Angling lines

HEAVY rain this week led to rivers topping their banks and few anglers out on the club's still-waters. Both the grayling competition at Gargrave and the coarse fishing match on the Ure at Lower Dunsforth last week were cancelled for safety reasons. However, a few anglers did brave the water levels on the Aire and Francis Dine had a good day. The rest had only one or two fish, with more out-of-season trout than grayling coming to the fly.

The otter fence at Oakworth has been finished and a small group – mainly committee men and bailiffs – did some snagging work last weekend. However, there is still work to do once the ground dries out. On the River Aire at Broughton, work has now started on fencing to improve marginal vegetation and in-stream fish habitat, recommended by the Wild Trout Trust's advisory visit report. In-stream work is also planned in the new year, once spawning has finished. It has proved difficult for the club to obtain help from members for such work and this poses a real concern for future improvements.

The committee started discussing business plans for 2017 at their meeting last week. Particular challenges include the lack of youngsters taking up fishing, the joint threats of predation and poaching on fish stocks, needs to improve habitat for fish, anglers' access to rivers and further improvements to club still-waters at Shipton, Staveley and Oakworth. Action against predation will start with a count of cormorants and goosanders on the Ribble on Sunday, December 11. A programme of work parties will be announced early in the new year to undertake planned work on other waters.

Now that weather is colder, anglers should note that the temporary ban on using keep-nets at club still-waters, originally introduced because of the risk of transferring KHV to BCAA fisheries during the summer, has been lifted. Members should also note that 2017 yearbooks are on sale and can be renewed via the online shop, accessible from a link on the club website. Yearbooks will also go on sale at agents from mid-December.

The next BCAA coarse fishing match is on the River Ure at Lower Dunsforth on Saturday, November 26. Anglers can book on or obtain more information from Rodney Brooksbank on 07875-275749.

SKIPTON AA

Just when it seemed that milder weather would be on the cards for the latest Skipton Winter League match last Sunday behind the hospital, heavy rain – followed by a keen overnight frost – scuppered hopes of good catches. Only five anglers managed to weigh in at the end of the three-hour match. Result: 1 Robert Thornton 2710g (decent pike and a 10g perch), 2 Malcolm Mawson 590g (perch), 3 Jason Aldis 400g (roach), 4 Dave Fenn 190g (small fish), 5 Andrew Leatt 90g (single perch). Pairs: 1 Wright & Thornton 2710g, 2 Mawson & Leatt 680g, 3 Aldis & Heaton 400g, 4 D&R Fenn 190g. Leading competitors (with three rounds left) – Individuals. 1 D Fenn 100pts, R Thornton 97, 3 J Aldis 88, 4 D Bolland 74, 5 K Wright 69, 6 A Thomas 59. Pairs: 1 Wright & Thornton 49pts, 2 D&R Fenn 43, 3 Aldis & Heaton 41, 4 D&T Bolland 36, 5 Mawson & Leatt 27, 6 Thomas & Wharton 26. There is a warm-up match on Sunday on the Magnet side of Aireville Park swing bridge, draw 8am, fishing 9am-noon. The forecast is for easterly winds and frosts for the latter part of the week.

LEEDS ASA

Result of Sunday's Hammond Trophy at Hunters Lodge and Linton, when the River Ouse was up: 1 C Turbit 7lb 7oz (bleak), 2 A Grandage 6lb 15oz (barbel), 3 K McLaughlan 6lb 13oz. Result of Saturday's match at Kippax Park on Lapwing: 1 A Lambert 101lb 10oz, 2 M Grant 51lb 14oz, 3 M Bailey 50lb 14oz. Result of Tuesday's match: 1 A Rymer 28lb, 2= T Hewson, B Rymer 26lb 8oz. Result of Sunday's frosty open match at Moor Monkton Pools (Cyprio and match pool): 1 L Smith 45lb 7oz, 2 C Coombe 30lb, 3 O Hewitt 26lb 8oz. In a members' match on the front pool, the winner had a catch of just under 20lb. The middle reaches of the River Wharfe have been fishing well for grayling and hard-working secretary G Park had a rare day out fishing and caught a nice net of grayling. The new president of the society is P Roberts. A vote of thanks goes to retiring president S Jeffries, who did not wish to stand again. Membership secretary A Benson is also stepping down after several years' service.

LISTERHILLS AA

Lure anglers on the canal have not come into contact with any large pike but have caught large perch. This water is available on a reasonably-priced day ticket, which should be obtained before fishing – available from all the usual tackle shops. A cheaper option is to buy a reduced-price membership book, costing £6 for seniors and £3 all other classes. The first frosts of the winter were more severe out towards York and had an adverse effect on the members' match at Moor Monkton Pools, fished on the front pond. Result: 1 E Harrison 19lb 14oz (two carp, plus a nice net of roach to over 1lb), 2 G Reeday 5lb 11oz, 3 J Harrison 4lb 2oz. Final positions in the Fox Brothers' Points Shield: 1 E Harrison 394, 2 P Woods 185, 3 D Jackson 176, 4 B Mason 141, 5 G Reeday 138. Open League result (32 fished): 1 P Woods 79lb 6½oz, 2 B Mason 71lb 14½oz, 3 R Thorne 58lb 13½oz. The next members' match is on Sunday, November 27.

SALTAIRE AA

Result of canal match on Sunday: 1 Andy 'Sweeney' Turner (Slaithwaite) 11lb 7oz (skimmers and roach), 2 Richard Thorne (Saltaire) 9lb 1oz, 3 Martin Hellewell (Matrix Halifax) 7lb 1oz, 4 Tom Bowater (Eccleshill Angling Centre) 6lb 15oz, 5 Dave Colbran (Keighley) 6lb 15oz, 6 Pat Wood (Saltaire) 6lb 8oz, 7 George Colbran (Keighley) 6lb 2oz, 8 Martin Blagborough (Slaithwaite) 5lb 15oz. The lowest weight on the boats length was 4lb. There is another match on Sunday, run by Paul McMillan. To book on, call Richard East on 07815-092966. The canal continues to fish well, with Richard East taking another double-figure catch of silvers midweek and committee member Lee Weston also having a couple of double-figure pikes the same day. There is also an open match on the River Aire this Sunday. To book on, phone Barry Murgatroyd on 07902-493139.

BRADFORD PALS AC

Result of Sunday's Christmas Cheer match on the main lake at Birkwood Farm (19 fished): 1 Bernard Hook 44lb 4oz, 2 Barry Franklyn 19lb 8oz, 3 Steve Chambers 10lb 6oz, 4 Dave Steane 9lb 10oz. Club knockout: 1 Franklyn, 2 Chambers. Champions Cup: Hook. Points table: 1 Hook 87, 2 Andy Clough 60, 3 Keith Gardener 57, 4 John Christopher Foreman 55, 5 Trevor Wood 54. The club would like to thank all members who donated a prize for the raffle and wish everyone a merry Christmas. The club's annual meeting will be at the Fighting Cock on Preston Street on Saturday, January 14 (12.30pm). We have two places available in the club, so let Andy Clough know if you wish to propose a new member.

CLAYTON AC

Result of Christmas Cheer match on Saturday at Farview: 1 Steff Armitage 43lb, 2 Alan Sugden 26lb, 3 Kevin Armitage 15lb 14oz. Section winners: Ray Atkinson, Peter Foulds, Jack Hawkins, Chris Slinger. 2016 league positions: 1= K Armitage, S Armitage; 3 Alan Flesher, 4 Steve Charge. Special thanks to 'Team Glum' for donating their £120 winnings to the Papyrus Charity. Our annual meeting is on Wednesday, December 7 at the Fleece, Clayton (7pm). Any member wishing to submit a proposal should send it in writing to Jason at least 14 days prior to the meeting.

BINGLEY AC

Tuesday's well-attended annual meeting decided that membership rates would remain the same for 2017. Sunday's match on the River Aire was cancelled after heavy overnight rain. The next match will probably be the Christmas Cheer, date and venue to be decided.

BRADFORD SEA AC

The annual meeting at the New Inn, East Bierley has been switched to Tuesday, November 29 (8pm). This is an important meeting, concerning future trips and a drive to create new members, so try and attend.

IDLE & THACKLEY AA

The annual meeting will be at Idle WMC on Monday, December 5 (9.30pm). Any items for the agenda should be sent to the secretary beforehand.