BRADFORD CITY AA

THE weather seems to be warming up at last, though the wind remains cool and is suppressing fly hatches. Water levels in the rivers are very low indeed, making fishing still more challenging, though BCAA still-waters are not so badly affected and are fishing well.

On the rivers, Ashley Cook returned a fine 49cm (2lb 14oz) brown trout from the Aire at Gargrave last weekend, following a similar fish the previous Saturday, and Jon Grey found fish at Buckden on the Wharfe.

On the Ure, there are many grayling rising, though anglers have found it difficult to avoid these out-of-season fish in their pursuit of trout.

The latest riverfly survey on the Wharfe at Buckden shows heptagenids and olives as the predominant invertebrates at the moment, giving anglers some good clues as to the right fly.

On our lakes, Tom Richmond reported a “cracking night on Shipton, with a common carp of 18lb, two mirrors at 12lb and 7lb, and a larger fish lost at the net”.

Fish were well spread out and very active on the surface, though anglers are reminded that surface and zig-rig fishing are not allowed. John Dakin was also in the fish, with some fine bream and carp to the bank.

This week, spraying of giant hogweed has started on the Aire. It is very important that all river users be able to identify this plant, so as to avoid it and the very nasty chemical burns it can cause.

We have also increased our anti-poaching patrols, following our sign-up to the Environment Agency voluntary bailiff scheme, and have reported one or two individuals to the police. Fishing without permission is a criminal offence under the 1968 Theft Act.

Everyone with an interest in angling and conservation is reminded that we have a large open day event on Saturday on Gargrave village green (9.30am-4pm, postcode BD23 3RT).

There will be a range of stalls, competitions, free tuition and activities from local angling clubs and fishing organisations, and on-river demonstrations by nationally-renowned anglers and conservationists.

Members will be pleased to hear that our website at www.bradfordcityaa.co.uk is now back on-line following a host server failure, and continues to be reloaded when time and other commitments permit.

Our next coarse fishing match is the Gertrude Sykes Cup at Staveley Lakes on Sunday, May 14. To book a place, and for further information, please call Rodney Brooksbank on 07875-275749.

SKIPTON AA

Bradford City AA's annual open day on Gargrave's village green on Saturday is set to be bigger and better than before. It will occupy much of the available space, and the river bank will provide a natural viewing gallery for many of the events planned for the river.

Entry is by payment of a small entry fee, which will include entry into the raffle. All proceeds will go to the Wild Trout Trust to promote their nationally important work to conserve and improve habitat and the environment for aquatic and stream-side fauna and flora.

Among the many events taking place will be demonstrations, free have-a-go tuition on general and specialist casting techniques, advice on fishing tackle and equipment, and stands and displays from angling clubs and fishing and conservation organisations.

Besides the many varied fly-fishing displays by Clark Colman, Brian Towers, Manu Gonetto, Stephen Cheetham and Phil Sheriden, Jonathan Barnes is available for tips on how to fish a river, and Professor Jon Grey, of the Wild Trout Trust, will demonstrate river-conservation approaches and methods, while the river fly "bug sampling"surveys of aquatic invertebrate populations will be popular with kids both big and small.

Other exhibitors will include Bradford City AA, Skipton AA, the Colne Water Angling Club, the Riverfly Partnership, Leeds Fly Dressers' Guild, the Aire Rivers Trust, the Salmon & Trout Conservation UK, the Wild Trout Trust and possibly the Dales Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency.

LEEDS ASA

Result of the Tuesday Open match at Kippax Park (Lapwing Lake): 1 P Carter 86lb, 2 B Rymer 69lb 8oz, 3 J Redmond 67lb 11oz.

Result of the Wednesday Open at Moor Monkton Pools (front pond): 1 M Gallagher 113lb 13oz, 2 A Bull 105lb 7oz, 3 A Gallant 81lb 3oz.

The sudden cold snap early in the week temporarily put a stop to sport at Knotford Lagoon. However, it has picked up again and some good carp have been recordedm including a fish of 19lb which was stocked six years ago at a little over 5lb – a good growth rate.

A new member fishing on the River Wharfe had a brown trout of 1½lb on worm, then a good-sized chub of just over 5½lb, which, after weighing, was returned.

LISTERHILLS AA

Result of the Saturday Open at Rodley, where fish were hard to tempt, and those who concentrated on sizeable fish fared worse: 1 P Woods 2lb 7oz (80 small fish), 2 R Thorne 1lb 13½oz, 3 B Mason 1lb 11oz, 4 M Smith 1lb 6oz.

The next Saturday Open is on May 13. The next members' only match is on Sunday at Kippax Park (Osprey Lake), meet 9am. Those going must confirm by phone tomorrow night on 07518-721051.

Only moderately-sized trout have come from the River Aire, but one angler who was only out for a brief evening session hooked a trout estimated at over 3lb and, having played it out, found to his horror that he had not put his landing net together. The result was inevitable, and he went home a sadder and hopefully wiser man.

CLAYTON AC

Result of our match on Sunday at Viking: 1 Steve Vaughan 46lb, 2 Derek Milner 43lb, 3= Steff Armitage, Joe Jonas 41lb. Section winners: Kevin Armitage, Jack Hawkins, Kevin Murgatroyd.

Sunday's match is at Sessay (Poplars Lake), draw at venue 8.45am. Floating baits are allowed. Any member not fishing must notify Jason.

CENTRAL AC

Our next match is at Redwood Lakes on Sunday, meet at venue 8am, fishing 9am-3pm. No floating baits are allowed, keep-nets are provided.