SKIPTON AA

The announcement by the Environment Agency that they intend to carry out work on the River Aire to help reduce the flood risk to a number of properties in the area has not been readily accepted by angling clubs on the 15 miles of river selected.

The work will involve trees growing along the banking and will include coppicing, pruning, crown lifting, branch removal and the removal of complete trees where they are deemed to pose a substantial flood risk. It is not a whole-scale removal of trees and vegetation but generally the branches growing out over the river below the high-water (maximum flood level) mark.

The EA are to meet with Professor Jonathan Grey to discuss the angling fraternity's concerns. Mitigation work will also be on the agenda, which could include planting new trees to help with flood alleviation and habitat creation. During the last maintenance work on the upper Aire catchment area two years ago, £20,000 was spent on mitigation work, which included the planting of 40 hectares of new woodland with 20,000 trees.

Angling clubs have naturally responded with disbelief at some of the proposed work and have been quick to show examples of where the benefits of tree removal would be very unclear in terms of flood risk or ecological protection.

Most of the 15 miles being considered is floodplain fields which is supposed to flood, so tree work here will not contribute to reduce the flood risk but by increasing the flow may actually increase the risk for communities downstream.

Some of the works proposed such as leaving low-lying, bank-side willow, will retain habitat and in certain locations the water depth may be such that removal would be impossible except from a boat. It is hoped that when the same situation is reached further upstream but in shallower waters, the low-lying willow branches will still be safe.

The work will commence at the lower point near Shipley and gradually work upstream to a point somewhere just below Gargrave. Hopefully common sense can prevail and that some good can come out of what at first seemed to be the butchering of the trees and vegetation on a good proportion of the banks of the River Aire.

BRADFORD CITY AA

Winter has continued damp but not very cold after the brief snow last week but conditions are still not conducive to anglers being on the banks at club fisheries. Andrew Fieldhouse was again out, however, targeting chub with bread crust on the Nidd. He netted fish to 4lb 7oz and had "a short but enjoyable session, made even better by seeing a kingfisher go under my rod tip". Another angler, who wishes to remain anonymous, reported some good chub to nearly 7lb from the River Swale at Topcliffe. Will anglers take care, however, because some river banks are very slippery after the recent weather.

At last week's committee meeting, we welcomed new member Mick Curtin, a coarse and fly angler. We are sad, however, to report the resignation of Peter Scholes as our fly secretary, for personal and work reasons, but thank Phil Bailey for offering to step in at short notice. His contact details are in the yearbook in the list of other committee members.

Following reviews of some fisheries, we have planned a work programme to progress any maintenance and improvement required. The first working party of the year will start at 9am on Saturday, January 28 on the River Swale at Salmon Hall to clear additional pegs for anglers. Help is always needed, so call Rodney Brooksbank on 07875-275749 if you can assist. Elsewhere on our fisheries, fish went into Staveley Lakes this week – with more due shortly – and further fencing has been agreed on the Gargrave section of the River Aire to aid development of river habitat. Also on the Aire, there has been continued heavy and multi-agency engagement with the Environment Agency to try and alleviate the ecological impact of ongoing flow improvement works on riverbank habitat, fish and other wildlife.

We are again seeing problems with anglers leaving the gate open at Staveley Lakes after entering or exiting the fishery. Gates and fences are designed to exclude otters, which can exterminate stocks of expensive fish almost overnight if they get inside the enclosure. If any member sees anyone leave a gate open, report details to a committee member – anonymously if necessary – and the general committee will ensure that any offender is brought to book.

Will members note that Shipton Lake is closed until 3.15pm tomorrow for our match. This means no fishing tonight. The match is fully booked but for further details or anyone wishing to be added to the waiting list, contact Brooksbank.

Finally, 2016 members are reminded that it is time to renew membership for 2017. This is possible through the online shop, via a link on the BCAA website or else at agents. Subs stay at £38 per year (£24 concessions and £5 juniors), plus a joining fee of £15 for all new members, except juniors. All queries to new membership secretary Terry Duncalf on 07988-681654.

LEEDS ASA

Topsy-turvy weather has continued to affect catches. Result of Saturday's match at Kippax Park: 1 T Hewson 76lb, 2 N Rymer 60lb, 3 T Bailey 42lb. Result of Tuesday's match at the same venue: 1 N Rymer 100lb 11oz, 2 A Rymer 47lb 9oz, 3 T Hewson 36lb (all carp). Result of midweek match at Moor Monkton Pools: 1 S Mazza 67lb 5oz, 2 M Green 36lb 13oz, 3 A Bolton 26lb 12oz. The lower Ure and upper Ouse produced a few good chub, mostly in ones and twos per swim. The middle Wharfe continues to come up with catches of grayling, with the best reported weighing a stunning 2lb 9oz, caught by a member of the Forum ACAs. From tonight, all yearbook and permit applications have been dealt with thanks to all the stops being pulled out by the membership office.

BRADFORD No 1 AA

Not as many anglers have been on the banks over recent weeks but from those who have there have been good reports received. Pike anglers fishing at Kirklees Lagoon have been rewarded with captures into double figures, including a fish of 15lb 8oz caught by Graham Athey. Roach catches at Topcliffe continue to be regular occurrences, while chub over 4lb are also being caught on the River Nidd at Cowthorpe. The River Calder at Lillands is producing catches of grayling and chub on stick float and maggot. Widdington Hall will be closed both tomorrow and Sunday for outside bookings.

LISTERHILLS AA

Not many members have been out onto the bank side over the last week and those who have reported mixed results. Few out-of-season trout, which must be returned immediately after capture, have come from the River Aire, along with the odd small chub. Lure anglers on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal have had a few perch and pike, mostly of moderate size. Membership books or day tickets must be obtained before fishing.

BINGLEY AC

Sunday's match is on the River Aire in Myrtle Park, draw 9am in Ferrands car park. To book on contact Tony on 07971-428678. The next working party at Coppice Pond is on Sunday, January 29 (10am), all volunteers welcome. Good nets of silver fish are still being reported from the boats at Crossflatts. Anyone wanting to fish club waters should now be in possession of a 2017 yearbook, available at usual agents or on line.