AS the clock ticks down to the start of the new season, anglers' thoughts will be beginning to turn to the rivers once again.

The Ouse looks in great condition at present with plenty of flow and colour.

Large numbers of rolling bream were noted during the week near the Millennium Bridge in York where fish are likely to be shoaled up for spawning.

Large numbers of chub and barbel are also on view in Tadcaster where fish spotting from the road-bridge in the centre of town seems to be a popular spectator sport at present.

Heavy rain on Tuesday has added colour to the area's canal systems. The Selby Canal is in brilliant form with anglers bagging loads of small tench and some nice bream from the fire station section in the town.

Further downstream at Burn lots of skimmers are falling to pole and caster fished tight to the far-bank reeds.

Langwith Lakes are proving a winner at Heslington with some big catches of carp being taken from Kevin's Lake.

Carp are also on the move at Tollerton Ponds with Coot Pond good for better fish on pellet or meat. Worm or caster will produce some quality tench from Kingfisher.

If it is a big tench you are after then head for Carpvale where some real lumps continue to stretch elastics on the Match Lake.

A large helping of chopped worms should draw in the fish where they can be tempted on worm or corn. Lots of tincas in excess of 5lb have been banked this week with a best fish of 6lb 12oz taken by York angler Bill Newman from peg 34 on pole and corn at 11 metres.

Lots of smaller tench were in evidence at Chapman's Pond in Dringhouses this week with pole and cater fished over the marginal shelf accounting for good numbers of fish around the pound mark. Lots of pristine crucian carp were also feeding well adding a splash of gold to most nets.

Kingfisher Lake at the Raker Lakes complex near Wheldrake has been responsible for continuing sport with some big carp.

This week's top fish was a stunning common of 23lb taken on a Nash Whisky boilie fished over a bed of particles and crumbed pellets by Nicola Hamilton, of Haxby. She also shared a ten double haul with partner Roger McGiven including fish of 18 and 19lbs.

One final tip this week for some quality rather than quantity sport. The big cats are still on the prowl at the Willows with several upper doubles taken from the Ridgepool. Pegs 12 to 14 seem to be most consistent with a number of baits including meat, worm and mussels to their liking. These baits will also score with the carp.

Weekend bookings

Saturday: Park View Lake (Local AC). Sunday: Laybourne Lakes (Marley) (all pegs) York and District Amalgamation of Anglers members match; Park View Lake (Poppleton Rovers AC)

Updated: 10:31 Friday, June 04, 2004