As the foot and mouth crisis deepens York Amalgamation events are still open.

But anglers are being urged to use their discretion and try to avoid venues close to farmland. Likely sites are Beningbrough Park, Red House, Howsham Hall and Claxton Park.

Before the current crisis the Acomb Tackle York Winter League saw 120 anglers vie for honours on a cold and clear River Ouse below York on Sunday.

Given the conditions it came as a big shock that skimmers made up most of the weights in the top end of the frame.

The end three pegs on the Bridge Field at Bishopthorpe, possibly three of the deepest pegs on the river, took three of the top four places.

Mark Collier (Acomb Tackle) led from 118, three pegs from the bottom, where he fished a groundbait feeder with double red maggot. A dozen skimmers graced his net for a level 9lb.

At the next peg downstream Keith Ellerby (Bogeymen) had a similar catch of 5lb6oz to tie with Tony Marshall (Wibsey) who took three skimmers and some roach on a feeder from Middlethorpe Bend.

Others: Alan Watkinson (Anglers Corner) 5-2-0, Paul Shipley (Bishopthorpe and Acaster 'A') and Kev Harton (Anglers Corner) both 3-1-0.

Teams: Acomb Tackle 11-4-8, Wibsey 10-3-0Mitre 9-1-0, Anglers Corner 8-13-0, Bogeymen 7-15-8.

League: Bar Six 70, Wibsey 56, Mitre 54, Barlby Village Stores 52, Railway Institute 50.

The match record fell at Raker Lakes in a remarkable 19-pegger on Sunday.

The previous best of 94lb was eclipsed despite water temperatures hovering close to zero.

Rick Johnson (Leeds) pulled out form peg 21 and with the other flier 22 vacant set about compiling his historic haul.

Fishing pole and maggot at 14 metres he offered single maggot six inches of the bottom tempting a superb total of 30 carp for 110lb8oz.

Others: Jim Pearson (JT Rogers) 29-10-0, Frank Johnson (Farsley) 16-6-0, Eddie Preston (Leeds) 13-13-0.

Only one fish was caught among the 18 anglers on the Ure at Boroughbridge.

Unfortunately it was a pike that didn't count. Several anglers meanwhile did own up to missing bites, which proved costly.

A field of 51 endured a grueller on the Wharfe at Smaws Ings, where only eight anglers managed to trouble their nets.

Glen Jewitt (Tadcaster) led from peg 82 above the viaduct where his only bite of the day proved to be a match winning pike of 6lb1oz. The surprise snapper fell to bomb and maggot. Nigel Ripley (Big Waters) worked hard from peg 79 where he took 22 dace on waggler and maggot for his 4lb4oz4dr.

Others: Mick Wheelhouse (Tadcaster) 2-1-8, Ian Exley (Middy Teams Dons )1-8-8, Martin Craig (Big Waters) 1-5-8.

Half of the 45-peg Bob.Co Tackle match had to be moved from Widdington to Hunters Lodge because of double booking.

Those drawn at Hunters were not complaining as all the top weights came off the bungalows' section.

Dave Pollitt (Hirst Tackle) was on 219, where he fished maggot with the long rod for 70 roach and 10lb11oz.

At the next peg downstream Jack Bryan (East End Park) chose to fish for bream on the feeder but still took enough roach for second. His five fish scaled in at 4lb1oz

Others: John Cryowski (Armley Angling) 3-15-0, Ian Bates (Hirst Tackle) 3-10-0, Steve Smith (Marsh Tackle) 3-9-8, Bob Ramshaw (Armley Angling) 3-3-8.

Updated: 12:27 Wednesday, February 28, 2001