TWO local waters have certainly benefitted from the higher temperatures of late judging from recent reports – Whinnygill Reservoir at Skipton and the local reaches of the River Aire.

At Whinnygill, some good catches of roach, bream, ide and perch have been caught from around the reservoir and even a biggish tommy ruffe has been brought up from the deeps by a bottom fishing angler. Carp and tench have remained elusive but should soon be beginning to show.

The Skipton Angling Association has benefitted from the former Skipton Mayor Martin Emerson’s Community Fund to the tune of £200.

The money will be used to continue the restocking policy at Whinnygill to provide some good mixed coarse fishing for local people.

On the River Aire, the only downside at the moment is a lack of water with the river now very near to summer level.

Fly fisherman have been enjoying some decent sport between Skipton and Gargrave, with one or two quite big brown trout coming to the net.

Speaking of which, a Skipton member has lost a small black folding mesh landing net whilst fishing the river and if anyone has found it could they let any official know so that it may be returned to the owner.

Embsay Reservoir has also shown an improvement in recent days with brown and rainbow and perch falling to both the fly and the worm.

The odd brownie has weighed around the 900g mark and a perch has also been caught estimated to be above this weight.

Even the smaller perch, which can be an annoyance at times, seem to be bigger this year.

The match fishing season is just around the corner and the Skipton AA’s extensive programme of matches will kick off on the evening of June 4 when the first of the Sunset Series will be fished on Whinnygill Reservoir with the draw at 6pm.

On the following Sunday, June 9, the first match in the Peter Hart Memorial Series will also be fished on Whinnygill.

Prospects remain good for all waters although the lack of water in the Aire so early in the year may be a cause for concern.