THE new brown trout season opened last Friday on Yorkshire waters amid some really spring-like weather which unfortunately did not last beyond the first day.

Subsequent days over the Easter holiday period gradually deteriorated with strong winds, heavy, squally showers and near freezing temperatures.

The River Aire provided the best fish of the new season when a splendid brownie was landed by a Bradford City AA member which tipped the scales at 3,580g (7:14:0) and measured 70cm (27.5 in) in length.

The fish was slightly underweight according to weight-for-length scales which give a weight of 4,090g (9:0:0) but nevertheless it was still an excellent trout for so early in the season.

With the change in the fish retaining rules of both the Skipton and Bradford Clubs to catch and release for trout, the big fish was returned alive to the water and will therefore possibly turn up again later in the season when it may be much nearer to its weight-for-length rate.

The poor weather took its toll on anglers fishing the Aire and not many were to be seen in action but those that wet a line did manage to catch a few smaller trout on the worm and the fly.

Embsay Reservoir had been well stocked for the start of the season and early anglers were soon amongst the brown, rainbow and tiger trout plus the resident perch.

There have been no reports of any big fish so far but it is possible that there will be a new record rainbow trout before the season ends on this water.

Whinnygill Reservoir has also seen some anglers in the opening few days where brown tout and the odd roach have formed the bulk of sport. The reservoir holds a decent head of big brownies with the best landed over winter weighing 2,050g (4:8:0).

Prospects at the moment depend very much on the weather for both the river and the reservoirs and sport should come on in leaps and bounds once the temperature starts to climb to something like normal for the time of year.

The Skipton Winter and Summer Leagues combined annual trophy presentation evening and AGM will be held tomorrow evening at the Skipton WMC from 8pm. All past and present competitors are cordially invited to attend.