Angling Lines

SPRING truly feels like it's here now that the trout season on Yorkshire fisheries has started following the long winter-lay-off. Our coarse fisheries have already started well, and stocking at Staveley and Shipton Lakes has attracted many anglers and produced some large nets. Anglers on the River Swale have reported barbel up to 10lb in recent months, and some good chub. Club members now have less than a week to renew membership, if they have not already done so. After March 31, they will again have to pay the joining fee of £15. New members are also welcome. Costs and information about BCAA fishing can be obtained from the website at www.bradfordcityaa.co.uk or from membership secretary Jim Munden (07940-814431). A recent survey has brought nearly 500 suggestions from BCAA members about how they would like to see the club developing. The committee are working to include these suggestions in improvement plans for 2015 and future years, and will shortly be circulating a newsletter to members about this and other matters. The news will hopefully include details of a new BCAA fishery, once we have agreed and signed the lease with the riparian owners. The next match is the Gertrude Sykes Cup on Saturday, April 11. There are still spaces and further details are available from Rod Brooksbank (07875-275749).

SKIPTON AA

With the opening of the brown trout season yesterday on Yorkshire rivers, anglers can now choose to fish moving water again, although river coarse fish are enjoying their own close season which lasts until June 15. In order to further protect river coarse fish, there are restrictions on the baits that may be used while fishing for brown trout. Only the fly worm, minnow and spinning may be used, and the use of general coarse fish baits, such as maggots, bread, sweetcorn and other cereal-based items, and ground bait are banned until the season reopens for coarse fish on June 16. Local prospects for the new trout season should be quite favourable following another mild winter, with much less heavy rain than was experienced last year. Last year the Skipton AA brown trout record was broken by a splendid Aire trout weighing exactly 2,500g (5lb 8oz), and landed by Andrew Facey of Skipton from in the vicinity of the Carleton Stone Bridge. The previous record fish was caught in Whinnygill Reservoir in 1946 by junior member Ronnie Burton and weighed 2,385g (5lb 4oz). Incidentally, Burton is now the oldest member of the Skipton AA.

BRADFORD No 1 AA

Andy Jacques clinched first place in this year's Raskelf Winter Series by winning the final round, taking his points total to 125 from the four matches. Andy caught a net of F1s, ide and skimmer bream on pole for 42lb 10oz in last Sunday's final round, while Ian Graham came second on the day with 30lb 8oz on feeder and pellet. Eric Wright caught 25lb 14oz of F1s on pole for third place, followed by Graham Brammer on 19lb 14oz. Steve Hodson finished the series as runner-up with a total of 105 points, followed by Fred Prudham (101) and Eric Wright (90). The members' match at Ripon in August is now sold out. Knotford is fishing very well, with a number of anglers catching carp to over 20lb and bream over 8lb. A limited number of night permits are still available for here and Kirklees Lagoon. Members are reminded to ensure that all gates are closed behind them. The River Calder at Elland is worth a visit for trout on fly or worm.

LISTERHILLS AA

There was a poor response for last week's working party at Pilley's. However, a considerable amount of progress was made. Members should note that a new barrier has been installed. When the various companies on the complex are not open, the barrier will be down and entry to the lake is by foot only. Cars must be parked on the small car park, just inside the main gate. The next members' match is on Sunday, April 5. The Saturday series of canal opens starts on April 18. Some members are not using the coupon on page 25 of the membership book when applying for Leeds Amalgamation membership, which is costing them up to £10 more. The fishing will improve as the water gradually warms up. Best fish recorded last week was a carp of 17lb. A few good-sized perch are coming from the canal, falling to drop-shotting methods. The trout season opened on Wednesday. All catch reports are welcomed.

BRADFORD PALS AC

Result of last Sunday's match at Ghost Lake, Brafferton: 1 Pete McFraser 19lb 0oz , 2 John Charles Foreman 17lb 8oz, 3 Geoffrey Darke 16lb 10oz, 4 Brian Clabburn 14lb 4oz. Well done to everyone who qualified for the second round of the club knockout. Our next match is on Sunday, April 12 at Southfield Reservoir. Everyone is booked on for this match, so if you can't make it you must notify the match secretary by Sunday, April 5 or you will be charged a peg fee. Membership of the club is now full. However, anyone who wishes to go onto the match reserve list can still contact the match secretary on 07810-185862.

CLAYTON AC

The first match of the season is on Sunday, April 12 at Moorfields, Goole (small lake), draw 8.45am, fishing 10am-4pm, two keep-nets required.

Reminder to all members regarding rule amendments this year: Members will automatically be booked onto all matches. Any member not fishing must notify Jason seven days prior to the match, or will be liable for peg fees. All matches will be £20 this season. Cafe at Moorfields will be open from 7.30am on match days.

BRADFORD SEA AC

Our next general meeting is on Tuesday, April 21 at the New Inn, East Bierley (8pm). If you would like to be a member, please come to the meeting – you will be made most welcome, and annual subscriptions are a bargain at £10.

BINGLEY AC

There is a canal match on Sunday, draw 9am by the towpath on Canal Road, Crossflatts. Call Tony on 07971-428678 to book a peg. Members are reminded that our river lengths reopened for trout fishing on Wednesday.

CENTRAL AC

Our first match is at Forest Lane on Sunday, April 12. Meet 8am at the venue for fishing from 9am to 3pm. Keepnets are provided. All members should be in possession of an up-to-date licence.

HEWENDEN AC

The final pike match of the season is on Sunday, March 29, £10, meet 9am in the car park.