Before the return to normal April conditions during the last two days of the month anglers were reaping the rewards of the unseasonal hot weather.

Carp in particular are really on the move now with several venues reporting catches in excess of the magical ton.

A number of midweek anglers at Carpvale had catches that would have exceeded three figures had they been taken under match conditions. Bags of 25, 22 and 21 carp - given the current average size of fish in Cyprio Lake - would surely have done the business.

As discussed in last weekend's column floating baits will score but corn is the current top bait with meat a good back up. Head for pegs 12 to 15 for the really big catches.

The continuing warm weather means that the fish are really starting to wake up now at Paradise Fishery near Melbourne.

Simon Cramner Gordon reports that maggot fished on the drop on either pole or waggler will produce a fish a chuck.

Rudd and skimmers are the main target, while meat and pellet are sorting out the better fish.

John Horsley from York accounted for a fine pair of carp at around 6lb each. They and several tench to 3lb fell to pellet fished on the pole at five metres from Pond One.

Over on Pond Two the warmer weather has paid dividends with the carp prepared to take floating baits.

Several double-figure fish have fallen to floating crust and chum mixers this week, the best one weighing in at 12lb 4oz. Maggot fished in the margins is also accounting for some fine catches of mixed coarse fish.

The annual disappearance of roach from the Selby Canal does not necessarily sound like something to get excited about but the red fins' annual nuptial provide an unexpected bonus.

Each year as roach get down to some serious mating the venue's bream and skimmer population come out to play.

Pleasure anglers have been taking double figures in a couple of hours from the Selby and District length of the canal between Burn Bridge and Gateforth.

Start the session by cupping in some caster and chopped worm at the bottom the far ledge, around 13 metres on most pegs, and fish red maggot over the top.

Don't go too fine as the bream run to over 4lb and the lively hybrids will have you in the far side rushes before you know it. Pegs one to ten are good, but if you don't mind the walk 35 to 45 is the real hot spot at present.

The other length under Selby control between Brayton and Burn Bridges is due to have platforms installed in all 55 pegs by the summer making it one of the cosiest venues around.

Day tickets are £3 on the bank for both stretches or £2 if bought in advance from Selby Angling, Brook Street, Selby. A year book is a real snip at just a tenner with concessions half that price.

Current world champions, Drennan Team England, have been told they are expected to return from the European Championships in Belgium with another gold medal to add to their successes in 1998 in Portugal and in England two years ago.

To try and ensure the team returns with a gold medal, to add to the healthy haul of nine golds landed in all International events since 1984, coaches Mark Downes and Mark Addy have selected the same world-beating squad who snatched the top title in last year's world championships in France.

Announcing the 'no change team' Downes declared: "The European Championship is being staged on the Prince Albert Canal in Leige on June 29-30.

"This is a notoriously difficult venue where catching fish is at a premium. The canal is deep and we will focus on the bream and roach stocks."

Fellow England coach Addy said the team were keenly relishing the challenge, adding: "This team has a wealth of experience and we are all eagerly looking forward to competing on the tricky venue at the end of June."

The full Drennan Team England squad: Bob Nudd, Steve Gardner, Will Raison, Alan Scotthorne, Stuart Conroy and Shaun Ashby.

Updated: 12:05 Friday, May 03, 2002