SOME of our region's ponds are confident of beating the weather this weekend.

Many local venues were frozen over last week. Frog Hall Fisheries had a very good booking for their Saturday match – but had to cancel as half the pond was frozen.

Wold View Fisheries had the aerators on – but this could not stop the ice covering the ponds and this prevented any matches being held on either Saturday or Sunday.

However, there is set to be some action at Wold View tomorrow. The Claxby venue will not be holding its pairs competition, but there will be an open match on the Gold Lake.

Saltfleetby was hopeful of having a match on the Sunday on the main pond, but then the snow came and it was called off at the last minute.

But, similar to Wold View, the Salfleetby bosses are confident of some action tomorrow. Booking in for the match is from 9am, with fishing 10am-3pm. However, as is the case with all venues, it is always best to phone and check a match is still on before setting off.

Grange Park, Messingham, did get a match going last Saturday, although the anglers did have to break the ice first.

They all caught, with a variety of species netted. The fishing was slow, but they came on the feed after around 40 minutes. Then all the anglers managed to catch. The top weight was around 12lb so it was not a bad weight considering the conditions.

Oasis is still fishable as they have had the aerators on all the time.

Graham Garrod had 25lb of F1s and Brian Tuck had 12lb of F1s fishing a pleasure session on the island pond.

Another match that went ahead was the first police event of the year. They fished at Messingham Sands on Trip Lake, and once again the anglers had to break the ice first.

But once the fish got used to the noise, anglers started to catch.

It was nearly all silver fish. The winner was Mark Tarttelin with 12.8lb ahead of second-placed Simon Harrison with 6.8lb.

They are having another match at Messingham Sands again on the Trip Pond on the first Tuesday in March.

I understand that some parts of Tetney Lock have been fishable and the colder weather seems to have brought the bigger roach out to feed.

Several fish well over a pound have been caught mainly on maggot.

But punched bread can work, especially if there is a bit of run on the water.

If any clubs are looking for new members and want to let me have their fixtures, I will gladly include them in the article.

Several clubs have enquired about the challenge thrown down by the NATS club and also the idea to rekindle the club championships.

All these ideas are good for the area and it gets the anglers talking and wanting to get involved.

It is not only good for the club, but also helps local fisheries. The tackle shops also benefit. They are struggling again at the moment and need your support.