THE coarse season ended on Sunday on all rivers and drains, but of course fishing continues on canals and still waters.

The end of the coarse fishing season does of course herald the start of the trout fishing season for brown trout.

The Bristol Water fisheries have again been well stocked with more than 35,000 trout ready for the opening.

This year Bristol Water fisheries is offering fly fishermen the chance of two opening days. In the past anglers have had to choose between their favourite waters on the first day of the season.

This year Chew Valley and the Barrows opened yesterday, while Blagdon opens on March 25. There will also be the chance for fishermen to win a free all waters permit for 2005 worth over £500 should they catch one of the specially tagged fish.

The Wessex Water fisheries have also been well stocked and Clatworthy, Hawkridge and Sutton Bingham will offer excellent sport. Make sure that you get your new EA rod licence. These run from April 1 and EA bailiffs will be out in force in the early days of the new season.

Local teams competing in last week's Angling Times League semi-finals failed to progress to the final.

In the Southern semi-final fished on the Kennet and Avon Canal at Marlborough, Trabucco Avon Angling and Todber Manor tied for 13th place with 96 points each and Devizes AC finished last with 106 points.

In the Southern semi-final match fished on the Warwick Avon at Stratford Thatchers 2000 failed to make the cut, finishing in 12th place with 98 points.

The Saturday open at Ivy House produced reasonable catches on a cold day.

Roy Booth, of Swindon, won with an all-carp catch weighing 31lb 8oz, taken on pole-fished sweetcorn on a 14 hook to take hone winnings of £276.

Ivy House matchman Pete Conner was second with a carp catch of 29lb 15oz, also taken on pole-fished sweetcorn on a 14 hook. Pete Neate, of Devizes, was third with a carp catch weighing 21lb, with Ivy House matchman Phil Baston fourth, with a carp catch weighing 19lb 1oz.

The Wednesday open match at Ivy House produced even weights with carp again feeding fairly well.

Swindon Talisman matchman Derek Hillier won with a carp catch of 32lb 8oz, taken on pole-fished sweetcorn on a 14 hook.

Elick Payne, of Chippenham, was second with a carp catch of 30lb, also taken on pole-fished sweet corn on a 14 hook.

Roy Booth, of Swindon, was third with a carp catch weighing 24lb 10oz, taken on pole-fished sweetcorn on a 14 hook.

The Wilts Angling open match on Wednesday at Witherington Farm produced some excellent sport with carp.

Ian Willetts, of Bradford, won with an all-carp catch weighing a superb 112lb 14oz, taking his catch on pole-fished sweetcorn on a 14 hook for a runaway win.

Gary Dallimore, of Frome, was second with a carp catch weighing 67lb 4oz, taken on pole-fished red maggots on a 16 hook. Pete Neate, of Holt, was third with a carp catch of 44lb 8oz, taken alternating with pole-fished sweetcorn and red maggots.

Other placings: 4 Harry Hudd, Bath, 44; 5 Steve Sibley, Melksham, 36lb 14oz; 6 Fred Eagles, Trowbridge, 31lb 10oz.