BRADFORD No 1 AA

THE milder conditions and recent stockings brought improved catches of silver fish in Sunday's second round of the Raskelf Winter Series, although the F1 carp didn't feed in great numbers, even on the favoured pegs. Result: 1 Howard Foster 14lb 8oz (eight F1s on feeder and maggot), 2 Matt Foster finished second 10lb 12oz (75 ide), 3 Ricky Malone 10lb 10oz (10 F1s), 4 Stuart Tate 10lb 6oz (mixed net). Ronald Hipwell Trophy standings at halfway stage: 1 Stuart Tate 66pts, 2 Graham Jackson 65, 3 Matt Foster 63. Next round is on Sunday, February 25.

Our next open match will take place on the River Nidd at Cowthorpe on Sunday, February 11, with tickets available from Simon on 01274-571175 or Tackle2U in Bradford. Widdington Hall will be closed tomorrow for an outside booking.

Most of the region's rivers have been very high over the last couple of weeks but they should be returning to a normal level for this weekend. The River Wharfe at Addingham and the River Calder at Gravel Pits should be worth a visit this week for grayling on float-fished maggot.

SKIPTON AA

Apparently the Environment Agency is to ask anglers for their views on the 1878 river close-season law, which basically outlaws fishing for trout and coarse fish in Yorkshire between the October 1 and March 24 (trout) and March 16 to June 15 (coarse fish).

Dave Harrell Angling says that an independent review group is investigating whether river close seasons can follow the example set on still-waters 23 years ago and canals 18 years ago, when the close season was abolished.

Among the questions asked are: Who established the independent review group? On whose authority was it established? What is their brief? Who has it engaged with, and when will the report be available? To date there has been no reply from Dave Harrell Angling and it has been suggested that it represents a lobby group of anglers who just want to go fishing irrespective of the consequences.

It could also be the angling trade in general (manufacturers and tackle shops) that are pushing for a change in order to boost a quiet period in business from March to June each year when anglers have to take a compulsory break from fishing because of the existing close season. No doubt we will see the arguments for and against when the EA starts the ball rolling.

Our members have seen a change at Whinnygill Reservoir recently due to repair work being started that should take about three weeks to complete. The water is being drained off and the level at the moment is about two metres below the maximum depth of 10.40 metres.

Members fishing the water should take care as the exposed stone setts can be quite slippery. Sport is rather patchy but it may be due more to the weather than the lower water level.

Canal anglers have also experienced some poor sport of late from the local lengths, including the basin, where the only fish of note caught recently was a small pike.

River anglers have fared a little better when the level has not been too high, and the Heslaker Lane length has been reasonably well fished, with trout and grayling being the main quarry.

LEEDS ASA

Matches have again been fished in poor conditions. Result of the Tuesday Open at Kippax Park: 1 A Broomhead 80lb 9oz, 2 N Rymer 45lb 7oz, 3 A Rymer 38lb 11oz. Result of Saturday's match at Kippax Park: 1 M Jukes 82lb, 2 S Raper 62lb, 3 N Rymer 51lb. Result of Wednesday's match at Moor Monton Pools: 1 M Green 44lb 11oz, 2 M Hare 19lb 13oz, 3 G Watson 14lb 12oz. Result of Sunday's match: 1 T Bainbridge 97lb 5oz, 2 M Unwin 67lb 10oz, 3 L Myers 18lb 2oz. Result of match on the River Ouse: 1 P Hyde 11lb (one bream, one perch), 2 K Mottram 6lb 2oz (mostly single bream), 3 M Thewlis 5lb 14oz.

Knotford Lagoon has received a stocking of 1,000 roach, 500 bream and 250 tench. Work will start at this venue in the near future to make bank-side access easier.

BRADFORD SEA AC

Will members who won trophies last year please remember to bring them to the next general meeting on Tuesday, February 20 at the New Inn, East Bierley (8pm) so that we can get them engraved for the presentation evening in March. Also can you please renew your membership (£20). This will ensure that you get first priority on any club trip. The trips for this year are being finalised, and as soon as they are the information will be passed on to members.

LISTERHILLS AA

Result of Sunday's members' match in wet and windy conditions at Apperley Bridge: 1 E Harrison 2lb 4oz (all roach), 2 G Marsden 2lb 1½oz, 3 D Johnson 1lb 12oz. Next members' match will be held on a still-water, details to be confirmed. Pilley's Dam has fished reasonably well for anglers who have sat it out in baited swims.