MEMBERS of the Foremark Fly Fishers' Association staged a demonstration at Severn Trent headquarters in Birmingham.

They are fighting plans to close two- thirds of the bank fishing at Foremark Reservoir, due to new health and safety restrictions.

Members were invited in to voice their grievances by Andrew Marsh, Severn Trent's public relations manager, and Peter Gavan, the company's operations director.

Mr Gavan did not commit himself but said the association would receive "a response with substance" in the near future.

David Coates, chairman of the FFFA, said he felt that the meeting was positive and that although no firm commitments had been made, the dialogue had brought hope that Severn Trent and the association would be able to work together in the future.

The new season has started with a bang and a rod average of 6.2 at Ravensthorpe.

At Thornton, 246 rods caught 1,090 trout for a rod average of 4.4, with the bank enjoying the best of the sport.

Floating or intermediate lines with gold head Montana, cats whisker, tadpoles, damsel and buzzers produced the majority of the trout. The late morning onwards proved the most productive time to fish.

Many of the fish caught were well within 20 yards of the margins along the Thornton arm, opposite the lodge, lonesome pine and wood bank.

Scott Wilson fished the bank twice, catching 32 on his first visit and 35 on his second.

Harold Pritchard bagged 40 in one morning, while Jim Green and John Hunt shared a boat for 65.

At Toft Newton, the sport improved as 102 anglers caught 328 fish (3.2).

Fish to 5-10 have been spread along the north and south banks with plenty downwind around the black pipe area, where they are very close in.

Damsels, cat's whiskers, boobies and large black buzzers have done best.

Pitsford Water opens on Saturday (March 7), Grafham a week later and Rutland on April 1.