PERCH were to the fore on a storm-ravaged River Wharfe at Smaws Ings as a field of 41 dodged the lightning.

Topping the Tadcaster open was Pete Lancaster (Glen) who fished the long rod with maggot and worm from peg 38 for his winning perch net that consisted of 6lb 8oz of fish to 10 ounces.

Jim Jordan (Armley Angling) was heading for an early bath after netting just two small perch from peg 56. His legered lob worm was picked up five minutes from the whistle by a 4lb chub that saw him overhaul travelling partner Bill Collier (Armley Angling) who was at the next peg. Jordan totalled 4lb 8oz, Collier 4lb 5oz.

Others: John Briggs (Tadcaster) 4-2-8, Geoff Wilmore (Armley Angling) 4-0-0.

The 46-entry for Ripon's Hemsley Cup found the River Ure running higher than normal with a few inches of murky floodwater.

The extra flow helped the fishing and most anglers had a chub or two. Venue expert Steve Hodson (RSPS) scored from an unfancied peg below the sewage works where, after a slow start, he began to tempt the chub with waggler and caster. At the finish he had 15 plus a 6lb barbel taken on bomb and maggot for his 40lb 13oz.

York's John Lillie took second place from a peg above Hewick Bridge where he fished a maggot feeder across for 10 chub and 23lb 8oz.

Others: Terry Morgan (Marsh Tackle) 19-10-0, Richard Sowerby (Knaresborough) 18-13-0, Steve Evans (Bentley Angling) 14-10-0, Paul Wood (Airborough) 14-4-0.

There were two more sell-outs at Woodlands where 67 anglers enjoyed better sport in warmer conditions last Wednesday.

Paul McBrinn (Normark) continued his excellent run with victory from peg 20 on Partridge. Fishing pole and pellet at seven metres he had all small carp for his 43lb 14oz.

Keith Kotchie (MAP Elton) fished meat at three metres on Skylark 30 for less but bigger fish and 41lb13oz of carp to 5lb.

Others: Derek Parrington (Cleveland Angling Centre) 39-10-0, Steve Fearnley (Normark) 38-4-0, Shaun Rogers (Robin Hood) 37-12-0, Gordon Poole (MAP Elton) 37-4-0.

By Saturday the water had cooled from heavy rains and the 71-field on Skylark and Partridge found it harder going.

John Chapman (Keenets NW) was an easy winner from peg 13 on Skylark where he fished cat meat at seven and 12 metres for his all carp bag of 50lb 4oz that contained fish to 5lb.

Meat also scored for John McGarill (MAP Elton) who stuck to an inside line on Skylark 21 for his carp bag of 36lb 11oz.

Others: Mick Phillips (MAP Elton) 35-0-0, Lee Brayshaw (MAP Elton) 34-10-0, Mick Barwick (Selby) 32-14-0, Peter Wetherley (Cleveland Angling Centre) 32-11-0.

Saturday's 23-peg Bob Co match was switched to Goldrush at the Willows were the 28-entry enjoyed great sport.

Stuart Burdekin (Daiwa Trent-men) led from peg 55 where he had 57lb 4oz of ide and carp taken at seven metres on chopped worm.

Others: Mick Lodge (Dick Clegg Ossett) 43-8-0, Phil Austin (Armley Angling) 32-8-0, Tony Hewson (Armley Angling) 32-4-0, Dave Ward (Dick Clegg Ossett) 29-12-0, Dennis Gelderd (Tadcaster) 27-10-0.

It was tight at the top on Maple Lake at the Oaks where Mark Lucas (Ted Carter Preston) got the nod from peg 57.

Fishing his usual chopped worm attack he netted all small carp from the far shelf for his 52lb 10oz. Pushing him close was Keith Pentland (The Oaks) who fished maggot over pellet from peg 52 for his all carp bag of 52lb 8oz

Others: Danny McGuire (Preston Innovations) 48-2-0, Ray Singh (Elton Tackle) 47-12-0, Dave Pimlot (Keenets NW) 45-11-0, John Chapman (Keenets NW) 45-8-0.

Updated: 11:51 Wednesday, August 22, 2001