Hartlepool and District AC's Annual Charity Match on Co Durham's Crookfoot Reservoir delivered nine double figured nets as the 60 competitors spread around three of the banks enjoyed some great roach sport, writes JEFF HERBERT.
The maggot feeder at distance was expected to dominate the event but surprisingly Metro's Andy Sinclair took advantage of the spring like conditions returning 17.12.0 on the pole for victory.
Pegged near the car park Andy fed his deep swim using a little groundbait and maggot via a pole pot and was soon into prime redfins up to the 1lb mark at seven metres on the maggot.
Dunelm's Mel Shadforth at the adjoining swim fished identical tactics but had to settle for runner up spot taking 14.10.0.
Others: Mark Trattles (Wilton) 13.7.0 Jimmy Messer (Darlington AC) 13.6.0 Gerry Bowes (Dunelm) 12.8.0 Colin Breckon (Hartlepool) 11.14.0.
The Swale fished better than expected for Middlesbrough AC's final match of the season the Anglers Choice Rosebowl.
Carrying an extra three foot of cold water Aireborough's Steve Aldridge framed first registering a superb catch of 21.12.0.
Staked above Allerthorpe shallows at Maunby Steve searched the nearside crease on the bomb netting 6 quality chub to wasp grub and bread hookbaits.
Next came Adrian Evans of Brotherton 6 pegs above the Buttress at Baldersby picking up four chub on feeder and grub totalling 11.14.0.
Best of the rest: Barry Stephenson (Darlington) 9.3.0 Brian Higgins (Brotherton) 9.0.0.
A rise in temperature resulted in a big turnout for Saturday's Woodlands Open on the complex's eight match lakes.
Map Elton's John McGarrell raced ahead of the 104 rods putting an all carp haul of 53.4.0 onto the scales.
Fishing off Dragonfly Four John pushed the pole out to 16 metres to reach the corner of the island and corn brought a steady succession of samples up to 4.0.0.
Teammate Darren Bridge followed off Mallard's peg 14. Again long pole and corn attack to the island side brought the fish on the feed collecting 42.10.0.
In the Preston Innovations Teams of 3 Championships at Woodland Lakes Keenets North West's John Chapman won a high scoring fifth round bagging a massive 75.11.0 consisting of carp and a sprinkling of tench.
Pulling out Dragonfly 13 John attacked the corner of the island at 16 metres tempting several quality commons and mirrors to 8.0.0 on corn adding a few fish on the bomb.
In contrast a mixed small carp net of 65.6.0 earned Map Elton's Roger Holmes runner up spot off Swallow 14 as bites responded to corn all day.
Keenets Elton with eight points finished top on the day and with one match to go hold a seven point advantage overall from Map Elton.
Teams on the day: 1 Keenets Elton 8 pts; 2 Elton Gold 9; 3 Map Elton 14.
Top three overall: 1 Keenets Elton 13pts; 2 Map Elton 20; 3 Milkmen 32.
Woodland Lakes midweeker (62 rods) - Kestrel Partridge & Skylark: 1 K Golightly (Map Elton) 35.2.0 - Kestrel 34 - mixed net to maggot feeder & bomb and corn including carp to 6.0.0; 2 D Taylor (Map Elton) 30.0.0; 3 M Deaton (Middlesbrough) 26.15.0.
In a close run contest at the Oaks VDE Goole's Dean Smith finally got his long awaited victory following several second placings at Sessay.
On Maple Lake's peg 40 Dean alternated between maggot and pellet on the pole at 13 metres catching small carp for 38.4.0 knocking back Map Elton's Paul Taylor who chased him all the way on 37.4.0 as pole to 10 metres utilising cat food off peg 32 netted some quality fish upto 5.0.0.
Oaks (Thursday Open) - Sessay - Maple Lake (39 rods): 1 G Hall (Stokesley) 25.0.0. All carp to pole & pellet at 13 metres - peg 11; 2 D Taylor (Map Elton) 23.15.0; 3 A Scaife (Northallerton AC) 22.10.0.
The opening match of the Abu Spring Series at Moor Monkton's Carpvale Fishery went to Tony Hewson with 32.5.0.
The Armley angler drew peg 21 and opted for groundbait feeder and corn to the island side landing five quality carp up to 8.0.0.
Meanwhile on peg eight fellow rod Geoff Wilmore also connected with five carp fishing the bomb and corn but was relegated to second place when he weighed in 28.15.0.
Other result - Wilton Open Brafferton Carp Lake: 1 Tony Habishaw (Head Wrightsons) 23.14.0; 2 Norman Twiddel (Wilton) 13.6.0; 3 Tony Stock (Wilton) 11.6.0.
Anglers please note a new Bylaw on the region's rivers has banned the use of maggots during the Coarse Fishing Close Season 15 March - 15 June inclusive. Trout rods restricted to fly and worm.
Trout news
The new Trout Season is now under way on many fisheries throughout the North and if you want to catch that extra fish then take a look at James Tomlinson's video - 'Distance Fly Casting'.
The Scottish champion was the 1st British caster to score the perfect 100 max. points in a World Championship so who better to teach you the techniques required to reach those frustrating out of reach rises.
James' video costs £12.50 and is available directly from him at 90 Boydfield Avenue, Prestwick KA9 2JJ. Tel. no. 01292 671259.
Masham's Leighton Reservoir produced a stunning rainbow of 17.8.0 last week for a delighted Mr J Robinson from Billingham.
In cold windy conditions trout were well down and orange and black fritz along with Dawsons olive accounted for many of the 157 fish landed by the 93 rods out.
Fixtures - Tomorrow: *Woodland Lakes Open (71 pegs) Tel: 01845 526110.
Sunday: *Northallerton and District AC Work Party at Carthorpe Pond - Meet at the car park 9am. *Preston Innovations Teams of 3 Champs Woodland Lakes (Round Six). *Abu Spring Series (Round 2) Carpvale Fishery Moor Monkton. *Oaks Sessay Open Maple Lake. *Shotton and District AC Open Shotton Pond. *Hartlepool and District AC Sweepstake Hurworth Burn Res. *First Round of the Teesside League Brafferton Pond.
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