I HAVE received several calls this week seeking clarification over points raised in the latest issue of the York Amalgamation news-sheet.

In order clear any confusion I thought it timely to offer a reminder of the main requirements of the close season on our local rivers.

The close season on rivers is from March 15 to June 15 inclusive. You are not allowed to fish on either of these dates and relates to all rivers streams and drains. The trout season opens on Yorkshire's rivers on March 25.

The amalgamation newsletter also implied that pike could be fished on rivers, subject to local bye-laws. This is not the case and anyone caught fishing illegally for pike could be prosecuted by the Environment Agency.

Once the trout season opens you may fish for them with fly, worm, minnow or artificial lure. You may also fish for salmon with lure of fly but must also have the appropriate licence.

You are not allowed to fish for trout with lures or bait in areas considered to be coarse fisheries. This includes the Ouse, Derwent and lower reaches of the Ure and Swale.

While the occasional trout may be encountered anywhere on the Ouse system - witness the exploits of Stan Haigh in last weekend's York and District Winter League - this does not allow one to fish with a worm or lure and claim you are trout fishing.

There are lots of ponds, lakes and canals to keep the spirits up until the middle of June. The first warmth of spring broke free this week and carp, tench and bream have really come to life in venues across the York area.

Several good nets of bream have fallen to feeder tactics at Park View while at Sand Hutton the first tench of the year put in an appearance. Sweetcorn was the successful bait there.

Lots of skimmers are showing at Claxton pond where bread punch is a sure-fire winner.

Some big carp have come from Kingfisher lake at the Raker Lakes complex at Wheldrake with doubles common place to fish meal based boilies.

Another Wheldrake venue worthy of attention is Poole Bridge Farm where there are plenty of silver fish on the move in the coarse lake with chopped worm or caster recommended.

Updated: 10:55 Friday, March 19, 2004