SKIPTON AA

THE brown-trout season, as far as river fishing is concerned, drew to a close yesterday on all local waters. Brown-trout fishing on enclosed waters, which cannot provide spawning facilities through their design, may be exempt from a close season if the body controlling fishing decides to forgo one.

Local examples of both types of enclosed waters are Whinnygill Reservoir at Skipton and Embsay Reservoir. The former is basically a hole in the ground and is fed by water entering the reservoir through long underground piping. Spawning can only be achieved in the reservoir itself and, with the absence of running water, would most likely fail. Embsay differs in that it is more like a natural lake and has two streams running into it, which could and does support natural spawning.

In the event, we observe the close season on both reservoirs but could allow all-year-round fishing for brown trout and their removal on Whinnygill if so wished.

Barring a last-minute specimen, this year has not seen a trout record being broken on our waters. The River Aire fished reasonably well throughout and the best fish took the scales down to 2270g (5lb), with plenty of trout in the 900g to 1350g (2-3lb) range.

An encouraging sign was the capture of plenty of small brown trout from natural spawning. This augers well for the future now that only triploids (sterile fish) and hatchery-bred fish reared from natural fish (not presently available) are the only fish that may be stocked in rivers.

Embsay Reservoir was something of a disappointment this year, due to the cold spring weather. Brown trout were slow to start moving and the bigger rainbows that were introduced to try and break the record for that species failed to generate a great deal of interest.

Trout fishing on Whinnygill Reservoir was up to scratch as far as brown trout was concerned, with the best around the 1800g (4lb) mark, and plenty of sport throughout the season with smaller fish. No rainbows were stocked this year, so catches were few and far between.

Skipton Winter League anglers will be in action again on Sunday on the canal at Swine Lane, Riddlesden, for the third match in the series. Registration is closed for this and the remaining matches.

WASHBURN VALLEY

Catch details (week ending September 27) – Day ticket: Fewston 25, Swinsty 4, Thruscross (catch and return) 1; total fish caught: Fewston 204, Swinsty 186, Thruscross 5; average per rod: Fewston 8.2, Swinsty 46½lb, Thruscross 5. Heaviest fish caught was an 8lb 7oz rainbow trout by John Passelow using Damsel. Fewston: Trout topping both ends of the day, feeding on the many hatches of water boatmen around weeded areas. Swinsty: Roach and perch taking to deeper water, only feeding in the shallows as things warm. Thruscross: Spectacular evening risers as wild brown trout feed from the surface late afternoon.

Catch details (month ending September 27) – Day ticket: Fewston 106, Swinsty 13, Thruscross 3; total fish caught: Fewston 595, Swinsty 464, Thruscross 25; average per rod: Fewston 5.6, Swinsty 35¾lb, Thruscross 8.3. Heaviest fish caught was an 8lb 7oz rainbow trout by John Passelow using Damsel. Fewston: Fly fishing has improved as the month progressed, with plenty of fly hatches to encourage surface feeding. Swinsty: Coarse fish have gradually taken to deeper water in cold mornings. Mixed mashes and worm is the most popular method. Thruscross: Brown trout fishing in last few days as plenty of 6in to 10in fish can be seen feeding from the surface throughout the day.

BRADFORD No 1 AA

Bradford No 1's Simon Foster won the sixth and final round of this year's Calder League with 77 grayling from Lillands for a weight of 19lb. Other placings: 2 C Turbitt (Calder 8) 17lb 2oz, 3 M Hughes (Punky's 8) 16lb 10oz, 4 D Hardy (Bradford No 1) 16lb 1oz, 5 A Fox (Bradford No 1) 16lb. Individual series aggregate weights: 1 Steve Newns 95lb 1oz, 2 Nick Chaffer 84lb 10oz, 3 Dave Armitage 82lb 9oz. Team competition: Punky's 8 43, Calder 8 42. Overall team competition: 1 Calder 8 32, 2= Mirfield, Punky's 8 28½. Raskelf will be closed on Sunday for the final members' match of the year, draw at lakeside 9.15am. Bob Newby leads the aggregate weight going into this match with 85lb 15oz. Membership for the remainder of this year will now be half price, meaning that junior membership costs just £2.50 and will be available online (www.bradfordno1.com). The trout season closed yesterday, meaning that anglers should not purposefully target these fish.

CLAYTON AC

Result of match at Forest Lane (Don Lake), 20 fished: 1 Steve Vaughan 40lb, 2 Steve Elphee 24lb, 3 Kevin Armitage 20lb 4oz. Section winners: Carol Booth, Jack Hawkins, Alan Flesher, Steff Armitage. Next match is round ten of the league at Moorfields Big Lake on Sunday, October 18. All members wishing to rejoin for 2016 need to pay £10 subscription before Monday, October 19, or they will have to pay full price. The annual meeting is on Wednesday, November 25 at the Fleece (7pm) Any member wishing to submit a rule alteration must do so 14 days prior to the meeting to the match secretary.

LISTERHILLS AA

For Sunday's members' match at Pilley's, the gate will be open at 8.30am, with the draw at 8.45am. Anglers using two rods must possess a second rod permit – they are reduced to £2 for the rest of the year. Result of the officials' match on the canal: 1 E Harrison 1lb 6½oz, 2 G Reeday 12½oz, 3 D Jackson 4¾oz. Result of Ian Smith Memorial Match at Armley: 1 R Thornton 2lb 10oz, 2 R Thorne 1lb 5½oz, 3 B Mason 1lb 5oz, 4 L Passey 1lb 2¼oz, 5 D Moffatt 1lb. All proceeds went to the British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research. The next river match is on Sunday, October 18 at Linton on Ouse top length. There is an open match at Rodley the day before.

FIELD AC

The winner of our last match at Southfield Reservoir was B Hook, who weighed 25lb. In second place was P Sedgewick with 18lb 8ozs, third was P Milner on 8lb and in fourth was the ever-improving Gary from Thornton with 7lb 8oz. Our next match is the Christmas Cheer on Sunday at Lindholme Lakes. Can all members make sure they have fished enough matches to make sure they have qualified for the prizes. Congratulations to Paul Sedgewick for winning both the aggregate points and weights competitions this year.

LEEDS ASA

Result of Sunday's Open match at Moor Monkton Pools: 1 P Cromie 70lb-14oz, 2 L Smith 68lb 6oz, 3 N Rymer 64lb 15oz. Result of Wednesday Open: 1 D Wright 141lb 12oz, 2 S Mazza 119lb 10oz, 3 A Marriner 101lb 14oz. Result of the match at Beal on the River Aire: 1 A Foster 138lb 3oz, 2 A Benstead 120lb 14oz, 3 C Burton 120lb 9oz. The presentation night is at the Anglers' Club on Thursday, October 29, with entertainment provided. A small admission charge will be made, with proceeds going to charity.

GREAT HORTON AC

Result of September 6 match at Kevin's Lake, Langwith: 1 M Lyons 22lb 3oz (from the golden peg), 2 D Whaling 15lb 10oz, 3 P McCabe 14lb 11oz, 4 J Falcus 14lb 2oz. Result of September 20 match at Horseshoe Lake, Oakland Waters: 1 O Hudspith 22lb 10oz, 2 M McDonald 17lb 12oz, 3 D Riley 13lb 12oz, 4 P Weston 13lb 5oz.

BRADFORD SEA AC

The latest trip to Rhyl was cancelled because of bad weather but if you fancy another trip to the resort, call Dave on 07711-987833 to book a place. We also have an have an extra trip coming up in the next two or three weeks. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, October 20 at the New Inn, East Bierley (8pm).

BINGLEY AC

Result of Sunday's Myrtle Park match: 1 A Greenwood 8lb 4oz, 2 N Chuck 8lb 3oz, 3 A Healey 6lb 8oz. Our next match will be on Sunday, October 18 and will again be at Myrtle Park, conditions permitting.