BRADFORD CITY AA

AS SO often happens, the opening of the trout season has coincided with the weather turning colder again. Many places have seen four seasons – rain, snow, warm sun and wind – on the same day.

Only a few anglers have been out, reporting poor fishing conditions and only sparse hatches of the early large dark-olive flies, which are often a staple for fish at this time of year. All the same, returns have been made – including one or two out-of-season grayling and some large trout from the Aire and, further afield, from the Wenning and the Ribble. No reports have yet arrived from anglers at BCAA trout fisheries on the Wharfe or the Ure.

On our still-waters at Shipton and Staveley, similar cold conditions have meant that few anglers were out on most days over the Easter weekend. Temperatures were close to freezing some mornings. Anglers on Staveley small lake had bags of roach, skimmers and ide.

The large lake has produced chub and skimmers to anglers fishing in both the open water and around the islands, while Joe Scales had a net of carp and bream while fishing overnight. Fishing on Shipton lake has likewise proved difficult, although Tom Richmond had some medium-sized carp. Hopefully, fishing will improve once the water warms up.

Early signs are that BCAA membership is holding up well in 2016, with increased numbers of anglers signed up to date compared with last year. We believe that our subs offer extremely good value for the wide range of fishing we provide for anglers and we continue to attract new members from all over the country. This week, we've seen anglers join from as far away as Guildford and Glasgow.

Dates for the diary include our JD Illingworth Rosebowl match at Staveley Lakes on Saturday, April 16, an Open Day for fly anglers at Gargrave on Saturday, May 14 and a working party on the River Swale at Topcliffe the following day. Further details of these will be published in due course.

SKIPTON AA

The new brown-trout season opened last Friday on Yorkshire waters amid some really spring-like weather, which unfortunately did not last beyond the first day. Subsequent days over the Easter holiday period gradually deteriorated, with strong winds, heavy, squally showers and near-freezing temperatures.

The River Aire provided the best fish of the new season when a splendid brownie was landed by a Bradford City AA member which tipped the scales at 3580g and measured 70cm. The fish was slightly underweight according to weight-for-length scales, which give a weight of 4090g, but nevertheless it was still an excellent trout for so early in the season.

With the change in the fish-retaining rules of both the Skipton and Bradford clubs to catch and release for trout, the big fish was returned alive to the water and will therefore possibly turn up again later in the season when it may be much nearer to its weight-for-length rate.

The poor weather took its toll on anglers fishing the Aire and not many were to be seen in action, although those that wet a line did manage to catch a few smaller trout on the worm and fly.

Embsay Reservoir had been well stocked for the start of the season and early anglers were soon among the brown, rainbow and tiger trout, plus the resident perch. There have been no reports of any big fish so far but it is possible that there will be a new record rainbow trout before the season ends on this water.

Whinnygill Reservoir has also seen some anglers in the opening few days, where brown tout and the odd roach have formed the bulk of sport. The reservoir holds a decent head of big brownies, with the best landed over winter weighing 2050g.

Prospects at the moment depend very much on the weather for both the river and the reservoirs and sport should come on in leaps and bounds once the temperature starts to climb to something like normal for the time of year.

The Skipton Winter and Summer Leagues' combined annual trophy presentation evening and annual meeting will be held at Skipton WMC tonight (8.00). All past and present competitors are invited to attend.

BRADFORD SEA AC

Our next general meeting is on Tuesday, April 19 (8pm). If anyone would like a day's fishing to Whitby aboard Shytorque, call Dave on 07711-987833 and he will try to book a trip. Fishing out of Whitby on the wrecks is improving as the weather settles down, with cod up to 10lb being caught and plenty in the 3lb-5lb range. On the west coast at Rhyl, there are plenty of dabs, dogs and whiting to be caught. It's generally too early for the big boys (bull huss and tope) to move in but they could make an appearance at any time.

CLAYTON AC

The first match of the season is on Sunday, April 17 at Redwood Lakes, Huby, draw 8.45am, fishing 10am-3pm. Any member not fishing should notify Jason seven days prior to the match. All anglers must possess a valid licence.