LAST weekend was the first since the turn of the New Year where the fishing was not ruined by high water conditions or freezing weather. One or two anglers have been in action and have successfully landed some decent fish.

The River Aire was in a good angling state and those that managed to wet a line found the grayling and small brown trout quite willing to take the worm or maggot.

The upper reaches and either side of the Carleton Stone Bridge have been the best places to try. Lower down the river at Snaygill, pike anglers have met with some success although the number of fish present appears to be down on previous years.

Generally speaking, a 4,500g (10:0:0) is a good fish at the present time so the 7,570g (16:10:0) fish caught by John Leatt of Skipton about a month ago on dead bait was bordering on the exceptional even though it was thought to be a little on the lean side.

Weight for length scales estimate that it should have been nearer the 8,180g (18:0:0) mark. John has followed it up with a fat 6,310g (13:14:0) pike and several smaller ones taken on a plug which also accounted for a good brown trout.

Skipton AA members have also been trying both the reservoirs in search of decent perch. Both waters can be very bleak places in winter, especially with an east wind but some fish were caught.

Embsay appeared to fish the best although most of the fish caught were brown trout to over the 450g (1:0:0) mark and a good rainbow were landed on the worm. Whinnygill has also provided a few smallish brownies, a specimen of 1,360g (3:0:0) but not much in the way of perch.

Canal anglers have been restricted to where they could fish recently due to most stretches having a covering of ice, especially out in the country. The basin has been generally ice free and provided decent catches of mainly smallish roach, bream and perch. This stretch is also worth trying for pike with fish to over the 4,500g (10 lb) mark easily possible on most days.

The long awaited restocking has finally taken place at Whinnygill Reservoir with the introduction this week of 1,000 roach and 100 bream, all in the 150 to 200mm (6-8 inch) range.

This time of the year is not an ideal time to be restocking but the fish have been delayed at the fish farm. Hopefully, they will soon adjust to their new home and will be able to spawn successfully when the water warms up in spring.