How ironic that after three weeks of major match cancellations the weekend that the Ouse becomes fishable for the first time coincides with the smallest match calendar of the year.

I still await news as to the fate of the three twice-postponed Ouse Championship matches, but I suspect the lack of free weekends between now and the end of the season and the prospect of further flooding might lead to ticket holders being reimbursed. Watch this space or check your tackle shop for details.

I can not recall the effect that the last major floods, in 1982, had on river sport but I suspect that river levels were similar. Those floods were I believe in January, when the small progeny of the previous summer will have had a little extra time to pack on a few drams to combat the flow.

The major problem according to Fisheries Scientists is not so much fish getting washed away but those that get stranded on the Ings land are unable to find a route back to the river when the water subsides.

I saw a pair of cormorants circling over Rawcliffe Ings on Wednesday, presumably waiting for a free lunch.

The Environment Agency Fisheries staff are out on the banks looking for and rescuing stranded fish.

One colleague told me that a number of fish had already been reunited with the Ouse.

Sedentary fish such as perch and pike are apparently more susceptible to being marooned as their sluggish bottom-dwelling nature leads to them sitting the floodwaters out rather than seeking the flow of the river when the level begins to recede.

If anglers are out and about this weekend - the only York matches are on the Ouse at Donkeywoods and the Derwent at Howsham Hall - they should be extra vigilant and keep a close eye on the ditches and puddles as they trudge across the soggy flood plains. You might just save your fish of a lifetime.

The Agency can be contacted free of charge, 24 hours a day on 0800 80 70 60.

There will be a match tomorrow on the Leeds waters at Thorpe Underwood and Widdington which should provide a good indicator for next weeks third round of the hotly contested Yorkshire Winter League.

The draw will take place at the Alice Hawthorne at 9.30am. Some brave souls actually fished the venue on Tuesday and caught a few small roach, so at least there are still some fish left.