Rising rivers were once again a feature and all the Yorkshire venues proved unfishable.

Conditions on the lower reaches of the Tees were far from perfect for the Yarm AA Fur & Feather. The venue was racing through three feet up and chocolate coloured and competitors fished the deep water pegs only.

Dave Smiddy of Middlesbrough Newman Scott enjoyed the best action and quickly disposed of the rest finishing over 3.0.0 clear.

Pegged on the pampas grass area on 168 - Dave had a 'fish a chuck'. Pole and feeder close in kept the bites coming and a mixtures of dace roach and chublets fell to maggot for 6.11.0.

Other than a small skimmer on the feeder Darlington Angling Centre's Peter Close also relied on small silver fish to make the grade. Peg 160 on the paddock delivered 3.10.0 from Peter Rambow Jnr. Cleveland AC 3.1.0.

Plenty turned out 76 in all for the Thornaby Xmas Cheer but fluctuating levels caused a real headache.

Staged on the Croft to Hurworth sections of the Tees those fortunate enough to catch a fish or two did so in the early stages. At the onset there was three feet in but the river then rose a further two feet.

Shildon's Cyril Close showed his expertise managing to tame two chub before the extra water arrived. Pulling out peg 99 opposite the Hunting Bridge he set to work on legered worm and after much perseverance ended on 4.4.0.

Just one chub and it was all over for Darlington's Dave Oxley. The single specimen again to lobworm came from peg 72 on the 'stink hole' at Hurworth.

On the Wear round three of the Winter League left everyone scratching for bites on an out of sorts river but nonetheless ounces counted.

Norman Laing added vital team points for the Sunderland squad recording 2.12.0. for individual honours.

Small dace and roach responded to pole and maggot tactics down the nearside off the Creighton Avenue section at peg seven.

Elsewhere eels figured in nets and Peter Jones of Turners Red fell short at the weigh in. On the willows at Lumley Castle lobworm tail and maggot produced 2.9.0.

Dick Clegg Metro won on the day by four points and overall are sitting comfortably 18 points ahead of Sunderland.

Teams: 1st Dick Clegg Metro 45 points, 2nd Turners Blue & Sunderland 41, 4th Turners Red and Turners Black 37, 6th Harraton 24.

Overall: 1st Dick Clegg Metro 136 points, 2nd Sunderland 118, 3rd Turners Red 103, 4th Turners Black 101, 5th Turners Blue 92, 6th Big Waters 80.

On the Woodland Lakes at Carlton Miniott Saturday's open drew the biggest entry on the complex 72, but rods had to get to grips with strong winds.

Map Elton regular Nigel Johnson tackled Partridge 24 on the proven winter method the little maggot feeder and single maggot and an all carp net of 44.10.0 put him out in front.

Nearest challenge came from John Thompson of Leeds who claimed second place off peg 12. Sat opposite the winner the same tactics brought 38.13.0.

Others: K Kotchie Map Elton 31.2.0, J Jowett Garbolino 24.10.0.

Then in Sunday's match small carp made up the majority of returns. With the exception of the two leading anglers the rest jostled for positions on the scoresheet as just one fish sorted out the pecking order.

Light winds and calm conditions made fish harder to tempt but Andy Rabjohns of Elton Tackle bagged the most. Pulling out peg 11 on Skylark the maggot feeder and single maggot put 45.8.0 together including the biggest carp of the match a specimen of 6.0.0.

For Wakefield visitor Alan Wadsworth the match proved a real tonic. Having his first bash at angling following open heart surgery Alan had his finger on the pulse taking a maggot feeder net of 33.1.0 off Partridge 22.

Midweek result: Skylark Partridge & Kestrel: 1st L Roberts Map Elton 29.3.0, 2nd P Riley Boroughbridge Musketeers and B Blythe MNS 27.2.0.

Other results: Knaresborough Fur and Feather R. Nidd: All Knaresborough anglers - D Owen 1.11.8, M Johnson 1.6.8, and S Proctor 1.3.0.

Oaks Open - Poplars Lake Sessay: 1st M Banby Wetherby 18.0.0, 2nd S Turner Wakefield 12.4.0, 3rd M Sykes Harrogate 11.10.0.

Raker Lakes - Horseshoe Lake Wheldrake: 1st P Kozyra Anglers Corner 23.6.0, 2nd J Cosgrove Anglers Corner 22.2.0, 3rd M Herrington Headingley Angling 19.12.0.

Jubilee Lakes Redworth. Telephone: (01388) 772611. Visitors averaging 3.9. Tim Emblin of Stanhope boasts the largest fish two weeks running. This time Tim landed a super specimen of 11.4.0. on a black fritz.

Very mild so best sport near the surface of the water. Hares ear, bloodworm and black lures all successful.

Fishery closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Day.

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

Sunday: *Middlesbrough AC Fur & Feather Shield - middle Swale Gatenby to Baldersby. Tickets on (01642) 899288. *Ripon Piscatorials Bramley Trophy Xmas Match R. Ure Barn Island to Bishop Monkton. *Bradford City AA Xmas Cheer Open R. Ure - Brampton to Langthorpe. Tickets (01423) 547537. *Yorkshire WL (3) on the Ouse

*Woodland Lakes Open. *Yarm AA Williams Cup Lower Tees. *Tadcaster APA Open 60 pegs R. Wharfe around Smaws Ings. Tickets on (01937) 832972