SKIPTON ANGLING ASSOCIATION

More or less continuous spells of heavy rain have kept river levels high over the last few days and although the forecast is for dryer conditions, the local fishing scene is likely to take some time before sport improves, especially with regard to the River Aire.

One or two anglers have been fishing the river when it has been running well above normal level and have managed to catch some mainly out of season brown trout.

If the river drops down as predicted, then grayling and chub should start being caught again but it will need a fairly long spell of dry weather to get the river into pike fishing trim.

Canal anglers are still trying their luck throughout the Skipton length but are finding the fish difficult to locate.

One man has spent 12 hours over three days without catching a single fish and this poor showing is most unusual even for winter time. Things can only improve.

I would think that no one will be fishing Embsay Reservoir at the moment due to the weather and its exposed location.

The Skipton Angling Association’s Whinnygill Reservoir at Skipton has been stocked with ide, carp and bream and will be the venue for an open match on Sunday, December 30. The draw will be at 9am with four hours of fishing from 10am. The reservoir is now full to the top and hopefully the weather will be kind for the competitors on match day.

The annual general meeting of the Skipton Angling Association will be held at the Skipton Working Men's Club on Wednesday, January 9, commencing at 8pm. The agenda is not too long this year and all current members are cordially invited to attend and give the officials their support.

BINGLEY ANGLING CLUB

The club's 2019 yearbooks are now available on the club shop, see bingleyanglingclub.co.uk and in all usual agents.

TOMORROW

FOOTBALL

Premier League: Brighton & Hove Albion v Everton, Fulham v Huddersfield Town, Leicester City v Cardiff City, Tottenham Hotspur v Wolverhampton Wanderers, Watford v Newcastle United, Liverpool v Arsenal (5.30pm).

Championship: Birmingham City v Brentford, Bolton Wanderers v Stoke City, Bristol City v Rotherham United, Leeds United v Hull City, Middlesbrough v Ipswich Town, Millwall v Nottingham Forest, Norwich City v Derby County, Preston North End v Aston Villa, Queens Park Rangers v Reading, Sheffield United v Blackburn Rovers, Swansea City v Wigan Athletic, West Bromwich Albion v Sheffield Wednesday.

League One: Oxford United v Bristol Rovers (1pm), Accrington Stanley v Peterborough United, AFC Wimbledon v Blackpool, Barnsley v Charlton Athletic, Burton Albion v Plymouth Argyle, Coventry City v Southend United, Fleetwood Town v Portsmouth, Gillingham v Doncaster Rovers, Rochdale v Bradford City, Scunthorpe United v Wycombe Wanderers, Sunderland v Shrewsbury Town, Walsall v Luton Town.

League Two: Cambridge United v Lincoln City, Carlisle United v Macclesfield Town, Cheltenham Town v Forest Green Rovers, Colchester United v Morecambe, Crewe Alexandra v Stevenage, Exeter City v Grimsby Town, Mansfield Town v Swindon Town,

Newport County v Crawley Town, Northampton Town v Milton Keynes Dons, Notts County v Bury, Port Vale v Oldham Athletic, Tranmere Rovers v Yeovil Town.

Selected non-league fixtures

Vanarama League North: Boston United v Bradford (Park Avenue), Guiseley v Altrincham.

Evo-Stik League - Premier Division: Witton Albion v Farsley Celtic.

Toolstation Northern Counties East League - Premier Division: Albion Sports v Hall Road Rangers, Athersley Recreation v Thackley, Garforth Town v Eccleshill United, Worksop Town v Liversedge.

Division One: Glasshoughton Welfare v Campion.

Hallmark Security League - Premier Division: Litherland REMYCA v Silsden.

Division One North: Shelley v Steeton.

SUNDAY

FOOTBALL

Premier League: Crystal Palace v Chelsea (noon), Burnley v West Ham United (2.15pm), Southampton v Manchester City (2.15pm), Manchester United v AFC Bournemouth (4.30pm).