 on the Cyprio Match Pool it was all quality carp for the delighted Armley star netting specimens up to 8.0.0 alternating long pole and bomb to the island side on corn and bread hookbaits.

Teamate Andy Gallant's 59.2.0 would have been enough for victory on any other day. Feeder with worm and maggot accounted for three good bream from the ledge but the bulk of his second place return consisted of carp to 6.0.0 pursued by Leeds rod Bernard Guy who totalled 58.0.0.

In Sunday's Abu Spring Series at Carpvale Armley's Mick Wade fishing for the first time this year on the venue enjoyed a welcome return when he pulled out unfancied peg three on Cyprio and promptly won the match.

Electing to fish the pole at eight metres and utilising meat encouraged the carp locating 14 specimens in all - his best went over 6.0.0 - for 41.4.0 followed by Andy Dargue 35.0.0.

The midweeker on the Woodland's complex spread over the eight match lakes resulted in plenty of sport when over 50.0.0 was required to make it into the top six.

Partridge Lake proved red hot on the day producing over 190lbs between the leading trio.

Oaks regular Keith Pentland made his mark taking a mixed haul of 67.9.0 to snatch the honours.

On Partridge 34 alternating cat meat and pellet at 13 metres tempted carp to 5.0.0 with chub barbel and tench offering variety.

For Tri-Cast's Adam Jaffier who preferred corn and pellet in search of bites carp after carp came at 16 metres on his way to 64.0.0 from Partridge four.

Others in the frame: Dave Harris (CAC) 59.0.0; Vince O'Connor (Map Elton) 53.9.0; Jt Lance Roberts (Map Elton) & Neil Carter (Ripon) 51.9.0.

Saturday's Open at Woodlands attracted a capacity entry and though weights were down in comparison to the midweek returns there was a steady supply of fish for the 108 competitors.

Ripon's Cliff Lofthouse headed the frame coasting in front at the scales with 54.15.0.

Pulling out Skylark six he found pole and cat meat at 13 metres most successful bringing in carp up to 8.0.0.

Meanwhile luncheon meat pushed out to 16 metres on the pole got amongst the carp for Kamasan's Stu Conroy as ounces were vital for runner up spot.

On the established Swallow Lake peg 13 delivered 40.6.0 to stay ahead of the others as they jockeyed for positions on the scoresheet.

3 G Poole (Map Elton) 39.14.0; 4 T Bramley (HAC) 39.13.0; 5 G Leighton (NO1) 39.5.0

Conditions were far from perfect at the Oaks Sessay for their Sunday Match as many struggled against wind and rain. Yet undeterred Oaks youngster Rob Minikin showed his class disposing of the 61 rods finishing nearly 10.0.0 clear.

Fishing Maple Lake Rob presented both pellet and corn off peg 16 and netted carp averaging 2.0.0 for 38.7.0.

Runner-up during Thursday's Open Dean Smith of VDE Goole once again found he's been relegated to second place. Sat on peg 20 carp to 4.0.0 responded to pole and pellet at 13 metres for 28.12.0.

Oaks Thursday: 1 Kevin Armitage (Team Glum) 31.12.0 carp to pellet and meat off peg 49; 2 Dean Smith (VDE Goole) 31.4.0; 3 Ian Bowman (Maver Barnsley Blacks) 23.12.0.

Raker Lakes - Horseshoe Lake Wheldrake: 1 A Geldart (Diawa Goldthorpe) 42.2.0; 2 W Nolan (Team Gem) 35.9.0; 3 D Geldart (Boston Spa) 25.0.0.

Strong winds and bursts of heavy rain hampered pole presentation on Silksworth Lake during the City of Sunderland Teams of Four Championship and tiny roach and gudgeon were the main target.

Scott Lister under the Big Waters Blue banner drew noted peg 25 and following an arm aching session put over 200 fish onto the scales as pole at nine metres with pinkie and maggot over groundbait made for 3.15.0.

It was a similar story off peg 39 for Paul O'Donnell of Big Waters Red who fell short by 5ozs.

Top three on the day: 1 Big Waters Blue 22 pts; 2 Darlington Angling Centre A 21; 3 Darlington Angling Centre B 18.

Placings to date: 1 Big Waters Blue 43; 2 Darlington Angling Centre A 42; 3 Darlington Angling Centre B 38.

Reservoirs

Leighton, Masham: Another very good week's fishing on the reservoir catching everywhere. Rod average 3.2. 168 visitors totalled 551 fish and the largest two fish caught first by Mr C Newton of Darlington weighing in 12.8.0 and the second by Mr D Zalans of Baildon for 11.0.0. Best flies Dawsons olive, black and green, & buzzers.

Tunstall Reservoir - Wolsingham: Rainbows to 4.8.0 and brownies to 2.8.0. Rod average 4.2. Black and peacock spider, pheasant tail and buzzers working well at present. For further details on Tunstall tel: Austin Lowery on 01388 811768.

Ferryhill Bankmaster Witton Castle: 1 Philip Emberson (Stanley) 8.1.0.0 (3 fish); 2 Graham Wyvill (Haswell Plough) 6.9.0 (3 fish); 3 Peter Dawson (York) 5.12.0; 4 Austin Lowery (Ferryhill) 4.0.0.

Fixtures

Tomorrow: *Woodland Lakes Open - Tickets on 01845 526110.

Sunday: *City of Sunderland Team Championship - Round 3 Silksworth Lake. *Abu Spring Series Round 8 Carpvale Pool. Tickets on 01904 738249. *Oaks Sessay Open Maple Lake (65 pegs). Tickets on 01132 782168. *Raker Lakes Open Wheldrake Horseshoe Lake. Tickets on 01904 608377.

Wednesday, May 8: *Woodland Lakes Open. *Carpvale Open Moor Monkton.

Thursday, May 9: *Oaks Sessay Open Maple Lake (65 pegs)