THERE has been much debate over the years as to the timings of the closed angling season.

As one who spent much of last week getting chilled to the bone in the unsuccessful quest for a big chub I would certainly subscribe to some sensible debate on the issue.

Many fish, particularly in our colder northern climes, are still spawning or recovering from the stresses of their annual nuptials when the season opens on June 16. Similarly the majority of species will not yet have begun to acquire a twinkle in their eye and yet the rivers are now off-limits for three months.

My own view is that the annual break is essential to give the fish and also the riverside environment a little peace to recover and rejuvenate.

I would, however, question the timings and believe that a closed season that ran from the start of April until the beginning of July would more readily achieve the objectives for which it is intended.

While our rivers receive much less angling pressure than they did a decade ago, such is the influence of the commercial fishery boon, I still hate to see early season nets of chub, barbel and notably bream in the angling papers.

Many of these huge catches are only made possible because the fish are still so tightly shoaled. They are where they are for one reason only and in the interests of future generations should, I believe, be left undisturbed.

While wearing my river angler's hat I can gaze mournfully at the rapidly rising thermometer and those that favour ponds and lakes should be relishing the prospects of a weekend's bagging. Carp, tench and bream have really started to move in the last couple of days with forthcoming mating sharpening the appetite.

Several big catches have been taken at Raker Lakes with both Horseshoe and Acorn in fine form for carp to 7lb. Meat and corn are still the best baits but paste and pellet will soon come into play if things continue to warm up. Langwith Lakes is also fishing brilliantly with catches of 50lb and more reported from both Bethany's and Kevin's lakes. Pole and maggot fished tight to the islands should ensure a bite a chuck.

Other venues that have been in touch this week include Poppleton Ponds, where the railway lake is producing well to maggot, and Tollerton, where caster or worm is starting to pick up tench in the main pond.

Updated: 10:24 Friday, March 18, 2005