THE Skipton Angling Association has just landed a plumb length of fishing at Skipton

They have acquired a good mile and a half of the Leeds and Liverpool canal. The length starts at the swing bridge at Niffany Farm and extends to Belmont Bridge in Skipton plus the whole of the fishable portion of the Springs Canal.

In recent times the length has been known to produce some good canal fishing with the basin being well known for quality perch, roach, bream and pike.

Springs canal attracts large bream during the summer months while the Broughton Road length can yield some good general coarse fishing with maybe the odd brown trout.

The stretch will be vigorously policed by bailiffs and signs will provide full details for anglers. It is anticipated that day tickets will be available at a reasonable price and membership of the association will include the new fishing.

Craven Summer League competitors found the going tough when they fished the fourth match in this season’s series of eight last Sunday. The venue was the Swine Lane length of the canal at Riddlesden and water and weather conditions appeared to be ideal.

Unfortunately, the competitors soon found out that the fish had lost their appetite and bites were few and far between with just a few small roach and perch turning up in catches the end of the three hour match.

The results were as follows: 1 Simon Chenior 100g (0:3:8), 2 Ernie Ramsbotham 80g (0:3:0), 3 Russell Heaton 60g (0:2:0), 4 Keith Brown 50g (0:1:12), 5 Kenny Wright 40g (0:1:4) and 6 Jason Aldis and Robert Thornton 10g (0:0:6).

League positions at the half way stage are: 1 Russell Heaton 73pts, 2 Robert Thornton 67, 3 Jason Aldis 66, 4 Keith Brown and Kenny Wright 65, 6 Simon Chenior 59.

The next match will be fished on the gasworks length at Silsden on July 3.

Another taster day will be held by the Skipton Angling Association this Sunday on Whinnygill Reservoir, just off Shortbank Road, Skipton.

The event is basically geared for prospective junior anglers although adults will not be turned away. Tackle, bait and a rod licence (if needed) will be provided, just turn up any time between 10am and 3pm for a 4pm conclusion.