Angling Lines

Last weekend was the first since the turn of the year where the fishing was either ruined by high-water conditions or freezing weather. One or two anglers have been in action and have landed some decent fish.

The River Aire was in a good angling state and those that wet a line found the grayling and small brown trout quite willing to take the worm or maggot. The upper reaches and either side of Carleton Stone Bridge have been the best places to try. Lower down the river at Snaygill, pike anglers have met with some success, although the number of fish present appears to be down on previous years.

Generally speaking, a 4,500g (10lb) is a good fish at present, so the 7,570g (16lb 10oz) fish caught by John Leatt of Skipton about a month ago on dead bait was bordering on the exceptional, even though it was thought to be a little on the lean side. Weight-for-length scales estimate that it should have been nearer the 8,180g (18lb) mark. John has followed it up with a fat 6,310g (13lb 14oz) pike and several smaller ones taken on a plug, which also accounted for a good brown trout.

Members have also been trying both reservoirs in search of decent perch. Both waters can be very bleak places in winter, especially with an east wind, but some fish were caught.

Embsay appeared to fish the best, although most of the fish caught were brown trout to over 450g (1lb) mark and a good rainbow were landed on the worm. Whinnygill has also provided a few smallish brownies, a specimen of 1,360g (3lb) but not much in the way of perch.

Canal anglers have been restricted to where they could fish recently due to most stretches having a covering of ice, especially in the country. The basin has been generally ice free and provided decent catches of mainly smallish roach, bream and perch. This stretch is also worth trying for pike, with fish over the 4,500g (10lb) mark easily possible on most days.

The long-awaited restocking has finally taken place at Whinnygill Reservoir, with the introduction this week of 1,000 roach and 100 bream, all in the 150 to 200mm (6-8 inch) range.

This time of the year is not ideal to be restocking but the fish have been delayed at the fish farm. Hopefully, they will soon adjust to their new home and will be able to spawn successfully when the water warms up in spring.

Several perch were caught on the canal at Riddlesden last week by a group of Keighley Angling Club members trying out a technique relatively new to fresh water fishing.

KEIGHLEY AC

Several perch were caught on the canal at Riddlesden last week by a group of Keighley Angling Club members trying out a technique relatively new to fresh water fishing.

Drop shotting uses a simple rig made up of three components: weight, hook and bait. The weight acts as an anchor on the bottom with the hook baited and positioned higher up the line to attract mid-water feeders. Although worms were used successfully on the canal, maggot and rubber lures are also highly effective.

Sea anglers are already familiar with the drop shot technique which involves jiggling the line up and down in the water to attract fish to the bait. In local stretches of the canal and river, the method is expected to become popular among anglers targeting perch and other predatory fish including pike.

Meanwhile the club received reports of good-size pike being caught on the river Aire between Stockbridge and Silsden. One member netted and returned a magnificent 18lb pike on the same stretch of water.

All anglers and walkers are being asked to keep a lookout for any discharge oozing into the river Aire – especially from drainage outlets. Keighley Angling Club is working closely with the Environment Agency following a number of recent sightings. Chairman Fred Farrington said the club is doing all it can to maintain a safe habitat for fish and local wildlife but needs help from spotters who patrol local stretches of the river. The club has set up a Twitter feed (keighleyanglin1) to assist whistleblowers and for all anglers wanting to share information and fishing tips.

LEEDS ASA

The five-year stocking plan by the Amalgamation of barbel into the River Ouse came to an end last year. However, we received a further boost from the Environment Agency with 500 barbel and 500 chub, which were put in last week at Aldwark to give anglers an increased chance to catch fish during the winter. Kippax Park has been stocked with 500 quality trout averaging over 2½lb. This had immediate effect and the recent match was won with over 80lb. The second-placed angler had over 60lb of trout but no carp. For the present, the day-ticket fee on this complex has been reduced to £3 for members and £4 for non-members. Sandworth Lake at Church Fenton has been stocked with 200 tench. Further stocking of club waters is planned for the near future.

LISTERHILLS AA

During spells of cold weather, members are requested, in the interest of safety, to turn away children playing on areas of frozen water. The few hardy ones who turned up for the last match found it hard going. The winner was E Harrison with 3lb 1oz, comprising a decent-sized crucian, plus small roach. Second was M Dunne with 1lb 9½oz. These were the only two to weigh in. This year's national championships are to be held on the tidal River Trent on Saturday, September 12. Anyone interested should contact 07984-593328.

BRADFORD No1 AA

Result of last Sunday's open match on the River Swale: 1 Keith Mottram (11 chub for 36lb 14oz on waggler and maggot from the Maunby stretch), 2 Steve Young (three chub for 11lb 13oz from Topcliffe), 3 Adrian Lewis (8lb 8oz), 4 Andy Fox (6lb 15oz), 5 Danny Wright (6lb 1oz). The next open match will be at Cowthorpe on Sunday, March 8, tickets available from Simon on 01274-571175. Widdington Hall will be closed this weekend for outside bookings.

BRADFORD SEA AC

Our next meeting is on Tuesday at the New Inn, East Bierley (8pm). Annual subscriptions (£10) are now due and are good value. The trip calendar for 2015 will also be available at the meeting. The week's fishing holiday to Culdaff is now full. Anyone else wishing to go will be put on the reserve list in case anyone drops out.

BINGLEY AC

All members are asked to note that fishing on the Nidd at Goldsborough is available all year, not until March 31 as stated in the 2015 yearbooks. Result of the match in Myrtle Park on Sunday: 1 C Dine 8lb 12oz, 2 I Needs 2lb11oz, 3 O Hudspeth 2lb 8oz.

HEWENDEN AC

Result of Sunday's coarse match (seven members fished): 1 John Duncan 2lb 10oz, 2 Paul Kitching 9oz. Only John and Paul caught anything but well done to all that braved the icy conditions.

SALTAIRE AA

There is a pike match on the canal on Sunday. For details and to book on, contact David Senior on 07909-813915. The canal is closed for an outside match booking on Sunday, February 22.