SKIPTON AA

Despite the fall in sales of rod licences, the Environment Agency have continued to spend on Yorkshire fisheries improvements to the tune of over £318,000 during the last financial year. Together with other organisations, the total investment amounted to just under £800,000. Work included the removal of two weirs and the installation of ten fish passes on rivers which opened up 59 miles of new habitat or spawning grounds. The EA also responded to 25 fisheries incidents and three fish disease incidents.

In 2017, the Fisheries Improvement Programme projects will be committing further rod licence income to work currently underway in the River Aire catchment. These include the installation of in-stream habitat, building stock-proof fencing, weir notching and bank repair. Sites include the Kirby and Goredale becks at Malham as well as the Aire itself at Gargrave and Carleton-in-Craven. The Bradford City AA, Skipton AA and the Wild Trout Trust will be partners.

Efforts to prevent rod licence evasion during the last quarter of 2016 resulted in 45 anglers being reported for fisheries offences. Penalties for fisheries offences in Yorkshire are some of the highest in the country – £1858 for fishing without a licence and failing to attend court; £597 for fishing without a licence in the close season; £427 for failing to provide a name and address to an enforcement officer; £377 for an angler caught fishing without a licence by a police officer.

The poor weather last weekend probably saw no anglers wetting a line at any of the local waters, although conditions should be much improved for this coming weekend with a forecast of double-figure temperatures.

Whinnygill Reservoir could provide some good sport with the roach, rudd, bream, perch and even the brown trout that were beginning to move before the advent of the cold spell. A rare eel was almost landed by 15-year-old James Daggett but it cast the hook on being brought to the net.

River fishermen may also find some decent sport on the Aire as the water level is ideal for fishing at the moment. Grayling are numerous throughout the Skipton length and the Snaygill deep water length is more than suitable for some pike fishing.

BRADFORD CITY AA

It has been a good week for anglers to be out on the banks now that spring-like weather has arrived, although we have received no reports or news about how club waters have fished. However, we have continued to work on habitat improvements and to liaise with other angling clubs on issues such as mitigating the loss of bankside trees resulting from recent flood management programmes. A further work party is planned at 9.30am next Wednesday towards the top of the Gargrave length to secure 'large woody debris' in the bed of the river. This work will add diversity to currently flat, featureless stretches and will help create channels and gravel ramps, which provide vital spawning habitat for fish. This event provides a great opportunity for any angler or club to be involved and learn from our in-stream regeneration programme, managed by Jon Grey, our Wild Trout Trust committee member. Contact club fly secretary Phil Bailey on 07811-286652 for full details and to offer your help. We look forward to being joined by freelance writer Andrew Griffin for possible articles later in the year. Club members in 2016 who have not yet renewed membership for 2017 should note that they now have only six weeks to do so. Any renewals on or after April 1 will be charged a joining fee of £15. Renewal prices are £38 for adults, £24 concessions and £5 juniors. Members can join or rejoin via the online club shop or through agents. The next match will be the Trentman Trophy tomorrow at Shipton Lake. To book a place, and for information updates, call Rodney Brooksbank on 0787-5275749.

BRADFORD No1 AA

Cold, wet and windy weather meant difficult conditions for Sunday's charity open match on the River Nidd. Yet the match still produced a good number of chub, including Ian Newby's winning catch of four chub and two perch. Result: 1 Ian Newby 19lb 4oz, 2 Dave Pitt 12lb 6oz (three chub), 3 Alan Grandidge 11lb 8oz (three chub), 4 Ian Bradley 10lb 6oz (two chub, biggest 6lb 3oz). The next open match will be at Cowthorpe on Sunday, March 12. Maunby, Gatenby, Catton and Pickhill on the River Swale will be closed tomorrow for the RSPS Team Masters. Knotford Lagoon has been boosted with the stocking of two common carp of around 30lb. The biggest weighed in at 31lb 8oz and both are under ten years old, meaning there is plenty of scope for future growth. The fish were supplied by Fishers Pond Fisheries, who are noted as producing many of the largest fish in the country, and have been microchipped to prevent theft. Tickets for the carp match at Knotford in May have now sold out and there are very few remaining for September. Junior membership costs just £5 per year and is available from most local tackle shops or online at the club's website.

LEEDS ASA

Working parties for Moor Monkton Pools have been arranged for March 6, 7 and 8. If you can spare a little time on any of these days, it will be much appreciated. There are still a few vacant dates for match bookings at Kippax Park. Call Graham on 01132-402568. Saturday's match at Kippax was won by J Mills with 47lb 10oz. Other results: 2 A Rymer 43lb 12oz, 3 N Rymer 33lb 4oz. The Wednesday match at Moor Monkton Pools was won by J Roper with 35lb 1oz. Other results: 2= G Milner and S Brown 25lb. Sunday's match at the same venue was won by L Coombes (48lb 15oz). Other results: 2 E Boldiston 42lb 8oz, 3 M Dodsworth 41lb 2oz. Anglers are turning up at Knotford who have not renewed their membership. We would like to point out that lapsed members should not set foot on the venue and will be turned away as trespassers.

SALTAIRE AA

Last week's open canal match on the boats in Shipley was fished in some of the worst weather conditions for a few years. Strong, cold winds with snow, sleet and rain proved too much for some anglers. Daz Price of Tricast Rochdale stuck it to the end and weighed in 14lb 2oz of big roach and skimmers to take first place, with clubmate Alan Price landing 3lb 2oz. Other results: 3 Terry Guthrie (Matrix Halifax) 2lb 15oz, 4 Nigel Storr (Matrix Halifax) 2lb 15oz, 5 Richard East (Matrix Halifax) 2lb 9oz. There is no match this Sunday. The next canal open will be the last of the winter and will be on Sunday, February 26. Call Richard on 07815-092966 to book on. We are planning to run another pike open match on the boats length in the next few weeks. Anybody interested should get in touch with Lee on 07496-445303.

LISTERHILLS AA

There was a low attendance for the last match, no doubt due to the miserable weather. Winner E Harrison sealed victory in the first 15 minutes with two bream which contributed most of his weight of 6lb 4oz. Runner-up was D M Johnson with 2lb 10½oz of small fish. Some of our members took part in the Towpath Taskforce on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, clearing up and making general improvements. Further events are planned on the third Friday of every month. Contact Becca Dent on 03030-404040 or by e-mail to becca.dent@canaltrust.org.uk.

BRADFORD & DISTRICT SEA AC

Our next general meeting will be on Tuesday, February 21 (8pm) at the New Inn, East Bierley. Fishing is picking up now on the east coast. At Whitby, anglers are still catching cod inshore using up-tide techniques. In the Mersey, good-sized cod and whiting are still being caught on the big tides. Will winners of trophies for last year return them at the next meeting.

BINGLEY AC

Thanks to all who attended the last work party at Coppice pond. The next is this Sunday with a 10am start. There is very little fishing to report this week, apart from one member having a good day on the canal at Crossflatts with plenty of small roach.