The relatively dry weather of late and the higher temperatures have created problems for some waters while improving the sport on others. By and large, still waters have been fishing the best but rivers have been handicapped by decreasing flows and rapid weed growth.

Reports from Embsay Reservoir suggest that most anglers have been enjoying the fishing there with good catches of rainbow trout on the fly and worm.

There seems to be plenty of biggish fish left over from the recent stocking although none in the 1,360g to 1,820g (3 to 4 lb) have been caught in the last week or so. Brown trout and plenty of small perch have augmented catches from the road and moor side banks.

Brown trout are rising well to the fly at Whinnygill Reservoir and at least one angler is of the opinion that there are fish there that could break the long standing record for the water of exactly 2500g (5:4:0), caught by the then junior member, Ronnie Burton in 1946.

No trout restocking has taken place this year and very few if any rainbow trout are present in the water. Coarse fishermen have been happy to land good bags of roach and perch with the odd bream or carp.

River anglers currently have to overcome a very low water and a heavy weed growth on mainly the shallower lengths above Carleton Stone Bridge. Some decent trout are still being caught on the fly or worm and the deeper stretches are worth a try for dace, chub, perch and even pike.

The Bradford No 1 length on Heslaker Lane has produced a good brownie approaching 1820g (4:0:0) recently when it fell to a float fished lobworm.

The Skipton AA. members match on the Long Ing length of the canal at Barnoldswick was below par last Sunday in spite of decent conditions. Plenty of fish could be seen rising but not many fed well throughout the three hours allocated.

Then results were: 1 Graeme Waterfall 900g (1:15:12); 2 Andrew Leatt 280g (0:10:0); 3 Kenny Wright 230g ( 0:8:0); 4 Mick Cockshott 220g (0:7:12), 5 Simon Chenior 190g (0:6:12).

Church Pool at East Marton will be the venue for this Sunday’s Craven Summer League match. Competitors will be hoping for much-improved sport over that experienced at the same venue five weeks ago.