BRADFORD CITY AA

It's been a mixed bag of weather this week, with sun and some very heavy thunder showers. River levels have been up and down, with high levels and chocolate-coloured water curtailing trout fishing occasionally. However, our still-waters have been relatively unaffected and continue to produce the goods for those anglers who have not yet gone away at the start of the school holidays.

Oakworth Ponds continue to fish well, with nets of silvers from the small pond and some decent carp out of the larger pond. The young geese have now fledged and will be leaving us shortly for another year – though anglers will be glad of the cleaner paths and pegs! Staveley Lakes have produced a good number of carp to 14lb, with plenty of small-fish action for members as well. At Shipton, many regular members have been away on holiday, but one member targeting eels landed fish to 4lb while night fishing.

Few reports have been received from the rivers this week, though Chris Stones reported four cormorants at the bottom end of our Gargrave stretch on the Aire. On the Swale, anglers continue to catch many barbel on our Topcliffe lengths, though no fish of special note this week. At Skirbeck – our fishery on the River Ribble – Steve Brown found the water a bit high and coloured, but many trout to 1lb were moving on the top. However, using stick-float or waggler with maggot, he reported chub to 3lb feeding when water levels were lower, and lost what he believed to be a sea trout of around 7lb. No grayling are yet featuring in catches, however.

On the bankside, we would again like to ask anglers to try and spend ten minutes pulling any Himalayan Balsam they find. Stopping one plant from spreading seeds this year can prevent many many new plants next year, so every little helps!

Keep-net restrictions are still in force on all our still-water fisheries, due to the risk from the KHV virus, which is lethal to carp and related cyprinids. The suspected case reported last week at Tyersal has not yet been confirmed by CEFAS, but we continue to take precautions just in case and ask anglers, as always, to check, clean and dry all fishing tackle after every use.

Result of our first match on the old Barbel Society length of the Swale at Topcliffe last weekend: 1 D Robson (Castleford) 11lb 7oz of barbel (on luncheon meat, frfom peg four), 2 N Smith (Aireborough), 3 T Hannam (Bradford City AA). Our next match is the Bob Escott Memorial Match at Staveley Lakes, on Saturday, August 12. To book a place, and for further information, call Rodney Brooksbank on 07875-275749.

LEEDS ASA

The tidal section of the River Wharfe continues to produce multiple catches of medium-sized barbel, reflected in the last two Sunday matches at Ulleskelf. Result of match on July 16: 1 N Smith 74lb 7oz (18 barbel), 2 K Lancaster 35lb 40z (eight bream), 3 R Knox 24lb 4oz, 4 L Francis 23lb 9oz (including a specimen barbel of 11lb 4oz), 5 A Milner 22lb 10oz. Result of match on July 23 (fished with several feet of extra water): 1 T Morgan 24lb 15oz, 2 A Bolton 23lb 11oz, 3 R Foster 22lb 10oz, 4 L Francis 21lb 6oz. Result of the Tuesday match at Kippax Park: 1 A Broomhead 130lb 4oz, 2 M Shorter 98lb 13oz, 3 T Hewson 63lb. Result of Saturday match: 1 S Jeffreys 96lb 13oz, 2 J Redmond 96lb 13oz, 3 S Pearson 76lb 8oz. Result of Wednesday match at Moor Monkton Pools: 1 A Whatmough 68lb 8oz, 2 A Bull 61lb 11oz, 3 D Pollitt 49lb 13oz. Result of Sunday Open on the match pool: 1 L Myers 73lb 4oz, 2 D Wright 72lb 2oz, 3 S Mazza 61lb. Result of Sunday's match on the Lower Aire: 1 M Doyle 13lb, 2 I Bates 7lb 9oz. Result of recent match at Kippax Park: 1 S Pearson 157lb 2oz, 2 A Broomhead 109lb, 3 J Wake 88lb. Result of match at Moor Monkton Pools: 1 L Myers 153lb 7oz, 2 A Bull 103lb 14oz, 3 S Jeffreys 83lb 4oz.

LISTERHILLS AA

Result of the match on the canal at Rodley: 1 J Mason 39lb 13oz (including big carp and several tench), 2 P Woods 8lb 3oz (including two tench), 3 B Mason 7lb 10oz (including two tench), 4 R Thorne 4lb 4oz. Section winners: M Paton 2lb 13oz, E Harrison 1lb 13oz. Result of Sunday's match on the Armley length: 1 B Mason 4lb 4oz, 2 A Thorne 3lb 4oz, 3 M Paton 2lb 15oz, 4 R Movley 2lb 13oz. The match due to have been held tomorrow has been cancelled. Anyone going on Sunday's members' match at Linton on Ouse should confirm their booking on 07518- 721051. The entry is only a few yards from the river bank. The next canal open is on Sunday, August 13. At this time of year the risk of spreading diseases such as KHV is at its peak, and all anglers should see that all nets, weighing slings and unhooking mats are dry before they are used.

SKIPTON AA

The rather unsettled weather of heavy showers and occasional longer periods of rain has maintained a good flow in the River Aire, without there being too much water to drastically affect angling. Consequently, there has been a reasonable number of anglers trying their luck on the length above Inghey Bridge and below Carleton Stone Bridge.

At the first location, the fishing is fly only and is in the hands of Bradford City AA. Despite the increased flow, anglers have been enjoying some good fishing, mainly with brown trout, which have included fish up to 900g. Grayling are also being caught, but not of any great size, and the occasional small chub has also been landed.

On our Stone Bridge length, anglers have preferred to use bait such as red maggot on float- fishing tackle. The decent flow has facilitated downstream trotting, and plenty of fish have come to the net, including good brown trout, grayling, smallish chub, and even the occasional gudgeon, along with plenty of minnows. Catches of upwards of 20 fish have been recorded in a short length of time.

At our other waters (Embsay and Whinnygill reservoirs), fishing has continued to be reasonable, with the latter water having the edge in terms of fish caught. Embsay is providing good sport on both the fly and worm, with decent rainbow trout and numerous small perch, while the brown trout seem to prefer the worm to the fly.

Whinnygill Reservoir is fishing well, with roach, perch, bream, tench, carp and rudd all turning up in catches, and some good weights have been achieved. Recent specimens have included a 2500g mirror carp and a 2040g common carp, while apparently much larger specimens have been hooked and lost.

The third and penultimate match in this season's Peter Hart Memorial Series will be fished at Embsay Reservoir on Sunday, August 13 (draw 8am, fishing 9am-noon). Entry is only for members and only baits allowed will be those that are normally used on the reservoir.

BRADFORD SEA AC

Reports from the first half of the trip to Culdaff, County Donegal indicate 20 tope caught up to 41lb and four porbeagle sharks up to 111lb, and the hope is for more to come. Our next trip is to North Shields on Wednesday, August 30. There are one or two places left, and anyone wishing to go should contact Dave on 07711-987833. We are also trying to organise a fishing trip for beginners early this month. If you fancy a go at boat fishing, or your son or daughter would like to see what it is like, please ring Dave. You never know, you might like it and become a member! All tackle will be provided by the club. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, August 15 at the New Inn, East Bierley (8pm).

BINGLEY AC

The extra water on the rivers should improve fishing, Barbel are being reported from Boston Spa, and the canal is still fishing well, with good nets of small silvers, especially from the top of Five Rise Locks to Morton Lane. Members are asked not to fish the top peg at Boston Spa (concrete water inlet) until further notice.