I BEGIN this week with a timely reminder to play by the rules, with the coarse fishing season on rivers beginning on Monday (June 16).

Following a recent successful blitz on illegal anglers, the Environment Agency is determined to keep up the pressure and bailiffs will once again be out in force throughout North Yorkshire to ensure anglers are licensed and obeying the rules.

Recent results have shown that North Yorkshire anglers are leading the rest of the country, with the lowest licence evasion rate of only 1.9 per cent of anglers checked to a national figure of eight per cent.

June 16 is an important date in the anglers' calendar as it marks the return to the rivers once more of fishing for coarse fish after a gap of three months.

In their enthusiasm some occasionally forget to purchase a licence, however I would strongly advise you to make sure you have a licence before starting to fish.

The agency aims to prosecute all anglers who fish without a valid licence, which can result in a fine of up to £2,500.

Bishopthorpe and Acaster Angling Club will be once again hosting a series of matches for junior anglers on its excellent Bridge Field fishery on the Ouse at Bishopthorpe.

The series will consist of eight evening matches fished every Friday, starting on June 20.

The draw will be held on the bankside at 6pm.

As usual a number of adults will be on hand to offer friendly help and advice.

All newcomers are welcome, the only stipulation being that they can swim.

For further information or to register interest in fishing or helping contact Roger Baker on 01904 706895 or call Nigel at Anglers Corner on 01904 629773.

The bad news concerning Pocklington Canal is followed by some good news for a change.

The Environment Agency has teamed up with the Foss Internal Drainage Board in order to improve the habitat for fish on the River Foss.

The Foss currently contains a good population of fish including brown trout, dace, chub, roach and barbel, although in places natural habitat is very limited and there are localised problems with silt.

Work has just started on the River Foss at Strensall, north of York and will take up to two weeks to complete and follows on from a very successful scheme carried out ten years ago at Earswick further downstream.

The improvements include the installation of wooden groynes in the channel in a 'V' formation, introduction of spawning gravels and bankside habitat improvements.

The scheme also includes making better use of the existing weed and reed beds as habitat, not only for the fish but also for other wildlife including the rare watervole.

Simon Cranmer-Gordon, Environment Agency fisheries officer, said: "We are very grateful to Dave Fulwood and his team from the Foss IDB for their co-operation and hard work in carrying out this project.

"It clearly shows that by working together we can manage our waterways to benefit all involved especially wildlife and we look forward to continuing the partnership on other schemes.

"This work will create better habitat for the fish and in turn will result in an increase in the fish populations in the whole of the Foss and will also help to increase the populations in the main River Ouse in York."

Weekend Bookings:

Tomorrow

Claxton Pond - Star AC

Sunday

Marley Pool, Laybourne Lakes - YDAA Committee; Redhouse Lagoon - York AA

Updated: 09:23 Friday, June 13, 2003