Parker win helps chances of knocking Wright off his perch

There was hardly any wind and for most of the three hours it was bright but overcast.

This stretch had been producing some good catches of decent bream for several days prior to the match but on the day nearly every fish caught was either a small roach or perch. The best fish turned out to be a perch of about 340g (0:12:0) landed by the match winner.

The results were as follows: 1 Ian Parker 1160g (2.6lb); 2 Dave Moffat 730g (1.6lb); 3= Darren Wright and Russell Heaton 710g (1.5lb). The other weights tailed off but everyone caught something even if it was on the small side.

Confirmed league positions will be published next week but a quick check on the first two sets of results show that Darren Wright is in top position followed by Ian Parker and Wayne Hitch. Kenny Wright and Wayne Eason are top of the pairs.

The chub revival on the River Aire appears to be not confined to the upper reaches around Skipton. Reports from lower down the river show that catches of pretty large numbers of small chub have been made from Kildwick down to Apperley Bridge, together with fish to around the 225g (0.5lb) mark.

In another development on the Aire, two new fish passes have been completed near Leeds to by-pass weirs that have been a barrier to the upwards movement of fish for more than 200 years. More fish passes are still needed to ensure a free passage to all species of fish all the way to Malham but that is the Aire Rivers Trust's ultimate aim.

The new passes are at Burley Mill and St Ann's Mill at Commercial Road, Kirkstall.

This weekend will be the last in the current brown trout season on rivers which closes at midnight next Tuesday. From October 1 until March 24 it will illegal to take brown trout from all the Skipton AA. waters, including the reservoirs, although some clubs now allow brown trout to be retained from their still waters. If in doubt, please check your club's rules on this point.