ONCE again angling faced a bleak outlook last weekend with just over 24 hours of continuous rain which totalled 50.5mm in the Aire Valley and probably a good deal more on the hill tops.

As a result the River Aire overflowed into the fields for the fourth time in as many weeks making fishing impossible.

Just prior to the rain, Whinnygill Reservoir produced yet another specimen carp for Skipton Angling Association club chairman, Malcolm Mawson.

Fishing close in to the side as dusk was approaching, Mawson’s float slid under and at the other end was a splendid 2,655g common carp which came to the net after a lively struggle lasting at least 10 minutes.

After trying several baits to no effect, Mawson resorted to a small cockle fished on a size 16 hook to 1.5kg line which brought instant success. The big carp was just 15g under the club’s record fish which was also caught by Mawson.

Besides the carp, Malcolm’s cockle bait also accounted for four ide weighing a total of 1250g giving an evening’s catch of some 3905g before darkness brought an end to the fishing.

Canal anglers have continued to enjoy some good sport around Skipton before the rains came with quality roach, perch and bream.

Most baits have been successful fished close into the side when boat traffic has been light.

Reports from Embsay Reservoir have been few and indicate that the fishing may have been affected by the colder nights and no doubt by the wet conditions. Only small perch and a few rainbows appear to have been moving.

Future prospects do not seem to be any better for the foreseeable future after a brief respite in the rain, but with frost at night, there will be a change to mild and windy weather by this weekend but bringing more heavy rain.