THE Yorkshire Winter League begins this weekend when the first round is contested on the River Aire around Beal, near Selby.

A highly competitive series is predicted with York-based anglers likely to figure in a number of the top teams.

The river has been in good form for roach recently and should produce some good catches. The exposed nature of the venue renders it susceptible to the elements and the recent strong winds may hamper matters if they do not abate.

Float tactics will no doubt be to the fore, fished either on a long rod or the pole, with maggot or caster both scoring well for the local red-fins.

Anglers' World Holidays will be looking to defend their crown while Hirst Tackle and Waterline Wibsey will be seeking every opportunity to dethrone the holders.

Roach have also been feeding well on York-area rivers now they have become acclimatised to the onset of autumn.

Several good catches have been taken from the Ouse below York with double figure bags on waggler and caster from the Donkey Woods sand and pole-fished maggot from the bottom of the Palace Ings section.

Another safe bet for roach is the River Foss, where some quality fish have fallen to bread punch and caster from the stretches along Huntington and Navigation roads.

The Derwent at Sutton has also been giving up its silver residents in good numbers with some big perch also in evidence. One angler had three big stripeys over 2lbs last week on legered worm from a peg upstream of the bridge.

Weekend match bookings on York waters are focused below the City where Railway Institute tackle the Donkey Woods section on Saturday. The following day the same venue plays host to Clifton Hotel while opposite them Bishopthorpe and Acaster are in attendance on the Fulford and Palace Ings sections.

Owner Paul Gallagher won his own Tuesday open at the Willows this week from peg 14 on Ridgepool with a level 26lb.

In testing conditions he fished at 14 metres to the island where he sprayed maggots to draw the fish up in the water.

Chub and ide both responded for his winning net. Close behind was Chris Kitchin who fell 4oz short on peg 26 where he found chub, barbel and carp to 4lb by alternating maggot and meat.

Weekend Bookings

Saturday - Beningbrough Park, Star AC; Donkey Woods, Railway Institute; Laybourne Lakes (Browns), GPO.

Sunday - Donkey Woods, Clifton Hotel; Fulford/Palace Ings, Bishopthorpe and Acaster; Howsham Hall, Sea Horse; Poppleton, Poppleton Rovers; Tockwith (A&B sections), Pudsey Royal.

Updated: 10:50 Friday, September 30, 2005