ON March 25 the brown trout season will commence on all the Skipton Angling Association waters and members will once again be able to pit their wits with this remarkable member of the salmon family.

This season is the first for some time when the restocking programme has not been finalised due to the new rules that became effective in 2015, especially on rivers and tributaries.

This banned the introduction of diploid trout which was effectively a fish farmed brownie capable of breeding but having a gene structure of only 75per cent of that of a natural wild fish.

Diploids may still be stocked in land-locked waters and their easily obtained replacement for rivers is the triploid brown trout which is incapable of breeding following subjecting the eggs to a very high pressure before going on to hatch.

The triploid has all the qualities normally associated with a wild fish plus a quicker growth rate. On the down side it is suspected of exhibiting the extensive roaming quality of the rainbow trout when introduced into rivers and it also costs about 15per cent more.

Another replacement trout for the diploid is a natural fish but it must originate from the actual water it is to be introduced to. Efforts to breed some natural River Aire fish are ongoing at the moment and it is this route that the Skipton AA. intends to follow, hence the lack of any firm plans at the moment.

Embsay Reservoir is to be restocked initially with rainbow trout in the 450g to 900g (1-2 lb) range and in subsequent stockings, fish up to around the 2,270g (5:0:0) mark will also be introduced. There are no plans to put any trout into Whinnygill Reservoir just yet due to catch evidence suggesting an apparent abundance of fish in the water.

Skipton AA members who have not yet renewed their subscription must do so before any fishing commences. The membership secretary is Mr Peter Hart of 23, Beckside, Carleton-in-Craven, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 3ET and a postal system is in operation for both renewals and applications for new membership.

Subscription rates are: Adult and OAP first year – £80; adults second year – £70 and OAP second year – £46; Juniors aged up to and including 17 – £15. River Aire and Whinnygill only, adults and OAP first year – £46, subsequent years, adults - £36 and OAP – £24. There are no junior rates for this category of membership.