THE warm, settled weather gave way to colder conditions and frequent spells of rain which culminated in over 25 mm (1.00 inch) of rain falling last Friday and overnight, resulting in the River Aire overflowing its banks by Saturday morning.

Besides putting the Aire out of action for angling, the flood could not have come at a worse time for the river’s coarse fish, most of which would have completed this year’s spawning with the result that most of the eggs and any already hatched fry will probably have been washed away downstream or into the fields.

Other river inhabitants such as sand martins, kingfishers, ducks, moor hens and swans will have seen their nests suffer a similar fate although, unlike the fish, there is still time for other clutches of eggs, weather permitting.

The rain and night time low temperatures appeared to leave their mark on the sport experienced by the competitors in this year’s inaugural Craven Summer League when they fished the second match of the eight-match series last Sunday. The venue was the “Stick Ups” length of the canal at Barnoldswick and the anglers had to contend with a gusty wind after quite a cold night. Boat traffic was light due to the early starting time.

Ernest Ramsbotham started off on the bread flake and within a few minutes it attracted a decent bream of 920g (2:0:4).

This fish made him the match winner even though he did not experience another bite in the remaining 177 minutes of the match.

Second-place man Robert Thornton did fare a little better catching another decent bream and a few small fish for 700g (1:9:8) whilst Keith Brown took third spot with similar fish for 650g (1:7:0).

Gary Whitaker had to rely on more small roach and perch to finish in fourth place with 510g (1:2:0) whilst all the remaining competitors caught some fish.

It will be back to Swine Lane at Riddlesden for the third match on Sunday, the 31st of May. No more additional entrants will be permitted as registration has now closed.

Prospects for the weekend should be quite good providing there is not too much rain in the forecast and temperatures remain above average. The River Aire ran off surprisingly fast last weekend and could be worth a try for that elusive big trout.