Angling News

The Middlesbrough based squad for once enjoyed home advantage as the Angling Times Northern semi-final came to the region for the first time.

A dozen of the north's top outfits battled it out on Carlton Miniott's Woodland complex split between Dragonfly, Kestrel, Mallard, Partridge, Skylark and Swallow lakes with the top three sides qualifying for the grand final on the River Nene in Peterborough.

Favourites Maver Barnsley Blacks made no mistake from a fancied draw and despite one of their 12 anglers suffering a blank, won on the day with 60 points.

Newman Scotts 'golden 12' all weighed in accruing 64 points and taking second place with a superior section score from third and final qualifiers Dick Clegg Lifestyle also on 64 pts.

Shock of the day was Diawa Goldthorpe's failure to reach the final. Following weeks of practise and several successes in the many opens staged during March and April leading up to the big day, they slipped into 5th place with 77 points.

To top a near perfect day individual honours went to Newman Scott's Steve Russell who recorded 48.0.0.

On Partridge lake's peg 18 Steve adopted the long pole approach into the corner utilising corn on the hook. Small carp just kept on coming and the delighted angler found himself a runaway victor.

Other competitors: Mick Hargreaves (Little Lever) 28.4.0; Dave Brooks Jnr. (Hull & District) 27.15.0; Paul Cannon (Hull & District) 26.6.0; Steve Toone (Angling Man) 22.14.0; Bob Clarke (Dick Clegg Lifestyle) 22.9.0.

The midweeker at Woodlands proved an instant sell out as competitors anticipated a carp bonanza off the famed big weight island filled lakes of Dragonfly, Mallard and Swallow.

Despite cold water temperatures the top duo shared an incredible 103.13.0 and an unbelievable 1oz decided who framed first.

Regular Adam Jaffier of Map Elton edged out Barnsley legend Keith Hobson bagging 51.15.0.

Mallard 14 produced as Adam went right across to the island on 16 metres of pole. Alternating corn and maggot carp tench chub and bream responded backed by lots of small fish - best 4.0.0.

Keith on Swallow 12 fished an almost identical match over to the side catching mainly carp and a few tench for 51.14.0.

The Oaks Maple Lake at Sessay is fast proving to be a very popular choice and Sunday's open was well attended by 64 rods and virtually everyone took double figures.

Small carp fed avidly and Stef Armitage of the Oaks had the most off peg 27.

Long pole over to the farside resulted in non-stop action. Feeding corn and maggot Stef weighed in a super net of 31.3.0.

Others: R. Ogilvy (Oaks) 27.8.0. R. Taylor (Map Elton) 24.11.0. G. Layton (North Ormesby Inst.) 24.10.0.

It was like history repeating itself at Carpvale Pool during the Abu Spring Series (6) when Army angler Steve Bowyer did the double - even the heavy rain couldn't dampen his spirits.

Steve incredibly pulled out the same peg no 22 that he'd won off last week and promptly won again. Switching between various hookbaits such as corn maggot and meat had the desired effect. The pole at 14 metres accounted for ten carp for 28.14.0.

Others: S. Willis (Armley Angling) 23.14.0. J. Clarke (Leeds) 22.11.0.

Thanks to a bonus carp Sunderland's Norman Laing grabbed the result during round three of the Sunderland Teams of 4 Series on Silksworth Lake.

Norman working the feeder and maggot off peg four located the all important specimen of 6.4.0 near the island boosting the rest of his net picking up tiny gudgeon to finish ahead on 6.14.8.

Meanwhile Darlington B's Andy Dargue had more fish but relied on skimmers and roach totalling 6.7.0. Casting into open water feeder & maggot once again delivered.

Team results on the day: 1. Darlington B 30 points and tying Darlington A and Big Waters Red 28.

Overall: Darlington B 56, Dick Clegg Metro 52.

Other results - Washington & Harraton John Field Cup - James Steele Park: 1st E. Bridon (Darlington) 13.11.0; 2nd S. Scorer (Harraton) 11.10.0; 3rd D. Aspery (Sunderland) 9.8.0.

Harrogate & Claro Open Lingerfield Gravels: 1st S. Proctor (Claro) 4.8.0; 2nd F. Rowley (Claro) 3.8.0; 3rd D. Higgins (Claro) 2.14.0.

Raker Lakes Open - Horseshoe Lake Wheldrake: 1st J. Cosgrove (Anglers Corner) 24.5.0; 2nd W. Lazenby (Hull) 21.15.0; 3rd D. Geldart (Boston Spa) 20.2.0.

Carpvale Pool Wed Open: 1st D. Spence (Leeds) 53.8.0; 2nd L. Swain (York) 33.6.0; 3rd B. Guy (East End WMC) 32.4.0.

With the uncertainty surrounding forthcoming fixtures due to foot-and-mouth, Darlington Brown Trout AA have announced the Snipe and Lane Fox Ponds are open for fishing and the club's match fixtures which are definitely going ahead. They are, as follows:

*Knock-out Cup, Sunday, May 13. Snipe & Lane Fox Ponds.

*Jnr. Cup, Saturday, June 2, Snipe Lane Pond.

*Brother George Charity, Sunday, June 10, Snipe and Lane Fox Ponds.

*Pairs Shield, Saturday, June 23, Snipe and Lane Fox Ponds.

*Jnr. Pairs Trophy, Thursday, July 5, Snipe Lane Pond. Bookings and further details from Roy Cloke on (01325) 269860.

Latest information from Ferryhill & District Angling Club is that following discussions with MAFF, the Environment Agency and Durham County Council, all the club's waters will remain closed to eliminate confusion in the foreseeable future until foot-and-mouth gets the all clear.

Trout Fishing: Redworth's Jubilee Lakes continues to offer some outstanding rainbow trout and Alan Corps of Wingate Co. Durham grassed a splendid 15 pounder last week falling to a white cactus goldhead.

Black buzzers, damsels, and bloodworm most productive. Telephone: (01388) 772611.

Fixtures - Tommorrow: *Woodland Lakes Open - Tickets on 01845 526110.

Sunday: *Teesside Friendly League Round 4 Maple Lake Sessay (65 pegs); *Broken Brea Open (45 pegs) Tickets on 07711 / 277248; *Oaks Sessay Open (55 pegs) Poplars Lake Tickets on 01132 / 614090; *Harrogate & Claro Open Lingerfield Gravels. Tickets on 01423 862385; Shotton & District AC Open (4) Shotton Pond Tickets on 01429 837063; Abu Spring Series at Carpvale Pool Moor Monkton (40 pegs) Tickets on 01904 738249