FOR the second year running, river anglers are finding sport difficult thanks to very low water levels and crystal clear conditions both of which are forcing fish to seek shelter and be wary of any movement.

With no rain of any note forecast for the remainder of October it is another year when river levels are unseasonably low and mild conditions mean traditional autumn fishing has not really started yet.

Anglers visiting London AA's Britford fishery have struggled to catch anything other than a few dace and grayling plus the odd roach up to 1lb 8oz, mainly from around the island at the top end of the fishery, or the very last few swims at the lower end of the fishery where the main river and the carrier merge. In between, where the water is split between the river, the carrier and the navigational channel, levels are very low and the current slow. Shoals of minnows are also a problem as there has been no cold weather to put them off feeding.

Lake anglers have fared little better. Salisbury Angling Club held a match on their Petersfinger fishery on Sunday and John Burt's 7lb 6oz was enough to give him victory. Second place went to Malc Pepperill with 6lb 2oz and Frank Gumbleton was third with 5lb 14oz. Catches were made up of small roach, rudd and the odd tench.

Other lakes in the area report slow fishing with not the usual autumn sport but at the moment, lakes are a better prospect than the rivers as they have greater depth and the mild weather means carp, bream and tench can still be tempted to feed.