THE Skipton Angling Association’s first open fly match on Embsay Reservoir last Sunday was fished in decent conditions which resulted in plenty of rainbow, brown and tiger trout coming to the net.

Those who recorded the most bites, however, were the hoards of midges which kept the competitors scratching for most of the three hour match.

Geoff Hanson had four rainbows to easily win with 1,930g (4:4:0) while Matthew Mathew caught two tigers for 1,205g (2:10:0) and second spot.

The partnership of Simon Chenier and Dave Martin recorded just a brown and a tiger for a third place weight of 880g (1:15:0).

Other leading weights (both a single rainbow trout) were: 4 Graeme Waterfall 725g (1:9:8) 5 Peter Kinch 540g (1:3:0).

The results were determined by the total length of fish caught and have been converted into weights using recognised weight-for-length scales.

Elsewhere, Skipton members have been enjoying some good catches of coarse fish on Whinnygill Reservoir and the newly-acquired length of the canal near Broughton Road.

Alan Wade had four good bream plus some decent roach and perch at Whinnygill while Kenny Wright has been making the canal his own with excellent mixed bags of bream, roach, perch and gudgeon in the vicinity of the bowling club. Catches of up to 3,640g (8:0:0) of fish in three hours have not been uncommon.

This length will be the venue for this Sunday’s members “fun” match. The draw will be held at the top of Sawley Street at 8.15am with fishing from 9am until noon.

Anyone wishing to fish this length of the canal must be either a member of the Skipton AA or in possession of a valid day ticket.

Full details may be obtained from association’s website www.skiptonangling.co.uk. Day tickets cost £3 per day and if obtained on the bank the price is £5.

One water that is not receiving much attention at the moment is the River Aire which is in very good condition following a series of freshlets during August.

Just one month remains of the brown trout season so maybe now is the time to try and land that specimen fish.