With the weather forecast being more or less spot on last week with the Siberian winds, temperatures and the snow, angling was completely at a standstill over the weekend with both the river and still waters mostly frozen over and in the case of the river, inaccessible in parts due to large accumulations of drifting snow on the banks.

Luckily, the weekend saw the beginning of the end of the cold spell and by Monday, temperatures had risen sufficiently to allow a steady thaw of the ice and snow without bringing any extra water into the river Aire.

This weekend will be the last in the present coarse fishing season on rivers and with temperatures set to rise to double figures, prospects for some good end of season fishing look to be ideal for those wishing to wet a line for grayling and pike.

These two species have been in short supply virtually all winter due mainly to prolonged high-water conditions, so perhaps the season will end on a high note.

Canal anglers should also see an improvement in sport although there is no close season to worry about on most canals and still waters.

The basin at Skipton has not fished well this winter and few of the specimen perch that patrol this part of the canal at this time of the year have been caught apart from two specimens of 1.137 kg and 1.200 kg that set new Skipton AA records for the canal. Hopefully, the return to normal temperatures will bring a few more specimen perch to the net.

Anglers wishing to have a change from fishing may wish to take part in two events aimed at removing litter from the banks of the River Aire.

This Saturday the Aire Rivers Trust is organising a litter picking session at Shipley and volunteers are asked to meet at the end of Dockfield Road for 10am (look out for the RSC vehicle)

Dress in boots and warm clothing and free hot drinks and biscuits will be provided. Further details from Nick Milsom on 07378878857.

The second event will be the Skipton AA River Aire clean-up on Sunday, March 18. Meet at the by-pass bridge on Carleton Road for 9.30am. See the Skipton AA Facebook Groups page for more details.