WHINNYGILL Reservoir at Skipton is in a finicky mood at the moment with pleasure anglers enjoying reasonable bags of fish whilst those fishing the matches have had to endure some really patchy sport.

This was certainly the case for the third match in this summer’s Sunset Trophy series fished last Tuesday evening in good, calm conditions. Just under half the competitors failed to weigh-in and those that were successful recorded some poor weights consisting of small roach, skimmers and perch.

John Leatt and Russell Heaton tied for first place with 340g (0:12:0) whilst John’s brother, Andrew, was third with 120g (0:4:4), Alan Wade was fourth with 80g (0:3:0) and Michael Ickringill fifth with 20g (0:0:11).

The next evening match will be fished next Tuesday with the draw on the banking at 6.30pm.

Skipton Angling Association members were trying out their new length of fishing last Sunday when the second Peter Hart Memorial match was fished on the Broughton Road length of canal behind the bowling club.

Conditions were quite reasonable with muggy temperatures, a moderately strong south wind and the passage of only four boats during the three hour match. Catches were quite good with a few decent bream and plenty of smallish roach, perch and the odd ruffe mainly taken on the pole fished on the far bank. Bread and the ordinary maggot appeared to be the best baits on the day.

David Fenn took top honours with 1,930g (4:4:0) whilst Russell Heaton was second with 1,830g (4:0:8) and Mark Bradley third with 570g (1:4:0).

Other leading anglers were Bob Fenn with 480g (1:1:0) and Kenny Wright 360g (0:12:4). Just one angler failed to weigh-in and the match was judged to have been a success, and the relatively deep water of 1.5 metres (5 feet) being deemed to auger well for winter fishing.

A spell of settled weather wouldn’t go amiss to give all waters a boost. Continued rain showers have kept river levels above normal but at least not too high. The dry fly has been particularly successful on the River Aire where one angler landed a 25, mainly trout bag in a days fishing.