PROBABLY the only disappointment about last Sunday’s Skipton Angling Association’s Taster Day was the rather unseasonal weather when a cold north westerly wind and the odd light shower spoiled what was a successful day.

The event was held on Whinnygill Reservoir at Skipton and catered for prospective anglers of all ages and sexes although youngsters made up the bulk of attendees.

Tackle, bait and plenty of advice was available, together with enough fish to wet appetites for the future. Brown trout up to around the 1,590g (3:8:0) provided some good sport when the coarse fish in the water took a day off most likely due to the chilly conditions.

At the end of the day, eight-year-old Joshua Ickringill was judged to have been the most successful angler on the day, having landed four brown trout including one of around 1,360g (3:0:0). He was duly awarded a trophy for his efforts while all the other anglers were rewarded with at least a well filled goodie bag.

Prior to last Sunday the reservoir had been fishing well with some good bags of roach to around the 340g (0:12:0) mark coming to the net along with the usual specimen brownies. Perch have been quiet recently and must be preparing or involved in spawning activities along with the bream, ide and carp that the water holds.

Embsay Reservoir is still providing some good sport with all the species of trout in the water. Spinning has been quite successful amongst the rainbows with numerous fish to over the 900g (2:0:0) mark. None of the bigger fish have been reported in the past week and the colder weather at this exposed water may start to take its toll on sport.

From being almost like a fishing match on the banks of the River Aire, a few days of colder conditions had certainly reduced the numbers fishing the river by last weekend and the present forecast does not bode well for the next few days either.

Just the odd angler has been in action and sport has consisted of smallish brown trout. Grayling have not fallen to the worm but plenty have been seen rising to the fly on the upper reaches although it is hoped that they are left alone to complete their spawning successfully.