SKIPTON AA

THERE is good and bad news for the River Aire. The goods news concerns further work to ease the passage of fish upstream, while the bad is the likely arrival of yet another foreign invader.

Work is due to start later this year on two new collapsible weirs to replace Crown Point and Knostrop. The work is part of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme and both weirs will feature fish passes. Additional work is to be carried out to partially remove Newlay Lower Weir just upstream of Leeds, in partnership with the Aire Rivers Trust.

When completed, all three weirs will offer much-improved features to facilitate the passage upstream for both migratory and coarse fish. It is generally believed that while all fish have a tendency to move downstream over time, the presence of major obstacles like weirs have prevented their return upstream for events such as spawning.

Work is also to be carried out on the long but shallow weir on Eshton Beck at Gargrave, where water is diverted into the Leeds-Liverpool Canal just below Holme Bridge. This work will entail the installation of a series of baffles that will improve the depth of the water to aid the movement of brown trout during most of the year.

Now on the bad side of things, it seems likely that the shrimp known as the Demon may have found its way into the River Aire and surveys are being undertaken to confirm their presence.

Recent surveys in the canal between Leeds and Skipton have shown it to be widely present and it may well have come over the border from Lancashire, where it is well established.

The Demon shrimp is an invasive non-native species and a serious threat to native shrimps, other invertebrates, fish eggs and small fish. Anglers are being asked to check their landing and keep-nets for the species by following the check, clean and dry procedure.

Rod-licence renewal is almost upon us once again and reminders will soon be arriving in the post to enable licences to be renewed by the April 1 deadline.

Fishing without a licence can be a costly business, as a local angler recently found out. He was reported to the Environment Agency, who took the case to court, where the individual was fined £175 and ordered to pay costs of £127.47 and a victim's surcharge of £20. This was enough for him to buy a licence for approximately the next ten years!

SALTAIRE AA

There is a river match on Sunday, probably on the middle and bottom lengths. River match result (February 15): James Vickerman 28lb 4oz (nine chub, one grayling), 2 Andy Fox 8lb (11 grayling), 3 Pete Vickerman 5lb 15oz (one chub, four grayling), 4 Carl Chadwick 5lb 10oz (one chub, five grayling). River match result (March 1): 1 Carl Chadwick 14lb 8oz (seven chub, one grayling) 2 Eric Wright 10lb 8oz (five chub), 3 Steve Hodgson 7lb 8oz (three chub), 4 Andy Fox 5lb 9oz (one chub, three grayling), 5 Tony Greenwood 4lb 4oz (one chub, best fish of the day).

BRADFORD PALS AC

Result of our first match of the season at Willow Lake, Lindholme Lakes: 1 Steve Chambers 29lb 6oz, 2 Dave Steane 27lb 6oz, 3 Brian 'Clabbo' Clabburn 21lb 4oz, 4 Bernard Hook 21lb 0oz. The match was fished in horrendous conditions, so well done to the 18 who turned out. Our next match is on Sunday, March 22 on the Ghost Lake at Brafferton. The cafe will be open at 7.30am and the draw is at 9am. Membership of the club is now full. However, anyone who wishes to go onto the reserve list can still contact the match secretary on 07810-185862.

BRADFORD No1 AA

The river season closes on Sunday, March 15 until Wednesday, March 25 (for trout) or Tuesday, June 16 (for coarse fish). Please see the yearbook or Environment Agency website for more details. Cowthorpe will be closed on Sunday for an open match, for which tickets are available from Simon on 01274-571175, drawing at the roadside at 9.15am. Widdington Hall will be closed tomorrow for an outside booking. There will be a working party at Raskelf on Sunday, March 15 (time to be confirmed) to dispose of fallen branches and general maintenance.

LISTERHILLS AA

Last week's match at Pilley's produced joint winners: D Jackson, who fished waggler for his catch of perch, and E Harrison, who relied on the ground-bait feeder for roach and skimmers. There will be a working party at the venue on Saturday, March 21. Some members have been leaving litter and there is evidence of a fire having been lit on the bank. These people are putting our lease at risk and if caught, legal action will be taken against them. Responsible adults are required to come forward to act as watchers on all our fisheries.

BRADFORD & DISTRICT SEA AC

The next general meeting is the annual presentation evening on Tuesday, March 17 (8pm) at the New Inn, East Bierley. Please try to attend this meeting as it promises to be a good night, with a few laughs on the way. There will also be a buffet. We have managed to book an extra trip for October, November and December fishing out of Grimsby. You can book on any trip at the meeting.