IN an effort to improve fishing and wildlife habitat together with helping to alleviate future increases in flood levels, action is currently being undertaken by many fishing clubs and associated organisations including the Skipton Angling Association and the Aire Rivers Trust.

The Skipton club will continue its tree planting scheme at Embsay Reservoir this coming Sunday commencing at 10am.

All members and anyone willing to lend a hand should meet at the reservoir to help further this interesting work.

The Aire Rivers Trust is to meet every Thursday during January, February and March to plant hundreds of trees along the banks of the River Aire.

Once again the event is open to anyone wishing to help improve the environment and at the same time reduce the flood risk on the Aire.

Please meet at the Low Wood Scout Activity Centre on Scott Road West, Riddlesden, BD20 5QN, for a 10am start. Tools, protective clothing and refreshments will be provided.

As mentioned last week, the Skipton Angling Association requires a new general secretary to basically lead the club besides compiling minutes, dealing with the correspondence, rents, leases and fish ordering.

Ideally, the position should be filled from the membership but a non member (would be given membership) or a non angler would also be considered. Officials with another angling club cannot apply.

Meetings are held once a month in Skipton and usually last for approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Anyone who is interested should contact the interim secretary on 07851 554623 for further particulars.

The continuing dull, damp and cold weather has kept many anglers away from the waterside but the local length of the canal has finally shown a big improvement with some good fishing reported.

Pike to well over the 5kg mark have been landed on deadbait from the basin at Skipton, while some excellent catches of decent roach and perch have been made on either side of the basin.

This part of the canal is controlled by the Skipton Angling Association and membership or a day ticket is required before any fishing commences.