THE FIRST trout season since the commencement of the ban on the stocking of diploid brown trout in rivers came to a close at the end of September and generally speaking, local anglers did not notice any difference on the River Aire.

Ever since the Environment Agency announced the ban some four years ago, angling clubs have been looking at the choices available to them. 1 – Restock with fish reared in trout farms from local wild fish; 2 – Restock with fish farm reared infertile triploid fish or 3 – Rely on restocking by wild fish already in their waters.

Option one has been a non-starter since fish farms have only just made efforts in the past year or so to move along these lines and the first fish should soon be available for introducing next year. Option two brings increased costs to restocking and many arguments over the merits of triploids, such as a tendency to wander (like rainbows) and their alleged driving away of native wild fish. Plus points are their fast rate of growth and good fighting qualities.

Most clubs seem to have preferred option three and leave restocking to nature and at the same time reduce the number or outlaws altogether, the removing of sizeable trout from their waters.

In most cases where this has been put into practice for several years. Clubs have enjoyed seeing more fish in their waters together with bigger fish, better sport and a much improved balance sheet.

Anglers fishing the local stretches of the River Aire have reported more or less the same quality of brown trout fishing together with the capture of a reasonable number of small fish which must have been the result of natural breeding. Hopefully, this will continue into the future and the Aire will become a self-sustaining trout water.

Skipton Winter League competitors will be fishing the length of canal know as the “Coal Bunker” situated adjacent to the Thornton-in-Craven to West Marton road this Sunday. It is a brand new venue to the league and hopefully it will not be spoiled by the prospect of early morning frost and chilly east winds towards weekend. The draw will be held at 8am with fishing from 9am until noon.