BRADFORD No 1 AA

The coarse season on rivers came to a close on Tuesday following what has been a successful year on many of the club's waters as the region's rivers recovered quickly from last winter's flooding. There were large numbers of small fish on most rivers last summer, along with barbel into double figures and good catches of trout and grayling. River levels have remained relatively low for long periods through the winter months, which has resulted in great catches of chub to over 7lb, and barbel on the Nidd and Swale, as well as pike over 10lb on many stretches.

The trout season on selected rivers opens on Saturday, March 25, with bait bans in place, while the coarse season reopens on Friday, June 16.

Result of the final open match of the season on Sunday on the River Nidd at Cowthorpe (fished by 45): 1 James Vickerman 14lb 11oz (four chub – two on stick float and maggot, two on ledgered worm), 2 Andy Bradley 13lb 12oz (two chub and one barbel on stick float), 3 Fred Prudham 13lb (two barbel, one chub), 4 Ian Bradley 10lb 12oz (four chub), 5 Robin Pickles 9lb 5oz. The next match will be the final round of the Raskelf Winter Series on Sunday, March 26.

Andrew Fieldhouse returned to the River Swale at Thornton Bridge on the final weekend of the season aiming to replicate his previous week's six chub up to 4lb 11oz. This time he managed only five fish but three of these were better than his previous week's best, with the biggest weighing in at 6lb 5oz.

Still-waters remain open all year round and there have been good reports from Raskelf, Gratrix and Shelf in the past week.

LEEDS ASA

A group of members took part in the now annual grayling project for the Environment Agency. At the second attempt we found the river in a better condition and we split into different stretches of the River Wharfe. A large amount of fish were taken to the Calverton fishery and they will be returned when the eggs have been stripped. Saturday's match at Kippax Park was won by A Rymer with 88lb. Others: 2 B Rymer 63lb 11oz, 3 S Pearson 54lb 14oz. Wednesday's match at Moor Monkton Pools was won by J Roper with 66lb. Others: 2 D Wright 37lb 8oz, 3 E Boldistone 36lb 12oz. The Sunday match was won by C Coombes with 58lb 6oz. Others: 2 E Boldistone 42lb 7oz, 3 M Gallagher 36lb 12oz. The final positions in the winter series were C Coombes 14pts, runners-up A Middleton 16, L Smith 17. The rearranged three-day Yorkshire Ouse Festival was fished by 63 anglers. Winner of the day one event for the Bobco Trophy was I Bowman with 6lb 11oz. Others: 2 C Turbitt 6lb, 3 D Jones 4lb 15oz. The day two match for the Garbolino Trophy was won by M Highe with 6lb 14oz. Others: 2 D Armitage 6lb 6oz, 3 I Bowman 6lb 1oz. Day three for the Maver Trophy was won by R Bezemer, who caught ten bream for a level 37lb. Others: 2 A Hampson 11lb 10oz, 3 S Lowther 9lb 15oz. The overall placings saw a win for I Bowman on 58 points. Runner-up was D Armitage who tied on 57 with J Smiles but won on overall weight. The last day of the coarse season on the rivers saw plenty of action on the riverbanks at various fisheries, including the Nidd mouth where several anglers from Keighley and Bradford targeted pike. All were successful, the best catches falling to E Harrison and S Ding.

SKIPTON AA

We will be holding our annual river clean-up on Sunday morning, together with the start of a planned bank-regeneration programme. It is hoped this will result in an improved river environment that will ultimately benefit both the fish population and wildlife in general. Association members, together with anyone else wishing to be involved, should meet near the by-pass overbridge on Carleton Road at 9.30am. All materials will be provided and we will finish at about 12.30pm.

With the gradual improvement in the weather over the last few days, anglers fishing Whinnygill Reservoir have experienced the awakening of the water after the dark winter slumbers. Coarse anglers have enjoyed some good sport among the roach, bream, rudd and perch, and even the brown trout, that the water contains. One of the best catches was a 20-plus fish bag of quality roach landed by Russell Heaton, while others have enjoyed mixed bags of up to ten fish or more.

Two more open matches on the reservoir have been arranged by Skipton AA for Sundays April 2 and 16, which should take advantage of the better sport. The draw will be held at 8am, with fishing from 9am-1pm. All anglers are invited to attend and the entry fee will be £7 all-in.

River coarse fishing has now come to an end, with the close season starting yesterday. Fishing resumes on rivers from Saturday, March 25 for brown trout but to prevent the unnecessary catching of coarse fish, a number of bait restrictions apply, with only the worm, minnow, spinning and fly permitted.

Most clubs will now require the payment of subscriptions before any fishing is undertaken and Environment Agency rod licences will be due from Saturday, April 1. This year rod licences will run for 12 months from the date of purchase, so a later start will still yield full value. However, make sure you have a valid rod licence before fishing as prosecution penalties are quite severe in our area.

LISTERHILLS AA

The last day of the river coarse fishing season was on Tuesday. No fishing is allowed until the trout season starts on March 25 and after that date the only permitted baits allowed on rivers are fly, worm and artificial lures. No meat or cereal baits and no fish to be retained in keep nets. There is a members' match on Sunday on the front pond at Moor Monkton Pools, meeting at 9am. Two keep nets will be required and all nets must be dipped on arrival.

SALTAIRE AA

Last week's open match on the canal was dominated by the Colbran brothers, David (Keighley Angling) taking first place with 6lb 10oz. Others: 2 George Colbran (Keighley Angling) 5lb 3oz, 3 Martin Taylor (Matrix Halifax) 2lb 3oz. To book on to Sunday's match call Rick on 07815-092966. There has been a number of people poaching various lengths of our waters. This will not be tolerated and members are asked to check other members' yearbooks. If anything suspicious is seen, we would ask that police non-emergencies are called on 101.

BRADFORD SEA AC

Tuesday is our annual presentation evening at the New Inn, East Bierley (8pm) and there will be a buffet after the meeting. Plenty of codling up to 5lb are being caught uptiding at Whitby on the inshore marks and a few whiting as well. On the west coast, things are a bit quiet at the moment. Would anyone like to catch a fish of a lifetime? We are organising a trip to Norway next year to fish for those big cod and halibut. If you fancy going, call chairman Roger on 07773-139460.

BINGLEY AC

Thanks to all who attended last Sunday's working party at Coppice Pond. The next one is on Sunday, April 2. Rivers are now closed to coarse fishing until Friday, June 16. The canal is still fishing well at Crossflatts, with good nets of small roach and skimmers.