The National Federation of Anglers acted swiftly this week to deny claims that anglers' lead shot was responsible for 'higher than normal' lead levels in samples of blood taken from 20 swans on the River Avon at Stratford.

A press release issued by the Convention of Welfare of Swans and Wildlife claims that anglers' lead still poses a serious threat to the survival and welfare of swans as well as impacting upon other wildlife in the river.

Perhaps they are forgetting that the sale of lead shot for angling was banned 14 years ago.

The use of lead in shotgun cartridges, however, was until recently commonplace.

The number of anglers fishing the Avon has declined in recent years due to poor sport while over the same period boating activity has increased.

The owner of Europe's biggest Swan sanctuary, in Sussex, has said that "anglers lead no longer poses a threat to swans and the likely causes of lead found in swans are emissions from boaters' engines and storm wash off from roads."

In my experience, anglers are among the most environmentally conscientious people.

The catches at Maran lakes are maintaining a steady flow of 3lb average weight rainbows.

The changeable weather can make things a trifle hard at times, but when that occurs anglers who revert to the lures either on an intermediate or a floater with long leader are still keeping in touch with the fish.

A little weight on the fly (i.e. goldhead) can make the difference in reaching fish and not reaching fish, count through the water layers to find what depth they are cruising at.

Fishing a dry fly in the lanes through the weed beds could also prove successful as the fish have been seen cruising these areas.

The big koi carp that lives in Hawkins Pond continues to refuse most offers and continues his patrol of the lake. Anglers are asked, If they see him, to let him cruise by and concentrate on the trout. The old boy is in retirement.

York club anglers have been enjoying good catches at the Willows and Carpvale.

Gerald Chalk topped last Saturday's GPO event on Goldrush at the Willows with 26lb 4oz of small fish with two other 20lb plus nets.

The following day Black Horse fared even better, with Frank Atkinson netting a straight 30lb and Chris Evans needing 25lb 6oz to be runner-up.

Nomads found the going harder on Ridge Pool, with John Haw putting together a late run of fish on worm for his 17lb 8oz from peg 12.

Down the road at Moor Monkton the Front Pond is most popular with club anglers with 20 to 30lb needed to win most contests.

York Juniors enjoyed another bumper prize list thanks to the continued generous donations of local anglers.

Jack Pinder got a new rod in the latest match at York University Lake. His hard-earned 8lb 7oz included a nice 5lb carp. Runner-up Matthew Annundale got a new rod for his 5lb 6oz net of small skimmers.

Other winners who got reels and tackle vouchers were: Craig Patterson 3lb 14oz; Thomas Broxup 3lb 11oz; Liam McGill 3lb 5oz and Joshua Dyson with 1lb 11oz.

There were more sell-outs on the increasingly popular Woodlands complex, where meat seems to have taken over as the carp's offering of choice.

Both last Wednesday's and Saturday's 71 entry matches were fished on Skylark and Partridge lakes, where the residents were in ravenous mood.

Dave Harris (Daiwa Cleveland) won last Wednesday from Partridge 27. Fishing pole and meat over pellets at 5 and 11 metres he netted a string of carp to 6lb for 64lb1oz and an easy win.

Vince O'Conner (MAP Elton) took second place and top weight from Skylark from peg five where his pole fished cat food scored to the tune of 43lb2oz.

Others: Andy Dargue (Darlington Angling Centre) 41-2-0; John Allerton (Tricast) 40-6-0; John Longshaw (Robin Hood) 38-2-0; Ken Holvey (MAP Elton) 34-15-0.

The Saturday match was a much closer affair, with a number of anglers only a good carp away from the honours.

Andy Hampson (Normark) led from Skylark peg ten where he pole fished cat meat at five metres for carp and tench to 5lb in his winning net of 56lb3oz.

Partridge 15 provided Dave Harris (Daiwa Cleveland) with another pay day as he repeated Wednesdays tactics to score with an all carp 51lb5oz. A number of lost fish prevented him from notching back to back victories.

Others: Keith Kotchie (MAP Elton) 49-9-0; Paul McBrinn (Normark) 48-14-0; Bill Blythe (Newman Scotts) 48-11-0; Steve Morgan (Ackworth Angling) and Rob Judson (Leeds) both 45-6-0.

Updated: 12:01 Friday, August 17, 2001