Dean Smith (Garbolino Elton) topped the latest York Open at the Laybourne complex.

After pulling out hot peg 46 the result was never in doubt for the former matchman of the year. Working the far shelf with pellet fished two feet deep, he tempted 37 carp for 59lb 4oz.

Close by was winner of the previous contest, Ray Kaye, who continued his good run of form with a second-placed bag of 42lb 10z.

Earlier, York Veterans enjoyed good sport. Mick Dodd won the under-70s contest with 29lb 14oz, while Dave Findlay topped the more experienced category with a fine net of 27lb14oz.

On a weekend that saw torrential rain lash the North-East, remarkably the two best catches were taken by anglers fishing up in the water.

Steve Shepherd (Acomb Tackle) stormed to victory amid the maelstrom at Carpvale more than doubling the weight of the next angler.

Drawn on peg one on Cyprio Lake, he hauled out 25 carp for an impressive 96lb 6oz. Offering floating baits tight to the island cover at 14 metres, he alternated bread, dog biscuits and floating pellets to keep the fish coming throughout a wet and miserable afternoon at the Nun Monkton complex.

Ian Walker (Boston Spa) upset the form-book at the Willows.

While most anglers targeted the carp on the deck, he sprayed casters at peg eight on the Ridge Pool and soon had chub and ide boiling under the surface despite the winter-like conditions.

His stunning silver fish net of 80lb 6oz put him well clear of Graham Boardley (Bob-Co Tackle), who had a more expected carp net of 62lb 8oz taken on pole and meat from peg 45 on Goldrush.

Young Tom Hodson has got the measure of Oaktree Leisure at the moment.

His victory from Pond Four at the North Yorkshire complex on Sunday was his third in succession. Fishing corn at 11 metres from peg nine, he bagged 36lb 8oz of carp to 6lb along with the occasional bream and smaller silver fish.

Acorn Lake at the Raker complex was in great form again this weekend when Jorvik were the visitors.

Nick Darling led from peg eight with 82lb 13oz. Fishing pellet at just four metres, he had carp to 8lb. Phil Blood took second from peg seven with another pellet-based net of 58lb 14oz.

Updated: 11:00 Wednesday, May 24, 2006