Angling Lines

Wednesday’s snow meant that the weather has changed from autumnal to wintry, and heavy rain is forecast for tomorrow. With the melting snow, this will add considerable water to the rivers, which are already full of leaves. To cap it all, Yorkshire Water have announced substantial releases of water from Grimwith Reservoir today, which will impact on the Wharfe. Perhaps it’s not a good plan to try and fish the rivers this weekend, though the still-waters remain open and reasonably productive.

We’ve seen few members’ reports for a few weeks now – just a line or two from Topcliffe on the Swale, where Andy Fieldhouse, Peter Bell and another member produced a few chub and barbel, and a solitary grayling. In general, it will only be the hardy winter anglers who will venture out until the weather improves in the spring.

In the absence of fishing, committee and other members have been busy elsewhere. Club committee man Jon Grey, wearing his Wild Trout Trust hat, ran two river conservation workshops at Riddlesden to teach techniques which both improve habitat for fish and help with flood management. These were well attended by anglers from local clubs.

Part funded by an Environment Agency grant, work will start shortly to fence lengths of out Gargrave fishery on the River Aire, again helping to improve in-stream habitat and prevent erosion. This week our committee has discussed business plans, ready for fishery and other improvements to start early in 2017.

A new otter fence was completed last week at the club’s Oakworth Lakes to help protect against predation. A working party is planned for tomorrow, weather permitting, to do snagging work. All members are urged to put something back into the club, and help out for a few hours. If you can come along, contact Alan Robinson on 07776-143771 for details of time and place.

Our annual grayling competition takes place on Sunday on the River Aire. Places are still available, so interested anglers should contact Peter Scholes on 07506-215120 to book a place, or turn up on Gargrave Green at 9am, but that method will be pot luck.

Our coarse fishing match tomorrow will now be held at Lower Dunsforth, not at Staveley. Tickets are £15 all-in, with an optional £5 for a winner-take-all match-day pool. To book on, or for more information, contact Rodney Brooksbank on 07875-275749.

SKIPTON AA

While fewer anglers have been seen in action on the river, those that have wet a line have landed a few smallish grayling on either the fly or the small redworm. Brown trout have also turned up but should be turning their attention to spawning activities. Even the odd small chub has fallen to the worm on the Bradford City length on Heslaker Lane, which has been one of the busiest stretches lately.

The upper reaches of the Aire seem to be devoid of pike at the moment, and there have been no reports so far this back end of even a single capture. Even downstream at Snaygill none have been landed recently but at least it is known that nearly every lie more or less contains a pike. Sprats or sardines are generally the most popular and successful way of catching pike. Other local waters seem to have been affected by the cold weather which has kept anglers away from the water’s edge. A small match on the Broughton Road length of the canal last Sunday appears to have not produced a single fish in four hours’ fishing.

The next Winter League match will be fished on the hospital length of the canal at Skipton on Sunday, draw 8am.

BRADFORD No 1 AA

The River Swale at Maunby will be closed on Sunday for the Charity Open match, which will draw on the flood bank at 9am. Tickets for this match are available for £15 from Simon on 01274-571175. Widdington will also be closed on Sunday for an outside booking. With water temperatures dropping over the past couple of weeks, waters such as the River Ure at Roecliffe, Milby Cut Canal and the River Ouse at Widdington Hall should all fish well for roach and perch on maggot or pinkie. Members should note that the only parking at Widdington is now near the farm, not at the bottom end of the stretch. The colder weather, coupled with a low and clear river, should mean for perfect conditions for pike anglers on the Nidd at Cowthorpe.

KEIGHLEY AC

Next Tuesday’s annual meeting will now be held at the Octagon, Bradford Road, Sandbeds (7.30pm).

The advent of chilly east winds over the past fortnight together with the occasional frosty night has taken its toll on angling on all of the local waters, with probably the exception of the River Aire.

SALTAIRE AA

Result of last week’s river match, which fished poorly due to icy water coming down from the Dales: 1 John Airton 3lb 8oz (one chub). The next river open match is on Sunday, November 20. Contact Barry on 07902-493139 to book on. There will be an open canal match on Sunday, pegged from Gallows Bridge to Jane Hills, including the boats at Shipley. To book on, or for more details, contact Richard on 07815-092966. The annual meeting, held last Monday, had a very poor turnout. A couple of new rule changes were passed and members are advised to read the new yearbooks when they become available.

BRADFORD SEA AC

Members should by now have had a letter or e-mail from the secretary concerning our annual meeting at the New Inn, East Bierley (8pm), which has been postponed from next Tuesday until Tuesday, November 29 because refurbishment is ongoing. This will be an important meeting as it concerns future trips and a drive to gain more members.

CLAYTON AC

Tomorrow’s match at Farview, Lee Lane is the Christmas Cheer (draw 8.45am, fishing 10am-3pm). Presentations are at The Fleece (7pm), with prizes for all who attend. Membership fees are now overdue.