THE new coarse fishing season starts on Wednesday on rivers and drains and no doubt there will be many who will be looking forward to the off.

If you are setting out for the first time since March then make sure that you have a current rod licence as well as your club permit. If you are caught fishing without a licence you can expect a heavy fine.

The midweek Viaduct Fishery open match produced even sport.

In-form Team Sillybait matchman Josh Garrett won with an all-carp catch to 8lb for a winning weight of 99lb 4oz, taken on legered cat meat on a 12 hook and later in the match on pole-fished pellets.

Andy Jones, of Deggy's Tackle, was second with a carp catch weighing 75lb 15oz, taken on pole-fished pellets on a 14 hook. He was followed by Bob Sheppard, of Trabucco Avon Angling, with a carp catch weighing 73lb 9oz, taken on pole-fished pellets and sweet corn.

Catches were below average in the Ivy house midweek open match. Once again in form Chris Davies, of Frampton BL, won with a carp catch weighing 44lb 6oz, taken alternating with pole-fished cat meat, sweet corn and red maggots for a comfortable win.

Runner-up was John Gray, of Reid's Tackle, with a carp catch weighing 21lb, taken on pole-fished sweet corn on a 14 hook. He was followed by Neil Hawk, of Bathampton, with a carp catch weighing 19lb 8oz, with Julian Heaven, of Chippenham, in fourth place with a carp catch weighing 17lb 13oz.

The Wilts Angling Open match fished on Monday at Viaduct Fishery produced fairly even catches.

Paul Bond, of Trowbridge, won with a carp catch weighing 86lb 4oz, taken on pole-fished pellets on a 14 hook. Runner-up was Paul Cooper, of Melksham, with another carp catch weighing 73lb 15oz, taken on legered cat meat on a 12 hook.

Mick Martin, of Trowbridge, was third with a carp catch of 63lb 11oz, taken on waggler-fished pellets on a 14 hook.

Other placings: 4 Steve Sibley, Melksham, 62lb; 5 Steve Gardner, Chippenham, 53lb 7oz; 6 Howard Carpenter, Trowbridge, 47lb 12oz.

The Wilts Angling midweek open match was fished on Thursday at Rood Ashton.

Gary Dallimore, of Frome, won with a carp catch weighing 73lb 5oz, taken on pole-fished cat meat on a 12 hook. Ian Willetts, of Bradford, was second with a carp catch weighing 63lb, taken on pole-fished cat meat on a 12 hook. He was followed by Kevin Grant, of Trowbridge, with a carp catch weighing 53lb 6oz, taken on pole-fished sweet corn on a 12 hook.

Other placings: 4 Paul Bond, Trowbridge, 47lb 12 oz; 5 Pete Neate, Holt, 33lb 12oz.

Competitors found mixed sport in the Wilts Angling Open match fished at Viaduct Fishery on Sunday.

Paul Bond, of Trowbridge, won with a carp catch weighing 114lb 2oz, taken on waggler -fished pellets on a 14 hook.

Paul Greenwood, of Bristol, was second and Colin Butler, of Glastonbury, third.

Other placings: 4 Jeff Matthews, Trowbridge, 46lb 12oz; 5 Dave Stockton, Frome, 42lb 11oz; 6 Pete Neate, Holt, 32lb 13oz.