Angling Lines

A DECENT spell of reasonably settled weather has seen a fair few anglers on the banks. Fly hatches have improved, with the first mayflies on the water and some being taken by fish. However, water levels in the rivers have continued to be low, and fish have been easily spooked. Hopefully, the bit of rain we saw in midweek will freshen the rivers a little for the weekend, since they badly need water to flush them through.

River anglers have seen some success too, despite the tricky fishing conditions. Phil Bailey and Mick Curtin reported the River Ure extremely low and with a lot of algae on the Worton beat, making fishing difficult by coating line and fly. However, they managed a good number of fish between them and reported seeing many others, especially on the lower stretches of our Aysgarth water.

Andrew McMenemy and Michael Ickringill also had successful trips to the River Aire. Michael reported 22 brown trout in total from several visits during the week in “great condition and fighting fit”, and ranging from 4in to 4.6lb. Most came from the stretches which BCAA shares with Skipton AA. Unfortunately, members of local clubs tell of problems with gangs of poachers taking fish on the Aire this week to which clubs generally have no effective answer.

At the club’s Staveley lakes, lots of tench, chub, roach and bream have been coming to the nets. Bream to 6lb from the large lake and a lot of the smaller stocked carp of 5lb-6lb are showing at the moment, and the lake has been packed with anglers.

The lake at Shipton has come to life after a long and cold winter. The growing lilies are providing increasing cover and in the last week all species have come to the bank, including carp to 17lb and tench to over 6lb. Two different anglers claimed to have taken 100lb nets of bream, so the rewards are there for those who work at it, and most anglers are taking good mixed bags.

The club had a very successful and well-attended open day last Saturday, with several professional fly anglers and instructors providing demonstrations and advice for new and more established fly anglers.

Fly anglers should note that BCAA’s inaugural Trout Competition will be on Sunday, May 29 on the River Aire. Entry is open to BCAA members and non-members. Please contact BCAA fly secretary Peter Scholes on 07816-492389 or at peterscholes@hotmail.co.uk to reserve a place. A small charge will be made and donated to the Wild Trout Trust.

The next coarse fishing match will be on Saturday, June 4 when BCAA veterans will fish for the Morphet Cup at Staveley Lakes. Places are still available and can be booked via Rodney Brooksbank on 07875-275749.

SKIPTON AA

It was a case of third time lucky for member Philip Mawson when he fished Embsay Reservoir last Sunday. Twice previously this season, fish had been caught that would have beaten the Association's 25-year-old rainbow trout record but on each occasion their captors were not interested in holding the record. Philip has stepped into the breach with the specimen that he caught last weekend. The rainbow weighed 3410g (7:8:0) and measured 66cm (26in) in length, which complies with weight-for-length scales, so the fish was in good condition. Float-fished worm tempted the big trout, along with another rainbow of 655g (1:7:0) and six tiger trout. All the fish were returned to the water.

The first blue trout has been caught in the reservoir, and the honour fell to Emma Regan. The fish was in fine condition and weighed about 680g (1:8:0). After re-stocking, it should soon be accompanied by several more blues.

Whinnygill Reservoir continues to fish well for brown trout, and several good fish have been landed on the fly and worm. The best in the last week fell to Michael Ickringill and tipped the scales at 2020g (4:7:0). Michael had also been catching well on the River Aire with some good brownies and the odd grayling, all falling to the fly.

Craven Summer League competitors fished the gas-works length of the canal at Silsden last Sunday and enjoyed some decent sport for once, with a few good bream turning up in the top weights, along with plenty of small perch, roach and skimmers.

Results: 1 Danny Bolland 2340g (5:12:0), 2 Joe Bolland 1440g (3:2:12), 3 Martin Magner 1300g (2:13:8), 4 Bill Davenport 1210g (2:10:8), 5 Ernie Ramsbotham 1080g (2:6:0), 6 Keith Brown 1060g (2:5:4). Leading standings after two matches: 1 Danny Bolland 45pts, 2= Dave Moffat, Graeme Waterfall 40, 4 Joe Bolland 38.

Registration for the league has now closed and the next match will be fished on the Long Ing length of the canal at Barnoldswick on Sunday, May 29.

BRADFORD PALS AC

Result of our last match on Bonsai at Lindholme Lakes: 1 Andy Clough 52lb 12oz, 2 Trevor Wood 33lb 4oz, 3 Dave Whitrick 30lb 8oz, 4 Bernard Hook 26lb 14oz. Well done to the eight anglers who qualified for the third round of the club knockout at Woodland Lakes. Our next match is on Sunday, June 12 on Alders Lake at The Oakes, Sessay. The café opens at 7.35am and don't forget, you must use their feed pellets. Everyone is booked on for this match so if you can't make it you must notify the match secretary by Sunday, June 5 or you will be charged a peg fee. Leading points scorers at halfway: 1= Andy Clough, Bernard Hook 36, 3 Pete Fraser 31, 4 Ian Helliwell 24, 5 John Christopher Foreman 23.

BRADFORD NO 1 AA

Tickets are still available from Simon on 01274-571175 for Sunday's members' match on the Aire and Calder Canal at Rawcliffe Bridge. Good reports have been received from anglers fishing the stretch for nets of bream and roach. The last few tickets for the veterans' match at Raskelf on Sunday, June 12 are also available from Simon. The underwater footage filmed at Kirklees Lagoon by Beneath British Waters can now be viewed on the club's online gallery. The video gives a good insight into the lake bed and has already proved successful at improving catches for members who have adjusted rigs as a result of the footage.

BRADFORD SEA AC

Our next trip to Rhyl on Wednesday, June 15 is probably full, but it might be worth ringing Dave on 07711-987833 to double check. Fishing at Rhyl is picking up, with many thornbacks up to 14lb being caught. Tope will be showing in a week or two, so things are looking good on the west coast. On the east coast at Whitby, cod are still being caught on the wrecks when the boats can get out. Our next general meeting will be held at the New Inn, East Bierley on Tuesday, June 15 (8pm). Potential new members will be made welcome.

LISTERHILLS AA

Last Saturday's open match on the canal at Rodley was won with a mixed catch of small fish by D Moffatt weighing (2lb-13oz), 2 R Thornton (2-11.5), 3 E Harrison (1-12). The next Saturday open is on May 28. The first match of the Sunday canal open is this Sunday on the Aire Valley marina length at Redcope Lane, draw at 10am, fish 11am to 4pm. To book contact Roger. Members catching decent sized fish should send details along with the name and a witness, if they wish to enter them in the specimen fish round-up.

LEEDS ASA

A party of members recently took part in a survey with the Environment Agency at Moor Monkton Pools. No fish were removed or injured. Scale samples and measurements were taken from various species of fish. The car park at Knutsford has been resurfaced. Work is beginning at various river venues prior to the start of the coarse season. Members must obtain a permit to night fish at either Winterseat or Knutsford. The membership office will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday.

GREAT HORTON AC

Result of last Sunday's well-attended match on Lake Three at Bradshaw Hall (weather fine and sunny): 1 D Riley 41lb 12oz, 2 S Moore 29lb 13oz, 3 B Royston 21lb 9oz, 4 A Hillary 21lb 8oz. Our next match is on Ghost Lake at Brafferton on Sunday, June 5. Anybody wanting to book a guest on, please ring Dez.

BIERLEY AC

We are holding our John Glenton Memorial Match on Sunday at second pond and third pond, depending on turnout, draw 9am, fishing 10am-4pm. Golden peg fund stands at £109, entry costs £5, plus £1 golden peg. Pay out for first, second and third. Please remember: Barbless hooks only.

CENTRAL AC

Our next match is at Brafferton on Sunday, meet at venue 8am, fishing 9am-3pm.