SKIPTON AA

Weather conditions for last weekend's Skipton Winter League match were almost ideal but, in a complete contrast to the boatless first match, traffic was very busy with four passing through the match length at one point all at the same time. The venue was the club's Broughton Road length of the canal and, despite of the disruption caused by the boats, weights were reasonable, although made up mainly of small roach, perch and tommy ruffe.

Just one good perch of about 650g and a roach of 340g broke the monotony for the weighers at the end of the three-hour match. Tim Bolland had a clear win with 1280g, while second-placed Dave Fenn had the big roach in his 720g. Other leading weights were: 3 Rob Thornton 710g, 4 Graeme Waterfall 690g (including the big perch), 5 Russell Heaton 600g.

In the pairs event, the Bollands and the Fenns led the field, with Danny and Tim weighing in 1780g and Dave and Bob 1290g. Other weights were: 3 Jason Aldis/Russell Heaton 1180g, 4 Kenny Wright/Thornton 1130g, 5 Waterfall/Simon Chenier 850g.

With six matches to go, the individual leaders are: 1 Dave Fenn 42pts; 2 Heaton 40, 3 Aldis 39, 4 Waterfall 35, 5 Wright 33, 6 Danny Bolland 32. Registration for the league is now closed and comprises 22 competitors. The next match will be fished on the Long Ing length of the canal at Barnoldswick on Sunday, October 16, with the draw from 8am.

The river brown trout season in Yorkshire closed at midnight last Friday and on the Aire there were no last-minute specimens to report, although fishing conditions were good. The best fish of the season was the 3580g specimen measuring some 70cm and landed by a Bradford City member in the first couple of days.The best reported by a Skipton member was a 1990g fish landed by Michael Ickringill – who also had three more over 1820g, all caught on the fly.

BRADFORD No1 AA

Despite fishing well in the build-up to the match, fishing was difficult at Raskelf on the final members' match of the year. Eric Wright won the Spenborough Guardian Trophy with 28lb 4oz of F1 carp on pole and meat. Other results (38 fished): 2 Fred Prudham 25lb 11oz (F1s on pole), 3 Bill Scott 21lb 4oz (20 F1s on method feeder), 4 Chris Pitman 17lb 2oz, 5 Andy Jacques 16lb 11oz. Going into the match third in the aggregate weight, Scott's weight in the final match was enough to finish top at the end of the seven-match series with 71lb 5oz. Last year's winner James Vickerman ends the series narrowly behind in second place with 68lb 4.5oz, while Geoff Cox is third with 64lb 2oz. This year's inaugural carp cup competitions have been won by Mikey Barnes and Reece Lisle at Knotford and Kirklees respectively. Barnes' capture of 'Sunken Eyes', weighing 28lb 4oz, in July was the biggest carp caught at Knotford, while Lisle caught 'Wonky' at 29lb 12oz from Kirklees back in February. The trophies are awarded at the start of October for the biggest carp caught from each of these two waters. Membership for the rest of 2016 is still available on the club website and is now half price, meaning that junior membership is just £2.50. The entrance fee for senior members is also halved. Beal will be closed on Sunday for an outside booking.

BRADFORD CITY ANGLING ASSOCIATION

Another week of mixed weather and heavy rain showers sees river levels at good heights and fewer anglers on the banks on both still-waters and rivers. Forecasts for the weekend look reasonable though the British weather never fails to surprise.

We’ve seen few anglers reports this week, though Alan Robinson, BCAA’s president, had another fine common carp of 20lb 3oz at Shipton Lake (see picture) just before night fell. Phil Bailey and Peter Bell again visited the club’s stretches on the Ure at Aysgarth. They found it high – though clear – with only a handful of fish in a stiff cold upstream wind which did little to encourage the fish to take dries, wets or nymphs. A second trip by Phil later in the week saw the river fallen by about a foot, with a number of out-of-season trout – to well over 4lb - coming to the net from very fast water, on a size 20 buzzer with a 1.5mm black bead. On the Aire, James Vann had a dozen grayling from the River Aire at Cononley in a few hours at the end of the day, all on small pheasant tail nymphs.

Anglers continue to see risks to their fishing from the KHV virus: another case has been reported in South Yorkshire this week. This is yet another reminder for anglers not to let up on their vigilance, and the importance of check-clean-dry procedures to prevent transmission of the disease between fisheries.

The Wild Trout Trust’s research and conservation officer, Jon Grey – also a BCAA Committee man - is looking for help please. He’s running two conservation demo days on 22nd and 29th October at East Riddlesden Hall, near Keighley, to do work to improve habitat on two spawning becks. More information can be seen at http://bit.ly/2dLMf9g - if anglers can help, please contact Jon quickly on 07969-337808.

The last BCAA match, the Cinderella Trophy, was fished on the Ure at Lower Dunsforth, though again anglers struggled in the cold wind. First was R Sowerby of Knaresborough with 2lb 9oz of silver fish, with M Prudhoe and D Crawford in the runners-up positions. The next match is an open contest on 22nd October at Lower Dunsforth. To book or for more information, please contact Rodney Brooksbank on 0787 5275749.

BRADFORD & DISTRICT SEA AC

The cod at Whitby are hard to find at the moment, with boats having to go well out to find fish. But fish are still being caught inshore on the west coast, including bull huss, whiting, gurnard and dabs. Our next meeting is on Tuesday (8pm) at the New Inn, East Bierley. New members will be made most welcome. The annual meeting is next month. If anyone has any rule changes, they should notify secretary Brian Clarkson on 07901-717615 to discus the matter.

BINGLEY AC

This year's annual meeting has been moved to Tuesday, November 15 (8pm) at Ryshworth Social Club, followed by a pie and pea supper. Any new proposals should be in writing to the club secretary by October 31, giving details of proposer and seconder. Sunday's river match is on the Aire in Myrtle Park, drawing at 9am at Festival Bridge. To book on call Tony on 07971-428678.

LEEDS ASA

The Tuesday open at Kippax Park was fished on Lapwing. Winner was P Carter (86lb-12oz), 2 A Broomhead (76lb), 3 M Jukes (55-12). The Saturday match was fished on Osprey. Winner was S Jeffreys (64-12), 2 S Pearson (44-8), joint 3 A Broomhead and R Prudo (35lb). The Wednesday match at Moor Monkton pools was fished on Cyprio. First placed went to D Pollitt (64-7), 2 P Gallagher (60-10), 3 S Mazza (59-121). In Sunday's match, the winner was J Roper (160-9), 2 D Wright (90-10), 3 S Mazza (76-15). Several interesting propositions have been submitted for the annual meeting.

LISTERHILLS AA

The draw for Sunday's members match at Aldwark is in the car park by the bridge. Meet at 9am. This is the last match to count for the aggregate trophy. Several anglers have been caught on our lengths of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal without a membership book or a day ticket. In future legal action will be taken against such offenders, Mr Woods reports the capture of a carp just over 17lb from the canal. E Harrison won the South Bank Veterans match with 7lb-4 1/2oz), mostly perch. The result of Sunday's open match at Rodley: 1 A Bowater (6-10), which included a tench, 2 B Mason ((3-11), 3 E Harrison (1-15), 4 M Paton (1-14). Section winners: L Passey (1-2), P Woods (1-1). There is an open match this Sunday. Contact Roger on (0113) 2772215. The third placed angler in the last match was taken ill and wishes to thank the anglers who assisted him.

SALTAIRE AA

The match on the canal last Sunday proved hard for most as the bream refused to feed and the pike played havoc with the roach. Three sections were pegged, with two at Dockfield and one at Jane Hills. The first top five weights all came from the Jane Hill section. Result: 1 Martin Hellewell, Matrix Halifax, 4lb 2oz, 2 Warren Mcleavy, Tricast Calder, 3lb 8oz, 3 Kyle Ackroyd, Tricast Calder, 3lb 1oz, 4 Richard East, Matrix Halifax, 2lb 7oz, 5 Daz Kershaw, Matrix Halifax, 2lb 1oz. Please call Richard East on 07815 092966 to book on before 7pm on Saturday evening.