Yorkshire river fixtures suffered another weekend wipe-out as floods continued to create havoc, writes JEFF HERBERT.
But the Tees was again fishable as the mighty Tees Barrage played its part. Sunday's Yarm AA Championships was never in doubt. With the barrage gates dropped during the week, the river - although chocolate-coloured - rose just two feet and offered a steady flow.
Yarm Flynn's Dave Pierce lifted the prestigious trophy, recording the day's only double figured weight of 14.8.0.
Drawn downstream of the Leven mouth opposite Whitehouse Farm, Dave worked the groundbait feeder and double white maggot towards mid-river and a super bream of 6.0.0. proved the backbone of his catch, backed by two good skimmers and small roach.
For runner-up Peter Nesbitt of Darlington Angling Centre, pegged two above Eaglescliffe Golf Course, it was all small roach. Feeder and worm produced 8.3.0.
Others on the scoresheet: Andy Dargue Darlington AC 6.12.0 Alan Wilcox Yarm Flynns 5.14.0. John Parkinson Darlington AC 5.1.0
Further upstream between Coniscliffe and Croft, Darlington Brown Trout staged their coarse fish cup. Dirty water from the nearby Skerne and Clow Beck resulted in the venue rising throughout, but suprisingly good numbers of fish fed.
Barry Stephenson of Darlington finished way ahead, netting an impressive 19.10.0 from two above the famous 'chalk hole' at Low Coniscliffe. Stickfloat and maggot tactics down the nearside enticed three chub, two of which weighed 3.0.0 apiece, backed by grayling.
Next Vernon Lakin of Middleton-one-Row relied on grayling in a late burst as the rising river suddenly brought his swim on the Hud stream to life, making for 8.0.0 at the scales.
Clive Cloke of Darlington and Cyril Close of Shildon tied on 6.0.0. for third place.
The Woodland Lakes at Carlton Miniott saw anglers scrambling for tickets on this amazing North-East venue with incredible catch rates.
Sunday's event proved so popular an extra match was hastily arranged.
In Wednesday's open, red hot peg 22 on Skylark lived up to its name when Map Elton's Nigel Johnson rattled out 60.8.0.
The standard winter method of a mini maggot feeder and single maggot kept the bites coming all day, including carp to 7.0.0. from team-mate John McGarrell 40.6.0.
Saturday's match on Dragonfly Mallard Partridge and Skylark was a sell out and Tri Cast Elton star John Allerton outfished the 72 rods, bagging a cracking 60.1.0.
On Partridge 26 it was non-stop action. Casting a small maggot feeder with single maggot on a 22 hook brought carp galore up to 3.0.0.
Linden Roberts broke the feeder dominance returning a pole/carp return of 43.10.0 off Dragonfly 9. Opting for 13 metres into the deeper water specimens fell to 7.0.0. on the maggot.
River ace Kevin Weighell showed he's just as dangerous on still waters, winning Sunday's open with 51.13.0.
The RSPS regular drew well, picking out form peg 22 on Skylark. Blockend feeder and single maggot accounted for a steady succession of small carp, holding off Cliff Dawson of York Tackle on the adjacent peg 23 with 46.12.0.
Round up: Durham City Fox Memorial: R. Wear Durham 1. G. Fox Durham 4.9.0. 2. K. Jackson Durham 1.10.0. 3. T. Richardson Newcastle 1.8.0. Carpvale Pool Moor Monkton Sunday Open: 1. S. Wilson (Hirst Tackle) 13.4.0. 2. L. Possey (Leeds) 10.8.0. 3. M.
Addinall (Dick Clegg Bradford) 10.2.0.
Woodland Lakes Sunday Extra: 1 D. Taylor (Map Elton 54.1.0. 2. P. Starbuck (Leeds) 23.14.0. 3. T. Kenny (Castleford) 23.5.0.
Raker Lakes Sunday Open: 1. A. Martindale (Tang Hall Match Group) 6.2.0. 2. A. Geldard (Anglers World) 4.13.0. 3. M. Herrington (Headingley Angling Centre) 4.8.0.
TROUT NEWS: It was tough going for trout anglers on Derwent Reservior - 67 visitors managed 100 fish up to 2.8.0. Legered worm and well sunk lures working best.
The venue to be restocked with rainbows up to 15.0.0.
Ken Webster of Newcastle and Brompton on Swale's Roy Pickard both landed rainbows of 10.4.0. from Redworth's Jubilee Lakes. This water remains open during the winter months and boasted a four-fish rod average last week.
Bloodworm, lime green buzzer, sunken daddies and white lures fished deep most successful.
FIXTURES: Saturday 17 Nov. Woodland Lakes Open Tickets on 01845 526110.Sunday: Calder League (5) R. Calder Brighouse. Ripon Piscatorials Open 80 pegs R. Ure. Tickets on 01765 605467. N.E Winter League (5) lower Tees Yarm. Woodland Lakes Open. Thirsk Winter Series Cod Beck. Tadcaster APA Open 60 pegs R. Wharfe Smaws Ings. Tickets 01937 832972
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