IT’S just over a week since the Yorkshire brown trout season opened and so far it’s been very quiet indeed thanks mainly to the rather inclement weather that appears to be keeping anglers away from the waterside in droves.

Up until Easter Monday, river water levels had remained reasonably acceptable for angling but following the widely forecast snowfall, a gradual increase in temperature by evening produced a spell of heavy rain which coupled with melting snow, looked at the time of writing, very likely to produce a bank topper or even flooding of the adjacent fields.

Sport on the Skipton Angling Association’s reservoirs has seen an improvement since opening day when conditions have been decent. Last Sunday some tiger trout turned up in catches alongside the more common rainbows at Embsay reservoir although brown trout have still been few and far between.

Whinnygill reservoir has also begun to produce coarse fish and the best recorded catch for some weeks has been an excellent bag of quality roach and a single bream taken by David Fenn.

Brown trout are not numerous in the reservoir and recent catches have been poor. To make up for the lack of quantity, the trout are quality fish and there is a good chance of getting a personal best specimen.

Sport may finally begin to improve on all waters by this weekend with forecasts of temperatures reaching a breath taking 15 degrees C.

Providing there is not much more rainfall there may be better sport on the reservoirs and the river Aire may have fallen to a fishable level as well.

This Sunday morning sees the re-arranged Skipton AA river Aire clean-up on either side of the Carleton Stone Bridge.

Anyone wishing to take part should meet at the bridge for 10am. All materials will be provided and participants are advised to wear appropriate clothing and footwear.