THE coarse fish close season on rivers and drains comes into effect from midnight tonight, but fishing continues on canals, lakes and ponds so anglers will be able to continue their sport throughout the coming months.

However, make sure that you do not go fishing on local rivers because anyone caught fishing illegally will undoubtedly be prosecuted.

Trout fishermen will be starting their campaign as the new season gets under way.

Bathampton members will be able to enjoy trout fishing on club waters and other local clubs have some trout fishing. Make sure that where a day permit is required you obtain this before starting to fish.

The new season on the Bristol Water trout fisheries at Blagdon, Chew and the Barrows gets under way later in the month and I will keep readers updated on catches and competitions during the season. Don't forget to keep me updated on your good days out.

The River Frome at Farleigh Hungerford was below its best for the final round of the Preston Innovations/Dynamite Baits Police Individual League.

Martin Barrett, of Trowbridge, clinched the championship with a six point winning margin over Bath's matchman Roger Newman.

Individual honours on the day went to Browning Lobby matchman Andy Price with an all-chub catch weighing 17lb 2oz taken alternating with pole and stick floated bread flake on a 16 hook.

The Avon at Bradford Golf Course provided mixed sport in the Bristol PSV open match. Eddie Wynne, of Bathampton Avon Aquatics, won with a fine all-roach catch weighing 15lb 12 oz, taken on Avon-floated hemp and casters.

Fish were hard to tempt in the Airsprung match fished in high winds on Sunday on the Kennet and Avon Canal at Moulton Drive. Roger Green, of Trowbridge, won with a mixed catch of roach, skimmers and perch weighing 4lb 13oz, taken on pole-fished red maggots on a 20 hook.

Bill Turner, from Trowbridge, was second with a mixed catch of tench, roach and skimmers weighing 4lb 4oz 8dm, also taken on pole-fished red maggots on a 20 hook.

He was followed by Ian Stainer, of Bradford, with an all-roach catch weighing 2lb 14oz, taken on pole-fished punched bread on a 20 hook.

Other placings: 4 Mick Dean, Steeple Ashton, 2lb 11oz; 5 Kelvin Oliver, Trowbridge, 2lb; 6 Richard Stainer, Trowbridge, 1lb 13oz.

There was good sport in the Wilts Angling Open match fished at Landsend Fishery on Sunday.

Ian Willetts, of Bradford, chalked up yet another fine victory with a mixed catch of carp and skimmers weighing 53lb 12oz, taken on pole-fished red maggots on an 18 hook.

Howard Carpenter, of Trowbridge, was third with an all-carp catch weighing 43lb 4oz, taken on pole-fished sweet corn on a 14 hook.

Other placings: 4 Steve Gardner, Chippenham, 37lb 4oz; 5 Neil Hounsell Melksham, 18lb 1oz.

With the Avon at Barton Farm in flood on Saturday only two competitors in the Bradford open match caught fish. Ian Willetts, of Bradford, won with a catch of roach and eels weighing 1lb 9oz, taken on feeder fished red maggots on an 18 hook, and Howard Carpenter, of Trowbridge, was second a roach and gudgeon catch weighing 6oz, taken on feeder-fished red maggots on an 18 hook.