THE coarse fish season on York-area rivers concludes on Monday, which means that this weekend is the last chance to tackle running waters before June 16.

There are no matches booked on York waters and many rivers are running at a decent level and colour.

The Derwent is probably best avoided as it is the only river still swollen by snow-melt but there is still plenty of variety on offer.

The Ouse is at its best level since the turn of the year and roach should feed well in the deeper pegs.

Below the City the pumper section at Fulford has fished well for pleasure anglers during the week with pole or bomb with caster picking up some quality roach. Mid-week men also report some nice nets from the sand bed on the Donkey Woods bank. Further downstream the water at Acaster is also in good form.

Poppleton has again been in good form for roach with the straight between the car park and the big tree good on stick or waggler.

On the Nidd the Tockwith section has been consistent for chub over the last few weeks. The section at Skip Bridge has seen some nice roach fall to the float anglers' rods.

Further up the system grayling and odd chub would make the journey to the Knaresborough section worthwhile where stick float and red maggot will take some quality grayling to over a pound.

The Wharfe is also a traditional back-end venue and any of the deeper stretches in the lower sections of the river should hold plenty of silver fish.

The day ticket water on the swimming baths section at Wetherby is red-hot at the moment with double figure nets of roach and dace almost guaranteed. Pole or stick will score with a small maggot feeder a good back-up should the winds prevail.

The Foss in York city centre is also worth a visit with roach feeding well along Navigation Road and the Huntington Road sections.

Updated: 10:11 Friday, March 11, 2005