THE long-awaited start of the new coarse fishing season began with a whimper.

The River Ouse above York had risen to seven feet above normal after midweek thunderstorms and ruined the annual first Sunday open.

A poor field of just 54 endured a dour affair on a murky, but falling, river between Redhouse and Poppleton.

John Cyrwoski (Armley Angling) topped the weights with just 4lb 6oz. Drawn in the big willows at Poppleton he used a groundbait feeder and worm combination for a small barbel, an eel and a roach. Mick Glover (Leeds) was on the Little Sandbed at Killingbeck and fished straight lead and lobby for three eels a small chub and a roach totalling 3lb 11oz.

His best eel scaled nearly 2lbs but the loss of a similar sized specimen saw victory wriggle away. A barbel and an eel taken on bomb and worm gave third place to Mick Doyle (Armley Angling).

The pairs event went to winner Cyrowski and partner Phil Austin with 5lb 2oz 8dr.

Others: Dave Kemp (Idle and Thackley) 3-3-0; Mick Nixon (York) 3-1-0; Dave Collinson (York) 2-3-0.

The York Amalgamation Junior match takes place on New Walk Terrace on Friday. The draw will take place at the Blue Bridge end of the walk at 5pm with fishing from 6pm until 9pm. All junior anglers are welcome along with adult supervisors.

The Ouse should still be carrying plenty of colour after the weekend floods and bream look likely to figure.

The Bishopthorpe and Acaster junior matches are also underway with fishing at the Bridgefield in Bishopthorpe starting on Friday. The draw is at 6pm with fishing from 6.30pm until 9.30pm. Tuition will be available for new starters. Further details from Anglers Corner on 629773.

With a seal still patrolling the Ouse at Nun Monkton, Sunday's 56-peg Leeds open was always going to be tough. Matters were not helped by seven feet of flood water.

Martyn Highe (Hirst Tackle) opened his Kamasan challenge early with victory from peg seven opposite the Dawnay Arms. Legering lob, he had a barbel and a chublet for his 3lb 6oz.

Chris Brooke (Glen) used the same approach at peg 28 opposite the Tower for brace of small barbel scaling 2lb 8oz. The consistent Geoff Wilmore (Armley Angling) took third with three roach and an eel for 2lb 2oz.

Others: Dave Armitage (Hirst Tackle) and Ted Pickles (Glen) both 1-8-0.

The Mitre Angling Centre Open at Carpvale saw Tom Broxup give his seniors a good pasting. Fishing pole and pellet from peg 14 the 15-year-old netted a fine 11lb mirror carp, plus a bream for his winning net of 18lb 12oz.

Kev Gilligan went for silver fish and fell just short of gold. Drawn on peg eight he fished the margins with pole and caster for 18lb 6oz of roach and skimmers.

Others: Adele Wallis and Terry Carlton both 14lb 8oz.

The usual suspects were in the frame again at the Oaks this week bagging Kamasan points.

Mark Coyne (Cleveland Angling Centre) led from form peg 16 where he fished cat meat at 13 metres to the island for an all-carp 39lb. John McGarell (MAP Elton) was on 64 and fished meat across and down the track for carp to 4lbs and 36lb 10oz.

The run of Dean Smith (Van den Eynde Goole) continues his 35lb 4oz secured the first two of surely many points.

Others: John Allerton (Tricast Whizzo) 33-12-0; Tom Pickering (Daiwa) 31-10-0; John Murray (Ferryhill) 31-8-0.

The final Saturday Open drew 50 to the Willows, where Phil Austin took top spot from peg 47 on Goldrush.

Fishing pole and pellet at nine metres he netted carp, tench and barbel to 2lb for his 39lb 14oz.

Others: Tony Hewson (Armley Angling) 36-8-0, Stan Jeffries (Armley Angling) 29-8-0, Andy Gallant (Armley Angling) 29-7-0, Steve Beckwith (Willows) 27-14-0, Dave Armitage (Hirst Tackle) 27-6-0.

The Saturday Open at Woodlands attracted 69 anglers and talented youngster Andy Geldart (Daiwa Goldthorpe) led from peg 14 on Partridge.

Feeding pellets he fished meat up in the water at 13 metres for 60lb 9oz of carp to 6lb. Mark Calvert (MAP Elton) was on Skylark 27 where he fished pellet at 6 metres for another all carp 50lb 7oz.

Others: Simon Wood (MAP Elton) 48-2-0, Phil Sellars (Elton Tackle) 46-8-0, Bill Blythe (Newman Scotts) 45-0-0, Dave Harris (Cleveland Angling Centre) 43-8-0.

Weekend bookings

Saturday: 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: 11:33 Wednesday, June 19, 2002