SKIPTON AA

At last week's 111th annual meeting of Skipton Angling Association, the members present found that the club have enjoyed a very successful year on all fronts – financial, membership-wise and sport-wise.

The Association had continued to buck the present nationwide trend in reducing membership numbers and 2017 had seen an increase of 12 per cent in the overall total. This increase had also impacted positively on the financial situation, which – despite good spending on restocking – had seen the profit margin more than quadruple.

On the sporting front, all of the Association's four waters (Leeds-Liverpool Canal, Whinnygill Reservoir, Embsay Reservoir and the River Aire) had maintained good sport throughout the year, with several records broken at Whinnygill and on the canal.

One particular record of note was the breaking of the brown-trout best at Whinnygill, which had stood since 1946 when the then junior member, 16-year-old Ronnie Burton, landed a 2.380kg specimen.

Last year, this record was initially broken by John D Nicholls with a 3kg fish and then, 50 days later, Michael Ickringill landed the same fish which had slightly increased in weight to 3.040kg. Besides being the new Whinnygill record, this trout is now the overall Association record, having exceeded Andrew Facey's 2.495kg fish landed from the Aire in 2014.

Two propositions were put before the meeting and both were overwhelmingly accepted. The first offered free membership of up to two juniors under the age of 12 if their parent was a full Association member, while the second stopped the use of a proxy proposition or vote at any meeting.

All retiring officials willing to serve another term were re-elected, while the following were elected to fill vacancies: Mrs Lindsey Tipling as membership secretary (first lady official in the Association's history) replacing Mark Hindle, who was made a vice-president; Mark Bradley became bailiff at Embsay in place of Michael Ickringill; Ernie Ramsbotham took up the vacant bailiff position for the canal.

Before chairman Alan Wade brought the meeting to a close, he was thanked by the secretary for the skill and expertise he had brought to all the meetings during the last year.

LEEDS ASA

The initial batch of first-time Knotford Lagoon night permits have been processed and applicants will be notified. The third and last stocking of trout into Lapwing Lake at Kippax Park has now been completed. Result of midweek matches – Kippax Park: 1 N Rymer 45lb 8oz, 2 A Rymer 32lb 14oz, 3 S Raper 31lb 11oz. Moor Monkton Pools: 1 D Wright 11lb 14oz, 2 S Mazza 10lb 15oz, 3 M Hare 6lb 8oz. Perch have figured in match catches from the River Ouse, while pleasure catches of perch have topped 20lb, with individual fish up to 2lb. Anyone found leaving litter on club preserves will be severely dealt with by the general purposes committee. Day tickets are now only available for Pool. All other venues are for members only.

BRADFORD No 1 AA

Result of the Dudley Hill & Tong Cup open match on the River Swale at Maunby: 1 Ian Parker 8lb 2oz (two chub from the Maunby stretch), 2 Andy Bradley 5lb. The next match is the second round of the Raskelf Winter Series on Sunday, January 28. Widdington Hall will be closed both tomorrow and Sunday this weekend for outside bookings.

Night-permit holders from 2017 are reminded that they must renew by Wednesday, January 31, with any remaining permits being reallocated to the waiting list after this date. Club membership remains available to buy, with new members more than welcome. Junior membership costs just £5 for the full year.

LISTERHILLS AA

Once again, there are not many catch reports as few anglers have been out over the past week. However, those who have braved the weather have had catches of chub from the River Aire, while lure anglers on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal have had multiple catches of small pike where roach and skimmers have gathered for the winter. While it may seem a long way off, nominations for the team to represent our club at the National Championships in September on the River Nene are now required. Last year, some would-be team members left it too late and missed out.

BRADFORD & DISTRICT SEA AC

Will members who won trophies last year please remember to bring them back to the next general meeting on Tuesday, February 20 at the New Inn, East Bierley, starting at 8pm. This is so that we can get them engraved for the presentation evening in March. You can also renew your membership at £20. This will ensure you get first priority on any club trip.