Is the demise of the Ouse as a match fishery complete? On the evidence of last weekend one would have to suggest that it is.

The Dispensary Cup, which has until fairly recently drawn fields in excess of three figures, had to be cancelled due lack of interest.

The total of ticket sales reached the heady heights of seven.

It is not the only contest this season to have been blighted by apathy.

Three other open matches on the Ouse and the Derwent attracted entries of less than twenty.

I don't profess to have the answer, but I do believe that things will turn around again.

The next York match is scheduled for the Ouse below York and I understand ticket sales are already in excess of recent numbers.

Those staying away from the rivers could well be missing some good sport as results from pleasure and club match anglers suggest that roach are starting to make a long awaited appearance in catches.

Several nets in the 6 to 8lb range were reported from the Poppleton stretch, with float anglers benefiting from the extra flow and colour still apparent in the Ouse system.

The same story is repeated further downstream from the free stretches around Clifton Bridge, which have taken plenty of hammer through the school holiday period.

Although roach and perch have been plentiful, there have been no reports of the bream shoal that I mentioned two weeks ago having graced the inside of a keepnet.

On the stillwater front, Raker Lakes are reporting plenty of decent sized carp being taken from Horseshoe on floating bread.

On Acorn try meat or caster close in for carp and tench.

At Poole Bridge Farm, Wheldrake, all ponds are fishing well and there are some really big carp in the carp lake.

The on-site catering is reportedly worth a closer investigation as well.

If you fancy a change of species, try Grafton Mere at Boroughbridge. In addition to the numerous carp that the venue holds, anglers targeting the lake's catfish population are starting to reap the rewards, with fish to 23lbs taken in recent days.

Large bunches of worms and squid are the favourite baits for the moggies, but anything smelly and big enough to deter the carp will score.

To celebrate 'River Care' Yorkshire Water's £400m scheme to improve the river environment, the company are hoolding their own RiverCare Angling Championship, with a top prize of £1,000.

The championship will begin on September 17, with matches in Ripon (on the Ure) and Rotherham (on the Don).

In all, there will be seven competition dates on the rivers Nidd, Ure, Calder, Ouse, and Don, with a prize of £250 to the angler who catches the greatest weight of fish on each river.

The most successful angler overall from all five rivers will receive the winning prize of £1,000, with an additional £250 for the club they represent.

Yorkshire Water are also giving a prize of £250 in vouchers to the best-placed angler aged under 16.

Anglers should contact their match secretaries or their tackle shop for full details.

Weekend bookings

Tomorrow

Redhouse Middle - GPO

Palace Ings - CIU

Stamford Above - Transco

Stamford Below - Monkhill

Sunday

Park View - Poppleton

Poppleton - YAA

All Beningbrough - CIU

Donkeywoods - Black Horse

Moor Monkton- Stillington

Tadcaster - Pudsey

Paradise Farm - New Earswick