Angling: Beating the weather is a big task; COARSE ANGLING.

Byline: DAVID HALL

WHAT a mixed week for weather.

First snow on Monday then severe rain followed by gales in 57 mph gusts - and all this while the air temperature has been unusually mild.

Obviously a lot of anglers have been hampered by weather but the more southerly day ticket waters such as Green Lane and Middleton StGeorge Water Park Lakes have been giving some fun with "bits" making up the numbers, while Eden Meadows and Silksworth have still yielded carp.

On Lookout Lake, Ian Webster fishing peg 29 took 24 carp mainly on the pole, while season ticket-holder Ian Dixon - targeting carp on meat - took 21 carp to 7lb, while Chris Abbott accounted for some goodsized Rudd and Roach on pellet.

Choosing the correct peg in almost sheltered conditions has proved successful for Adam Johnson, whose first visit to Bassetts pond saw him catch 46 fish including carp to 4lb 9oz, rudd, roach, ide, and skimmers mainly to maggot.

Scots match ace Ewan Weed won the Open on Loch Ken for the second week running, recording 14lb 7oz of skimmers and roach.

Peter Close won Sunday's open on Woodlands with 30lb 2oz of carp to 3lb, while on The Oaks, Mal Bailey found a similar sized carp, a catch that saw him win with 43lb 7oz.

Sunday's Open on The Angel was won by Eddie Hern with a terrific catch of 67lb 14oz ahead of Dave Foster with 29lb 3oz, and junior angler Anthony Longstaff, third with 28lb 13oz. Blyth AC restocked their Meggies Burn fishery this week, putting in 400 10in ide, and 200 10in skimmers into the water where the club has also started work in renewing all of the 18 pegs.

The go-ahead club now has two entrances to their new water that are now on ramps to assist access for disabled anglers, and there is a new path laid all around the pond too.

Anyone interested in joining the club should contact club secretary Bill Martin on 01670 546725, or via email at [e-mail] Some greatnews for coarse anglers, Carlisle Angling Association has agreed to extend the river fishing on the city waters of the Eden until March 14, 2008.

In the past the Eden coarse season has been ridiculously short and often fell foul of the weather, but now this move will encourage anglers to enjoy the first-class grayling sport that is to be had on the river, as well as appealing to chub fans.

DAVID HALL

[phone]

[e-mail]

DIARY DATES

S U N DAY: The Last ACA Pike Qualifier match takes place on Longtown West, with the draw taking place at 9 am. To book, ring Chris on 01228-674519.

CADCAC's final Winter League Match on Lonsdale goes ahead while Durham City AC fish a match over the Rose Tree-Shincliffe/Maiden Castle stretches, contact Tony Watson, DCAC match secretary on 07776123550 to book. Yarm AA host their Mike Grange Memorial Match on the Tees while Scotts Coarse AC have a work party arranged at their Swan Pond fishery near Melrose at 10am, with all members welcome. There are stillwater Opens scheduled on The Oaks, Woodlands, The Angel, Carp Vale and Raker Lakes T U E S DAY: The Darlington and County Durham branch of the PAC holds their monthly get together in the Coxhoe CIU club.

WEDNESDAY: There are midweek Open matches on both Woodlands and The Angel while Wansbeck and Cramlington AC hold a club meeting in Cramlington CIU Club.

THURSDAY: There is Open on The Oaks at Sessay.