Angling Lines

Rain over the last week has led to higher water levels in Dales rivers, and fly anglers especially hope this will refresh the fishing after the long dry spell. The club has seen lots of new members this year, attracted by the stockings made in January.

Anglers report good catches from many fisheries. At Staveley Lakes, the big lake is giving bags of tench, bream and carp, with ten-year-old Jack Walker catching a cracking 17lb common carp on dog biscuit. On the small lake, chub, crucians, bream, roach and tench are responding well to maggots and soft six-millimetre pellets. Shipton Lake is also producing good bags of bream, as well as carp such as that netted by Simon Riley.

On the rivers, fly fishing has now started to pick up, though there are still few flies on the water, and nymph fishing remains the most productive method. In particular, two anglers had a good trip to Pickering Beck (see www.bradfordcityaa.co.uk for how BCAA members can access this water), with two dozen trout between them. A week tomorrow, there is a fly-fishing open day on the River Aire at Broughton, for which a small charge will be made. Anyone can try fly fishing or get tips on their fly-fishing techniques and tactics. Details of how to book are in the yearbook, on the BCAA website or by phone from Jim Munden on 07940-814431. On Saturday, May 23, the club’s next match is the Local Challenge at Staveley Lakes, bookings via Rod Brooksbank on 07875-275749. On June 13-14, we have a working party at Shipton Lake. If you can help, please phone Terry Duncalf.

WASHBURN VALLEY FISHERY

Catch details for week ending May 5 – Day ticket: Fewston 23, Swinsty 2, Thruscross (catch & return) 1. Total fish caught: Fewston 135, Swinsty 60, Thruscross 6. Average per rod: Fewston 5.9, Swinsty N/A, Thruscross 6. The heaviest fish caught was a 4lb 10oz blue trout by T Prest using green buzzer. Fewston: Sunday saw our trout master fish off. Bob Smith came first with a four-fish weight of 6lb 7oz . Swinsty: Lots of small fish feeding way out in the middle as roach and perch feed close to the banks. Thruscross has seen a lot of west wind this week, blowing hatching buzzers close to shore and brown trout can be seen taking advantage.

SKIPTON AA

The recent change in the weather has finally got rid of the easterly winds and low temperatures by replacing them with wetter conditions and warmer south-westerly winds. The River Aire has been a benefactor as the rain brought some extra water into the river and gave the sport a welcome boost. Most lengths have produced brown trout to well over the 450g (1lb) mark on the worm while the water was coloured. Bradford City fly fishermen have also enjoyed some decent sport above Inghey Bridge on a falling river. The second match in the new Craven Summer League will be fished on Sunday on the Silentnight length of the canal at Barnoldswick (draw 7am), and this will be the last match where new entrants to the league may register. The Skipton Winter League will hold their annual meeting and trophy presentation tonight at Skipton WMC (8.00). All past, present and future competitors are welcome, and other business will include selecting the dates and venues for the autumn matches.

BRADFORD No 1 AA

Kirklees Lagoon and Knotford are both continuing to produce excellent catches of carp, tench and bream, with many carp over 20lb being caught. Willow Hall is starting to produce catches of carp, bream and roach, while Raskelf is still regularly producing nets of over 70lb. Tench and bream are on the feed at Queen Mary’s Ponds in Ripon, with many specimens over 6lb being caught. Tickets are still available for the next members' match – at Beaver Bridge on the Aire and Calder Canal on Sunday, May 17 – from Simon on 01274-571175. Membership is still available from most local tackle shops or online at www.bradfordno1.com, with junior membership just £5.

LEEDS ASA

Result of the latest Bobco Spring Series open match at Nun Monkton Pools (20 fished): 1 L Smith (pegged on the match lake) 106lb1oz, 2 G Mitchell (on Cyprio Pool) 100lb 4oz, 3 S Mallar (on match lake) 86lb 13oz. Members are requested to see that all nets are completely dry after each session. This is to stop the spread of fish diseases and various species of alien parasites. There's no limit at the present time to the number of night-fishing permits being issued. A separate permit is required for Knotsford Lagoon and Wintersett. The membership office is now closed on Wednesday evenings and is only open on Monday and Friday evenings (7.00-9.00).

LISTERHILLS AA

Result of Sunday's cup match at Pilley's, which was fished in poor conditions: 1 D Jackson 2lb 11oz (mainly a tench), 2 E Harrison 1lb 12oz. Draw for tomorrow's open match at Rodley, which will be fished on the far end of the wood if conditions warrant, is at 9am. The club cannot accept any responsibility for tackle which is left unattended for long periods. A reminder that any member is allowed to challenge others fishing club waters to produce their membership book. The committee will not tolerate bad language or threatening behaviour.

CLAYTON AC

Result of match at Raker Lakes (17 fished): 1 Armitage 41lb, 2 Kevin Armitage 32lb, 3 Steve Elphee 31lb 10oz. Section winners: Bryan Ashton, Alan Haley, Dean Clarkson, who made a welcome return after illness. Next match is on Sunday, May 24 at Kippax. Any member not fishing should notify the match secretary at least seven days before the match.

BRADFORD SEA AC

Our next general meeting is on Tuesday, May 19 at the New Inn, East Bierley, and potential new members will be made most welcome. Subscriptions are just £10. First trip of the year is on Friday, May 29 to Rhyl aboard Goldilocks, and there is one place left. If anyone would like to book on this trip, please ring Dave on 07711-987833.The mackerel are in and the tope will follow them, so this trip could be very interesting.

FIELD AC

Result of match fished at Long Pond on Sunday, May 3: 1 D Weldon, 2 B Hook, 3 P Sedgewick, 4 B Clabburn. Our next match is on Cedar Lake at Oaks Fishery on Sunday, May 31, draw on the bank at 9am. Can all those owing peg fees make sure they are paid prior to fishing this match.

CENTRAL AC

Our next match is at Pool Bridge Farm, Norman’s Lake, on Sunday, May 10. Meet at venue 8am, fishing 9am-3pm.