Angling Lines

Our annual meeting will be on Tuesday, November 15 at the New Inn, East Bierley (8pm), and members are urged to attend as this year there has been a steady decline in those attending monthly meetings and, more worryingly, participating in fishing trips.

We would like to address these issues at the annual meeting to see if there are common reasons and look to resolve them where possible. Are the trips too expensive? Is it that you are unable to go on week-days? Would weekends be better? Is it the location? For the last few meetings, members were encouraged to put forward their suggestions for new locations and boats but there has been limited response. This is your club, and without you the club wouldn’t exist. Between now and the annual meeting, have a think about what you want from the club and what the club can do for you. We can then collate this information.

We believe that we need to inject some new energy into the club, and maybe by choosing new locations and targeting new and varied species will encourage more enthusiasm.

We should also make use of social media to promote the club where possible. For example, our Facebook page needs constant updates, new photos, information about trips etc. Without these updates, any potential members will see no activity, assume we don’t go on any trips and lose interest. We need to be encouraging new members to join, especially younger ones.

SKIPTON AA

Conditions have remained quite reasonable for all types of angling around Skipton as the relatively dry weather has continued. River levels have kept just above normal and the only downside has been an upstream wind, cooler nights and more leaves beginning to fall.

Grayling have been the main species to be caught on the River Aire, where catches of up to 12 fish per outing have been easily achieved. Almost all of them have been caught on the nymph or dry fly when a rise has been evident. No specimens have turned up lately and the best fish have tipped the scales to around the 450g (1lb) mark.

The river has also been in good order for pike fishing but unfortunately those that have wet a line have reported poor or non-existent sport at the moment. The upper reaches of the Skipton water at Heslaker Lane definitely seem to be short of pike at the moment, which is probably not a bad thing as far as the trout, chub and grayling are concerned.

About 12 years ago, pike fishing on this stretch reached its zenith, with plenty of fish running up to over 9100g (20lb). Big chub to over 2270g (5lb) were also relatively common but grayling and trout became rather thin on the ground.

This out-of-balance situation resulted in pike dying off through starvation and the chub through old age. The trout and grayling once again regained their numbers and eventually size to provide the good fish that are caught today. Chub numbers are also recovering.

Down the river at Snaygill, the biggest pike went the same way as their relatives upstream but far more of the smaller fish survived to provide the sport enjoyed on this length today. Fish to over 8180g (18lb) have been landed in the past year, along with plenty more around the 4500g (10lb) mark.

The record pike for our waters is a fine fish of 10200g (22lb 8oz) landed by Ryan Preston of Hellifield from just below the railway bridge. Pike to near the 13640g (30lb) mark have been caught lower down the Aire around Utley in the not too distant past.

The fourth Skipton Winter League match will be fished on Sunday on the canal at Snaygill Boats, Keighley Road, Skipton (draw 8am).

SALTAIRE AA

Result of last week's open match on the canal at Shipley Boats and Hirst Wood: 1 Warren McLeavy (Tricast Calder) 3lb 8oz of small roach from boats length, 2 G Colbran (Keighley) 3lb 2oz, 3 Dave Chadwick (Matrix Halifax) 2lb 14oz, 4 John Sedgwick |(Tricast Calder) 2lb 1oz. There is an open match this week from Dockfield to Janehills. To book on, please ring Richard East (07815-092966) before 7pm tomorrow. The first of the river open matches will take place on Sunday, November 6, using the bottom length. To book on, please call Barry Murgatroyd (07902-493139). The river has been fishing very well for all species, and good weights are expected. The annual meeting takes place on Monday, November 7 at the Ring 'O' Bells, Shipley (8pm). Can members please try to attend as new committee members are required.

LEEDS ASA

Result of Saturday's open match at Kippax Park (Lapwing): 1 S Pearson 58lb, 2 P Cromie 54lb 4oz. Result of Tuesday match on Lapwing: 1 A Rymer 110lb 8oz, 2 A Broomhead 84lb 3oz, 3 M Jukes 73lb 2oz. Result of Wednesday's match at Moor Monkton Pools (front pool): 1 M Gallagher 96lb 4oz, 2 M Taylor 92lb 10oz, 3 M Dodsworth 90lb 13oz. Result of Sunday match on Cyprio and front pool: 1 M Dodsworth 158lb 9oz, 2 S Jeffreys 87lb 13oz, 3 R Gallagher 73lb 4oz. The Leeds team won the first fixture of the Yorkshire Winter League Series on the lower River Aire at Beal and Chapel Haddlesey. This Sunday it is the Ouse Championship. Contact York AA to book on.

LISTERHILLS AA

Result of the last open match on the canal (Kirkstall Marina length): 1 R Thorne 7lb 5oz (net of quality roach), 2 B Mason 6lb 1oz, 3 G Reeday 1lb 12oz. The peg at the entrances to the marina proved the most productive. This Sunday's open match is at Rodley on the old craneworks length, draw 10am. The next members' match is on Sunday, November 13 at Moor Monkton pools, contact 07518-721051.

BINGLEY AC

This year's annual meeting will be on Tuesday, November 15 at Ryshworth Social Club (8pm), followed by a pie-and-pea supper. The next match on the River Aire in Myrtle Park has been moved from November 6 to 13, draw 9am at Festival Bridge. To book on, contact Tony (07971-428678). Tench are still being caught at Coppice Pond. Fish sweetcorn to the middle for best results.