ANGLING: Rain increases River Aire water level

Sunny conditions and temperatures approaching the 30 deg C mark were replaced by enough precipitation to put an extra two thirds of a metre into the River Aire and give it a refreshing wash out.

The amount of rain that fell over the district was rather variable with the River Ribble hardly showing a rise at all by Sunday lunch and the River Wharfe rising rapidly during the afternoon following some very heavy rain on the hills above Buckden.

With a forecast of a return to drier and warm weather, river angling should be possible for at least a few days although the level will soon fall away as the dry ground absorbs the recent rainfall.

Anglers should therefore give the fish the benefit of doubt if conditions should again reach those of late.

Whinnygill Reservoir has continued to be a good alternative water and most anglers have reported some very good sport with the coarse fish in the water.

Tench are now turning up more frequently in catches along with quality ide and roach.

Skimmers are also feeding well and until recently, small perch appeared to be on a feeding frenzy.

The water level is falling slightly but it is no detriment to the fishing.

For some reason the number of anglers fishing Embsay Reservoir has seen quite a fall in recent weeks and on some days no one seems to be wetting a line.

Good rainbow trout are falling to the fly but brownies are not too numerous at the moment unless the rain has made them more active.

Small perch are plentiful in the edges but no fish of note has been landed for ages.

The Broughton Road length of the canal has continued to provide some steady sport with roach, perch and skimmers of average length and the occasional larger bream.

The forthcoming closure of the canal from Gargrave into Lancashire may see a reduction in boat traffic to help the fishing but there will still be a procession of day boats venturing up to Gargrave and back.