SKIPTON AA

ALL it takes is a spell of decent weather with reasonable temperatures and once again the fish are happy and in a feeding mood. Well that was the scene at Whinnygill Reservoir last Sunday when the first four-hour open match was fished there.

A decent turnout of 15 anglers found conditions quite reasonable, and a few good weights were recorded. Catches consisted mainly of roach, with rudd and the odd perch also turning up. At the end of the match the catch rate was just over 50 per cent.

Result: 1 Russell Heaton (Keighley) 1030g (2:4:4) (all roach), 2= Dave Fenn, Jason Aldis 500g (1:1:12) (both roach and rudd), 4 Kenny Wright 420g (0:15:0), Bob Fenn 230g (0:8:0), 6 Andy Wharton 190g (0:6:12), 7 Wayne Eason 140g (0:5:0), 8 Simon Chenier 10g (0:0:6).

Another four-hour open match will be held at Whinnygill Reservoir on Sunday, Match 5, draw 8am, fishing from 9am, entry fee £7.

Despite the decent weather, only the odd angler was seen in action on the local reaches of the River Aire, where the sport was mainly smallish grayling that fell to a float-fished small redworm. Most of the deeper stretches looked ideal for a spot of pike fishing but neither fish nor anglers could be seen. Prospects for this weekend looked to be stacked in favour of the still waters, with a forecast of spells of heavy rain, gale-force winds and a return to more seasonal temperatures.

Anglers may be surprised to learn that the tidal length of the River Thames holds a good head of bream, roach and dace. In the last three years, the now annual Tidefest Championship match has yielded winning weights of 13640g (30:0:0), and the fourth championship match is scheduled for September. No doubt if the water takes on a brackish flavour, the coarse fish hurriedly swim up river to the safer freshwater section.

LEEDS ASA

Result of the Tuesday match at Kippax Park: 1 L Wilman with 64lb, 2 M Jukes 52lb, 3 N Rymer 47lb. Result of the Thursday match at Kippax Park: 1 A Broomhead 81lb. The runner-up had 67lb and there were several weights over 40lb. Result of the match at Moor Monkton Pools: 1 L Smith with 74lb 7oz, 2 E Boldistone 57lb 13oz. There was a tie for third place on 35lb 15oz. The River Ouse was too coloured for the roach to respond properly,and the leading anglers all had bream. Result: 1 T Hewson (drawn near the bungalows on peg 219) 16lb 5oz (three bream), 2 A Millar (peg 220) 4lb 15oz (one bream), 3 W Collier 4lb 8oz (one bream). The improving temperatures have seen the smaller species starting to show an interest at the Polo Pond, with L Steel having a mixed catch in a short session. At Kippax Park, the hard-working club secretary had a rare fishing outing, resulting in a catch of good-sized trout. E Harrison had a specimen grayling weighing 2lb 12oz from the Wharfe upstream of Castley. Several other anglers have reported good catches of grayling from the club’s waters on different stretches of the Wharfe. The River Derwent has produced some good catches of roach and dace.

LISTERHILLS AA

A reminder that any angler wishing to represent the club in this year’s National Championship should apply by sending in the nomination form in the membership book. A few more anglers have ventured out over the last week, but reports are thin on the ground – mostly small fish from the canal. However, a few sizeable bream have been caught from the canal at Apperley Bridge. Catches from the River Aire have been mostly out-of-season trout, which must be returned immediately. Applications for Leeds Amalgamation membership are being dealt with as soon as they are received.

BRADFORD SEA AC

Once again our general meeting was well attended, with many suggestions being put forward and acted on. The April trip to Hartlepool is almost full, so if you want to go you will have to act fast by ringing Dave on 07711-987833. All our dates are on Facebook. Not much is happening on the east coast but in the Mersey they are still catching cod although, they are petering out now, but plenty of whiting and thornbacks are being caught. Our April meeting (on Friday 21st) is our presentation evening, which also includes a buffet.

BINGLEY AC

The milder weather has helped with the fishing, and there are reports of good nets of roach and skimmers coming from the canal, with grayling being caught on the River Aire in Myrtle Park. Thanks to all who attended the working party last Sunday at Coppice Pond. Most of the planting was completed and posts put in for fencing at the bog end. The next working party is scheduled for Sunday, March 12.