The region's carp lakes once again demonstrate that the North-East is up with the best in the country now with consistent big weights from all venues, writes JEFF HERBERT.

The Woodland Lakes hit the spotlight on Saturday when Team Mosella's Lee Barrett recorded a stunning 80.3.0 during an action packed Open when 30.0.0 only proved good enough for 35th place on the scoresheet.

Staged on Dragonfly, Mallard, Partridge, Skylark and Swallow the event attracted 87 rods to the complex and Lee pulled out Partridge 13 and promptly went out to 15 metres on the pole. Fishing shallow on the pellet carp were soon rising for the offerings as he netted a constant flow of specimens to 5.0.0.

In contrast runner up Lance Roberts fished hard on the bottom using cat meat. Sat 3 pegs away on Partridge 16 another long pole performance brought a similar supply of carp for the Elton Tackle man weighing in 69-2-0 at the scales.

Others in the frame: D Taylor (Map Elton) 59.14.0; S Rodgers (Robin Hood) 57.7.0; D Parrington (Cleveland Angling Centre) 55.4.0.

For Wednesday's Open at Carlton Miniott cold wind and bursts of hailstones didn't prevent the carp from showing and 35.8.0 was needed to win even the worst section.

Outward Angling Centre's Rob Morley led three 50+ weights. An inside approach at 6 metres off the consistent Partridge Lake worked a treat as peg 27 delivered a super all carp haul of 57.4.0.

Newman Scott's stalwart Bill Blythe finished just behind bagging a level 55.0.0. Working two lines on Mallard 2 quality carp up to 7.0.0 fell to corn and meat both out to the island and in the margins from Map Elton's John McGarrell with 52.14.0.

League leaders Pole Ninjas stormed ahead when Paul Taylor and Dean Smith produced the goods yet again during the 4th round of the Teesside Lake on Sessay's Maple Lake.

Staked on peg 23 Paul opting for the long pole at 13 metres utilised cat meat across to the far ledge catching small carp for a net of 45.13.0.

Dean replied off peg 62 adopting the same tactics to take 38.11.0 off carp beating Team Oaks Gary Pawlett on 37.4.0.

Top three teams on the day: 1 Pole Ninjas 55 pts; 2 Pole Pullers 56; 3 Team Oaks 49.

Overall to date: 1 Pole Ninjas 213 pts; 2 Team Oaks 205; 3 Pole Pullers 190.

Meanwhile Thursday's Open at the Oaks saw owners son Tom Kay put his local knowledge to good use scoring a convincing 54.5.0 win off Maple Lake.

Pulling out peg 17, small carp to the pound mark made up his net which responded to pellet worked across on the pole at 13 metres.

Next best Kevin Armitage of Team Glum located a better quality of fish tempting carp to 5.0.0 on cat meat at 11 metres off peg 24 for 41.11.0 from Dean Smith Map Elton trailing on 40.6.0.

Oaks Sunday Open - Alders and Poplars Lakes (49 rods): 1 P O'Malley (VDE Goole) 35.8.0 of carp to pole & pellet off peg 9 Alders; 2 I Exelby (Middy Team Dons) 33.8.0; 3 P Rambow Snr (Cleveland Angling Centre)33.4.0.

It was the eight round of the Abu Spring Series at Carpvale Fishery Moor Monkton on Sunday. Acomb's John Haw took an early carp on the method feeder across to the island off Cyprio but then his bites dried up. A swift change of tactic proved critical as feeding corn down the nearside next to the landing stage brought nine carp - best 7.0.0 - on the pole to ensure the spoils with 39.0.0.

For East End Park's Bernard Guy a pole attack at 14 metres to the features off peg one resulted in a mixed bag of carp tench bream and chub alternating between corn meat and worm on the hook for 31.8.0 from M Eadley (Leeds) 29.0.0 D Madison (York) 22.2.0 & T Hewson (Armley) 20.6.0.

A bonus carp of 5.0.0 steered Washington's Ralph Naylor to victory during the third round of the City of Sunderland Teams of four Championships on Silksworth Lake.

Drawn on peg 2 pole at 10 metres with maggot over groundbait attracted roach skimmers and gudgeon along with the all important carp coming to feeder for 11.5.0.

Fellow rod John Foster ensured team victory filling second place when he netted 8.0.0 of skimmers to feeder and worm approach off peg 25.

Top three teams on the day: 1 Washington & Harraton 21 pts; 2 Big Waters 18; 3 Darlington AC 'B' 17.

Overall placings: 1 Big Waters Blue 61 pts; 2 Darlington AC 'A' 56; 3 Darlington AC 'B' 55.

Raker Lakes Wheldrake - Horseshoe Lake: 1 Kevin Worth (Castleford) 42.9.0; 2 Norman Dickson (Anglers Corner York) 34.9.0; 3 J Ferguson (Preston Innovations) 30.9.0.

Trout News

The 2002 Theakston's Fly Fishing Trophy got underway with the 1st qualifying round on Masham's Leighton Reservoir going to Darlington's Charlie Newton taking four rainbow trout totalling 18.0.0.

Pleasure anglers catching all round the reservoir on wet and dry flies. D Lee from York grassed the best rainbow of 6.0.0 as 121 visitors recorded 435 trout.

There were four double figured rainbows landed from Jubilee Lakes last week - the heaviest of 13.12.0 went to Darren Juer from Shildon on a black zonker.

Others: Darren Urwin (Morpeth) 12.9.0 cats whisker; Janet Briggs (Esh Winning) 10.15.0 olive buzzer; Ted Addison (Darlington) 10.10.0 Dawsons olive.

Generally, an excellent week's fishing despite strong winds at times.

Black buzzers, bloodworm, Dawsons olive and damsels accounting for most trout however dry flies more effective towards dusk. Rods averaging 5.4.

Fixtures

Tomorrow: *Woodland Lakes Open - Tickets 01845 526110.

Sunday: *Darlington BT AA Knockout Cup - Lane Fox, Snipe & Willowgarth Ponds. *City of Sunderland Teams of 4 Championships Round 4 Silksworth Lake. *Abu Spring Series Round 9 Carpvale Pool at Moor Monkton - Tickets 01904 738249. *Oaks Sessay Open Maple Lake - Tickets on 01132 782168. *Raker Open Horseshoe Lake - Tickets on 01904 608377.

Tuesday, May 14: *Middlesbrough AC Hutton Rudby Ponds Series (2).

Wednesday, May 15: *Woodland Lakes Open. *Carpvale Lakes Open.

Thursday, May 16: *16 + 17 Embassy Pairs Final - Riba Spain Roja Reservoir & River Ebro. *Oaks Open 65 pegs - Tickets on 01423 883270.