BRADFORD CITY AA

YET another week of extremely dry weather has been forecast by the Met Office, with less than a 10 per cent chance of rain to relieve the rivers over the next five days, and longer-range predictions are for continuing dry weather too. Suggestions that anglers stop fishing rivers have been made by several clubs over the last week as fish are starting to experience difficulty with reduced dissolved oxygen levels in the warmer water, and angling only adds to such stress. Few trout anglers have been out, as river levels in the Dales are so low, hot bright conditions predominate and river weed further adds to the challenge on some waters.

This week has seen an as yet unconfirmed report from the York area of KHV, a virus lethal to carp populations. This thrives and spreads quickly in warm water conditions and is easily transported on wet equipment. All anglers must always check their fishing tackle and clean, disinfect and dry it thoroughly after every fishing trip. In this weather, one of the most effective methods is to leave tackle to dry in the hot sun. It is likely that a temporary keep-net ban on our still-water fisheries will be implemented during the next week as a precaution.

Despite the angling-unfriendly conditions, anglers have fished the still-waters and the deeper and more shaded parts of rivers, which tend to be cooler and have more dissolved oxygen. At Staveley Lakes, about 20 carp have been netted by a small and dedicated body of anglers, often fishing in the cool of the night. Mick Frank – jigging on our Salmon Hall stretch of the Swale above Topcliffe – reported lots of small perch and a small jack pike, with several shoals of roach, dace and chublets sunbathing on the surface.

We have now finished work to improve parking at our Shipton Lake, to restore the track along the side of the fishery and to resurface pegs. A work party last weekend trimmed back the lilies and made further improvements. Elsewhere, the seal is now in its 14th week of residence on the Swale at Topcliffe, and continues to eradicate fish populations. Progress to source a new design of net to capture it has been slow, and the animal continues to appear in swims as it searches for something to eat. Bradford City AA, other clubs and syndicates on the river, riparian landowners and local businesses have increasing concerns about the seal’s impact on fish populations. The implications for future fishing club memberships and income, and the local economy over the next 5 years, are dire. However, our hands are effectively tied by law which prevents any action other than to rely on British Divers Marine Life Rescue to try to catch and relocate the animal.

Monthly invertebrate sampling reports from local rivers this week show the effect of the ongoing drought on invertebrate populations at the lower end of the food chain. Numbers are well down, but stoneflies and caddis clinging to the underside of rocks will provide the main food sources for fish. Olives and leeches predominate at the sampling site by Steeton Bridge.

Please will members note that our annual meeting will be on Wednesday, September 26. This might seem a long way off, but all proposals for changes to club rules must be submitted to the general secretary by the end of this month – see the yearbook for contact details. Early next month we will send the agenda to all members for whom we have e-mail addresses, so that as much feedback as possible can be obtained before final decisions are made by the few members who usually attend the meeting itself.

Our next match will be on Saturday, July 14 at Staveley Lakes. All enquiries and entries please to John Stark on 07793-558227.

BRADFORD No 1 AA

The Bradford No 1 Calder League got underway on Sunday and, as expected in the bright and hot conditions, most of the best catches came from the faster, more oxygenated pegs. Winner Steve Clegg, along with second-placed Geoff Scollick on the next peg, battled through swimmers and canoes to catch grayling on stick float from Lillands. Result: 1 Steve Clegg (Punky's 8) 27lb 14oz, 2 Geoff Scollick (Calder 8) 21lb 5oz, 3 Mark Webb (Punky's 8) 13lb, 4 Dennis White (Barnsley) 11lb 3oz, 5 Dave Armitage (Punky's 8) 10lb 12oz. Team: 1 Calder 8 (40pts), 2 Punky's 8 (39), 3 Bradford No 1 (35), 4 Barnsley (30½), 5 Mirfield (28), 6 Willy Worms (25½), 7 Reserves (17). The next round will take place on Sunday, July 15.

We are hosting the Centenary Trophy members' match on Sunday on the River Swale at Maunby. Tickets are available from Simon on 01274-571175 and the draw will take place on the flood bank. The River Aire at Beal will be closed tomorrow for an outside booking.

Fishing has been challenging on most waters with the current heatwave, especially with river levels being so low. Matty Lamb caught two nice perch from the River Swale, with the biggest being just under 2lb. There's been plenty of good carp caught from Knotford and Kirklees by members, who have managed to tempt the fish away from sunbathing. At Raskelf, catches of F1s, ide and skimmers continue to be impressive, although anglers are advised not to leave large quantities of fish in keep-nets for long periods in this weather.

SKIPTON AA

The change of venue from Silsden to the hospital length on Keighley Road at Skipton last Sunday turned out to be a success, with all the competitors catching fish, including a few of above average size. Apart from being a bit on the bright side, weather conditions were good, with a light upstream wind keeping a check on the current.

Result: 1 Kenny Wright 2890g (boosted by a good perch and two bream), 2 Brett Young 940g, 3 Wayne Eason 700g, 4 Jason Aldis 600g, 5 Andrew Thomas 530g, 6 Russell Heaton 440g. Overall standings at halfway: 1= Kenny Wright, Andrew Thomas 15pts, 3 Russell Heaton 17, 4 Jason Aldis 22, 5 Andy Wharton 25, 6 Wayne Eason 31.

One other fish that was caught in large numbers but did not count was the signal crayfish, which seems numerous on this stretch of canal. Two competitors caught nine apiece, and other anglers were pestered by them only to see them drop off the hook on their way to the landing net.

Sport locally continues to be affected by the very warm weather, which is beginning to reduce water levels be they rivers, canals, reservoirs or ponds. The River Aire is very low and the weed growth is reducing water available for angling. A few anglers are still fishing, but the rest are keeping away.

Embsay and Whinnygill reservoirs are seeing lower levels but the fishing is still reasonable for trout and coarse fish. Philip Mawson has broken the Whinnygill mirror carp record with a fine fish weighing 2700g from the south-west corner. It took a floating halibut boilie with a size 12 barbless hook to 2.5kg line.

This Sunday's match is the Peter Hart Memorial, for Skipton AA members only, and will be fished on the Association's length of the canal at Broughton Road, with the draw at 8am.

BRADFORD SEA AC

We have two trips to Whitby Festival coming up – on Sunday and Monday aboard Richard Ward's boat Shytorque 2000. There are big prizes to be won, including £5,000 to the winner, so if you fancy a go then ring our trip secretary on mobile 07711-987833 to book your place at £56 per person per day. Big daily prizes are also available.

On the east coast, cod catches are on the increase now that the clarity of the water is improving. Boats are coming back with plenty of fish, and some big ones at that. On the west coast, things are also picking up. With the settled weather, mackerel are new showing up and hungry topes are following them. Tope up to 40lb have been caught, so prospects are looking good.

FIELD AC

Result from our last match on the River Don at Sprotbrough: 1 Keith Gardner 7lb 15oz, 2 Gary Thornton 5lb 3oz, 3 Keith Spink 4lb 12oz, 4 Alan Lynn 4lb 8oz. Our next match is on Sunday at Tom's Pond. Can members please ensure that they have booked off if they are not able to fish, otherwise peg fees will be charged.

CENTRAL AC

Result of our match at Redwood Lakes on the Canal Lake: 1 P Main 47lb 12oz, 2 R Wharfe 28lb, S Worley 25lb 2oz, 4 G S Cooper 23lb 4oz. Our next match is at Forest Lane on the Vale Lake on Sunday, July 15, meet at venue 8am, fishing 9am-3pm.