As predicted the weekend's premier event, the Acomb Tackle York Winter League, fell foul of the floods.

Although fishable by Sunday the river levels were too high to allow the event being pegged on Saturday afternoon. The spare match date of March 9 may now have to be used.

Despite the flooding, a few hardy souls braved the conditions further upstream, where levels had fallen sufficiently to allow anglers to battle across the flooded Ings.

Martyn Highe (Hirst Tackle) started a weekend double on a flooded Ouse at Thorpe Underwood.

With the river still six feet above normal level it was the relative shelter afforded by pegs in the top field that produced most of the fish.

Highe's net of 2lb 6oz consisted of ten roach that fell to legered lob worm from peg ten at the bottom of the bend.

Travelling partner Dave Pollitt (Hirst Tackle) was also in the top field at peg two and used the same tactics as his mate for six roach and an eel scaling 1lb 14oz.

0thers: Dave Miles (Marsh Tackle) 1-8-8; Bob Ramshaw (Armley Angling) 1-7-0; Andy Miller (Wibsey Angling) 1-1-0.

It was that man again on Sunday in the Marsh Tackle Winter League.

Although the Ouse at Linton had fallen to a more manageable level it was still the lobby that proved the bait to be on.

Highe compiled his winning net of 2lb 3oz taking eight roach on bomb and lob worm from peg 187 below the willow garth at Hunters Lodge.

Craig Turbitt (Wibsey Angling) took second place from 284 in the bottom paddock at Linton with 1lb 15oz. His bomb and worm offering found favour with three roach and an eel.

Others: Stuart Wilson (Armley Angling) and Keith Mitchell (Selby) both 1-10-0; Dave Pollit (Hirst Tackle) 1-9-0; Andy Miller (Wibsey Angling) 1-4-4.

Despite carrying over a foot of extra water, the 65-entry Ripon Open went ahead on the streamy water sections of the River Ure as planned.

Although there were no big weights a tight contest ensued with pleasing numbers of grayling and dace showing in addition to the ubiquitous chub.

Venue expert Steve Hodson (RSPS Tekneek Trabucco) bounced back from the recent theft of his tackle to take top spot from peg 207 in Simpsons Field. Working his own bank with a cage feeder and bread he took a decent chub early on the flake before switching to red maggot for three smaller chub and three grayling.

His final net weighed in at 11-3-0. Stuart Holt (Guiseley Angling) was opposite Myer's hole and had four chub on bread feeder plus half a dozen grayling on stick float and maggot for 10lb 12oz. Ray Gilby (Ripon) included three fine grayling, plus a chub of 5lb 2oz all taken on stick float and wasp grub from peg 201 in his 10-6-0.

Others: Dave Owen (Knaresborough) 9-15-0; Steve Evans (Bentley Angling Centre) 9-12-0; Nick Smith (Airborough) 8-12-0.

On a tough day at the Oaks, it was the odd better fish that made all the difference in 29-entry on Maple Lake. John Clarke (Shadwell) led from the fancied end peg 62a.

Offering pole and corn tight to the corner at 13 metres he took three small carp before a bonus 8lb mirror pushed his net to a winning 11lb 9oz. John Kenning (Snaith) took second with a 10lb 12oz net to pole and maggot down the track at peg 29. He included plenty of pasties but also had a fish of 6lb to help out.

Others: Ian Bowman (Maver Barnsley Blacks) 7-8-0; Stef Armitage (Team Glum) 7-0-0.

Updated: 10:22 Wednesday, January 08, 2003