SKIPTON AA

Skipton Angling Association will be holding their 109th annual meeting next Tuesday at The Three Links Club (8pm), rather than Skipton WMC. The new venue is at the eastern (way out) side of the town hall car park, and parking is free during the evening.

All members are invited, and there is a vacancy for a new membership secretary due to illness, and a couple of vacancies for committee positions. Proposals are also to be put before the meeting for some minor rule changes..

The Association has had another successful year, with membership remaining stable in all categories. Apart from the last two months, the weather had been generally favourable, and members enjoyed some good fishing once the temperature began to rise at the end of May.

Embsay Reservoir produced some rainbow trout to over the 1800g (4:0:0) mark, while Whinnygill Reservoir generally performed well for coarse fish, with the newly-introduced roach frequently coming to the net.

The River Aire produced plenty of trout and grayling but, for once, the average size was below what has been the recent norm. There was one flood after another sweeping down the river in November and December, which must have resulted in the loss of many fish.

Although it may be too early to say, there has been a slight change in the weather, with less rain and lower temperatures, with the wind coming from the east. River levels have generally fallen but are soon affected by the slightest rainfall. Anglers have hardly been quick to take the opportunity to try their luck on the Aire, and no one could be seen in action anywhere between Skipton and Keighley last weekend.

At the moment, the canal and still waters may provide the best sport, with the canal probably the best bet. Even this stretch of water suffered from a sharp increase in floodwater but has now returned to normal. The basin at Skipton may be a good place to try, and can produce some very good perch at this time of the year.

SALTAIRE AA

Result of the New Year's Day match on the canal at Shipley (21 fished): 1 Richard East (Matrix Halifax) 8lb 2oz (quality roach), 2 Nigel Store (Matrix Halifax) 5lb 8oz, 3 John Fletcher (Fisherman's Way) 4lb 1oz, 4 Robert Thornton (Idle & Thackley) 3lb 12oz 8dr, 5 Daz Shaw (Maver North West) 3lb 11oz, 6 Paul White (Fisherman's Way) 3lb 8oz 8dr. The next Saltaire canal open is on Sunday, telephone Richard East on 07815- 092966. The next canal pike match will be on Sunday, January 31, draw 8.45am-9am, Hotel Ibis car park, Shipley BD18 3ST, fishing 10am-3pm. This is an open match, and anyone is welcome, but all need to book on. For further information, contact Dave Senior on 07909-813915. A large landing net and an unhooking mat is a definite requirement, no mat no net, no fishing! Any catch reports from any waters, please send them into saltaireangling@gmail.com.

BRADFORD No 1 AA

Sunday' s match on the River Nidd at Cowthorpe could be cancelled should the river levels not drop sufficiently. Tickets are available for this match from Simon on 01274-571175, and competitors are reminded that dead baits are now banned on all matches. The water level at Knotford is slowly returning to normal following the Boxing Day floods, during which the otter fence ensured that no fish were lost to the river. Night permits for Knotford and Kirklees are selling fast, so any new members wishing to purchase one are advised to do so soon.

LISTERHILLS AA

Last week's match at Pilley's was fished in miserable conditions, and this, coupled with fish being reluctant to feed, made for a low-weight win for E Harrison. Runner-up was D Stephenson, but several of the competitors packed up early. Sport on the canal has been patchy with anglers either on fish or not getting a bite. Where silver fish are responding, pike are nearby, and it is well worth finding the former before trying for pike. When obtaining a membership book, read the rules and sign in the space provided.

BRADFORD SEA AC

Our first meeting of 2016 is on Tuesday, January 19 at the New Inn, East Bierley (8pm), where trips for the year will be discussed. Our last scheduled trip, on Monday, December 28, was cancelled at the last minute because of bad weather.

BINGLEY AC

Thanks to all who turned up to last Sunday's working party at Coppice Pond. More will be scheduled for the near future. Committee members are reminded that the first committee meeting of 2016 is next Tuesday (8pm).