BRADFORD CITY AA

MIXED weather this week brought heavy rain at the start, followed by some extremely hot days. This has been good for both still-waters and rivers. Fish in the lakes have responded well to anglers’ offerings, especially in the morning and evening, while the extra rain in the rivers has brought fish back onto feed after the recent doldrums.

On the rivers, committee member Jon Grey reported some good fishing on the Gargrave section of the River Aire, and we understand that an angler (name unknown) caught and returned a wild brown trout of 5lb. Peter Bell, Philip Bailey and Harry Parr fished the River Wharfe at Hubberholme in perfect conditions – with a bit of water when the river fishes best – and had decent numbers of fish to both dry flies and nymphs under the trees and in deep runs. Good river levels and water conditions are likely to hold for a few days if members wish to test their small-stream fly-angling skills. Barbel anglers have also been successful in the extra water coming down the Swale. Andrew Fieldhouse had two barbel of about 9lb in a short evening session, and Steve Wake – who only joined last week – had three fish, with the best weighing 10lb ‘on the nose’, and lost others. Luncheon meat was the successful bait for both anglers, with Steve taking the fish on a bomb and meat cast to an overhanging tree.

The club’s Shipton and Staveley lakes continue to produce the goods for anglers, with some decent catches reported. The current keep-net ban, because of recent cases of KHV reported in Yorkshire and further afield, is keeping some anglers away, however. At Shipton, Simon Riley had fish of 17lb 10oz and 20lb 8oz within an hour of each other, with another recently-stocked common carp later.

Committee members have continued to be busy on matters affecting the fishing which BCAA can offer members. Issues re access to our Roecliffe Bottom fishing will be resolved this week, and we have clarified parking arrangements for our water on the Wharfe at Appletreewick. A lease has been signed for rental of the fishing on a new still-water on the outskirts of Bradford from September.

Jon Grey has been instrumental in getting a grant from the Environment Agency and agreeing habitat improvement work on the Aire, following his Wild Trout Trust Advisory visit report back in March. Further details of these will be notified to members in the next few days. Part-year membership – which allows holders to fish our waters from September 1 to December 31 inclusive – continues to be available for new members via the club’s online shop, which can be accessed via a link on the website at www.bradfordcityaa.co.uk.

There will be a working party at Shipton Lake this weekend. Will members let Terry Duncalf know on 07988-681654 if they can help. The next match is tomorrow on the River Ure at Lower Dunsforth. Full details from Rodney Brooksbank on 07875-275749.

BRADFORD No 1 AA

Windy conditions made it difficult fishing for the 87 anglers competing the Lower Aire Championship at Beal on Sunday, although the match still produced 15 double-figure weights. Result: 1 Bobby Lee 21lb 8oz (bream caught on feeder from Bradford Wood Holmes stretch, best stretch of the day), 2 Phil Austin 19lb 6oz, 3 Dean Grace 19lb 4oz, 4 Ricky Gaunt 17lb 11oz, 5 Mick Wood 16lb 13oz, 6 Glenn Lawrence 15lbs 15oz. Beal will be closed tomorrow for a Feeder Masters qualifier. Tickets are now available from Simon (01274- 571175) for the Calder Championships on Sunday, September 18, which carries a first prize of £500. Any proposals for the club's annual meeting on Wednesday, October 12 must be with the secretary at least a month before the meeting. Any members willing to volunteer to assist with the day-to-day running of the club are invited to stand for the committee at this meeting. Anglers fishing at Knotford are still reporting catches of multiple carp to over 20lb, and bream into double figures.

SKIPTON AA

Heavy showers just prior to the start of the our third Taster Day at Whinnygill Reservoir may have been responsible for a slightly lower attendance but those that wet a line managed to enjoy some good catches, and even the weather improved. The best fish caught by young master Golightly was a 1120g (2:7:8) blue orfe, tempted on a double-red maggot fished close to the banking. His youthful enthusiasm ensured that the fish was landed in about a minute at the most, and it would have been a record for the reservoir if he had been a member. Other juniors found the perch to be feeding well near the outlet pipes, and about 20 fish were landed on the red maggot, with the biggest about 230g (0:8:0). Trout were difficult to find for once, and only the odd fish was landed but, despite the lack of variety, all who took part thoroughly enjoyed themselves. When the event had finished, Simon Chenier, decided to do a spot of pole fishing near the outlet pipes and was rewarded with a fine bag of fish totalling 6920g (15:4:4). Fishing 13 metres (43 feet) out and four metres (13.5 feet) deep, Simon landed a blue orfe (now nicknamed a suicide orfe due to their willingness to eat everything they see), four good perch to 450g (1:0:0), a roach of 340g (0:12:0) and a good bream weighing 1880g (4:2:8). Heavy rain on Monday brought the first bank-topper of the summer to the River Aire and there was some slight flooding of the low-lying fields. A fun match has been arranged for members on the canal near Marton Mill, Sawley Street, on Sunday, September 4, draw 8.15am, fishing 9am- noon.

LISTERHILLS AA

Draw for Sunday's RAF Wings Appeal Open Match at the Aire Valley Marina length of the canal off Kirkstall Road down Redcote Lane, is 10am. Result of National Practice match on the Fazeley Canal: 1 R Movley 3lb 4oz, 2 H Thorne 3lb 3oz, 3 E Harrison 2lb 12oz. Team member D Self came sixth overall and won his section in the Stirrup Cup Open. Result of the Members' Centenary Trophy match on a rapidly-rising Ouse at Nun Monkton: 1 E Harrison 6lb 4oz (mostly bleak), 2 J Harrison 6lb ½oz, 3 C Reedlay 2lb 12oz. Result of the canal match at Armley: 1 A Bowater 23lb 11½oz, 2 R Thorne 2lb 10oz, 3 P Woods 2lb 4oz. The river should fish well after the flush-out. The next members' match is on Sunday, September 4. Suggestions for next year's match venues are welcome, as are any news of members' catches.

LEEDS ASA

Volunteers are needed for the working party at Moor Monkton Pools next Thursday, meet at the bank 9am. The complex will be closed for the day. Result of the Tuesday Open match on Kippax Lapwing: 1 P Cromie 113lb 8oz, 2 S Hobson 81lb 10oz, 3 A Broomhead 79lb 10oz. Result of the open match on Moor Monkton front pool: 1 D Pollitt 113lb 10oz, 3 P Cromie 89lb 12oz. Result of the members' match at Ulleskelf: 1 R Laycock 28lb (barbel), 2 C Smith 13lb 6oz, 3 T Hewson 13lb. Several anglers were troubled by pike.

SALTAIRE AA

The canal is fishing very well for mixed nets of roach and bream from all sections. Several catches of 50lb nets of bream have been reported from various sections. The river was fishing well before the recent rains and should start to fish again once the water levels are back to normal.

The floating blanket weed on Tong Park has started to subside making fishing a little easier. Some of the platform pegs and the far side path have been cleared to make access easier. Anybody with any catch reports please send them to saltaireangling@gmail.com.

GREAT HORTON AC

Result of match on Sunday, August 21 at Oakland Waters, Gowdall: 1 M McDonald 18lb 15oz, 2 D Riley 13lb 14oz, 3 B Smithson 13lb 1oz, 4 A Hillary 12lb 3oz. The next match is on Sunday, September 4 at Poppleton on Horseshoe Lake. Inform Dez as soon as possible if you cannot attend.

HEWENDEN AC

Result of The Bob Greenwood Memorial Match: 1 John Duncan 6lb 7oz, 2 Nigel Bower 5lb 9oz, 3 Ian Jackson 4lb 14oz. There was a good showing of skimmers, roach and perch, caught on the waggler from maggot and pinkies at varying depths. Keep feeding small amounts of bait to draw the fish up into the warmer waters. Thanks to all members who attended the match.

BINGLEY AC

Overnight rain left the river Aire high and coloured for last Sunday's match. Result: 1 I Needs 6lb 12oz, 2 C Dine 2lb 13oz, 3 B Leonard 1lb 12oz. Next match: Settler Dam on Sunday, September 4, draw 9am on the bank, to book on, contact Tony on 07971-428678. Members are reminded of the importance of drying off both keep-nets and landing nets after each session to prevent the spread of disease.

CENTRAL AC

Results of our match at Brafferton on Sunday: 1 J Mountain 39lb 2oz, 2 P Main 33lb 12oz, 3 C Cull 31lb, 4 J Capes 23lb 8oz. Next match: Oakland Waters on Sunday, September 4, meet at venue 8am, fishing 9am-3pm, keep-nets and landing nets provided.