Angling Lines

We have had a good week of warm spring sunshine, although forecasts are for cooler weather in the near future. Fish on both river fisheries and still waters have responded accordingly. However, with little rain over the past month or so, rivers are now gin-clear and generally running at low levels. Neither have we yet seen much of the expected seasonal hatch of the hawthorn fly, although a range of flies – including olives and black gnats – have been reported by anglers.

Fly fishermen on club stretches of the Aire and other Dales rivers have had increasing numbers of fish after a slow start to the season. William Gill reported challenging winds at times and out-of-season grayling still taking flies but most anglers this week have had trout on the club's Aire fisheries at Gargrave, Funkirk farm and Carleton.

On the still waters, Carl White and James Lynch – the bailiff – had carp to the mid-teens this week at the club's Staveley Lakes, while Brian Connell and Billy Clamp reported 60lb of bream and roach between them from Shipton Lake.

Club officials have continued with a number of projects this month. Foremost among these have been procurement of otter fencing at Oakworth Lakes, habitat improvement plans for the Aire and ordering of more fish for stocking later in 2016.

The club have their annual fly-fishing open day on the Aire at Gargrave tomorrow. Any angler wanting to learn a little about fly-fishing or to improve their skills – whether a member or not – is welcome to come along. Professional instructors will give demonstrations, tuition and advice at the waterside on fishing techniques, casting and choosing the right equipment. A small charge will be made, to be donated to the Wild Trout Trust. For further details and to book a place, call Pete Scholeson 07816-492389 or contact him at peterscholes@hotmail.co.uk.

Club volunteers should note that the planned work party on the Swale at Topcliffe this Sunday will not now take place off due to the co-ordinator being taken ill. We hope we can reschedule this work later in the year.

The next club match is tomorrow, when anglers fish for the Gertrude Sykes Cup at Staveley Lakes. Places are still available and can be booked via Rodney Brooksbank on 07875-275749.

SKIPTON AA

Members will be saddened to hear of the death of former treasurer Peter Hart aged 76 after a relatively short illness. Peter had been a member of the association since the early 1960s and became the treasurer in 1984, a position he held until 2014 when he took over the new position of membership secretary following a reorganisation. At the annual general meeting in January of this year, he decided to retire from his new position and, in view of his long and dedicated service to the association, he was granted life membership. The association's condolences go out to his widow Janet and their family.

The much improved weather has certainly helped sport on all the local waters and some excellent fishing has been enjoyed by all who have wet a line. Embsay reservoir seems to have produced the biggest fish of the week, a rainbow of just over 2730g that was safely returned to fight another day. One day-ticket angler had 17 fish in a session, including the newly introduced tiger trout. Whinnygill reservoir is still fishing best for trout and some very good brownies have been coming to the net, including fish to around the 1590g mark. Coarse fish have not been moving well but this may soon change as the water begins to warm up. A decent bream was landed by Simon Chenior but the fish was unfortunately sporting a large ulcer near one of its pelvic fins.

The Aire has fallen to almost summer level and most of the trout being caught have tended to be on the small side, although some have been in the 450-900g range. Michael Ickringill landed 11 fish on the dry fly and lost at least the same number when he fished the river on Monday during a strong upstream wind. His best fish was 910g and his smallest only 100mm long.

Craven Summer League competitors will be fishing the second match of this season's series this Sunday on the canal at the gas works length at Silsden. This will be last chance for new anglers to register and the draw will be held at 7am.

BRADFORD No1 AA

With the weekend's warmer weather came improved catches on most of the club's still waters. Anglers at Kirklees Lagoon reported numerous catches of carp up to over 29lb, along with tench and bream over 5lb, while at Queen Mary's Ponds, anglers should expect improved catches of tench and bream now the water has warmed up. Thank you to everyone who attended the work party at Shelf dam. Steps have been built up to the top pond, a bridge built across the stream and the dam wall cleared to prevent damage. Further work parties on club waters will be announced at a later date. PB Angling in Dewsbury have been added to our list of tackle shop agents to sell membership to new and existing members with immediate effect. This is as a replacement for the now closed Grahams Fishing Tackle.

LEEDS ASA

Some members are trying to log on to the club's website by giving the wrong name. They must give the name on their club book receipt and the membership number. Saturday's open match at Kippax Park was fished on Lapwing Lake: 1 T Hewson 73lb 4oz, 2 T Lawson 44lb 12oz, 3 S Jeffreys 43lb 11oz. Sunday's match at Moor Monkton Pools was won by L Myers with 61lb 1oz. Others: 2 O Hewitt 54lb 4oz, 3 D Wright 52lb 7oz. A total of 30 fished the Tuesday match on Lapwing Lake, won by Adrian Broomfield with 78lb 14oz. Others: 2 N Rymer 77lb 12oz, 3 M Drinkhall 63lb 10oz. The Wednesday match at Moor Monkton Pools and Cyprio Lake was won by S Mazza with 86lb 9oz. Others: 2 D Pollitt 69lb 1oz, 3 L Myers 66lb 13oz. Knutsford Lagoon has started to produce some good carp.

LISTERHILLS AA

Several anglers were out for the first time at the weekend. Watchers report that a number are not in possession of a current membership book. Shoals of bream and the odd carp have been spotted on some sections of the canal, while other lengths seem devoid of fish. The members' match at Osprey Lake found the carp reluctant to feed and catches were made up of silver fish and various species. Result: 1 E Harrison 31lb 4oz, 2 D Stephenson 10lb 2oz. The draw for tomorrow's open match at Rodley is at 9am on the bridge. The first of the Sunday opens on the canal is on May 22 by the Aire Valley Marina down Redcote Lane. Contact Roger on 01132-772215.

BRADFORD & DISTRICT SEA AC

The report last week stating that the trip to Rhyl on May 4 was cancelled was incorrect. The trip did go ahead and all the usual fish – whiting, dabs, flounder and bull huss – were caught. Dave Kitchingman caught a nice huss of 7lb. The fish were a bit slow but it is early days yet. On the east coast at Whitby, cod are still being caught on the wrecks when the boats can get out. Our next general meeting will be held in the New Inn, East Bierley on Tuesday, May 17 (8pm). Potential new members will be made most welcome.

BINGLEY AC

The warmer weather has started to get fish on the feed, with members reporting good nets from most of the club's waters. One member had bream of three and four pounds from the canal between the three and five-rise locks and good nets of skimmers from Settler dam. Trout are also being caught on the Aire, rising to dry fly. The next match is Sunday, May 22 at Settler dam. To book on call Tony on 07971-428678. Pegs are limited on this match.

CENTRAL AC

Result of Sunday's match at Pool Bridge Farm: 1 R Wharfe 34lb 12oz, 2 C Davey 28lb 4oz, 3 R Creek 25lb, 4 P Holt 22lb. Our next match is at Brafferton on Sunday, May 22. Meet at venue 8am, fishing 9am to 3pm.