THERE is strong evidence that large shoals of grayling are making local stretches of the River Aire their winter feeding ground once again as anglers report the fish being caught in increasing numbers.

Two Keighley Angling Club members who braved a mid-week cold snap on the river shared eight grayling, including five with an estimated weight of more than 1lb. They also netted and returned more than 20 brown trout that were tempted by maggot trotted off a centrepin reel.

Last week’s match on the river at Kildwick was won by John Storey after landing catches totalling 6lb 6oz. Bob Granger was runner-up with 4lb 11oz. John Martin must have thought his 4lb 5oz haul would be sufficient to take third spot but lost out by a thin margin to Ian Needs, who recorded 4lb 8oz.

Most fish were caught using stick float tactics with maggot as bait. Grayling were once again dominant in all of the nets, although chub and barbel were also present at the weigh-in.

Keighey Angling Club has cut a number of extra pegs on the length above Utley bridge to meet demand as the river’s popularity continues to build.

Success on the Aire is currently held in check by lower yields along the canal between Riddlesden and Skipton where fish have become more dormant due to the colder conditions.