Adverse weather conditions result in appalling weights

Last Sunday’s match on the Broughton Road length of the canal at Skipton was one such match.

The mini beast from the east was obviously the cause with low temperatures all the previous week combining with a steady easterly wind and occasional spells of mainly light rain.

This was the situation last Sunday when the competitors lined up for the sixth match in this season’s series of seven.

Only five anglers managed to weigh in at the end of the three-hour match and the scales were hardly taxed with the combined weight of fish being less than a quarter of a kilogramme.

Rob Thornton took top spot with 80g whilst Ernest Ramsbotham and Russell Heaton tied for second place with 60g. Fourth place went to both Mark Bradley and Simon Chenier with just 10g each whilst the remaining competitors were fishless.

Unfortunately, league secretary Bill Davenport was on holiday so the results have not yet been incorporated into the individual and pairs league tables.

However, a quick glance shows that Thornton and his partner Simon Chenier will have benefitted the most from the disastrous results. Heaton will have also moved quite a few places up the individual table.

The final match will be fished on the Long Ing length of the canal on Sunday, December 9, and this will be followed by the Xmas Cheer match on the following Sunday.

Skipton Angling Association’s Whinnygill Reservoir to the east of the town has just received a restocking of fish, although it is unlikely that members will be catching them until next spring.

The fish introduced were of a decent size and comprised of 100 ide, 100 bream and 30 carp.

The recent inclement weather has kept most anglers away from the waterside, but if the forecast is correct then milder but wetter conditions will be with us by weekend.

Canal fishing should show an improvement whilst the river may benefit if there is sufficient rain to wash the leaves away.

JOHN W PRESTON