THE cold snap has crippled angling and even matches such as the Yarm AA Open on the Tees were cancelled as most of the pegs were frozen.

Big Waters AC’s Winter League match on Rennys lake was another postponed and will now go ahead on March 4.

However, one local angler, Steve Wood, refused to be beaten by the ice when he visited Whittle Dene.

After spending an hour and a half breaking the surface, courageous Wood was rewarded for his efforts as he went on to land 84 roach for 5lb 4oz.

Thornaby AA’s match, fishing the Tees between Croft and Hurworth, went ahead on Sunday and Russ Willis won with a quartet of chub for 9lb 4oz.

John Maddison of Darlington was runner-up with 8lb 4oz while Graham Ellison made third on 7lb 6oz and Nigel Spratt was fourth with 4lb 11oz.

Ripon Piscatorial’s Open on the River Ure was won by Steve Beckwith with six chub caught on maggot and steak for 23lb.

Fred Hardcastle was runner-up with 18lb 14oz while Graham Skirrey from Chester-le-Street made third with 9lb 8oz.

CADCAC’s penultimate Winter League match on Borwick was won by Warren Richardson with 16lb of bream and carp.

Andy Richardon was runner-up with 10lb 10oz with Alan Little third on 10lb 8oz.

On The Oaks at Thirsk, James Woods easily won the Thursday Open, catching carp up to 2lb for a weight of 35lb 12oz, while Pete Whale was best of the rest with 17lb 10oz.

An Environment Agency Fisheries Forum taking place on Tuesday will be of specific interest to anglers who fish the River Wear.

Among other items on the agenda, there will be an update on the Wear Rivers Trust and details of how the three-year Wear Coarse Fishery Development Plan is progressing.

The forum will be held at the Durham County Council offices, County Hall, Durham and will start at 6pm.

More information is available from the EA Fisheries technical officer, Paul Frear, on 0191 203 4321 or 07717 356784.

Stockton Anglers have just taken over the water on the Tees at Middleton One Row previously fished by Ferryhill ADAC.

It runs from the upstream end of the Dovecot field, a stretch already managed by Stockton, for about half a mile upstream.

The fishing is marked with signs on the gates at each end of the single field which contains the fishing. Access to the water is along the field boundary at either end of the field.

County Durham club New Shildon AC have acquired the fishing rights on the pond at Tindale Crescent near Shildon.

Until further notice fishing will be for members only. Further details on this water or club membership can be had from Eph Bunting on 07780 640 899.

Anglers are among those expected to benefit from a fund totalling £28 million to clean up England’s rivers and encourage wildlife to be launched over the next three years.

Environment Minister Richard Benyon said: “With only a quarter of our lakes and rivers providing a home to a wide range of birds, fish and mammals, there is much more we can all do.

“The fund, which The Environment Agency will be responsible for running, will ensure money is given to local groups who can make a real difference.”

Community groups and charities can apply for a share of the Catchment Restoration Fund to clean up their local rivers and the closing date for bids is February 29. To apply visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/136182.aspx

DIARY DATES

Tomorrow: The Lower Tees Angling Association hold a charity open on their stretch of the Tees at Bowesfield.

Sunday; Opens will take place on The Angel, Carp Vale and Woodlands, whilr Yarm AA hold their Vernouillet fundraiser match on the Tees. There will also be another knock up on Whittle Dene and CADCAC fish the last of their Winter League fixtures on the Broom Fishery.

Tuesday: The Tyneside division of the Pike Anglers’ Club of Great Britain meet at Blaydon Social Club HQ and Aycliffe AC hold a committee meeting at Neville Parade Methodist Church from 7:30pm (members welcome to attend), whiel the Environment Agency Fisheries Forum goes ahead in County Hall, Durham.

Wednesday: A midweek open is schedule for The Angel and there is also an open on Woodlands.

Thursday: The Oaks at Sessay hosts an open.