CRAVEN Summer League competitors finally had something to shout about last weekend when they fished the fifth of the eight match series on the Long Ing length of the canal at Barnoldswick on Sunday morning.

Conditions were certainly not ideal with a blustery wind and spells of heavy drizzle but at least the temperature wasn’t too bad and plenty of fish came to the net. Most catches comprised of average size roach, perch and skimmer bream and one angler also landed a smallish jack pike.

The match winner was Kenny Wright with 1,550g (3:6:8) while Graeme Waterfall was second with 1,150g (2:8:8) and Andrew Thomas third with 800g (1:12:0).Other leading weights were: 4 Bill Davenport 550g (1:3:8); 5 Andy Wharton 440g (0:15:8) and 6, Ernest Ramsbotham 410g (0:14:8).

With three matches remaining to be fished the leading positions are: 1 Richard Thornton 60pts, 2 Simon Chenior 57, 3 Graeme Waterfall 56, 4 Ernest Ramsbotham 55, 5 Andrew Thomas 48, 6 Mark Bradley 43.

The next match will be on the notorious Church Pool length of the canal at East Marton on Sunday, July 19. Hopefully, conditions will be such that for once some decent catches will be brought to the scales.

Embsay Reservoir has responded well to the much warmer weather and some good fish are being landed on both the fly and worm.

Rainbows are forming the bulk of trout bags with fish to over the 1,350g (3:0:0) mark while brownies are averaging about 450g (1:0:0). Plenty of small perch are being landed by bait anglers.

Whinnygill is also fishing well due to the lower water level and the higher temperatures. Perch are feeding well and plenty of roach can be caught in a session along with the occasional good brownie in the 1,360g (3:0:0) plus range.

The carp and bream are generally keeping out of the way but may soon be feeding well with the hot spell that is forecast.

The River Aire is suffering from the low water level and only the fly fishermen are getting amongst the trout. Most of the shallower lengths are becoming choked with weed although the deeper pools are still pretty clean on the bottom for bait anglers. Minnows are thin on the ground on most stretches compared with days gone by.