BRADFORD No 1 AA

MEMBERSHIP for 2017 will be available to purchase from all the usual agents just before Christmas, with a more definite date expected nearer the time. Basic membership prices will be unchanged from this year, with a small increase in the cost of night permits for Knotford and Kirklees to finance the ongoing improvements there.

Bradford No 1 polo shirts, hoodies and caps are available to purchase on the club website, with most sizes in stock for delivery before Christmas.

Tickets for the Daily Mirror Cup Open match at Cowthorpe on Sunday, December 11 are available from Simon on 01274-571175.

Gratrix Dam is producing outstanding catches of roach, chub and ide on maggot and waggler.

SKIPTON AA

Whinnygill Reservoir benefited from a restocking last Sunday when a mixed bag of good-quality coarse fish were introduced (177 crucian carp, 270 silver or golden rudd, 104 bream, 175 tench, 100 gudgeon) in what was fortunately very quiet weather for those who assisted with the stocking. A further consignment of 20-25cm (8-10in) roach will be introduced in the not-too-distant future.

With the weather being far from settled and generally on the cold side, it is unlikely that any of these fish will soon be caught but they will certainly have become acclimatised by the time the temperature begins to rise in the spring.

Recent spells of sleet, snow and heavy rain (over 75mm or 3in last week) raised the level on the River Aire to near bank top by the weekend, and not a single angler was to be seen on the banks.

Further very heavy rain in a gale-force easterly wind on Monday evening put down 12mm (half an inch) of rain in about an hour and, coupled with melting snow above Malham, no doubt caused some flooding in fields.

One good thing is that all the leaves have finally fallen and been carried away in the flood conditions. This will ease the way for brown trout to ascend the becks for spawning, which usually takes place locally in the first two weeks of December but may vary, depending on the temperature. Hopefully settled conditions will contribute to a successful spawning session.

The Aireville Park swing-bridge is the venue for this Sunday's Skipton Winter League match, along with the length towards Dewhirst's Mill, and competitors will be hoping for settled weather.

In both the individual and pairs competitions, the leading anglers are reasonably close together and another bout of poor sport could bring about some changes at the top.

SALTAIRE AA

Result of last week's open on the canal, which fished well for Shipley boats length: 1 John Sedgwick (Tricast Calder) 7lb 2oz (roach and bream), 2 Peter Wilson (Tricast Calder) 4lb 10oz, 3 Nigel Hirst (Slaithwaite) 4lb 1oz, 4 Nigel Storr (Matrix Halifax) 3lb 12oz.

For Sunday's Open, please phone Richard on 07815-092966 to book on. The length on the boats in Shipley continues to fish well for all species, with some good midweek catches of bream and roach.

Pike are also active, with some anglers having several double-figure fish in a session. All anglers are reminded that if they are fishing for pike then it is advised to have a suitable landing net, and preferably an unhooking mat too. Please treat all fish with care.

The next open river match will be on Sunday, December 4 if it is fishable.

LEEDS ASA

Result of Saturday Open at Lapwing, Kippax Park: 1 A Broomhead 117lb 8oz, 2 B Rymer 114lb 4oz, 3 S Pearson 91lb 4oz. Result of Wednesday match at Moor Monkton Pools: 1 A Broomhead (second win in two days) 69lb, 2 A Middleton 67lb 4oz, 3 S Jeffreys 51lb 5oz. The winner was pegged on the match pool, the other two were on the front pond.

Two long-serving officers have stepped down - president S Jeffreys and membership secretary A Benson. Both, however, will still be involved with the running of the society, and a vote of thanks goes to them for their efforts. When the water levels have been at a suitable height, good catches of grayling have been recorded from the middle Wharfe.

LISTERHILLS AA

Fishing on the club’s length of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal can be undertaken on a day ticket, which must be obtained before fishing, and is available from the usual tackle shops. A cheaper option is to buy a concession yearbook costing £6 for adults and other categories £3. These last until the end of the year. The draw for Sunday’s members’ match is at 9.30am.

BRADFORD SEA AC

Our annual meeting is on Tuesday at the New Inn, East Bierley (8pm). Will all members try to attend this very important meeting as future trips will be discussed and there is a drive to encourage new members.