RIVERS are running harder and cooler at the moment and that has considerably slowed action for the time being.

But many river specialists believe that the best of river fishing is yet to come. September and October are very productive months for barbel and chub, with some fabulous autumn catches recorded over the years.

The most important thing to consider is the conditions - not for the fish but for the angler.

We must never under-estimate how cold it gets in the evenings, often following pleasant and warm days.

Always take enough clothing to keep you warm and dry. Take a good reliable torch with spare batteries, as well as carrying a mobile phone and making somebody aware of your whereabouts and the time you expect to arrive home.

Village Pool remains closed with aeration equipment still running. Monks Moat has also had to be closed due to low oxygen levels, with aeration equipment installed.

While the colder weather has caused low oxygen levels due to algae and chickweed die-back, it does take us nearer to the point when we can consider opening waters that were closed to protect them from the carp disease.

Because the authorities have failed in finding the cause, we still do not know what we are dealing with, although an unknown virus still remains the most likely cause.

That leaves fishery managers with some serious decisions to take - yes, the outbreaks appear to have ceased, but it does not mean the problem has gone away. If indeed the cause is a virus, does it just lay dormant in cooler weather?

If that is the case, it could potentially kick back into activity next spring and then continue on its merry way to wreak its horrific and costly effects.

All this is unknown to us and we know we cannot keep waters closed for ever, but what we do know is that the decision to open waters can only be done as a calculated risk, acting on what information we have at present.

I have called upon the Environment Agency to undertake work in the winter by placing carp from infected waters in tanks with sentinel fish, before simulating spring and summer conditions by using controlled heating and lighting equipment in laboratory conditions at their Brampton facility.

I do not think this is rocket science. If a sentinel fish can be infected it would provide the perfect sample for testing.

In view of the potential further loss of millions of pounds worth of fish at the next outbreak, surely this is not too much to ask for.

The Environment Agency, in their wisdom, has relaxed their blanket ban on fish movements within our area.

They seem to be prepared to allow some fish movements, not knowing if the disease can be carried by them in the same way as it can potentially be carried on wet nets. Who will disinfect or sun dry fish?

I can be contacted on 411774 but please be prepared to leave a message.

Neil Jupp