Anglers battle for title on Dales rivers

ANGLERS on seven rivers throughout the region - including four running through the Yorkshire Dales - are for the fifth time competing for a coveted angling championship run by a major utilities company.

The Riverlife Angling Championship was set up by Yorkshire Water to highlight and celebrate the company's investment in the environment. Over £400 million has been spent in the five years to 2005 and a further £240 million of investment is planned before 2010 to improve the quality of waste water treatment at sewage works in the region.

Fish stocks are traditionally seen as an important indicator of the quality of river water and the fishermen will be hoping to reel in a good catch from the four Dales Rivers being fished; the Nidd, Swale, Ure and Aire.

The competition has been highly popular since its very first year and hundreds of anglers have taken part in league matches on the rivers, hoping to become the river champion, or even the overall Riverlife Angling Champion, the angler who wins the most overall points on all the rivers.

Anglers earn points for the weight of the fish caught. There are eight league matches on each river and anglers can compete on one or more rivers.

...investment at many sewage works, upgrading the treatment facilities which will, in turn, lead to even higher river water quality

Karen O'Rourke - Yorkshire Water

Karen O'Rourke, who organises the competition for Yorkshire Water, said: "Every year we get more and more anglers taking part and competition to become the individual river champion - and especially the overall Riverlife champion - is fierce. This year's competition is just getting underway and already some anglers are making their mark.

"But whilst it a great event for anglers, there's also a serious message which is that Yorkshire Water is making a massive investment at many sewage works, upgrading the treatment facilities which will, in turn, lead to even higher river water quality."