Angling lines

THIS year it took just over nine months for the rainfall at Carleton-in-Craven to creep over the 635mm (25 inches) mark, and since then the total has more than doubled to stand at 1273.3mm (50.13 inches) last Sunday.

The rain last Friday and Saturday was particularly heavy, and in 27 hours, some 108mm (4.25 inches) fell, creating some of the worst flooding the Aire Valley has experienced since 2007.

Surprisingly, most of the floods had dispersed within 48 hours but the damaged caused will take much longer to repair.

With six major floods on the Aire since October, the river is bound to have lost quite a number of fish to the fields, and brown trout usually spawn around the beginning of December.

With the spawning becks in full spate so often, it will be very fortunate indeed if any of the eggs have survived this year.

Only the passage of time will reveal just how badly the Aire has been affected by the floods of 2015.

With river fishing being out of the question for some weeks, a group of Skipton AA members fished an impromptu match on Whinnygill Reservoir last Monday morning.

Conditions were reasonable and, of course, the reservoir was full to the top but the anglers were surprised at the number and quality of the fish caught.

All the fish weighed in at the end of the three hours were roach, with the biggest fish taking the scales down to the 450g (1:0:0) mark.

Average sizes were in the region of 170g (0:6:0), and the fish fell to the caster or maggot or a combination of both.

A good number of brown trout up to 900g (2:0:0) were also landed but were not eligible to be weighed in.

Andrew Leatt drew the most fancied peg in the quarry corner and landed fish from the all-in to easily win with 2600g (5:11:8).

Brother John took second place with 440g (0:15:8), and Simon Chenior was third with 180g (0:6:8).

Prospects for this weekend will depend upon just how much rain has fallen but if conditions remain mild, then both the canal and Whinnygill should be worth trying.

Even the River Aire may produce fish but the water level will need to continue falling.

BRADFORD No 1 AA

The club would like to send their condolences to the family and friends of Todd Carruthers, who passed away last week. Todd was a life member of the association, having served on the committee in various roles over many years. Rivers levels will continue to be high this weekend, as they have for around two months now, so care should be taken.

Tickets are available for the open match at Cowthorpe on the River Nidd on Sunday, January 10 from Simon on 01274-571175.

A number of stockings have already taken place on our waters this winter, including F1s and ide between six and eight inches to boost winter catch rates at Raskelf Lake.

Last year's stockings of Black Heath Lake at Ripon and Kirklees Lagoon have been followed up with a further stocking of C4 carp between eight and ten pounds in both lakes, while coarse anglers at Kirklees have also received a stocking of crucian carp.

Membership is available to purchase from most local tackle shops and online. Night permits are also available for Knotford and Kirklees from the ticket and licence secretary or online.

SALTAIRE AA

Eight anglers, from as far afield as Bolton and Harrogate, fished the pike match on the canal on Sunday when plenty of pike were caught and lost.

Result: 1 Lee Weston 13lb 8oz (one fish), 2 Andy McWilliams 12lb 8oz (one fish), 3 Terry Gilbert 11lb 11oz (two fish), 4 Ian Weston 10lb (one fish), 5 Anthony Senior 7lb 8oz (one fish). Another pike match will be held in the new year (details to be announced). Result of the silvers match on Monday on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, fished by 13 and pegged on Charlie Brown and Shipley boats: 1 Dave Wells (Tricast Rochdale) 5lb 3oz, 2 John Meredith (Tricast Rochdale) 4lb 15oz (small skimmers and perch), 3= Richard East (Matrix Halifax), Nigel Storr (Matrix Halifax) 4lb 4oz. Lowest weight was 1lb 11oz. There will be a silvers match on the canal today on the Shipley boats.To book on, ring Rick on 07815-092966, draw 10am in McDonalds, Shipley, fishing 11am-3.30pm.

LEEDS ASA

For another week, the river matches have been cancelled. Members should take extra care when the river levels subside because the banks will be extremely slippery. The membership office is open on Monday, and then on every Wednesday, Friday and Monday (7pm-9pm). Work is due to start on the stock pond at Knotford. This will enable the society to restore waters in a controlled way, Knotford Lagoon is also due to be stocked with a small number of good-sized carp.

LISTERHILLS AA

Membership books for 2016 can now be obtained from Supreme Angling at Horsforth, in addition to the usual distributors. For Sunday’s members’ match at Pilley’s, the gate will be open at 8.30am, with the draw at 8.45am. No anglers should be fishing club waters without a membership book for 2016. Owing to the extreme weather conditions, not many anglers have been out over the holiday period.

BINGLEY AC

There will be a work party at Coppice Pond on Sunday (9.30am) to put fencing in place to protect planting that will be done in the new year. All volunteers are welcome.