A SELL-OUT field is expected to compete for the usual large array of prizes in the York Amalgamtion annual Christmas Cheer contest on Sunday.

The Ouse below York is the venue this year, which should at least ensure that anglers have to catch a fish to win a prize.

Pegs on the Donkey Woods sand-bed have been in hot form of late and will be the favoured draw providing the river is not in flood.

If the water is coloured then bream will come to the fore and any peg with depth and steady water could produce. The Paddock and the Pumper at Fulford are both favoured flood-water areas.

Anglers can shake off the festive cobwebs thanks to Norman Dixon at the Langwith Lakes complex near Heslington, York. He has decided to organise a festive contest on Monday, December 27 and tickets are selling fast.

That's not surprising as the fish are still feeding well with 85lb needed to win a recent club contest on his Lake.

Tickets are priced £12 all-in and can be booked from Dixon on 07969 522402 or 01904 431874

The venue has been in great form in recent days with 85lb needed to win a club contest there last weekend. Caster fished down the track was the winning tactic.

Over at the Willows some big catfish are putting in an appearance on the Ridgepool.

More of the catfish are lost than landed by anglers using light match tackle. Trevor Bailey, from Acomb, is showed with a 16lb catfish he did well to land after battling with it for nearly 20 minutes on just 2lb line a size 20 hook.

The fish was caught in a recent Bob-Co match and was landed on pole and maggot from peg 15.

WEEKEND BOOKINGS

Tomorrow: Claxton Pond - Star AC. Sunday: All water below York - YDA of A Christmas Cheer Match.

Updated: 11:28 Friday, December 10, 2004