THERE was a good turn-out of anglers for the Skipton Angling Association’s members match on the canal last Sunday. Conditions were ideal and the length chosen was the stretch to the west of the Sawley Street entry point.

Catches were not up to some of the pleasure anglers' bags of late but were more than reasonable with average size roach, bream, perch and ruffe making up some decent weights. Just three competitors failed to weigh in at the end of the three-hour match.

Mark Bradley had the best fish of the day, a 340g (0:12:0) perch, to give him victory with 780g (1:9:8). The next five weights were quite close and just one larger fish would have made quite a difference to their final positions which were: 2 Bob Fenn 610g (1:5:4), 3 Rob Wharton 600g (1:5:0), 4 Dave Fenn 560g (1:3:12), 5 Brett Young 520g (1:2:8) and 6 Andrew Thomas 500g (1:1:12).

Just one match remains for the Peter Hart Memorial trophy and this will be fished this Sunday on the same length of canal with the draw at 8am.

It is a members only match and the leading contenders to be the first recipient of the new trophy are: 1 Russell Heaton 27pts, 2 Wayne Eason 25, 3 Mark Bradley 24, 4 John Preston 21 and Dave Fenn and Graeme Waterfall 15.

This will be the last of the Skipton matches for the time being although the Skipton Winter League will start its eight-match series on September 18 on the Swine Lane length of the canal at Riddlesden near Keighley.

Full details may be obtained from Bill Davenport on 01756 799671 or 07581082576.

The recent inclement weather has put a temporary damper on sport at the local waters with the canal fishing the most consistent. Whinnygill Reservoir can produce some good fish in between the showers and decent rainbows, tigers and blues are still being landed at Embsay Reservoir.

The River Aire looks to be in good angling order with just enough extra water running through although few anglers are taking advantage. The upper reaches on Heslaker Lane are producing average size brownies and grayling but nothing out of the ordinary.