With the coarse fishing season on rivers starting last Sunday anglers are being reminded to play by the rules on this, the first full weekend of the new season.

Following recent successful blitzes on illegal anglers the Environment Agency is determined to keep up the pressure. Bailiffs will once again be out in force throughout North Yorkshire over the weekend to ensure anglers are licenced and are obeying the rules.

As well as using bankside bailiffs, the Agency has also joined forces with British Waterways to carry out joint patrols. These patrols will check for unlicenced and speeding boats as well as illegal anglers and will add an extra element of surprise to any angler not abiding by the rules.

John Shannon, Fisheries Team Leader said: "June 16 is an important date in the anglers' calendar. It is when they can return to the rivers once more to fish for coarse fish after a gap of three months. In their enthusiasm some occasionally forget to purchase a licence.

"However, we would strongly advise them to make sure they have a licence before they start to fish.

"Income from rod licence sales is used to fund the Agency's vital work to maintain, improve and develop healthy fisheries.

"We will take a strong line with anyone breaking the rules.

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

Added Shannon: "We would also like to remind those anglers fishing from boats that the fishing rights on most of the rivers in Yorkshire are owned or leased by angling clubs and as such they should have the appropriate day ticket or club book in order to fish those sections."

Anyone aged 12 or over who fishes for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels in England or Wales must have an Environment Agency rod fishing licence.

Licences can be bought at any Post Office in England and Wales or directly from the Agency through its telephone sales line (0870 166 2662) or its new Internet sales service at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish

All money collected from rod licences by the Agency is invested directly into fisheries activities, including enforcement, fish rearing and stocking, fish habitat improvement, monitoring fish abundance, disease detection, research and development, and fish rescues.

Local rivers should be back to a reasonable level following last Sunday's wash-out and the expected bream that failed to show last weekend should feature in catches.

After a long dry spring spawning was completed early by most river fish and bream, barbel and chub should all be fighting fit. What fate befell their progeny in the flood remains to be seen.

Tonight sees the Amalgamation Junior contest fished on New Walk Terrace. The draw will take place at the Blue Bridge end of the walk at 5pm with fishing from 6pm until 9pm.

The odd bream will as usual decide the outcome but there should be plenty of roach, perch and eels. All are welcome to come along as are any willing coaches.

- CIU are holding a match at Beningbrough Park and above on Sunday. Draw at car park at hall at 9am. If wanting to fish contact K Harrison tel York 426747 no later than tomorrow morning.

WEEKEND BOOKINGS

Tomorrow

Redhouse Middle - York RI, Poppleton - GPO, Beningbrough Village - Local AC

Donkeywoods - Shepherds, Fulford and Palace Ings - Acomb WMC

Sunday

Redhouse Middle - Whiterose, Redhouse Below - Bishopthorpe and Acaster, Poppleton - Sea Horse

Beningbrough Park and Village - CIU, Donkeywood - Cygnet, Acaster - New Earswick, Tadcaster - Royal Oak

Moor Monkton - Poppleton

Updated: 12:23 Friday, June 21, 2002