HOW do you get the message across that there is no fishing on rivers between March 14 and June 16? writes ANDY WEBBER.

I ask the question because more and more anglers seem to be unaware of the close season, or are choosing to ignore it.

On Easter Monday, I found a lad fishing the Bullstake Stream near Oxford and three others fishing the Osney Stream on Osney Island by the Hollybush pub.

I spoke to all of them and explained that there was no fishing on rivers during the close season, but they could fish canals and commercial fisheries.

All of them apologised and said they did not realise there was a close season.

But is that really an excuse?

The weekly angling papers are full of close season dates, I mention it regularly in this column and details are on the Environment Agency website, so else how do you get the message across?

l Oxfordshire’s Montague Lake has been producing some nice perch for Adam Perna, who spent a couple of sessions after work and landed several perch over 3lb, his best going 3lb 9oz.

All his fish have come at dusk taking legered lobworm tipped with a maggot.

Perch do not like to feel any resistance, so Adam has been using homemade bobbins and his leads have been attached to large running rings.

The Abingdon and Oxford Anglers Alliance have a new website, www.allianceao.co.

uk, for new permit prices and water info.

Prices for the new season are £35 for the Alliance permit, with an extra £40 for the Marlborough Pool ticket. Day tickets have been kept at £5.

They have also opened up facebook groups for Marlborough Pool and the Alliance to keep members up to date.

l IF you have any news, views or photos, you can contact me on 01865 725606 or email agw@awebber20.orangehome.co.uk