Few surprises in winter angling league as Bridgefield pegs lead low-scoring return (From York Press)

Few surprises in winter angling league as Bridgefield pegs lead low-scoring return

10:49am Friday 14th January 2011 in Angling By Darren Starkey

It may not have been in the best of form at the weekend but the Yorkshire Ouse did at least entertain three 50-plus peg contests as the return of overnight frosts saw the still water match calendar decimated yet again.

Downstream of York, the river hosted round three of the Acomb Tackle York Winter League.

After the previous two rounds were lost to flooding and then ice, the opener provided few surprises as pegs in the Bridgefield at Bishopthorpe dominated.

Wayne Shilltoe (Cochranes) led six pegs from the bottom with a three-bream haul for a level 10lb.

At the peg upstream, Dean Smith (Angler’s World Holidays) netted a slab and a skimmer on the same tactics for a 5lb 14oz finish.

Top weight away from the prolific deep water section at Bishopthorpe was taken by Phil Austin (Barlby Village Stores) from the peg above the road bridge on the Donkey Woods.

Fishing a feeder in conjunction with lob worms, he netted a quartet of roach for 1lb 7oz.

A change to using points rather than weight to decide the team event played into the hands of Angler’s World Holidays, who took the day with a consistent 34-point tally.

Further upstream, Leeds Waters hosted Kamasan qualifiers on both days.

On Saturday, the opening round of the Riverside Financial Services League saw Jim Carter (Barlby Village Stores) take full advantage of end-peg 295 at Linton, where his feeder-and-maggot attack in mid-river found him three skimmers and a dozen roach for a level 5lb.

Dennis White (Barnsley Blacks) continued his brilliant season, taking 4lb 9oz of roach on pole and maggot in 20 feet of water from peg 53 at Widdington.

The following day, the first leg of the Leeds Winter Series found the river having risen three feet overnight.

Despite the adverse conditions, Andy Bradley (Mirfield) netted a respectable 5lb 15oz of roach and skimmers on a maggot feeder from peg 252 at Linton. It was a modest weight but he still pocketed a sizeable £250 winner’s purse.

Match bookings

Saturday
No bookings.

Sunday
No bookings.

Saturday, January 22
No bookings.

Sunday, January 23
Donkey Woods, Fulford, Palace Ings: York & District Winter League.