Angling Lines

After a long period of wet and unsettled weather, early forecasts promise drier but colder conditions at the weekend – definitely more suitable for fishing. There is no doubt that we will see many fishermen on the banks again, with grayling anglers in particular looking forward to fishable river levels.

Anglers’ reports have been few and far between due to the bad weather. However, visitors to Staveley Lakes have reported silvers, skimmers and carp to 18lb. At Shipton Lake, several large pike have been netted, with Dave Pearson returning a super fish of 18lb 4oz. One solitary report from anglers on the River Aire during a lull in the storms was of a few grayling and out-of-season trout.

BCAA have stocked fish into Staveley and Shipton lakes as part of the club’s ongoing fishery improvement work. Larger fish remain on order and will be stocked after a few frosts.

The club have extended their lease of the wild trout fishing at Hubberholme on the River Wharfe, which it acquired last April for a trial season. Also, the club are working on a project to refurbish and rent a further still-water fishery for members in the Leeds-Bradford area.

Members are reminded that it is now time to renew membership, if they haven't already done so. Prices are £38 for adults, £24 for concessions and £5 for juniors, plus a £15 joining fee for new members, except new juniors. There is also free membership for under-12s to fish with an adult, and a free social membership for non-anglers to accompany members who are fishing. Both renewing and new members can join for 2016 via agents or through the BCAA online shop, via a link on the website at www.bradfordcityaa.co.uk.

Although the membership secretary’s position is vacant, any queries about membership or the club can be directed to Jim Munden on 07940-814431.

SKIPTON AA

While there may have been a slight change in the weather with less heavy rain, nearly every day is wet, and in the first 11 days of the new year the rainfall locally stands at about 100mm (four inches). This has been sufficient given the soggy state of the land to keep the River Aire well above normal and even resulted in more flooding into the fields last Sunday.

It is not surprising to find that no one has even attempted to wet a line in the river, and it is difficult to remember the last time someone was seen fishing the Skipton lengths. It will take a fairly long spell of dry weather to get the river down to an acceptable level for fishing and, at the moment, that dry period does not appear in the forecasts. This week may just be colder with less precipitation but more low pressure and corresponding rain is on the cards again from next week.

One or two hardy members have been trying their luck on the rather exposed Whinnygill Reservoir at Skipton, where some decent fish have been coming to the net. Kenny Wright landed a fine brown trout weighing 1800g (4:0:0). Apparently, the fish had successfully evaded capture on a number of occasions by smashing the line of the would-be captors.

Simon Chenior enjoyed a session when catching a number of fish, which included a roach, a perch and a number of brown trout. However, his last fish of the day was the proverbial monster and put up a supreme struggle before finally breaking free during a dive to the depths of the reservoir. Simon reckons it was either a very big brownie or a good-sized carp.

Prospects on the reservoir should remain reasonable since all the recent rain has been relatively warm and this will have ensured that the fish have continued to feed. There is a hint of colder weather but the deep water of the reservoir will take some time for the chill to penetrate. The moorside quarry corner is a popular place and also offers some shelter to the angler, depending on the direction of the wind.

BRADFORD No 1 AA

The Dudley Hill and Tong Socialist Cup Open at Cowthorpe on Sunday was cancelled due to the river carrying over 12 feet of extra water. If the forecasted dry spell is correct, river levels should drop to somewhere near normal levels over the coming weeks – the first time in over two months on many of our waters. Care should be taken when visiting waters once the levels have dropped as banks will remain dangerous in parts and may have eroded. Please report any serious damage to the club through ask_us@bradfordno1.com so that action can be taken where required. Any members willing to bailiff on the River Calder are asked to contact head bailiff Paul Hopkins. The new lock at Knotford will be put in place within the next couple of weeks, details of which are on page 19 of the yearbook. 2015 members have until the end of 2016 to renew without paying the joining fee but membership must be purchased before fishing.

SALTAIRE AA

Result of open match on Sunday on the canal at Shipley: 1 Carl Hawthorne (Matrix Halifax) 9lb 12oz (skimmers from peg 19 on the boats), 2 John Meredith (Tricast Rochdale) 6lb 12oz (roach to 1lb 2oz from peg 20), 3 Carl Chadwick (Saltaire AA) 6lb 4oz (roach on the waggler from peg 10), 4 Nigel Store (Matrix Halifax) 1lb 4oz (one perch), 5 Richard East (Matrix Halifax) 1lb 3oz 8dr. The next match is on Sunday, January 24, contact Richard East on 07815-092966. There is a river match planned, weather permitting, on Sunday, using the middle and bottom lengths, draw 9am at McDonalds, Shipley. Telephone Barrie Murgatroyd for details and to book on (07902-493139).

BINGLEY AC

Yearbooks are now available in all the club's agents and online at www.bingleyanglingclub.co.uk. Anyone fishing club waters must now be in possession of a 2016 yearbook. The postponed Christmas Cheer match will be fished on Sunday, January 31 in Myrtle Park (river levels permitting), draw 9am in Ferrands car park, to book on contact Tony on 07971-428678. Work parties for fencing and planting at Coppice Pond are scheduled for the following Sundays: January 17, February 7 and 28 and March 20, all 10am starts, volunteers welcome.

BRADFORD SEA AC

Our first meeting of 2016 is on Tuesday at the New Inn, East Bierley (8pm), where trips for the year will be discussed. Will all members who won trophies last year try and return them to Rob at this meeting so that he can get them ready for engraving. We have some trips coming up to Whitby and Grimsby. If you would like to go, please ring Dave on 07711-987833.