LAST week’s mini heatwave saw temperatures approaching 32 centigrade locally and with little rain falling during the thundery conditions, water levels have fallen to the lowest this year.

On the River Aire there has been a rapid growth of the streaming weed ranunculas fluitan on most of the shallow lengths where it is currently in flower. Where the weed is present, only fly fishing is possible and only then with care. On the plus side it is providing both food and cover for the rivers fish.

Recent catches in the Aire appear to have uncovered a good number of small brown trout which indicates that some adult fish are making a success of spawning. Some fish have been in the 100mm (4 inch) size range with one angler having caught two of only 25 mm (1 inch) in length.

A few specimens are still present and feeding and the best recorded recently took the scales down to 1,420g (3:2:0), having fallen for a ledgered worm fished on the Skipton AA’s top end stretch.

Whinnygill Reservoir is still fishing extremely well with most catches consisting of roach or perch and the occasional decent brownie.

One catch of note was Mark Hindle’s 15 roach in two hours from the lily pad hole. Results in last week’s open evening match on the reservoir were encouraging with Graeme Waterfall taking the honours with 1,370g (3:0:0). Alan Wade was just 70g behind with 1,300g (2:11:12) and Malcolm Mawson third with 940g (2:1:0). Other weights were : 4 Simon Chenior 740g (1:10:0); 5 Andrew Leatt 150g (0:5:8) and Kenny Wright 20g (0:0:10).

With three matches remaining in this season’s evening fixtures, the leading anglers are as follows: 1 M L Mawson 2,420g; 2, AWade 1,890g; 3, G Waterfall 1,680g and 4 S Chenior 1,180g.

This Sunday will see Skipton AA hold a members only match on the Long Ing length of the canal at Barnoldswick. The draw will be held near the bridge at 8.15am and competitors will be hoping that the sport will come close to that normally experienced on this popular stretch.

On Tuesday evening, Whinnygill will host another open evening match with the draw at 6.30am and fishing of about 2.5 hours duration.