RSPS Tek Neek Trabucco star Ken Close signed off the Coarse Fishing season in fine style during Middlesbrough AC's Last Day Open on the middle reaches of the Swale between Gatenby to Baldersby.

Attracting 64 rods to the riverbank Ken drew at Gatenby on Stubthorn bend and weighed in 25.0.0.

Floatfishing a 4AA Avon in 8ft of water along far bank willow cover Ken netted an early chub but after that he suffered a barren spell and he had to wait 90 mins before relocating the shoal and adding 6 more at intervals for a victory worth £226.

The noted Wiskemouth peg produced for Aireborough's Derek Emsley filling second place with a catch of 23.0.0.

Derek's first chub fell to far bank bomb and bread approach but it was the stickfloat line with maggot and caster that attracted the rest of his catch to finish with seven in the net.

Others: P Werrett (Bradford) 19.2.0; T Morgan (Marsh Tackle) 14.4.0; J Leyland (RSPS Tek Neek Trabucco) 13.14.0.

The deadly floating pole decided the latest Raker Open on Horseshoe Lake when Headingley Angling Centre's Neil Horne went across at 19m.

Offering corn off peg 22, the carp were in a feeding mood and Neil took samples between three to 4.0.0 on his way to 37.12.0.

In total contrast Norman Dickson of Anglers Corner targeted a nearside bush to the right of peg nine.

A margin pole rig and bread flake on the hook got amongst the carp taming specimens to 8.8.8 for 25.4.0.

Catches were exceptional for the opening round of the York Tackle Spring Series held on Wheldrake's Poole Bridge Farm fishery with a string of roach and skimmer bream nets.

Steve Brand pegged in the old pond sat for two hours without any action and victory was the last thing on his mind but eventually patience paid off and finally the fish switched on.

Working the pole at 11m over chopped worm roach up to 12ozs and skimmer bream up to 10ozs made up a terrific winning net of 19.7.0 for the York Tackle angler.

Teammate Karl Midhage opted for a shallow approach. Fishing maggot on the pole at 9m resulted in all roach totalling 14.1.0 from K Wallace 12.15.0 and D Featherstone 12.12.0.

Woodland Lakes, Wednesday's Match - all eight match lakes (63 rods): 1 A Gregory (Elton Tackle) 31.12.0 Kestrel 10 carp & tench bomb and corn; 2 K Mitchell (Selby, 21.2.0) 3 G Grundy (Thorne MG) 20.1.0.

There was a tremendous line up at the complex for Saturday's regular slot spread around the eight match lakes and with the rivers now closed till June 16 places will be at a premium from now on.

Sport was as good as ever and the top trio put 40lbs+ onto the scales from red hot Curlew Lake.

Map Elton's Andy Bridge pulled out peg 11 and was soon into quality carp.

On the long pole and corn he brought out fish up to the 3.0.0 mark for a great winning haul of 48.7.0.

Sunday's Match - Curlew Partridge Skylark & Wagtail (88 pegs): 1 S Newbury (Darlington) 37.3.0 Skylark 25 all carp on pole & sweetcorn; 2 M Coyne (Map Elton) 29.6.0; 3 P Rambow Jnr (CAC) 28.12.0.

Oaks Sessay, Thursday's Open Maple Lake: 1 I Exley (Middy Team Dons) 34.10.0; 2 D Smith (Map Elton) 28.11.0; 3 S Crossley (Dewsbury) 28.4.0.

It was a bumper payday for Chris Hawkes on Sunday at the Oaks. Pulling out jackpot peg ten on Maple Lake worth £400 the Cleveland Angling Centre man enjoyed a dream match. Pole fishing corn down the side carp to 3.0.0 obliged making up 38.13.0 and earning the delighted tackle dealer over £500.

Hot on the winner's heels Stuart Turner of Merlin Baits returned 37.6.0.

Locating a better stamp of carp off 59 he landed specimens to 6.0.0 going across at 13m on both corn and pellet hookbaits.

Frosts affected Moor Monkton's Carpvale Fishery for the opening round of the Red Lion Series on the Match Lake and weights were down on this normally prolific venue.

Trout News

Leighton Reservoir near Masham produced good sport during the opening fortnight. B Buttress of Harrogate grassed the best rainbow of 8.0.0 but in cold conditions anglers have had to work for their fish. 118 rods landed 305 fish. Best flies orange and yellow fritz, Cat's whisker and Dawson's olive.

Redworth's Jubilee Lakes keeping up its excellent reputation for big rainbows with five doubles taken last week.

Carl Robson of Bishop Auckland grassed a tremendous fish of 17.12.0 on an orange and lime fritz while a white lure tempted a specimen of 16.6.0 for Mark Atkinson of Felling.

Black buzzers are proving most effective late in the day. A rod average of three fish.

Tunstall Reservoir opens tomorrow. Day tickets are £15 (six fish limit) with evenings £10 (four fish limit) and boats available. For further details and bookings Tel: 07787917329.

Fixtures

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

Sunday: *Northallerton & District AC Work Party Carthorpe Pond, meet 9am. *Thornaby AA Trout cup River Tees Croft. *Woodland Lakes Open. *Oaks Sessay Open Maple Lake. *Red Lion Spring Series (Round 2) Carpvale Fishery Moor Monkton. *Broken Brea Open