The mists of confusion shrouding the foot and mouth crisis are slowly starting to lift this week with a number of new waters opening to anglers for the first time since the epidemic struck, writes Darren Starkey.

On the Ouse upstream of the city, York have the Poppleton to Killingbeck stretch open, but not water upstream of here.

Leeds book holders can visit Nun Monkton, Dunsforth, Aldwark and Widdington.

The majority of these stretches are generally regarded as winter venues. However, I suspect that a few surprises may be in store if the shoals of monster bream that roam between Dunsforth and Aldwark can be located.

Leeds have also reopened their stretch of the Nidd at Barnes' Farm.

Staying on the Nidd, Bradford No1 are fishing again on one of my favourite lengths the beautiful stretch at Cowthorpe.

With 70 prime barbel and chub pegs to tackle I reckon year book sales will rocket as a result of closures elsewhere. Fans of the river Swale will also be pleased to note that Bradford waters are Catton and Asenby are also all systems go.

A little closer to home, York stretches on the Ouse at Donkey Woods, Fulford and Palace Ings are open as is the tidal stretch at Acaster.

The free water in the City centre is worthy of a visit with some encouraging reports by anglers during opening week. Acomb angler Richard Long, making a long awaited return to his childhood spor,t was pleased with his rewards last Saturday.

Taking advice from the local angling correspondent he tackled the river at the bottom of Butcher Terrace where he was rewarded with five huge slabs of bream for an estimated haul of nearly 30lb. If the bream have finished spawning this bodes well for next Friday's Amalgamation Junior contest fished on New Walk Terrace.

Juniors do not have to wait until next week to taste some action as the ever popular Bishopthorpe and Acaster Junior matches start this evening. Fished, as usual, on their stretch of the Ouse at the Bridge Field, I know from distant memory that the series of evening events are excellently organised by enthusiastic club members and provide a great stepping stone into adult match fishing. The draw will take place on the bank side at 6pm with fishing from 6.30. New members are always welcome and should contact Nigel Baker at Anglers' Corner on York (01904) 629773.

I hear that a large shoal of fish were spotted rolling along the Donkey Woods sand bed midweek.

Tomorrow, Killinbeck club have a match at Killinbeck. On Sunday, Bishopthorpe and Acaster visit Park View; New Earswick are at Poppleton; Donkeywoods is tackled by Cygnet while opposite will be White Rose and City Arms. Further downstream Pudsey take on Acaster.

Next Tuesday the RAF (Vale of York) club are fishing at Poppleton.

With a shortage of match action to report it would be greatly appreciated by your correspondent and readers of this column if club secretaries could contact me with results. Let's give some of the area's lesser known anglers a taste of the limelight for a change. Ring me on York 785592 or e-mail at darren.starkey@lineone.net.

Updated: 12:41 Friday, June 22, 2001