WARRINGTON Anglers' Association members will be aware the annual coarse fish close-season begins today, Thursday, on our river fisheries - something which is still a mystery to me!

There is no scientific reason why this outdated legislation is still in place.

It was introduced decades ago to protect fish stocks, nothing to do with anglers disturbing spawning fish because the close-season doesn't usually coincide with fish spawning, which differs from species to species and is dependent on water temperature. The fish certainly don't say right lads, March 15, let's get busy!' The other red herring we hear is that not allowing coarse anglers to fish for three months will allow the bank-side vegetation to regenerate and grow.

My answer to that is fine, okay' as long as ramblers, bird watchers, dog walkers, boaters and game anglers also keep off the river banks. It is just nonsense to suggest that coarse anglers who sit quietly in one spot cause more disturbance to nature than others who use the river banks.

And what makes the close-season debate so ridiculous is that it is the anglers who prize the fish the most, spend a fortune through Environment Agency licences, fishing club subscriptions and buying fishing tackle. In fact, angling puts more money into the economy of this country than farming as an industry so why should we be excluded from the country's river banks for three months?

By the way, we all know that the River Mersey has to have the water lowered occasionally to allow for essential maintenance or to repair vandalism.

We have just had the river lowered due to a new flow meter, or similar, being fitted by the Environment Agency and now a little bird tells me it is going to be dropped again around May time, just when all the new tiny fish are in the river and the young of all sorts of creatures are being reared along the river bank.

It will cause far more damage than a few anglers on the bank. Isn't it time for some joined-up thinking by the various Environment Agency departments and some consultation with the fisheries department?

Let me have your catch reports on 01928 716238, fax 01928 713898 or e-mail frank@warrington-anglers.org.uk. HQ Parker Street will be open as usual tomorrow, Friday, between 7pm and 9.30pm for subscriptions and new memberships.

Results: Disabled and Over 60s: 1, John Dagnall 1-15-0; 2, Norman Hulse 1-5-0; 3, Barry Owen 1-1-0; 4, Trevor Bainbridge 13-11.

Mersey Series: 1, Harry Morris 5-0-14; 2, Ian Roberts 4-5-7; 3, Jim Byrne 4-5-6; 4, Lennie Dutton 3-12-8.

Warrington Local Winter League: 1, Barry Owen 5-10-4; 2, Steve Brooks 4-12-0; 3, Brian Hill 3-13-4; 4, Bob Clough 3-1-8; 5, Terry Middleton 2-9-0. Teams: 1, Widnes Angling Centre 38pts; Warrington AA Gold 29pts; Cheshire Angling Gold 27pts.

Forthcoming events: Monday: Disabled and Over 60s, draw 10am, Star Inn (pegs 360-400). March 24: Rotary Club charity event, Macclesfield Canal, draw 8.30am at Church House Pub, Buxton Road, Congleton, £15 all in. Book in with organiser Bernie Chappel on 01260 278843.