AFTER another week of prolonged flooding the York-area rivers are probably best avoided this weekend, bar the odd exception.

Acomb Tackle have the Fulford and Palace Ings stretches of the Ouse below York booked on Sunday and if the Ouse is within its banks enough fishable pegs should be found.

Even in the highest of flows some slack water will be available and pegs in the paddock and bay should be worth a skimmer or two.

There are no other club contests booked on York waters but most are probably best given a wide berth at present.

The best section of the Ouse system is the Foss Basin, where a few lucky anglers have been cashing in on a surprise bream bonanza.

A shoal of slabs was obviously in residence, sheltering from the raging Ouse, when the Foss Barrier was dropped last week. The fish have been very obliging in their enclosed home with catches of five or more fish to pole and worm taken. There are also plenty of small fish, including large numbers of bleak in the area.

Matches have started again at the Willows, where the annual Spring Series will once again be held when the river season finishes in a few weeks.

Entry fee is £20 and with sponsorship from Bob.Co Tackle in Leeds and a 100 percent pay-out there promises to be some bulging envelopes doing the rounds come June 15. Contests will be held every Saturday throughout the close season.

Last week saw two contests on Goldrush, where plenty of carp, ide and and orfe were in evidence.

Maggot as always is the best bait in winter here but caster, corn and, even pellet, will all account for their share of fish. Ring Cath Gallagher on 01904 738206 if you are interested in booking.

At Paradise fishery, near Melbourne, plenty of small perch, rudd and roach are showing on fine lines, small hooks and small baits. Last Saturday saw the surprise capture of two tench of around 1.5lb. These fell to Paradise regular John Horsley.

Plenty of skimmers and rudd are feeding on pond two. Again small baits presented on fine lines and small hooks proving to be their downfall. The odd carp is also starting to show with three fish to 3lbs falling to Simon Bavistock, from Leeds, on Wednesday. He pole-fished double white maggot at 8metres on the pole and loose fed maggot sparingly.

In Melbourne village the canal cut is always worth ago. Presently the colour of chocolate, the skimmers and roach are finding this to their liking with flouro pinkie scoring well in the murky conditions.

Plenty of silver fish are to be had at both Carpvale and Raker Lakes, which will both be hosting open matches on Sunday.

Match anglers tend to adopt a carp-or-bust approach and yet still often put together a double figure bag in the last couple of hours. Give the roach and skimmers a full five hours and you will be pleasantly surprised.

Pegs 15 and 16 are the best for mixed bags at Raker with 21 and 22 the swims for carp heads.

At Carpvale anglers should seek out the deeper water of the old pond.

Updated: 11:44 Friday, February 08, 2002