BRADFORD CITY AA

AFTER a long long spell of dry weather, which has seen most of the Dales rivers on their bones, we have had a great deal of rain in the past few days. This good flush for the rivers will clear algae and weed, re-oxygenate the water, and give us chance to see how newly-installed habitat development work has improved river flows and fishing.

Despite the recent dry conditions and low river flows, club members have reported some good results. Twelve-year-old member Jack Walker had a good weekend at Shipton Lake, with productive fishing on the edge of the lily pads, and netted net some excellent carp.

Staveley Lakes continue to fish well, with big nets of mixed species reported by several anglers. On the rivers, successful fishing has required very stealthy approaches and small flies fished on fine tippets, though fish have also come to late mayfly presentations. Trout anglers have seen good sport on the Wharfe at Hubberholme and Buckden, while Colin Reynolds had 21-inch brown trout – estimated 3lb 8oz – from the Aire at Gargrave, using a size-14 waterhen bloa fished at dead drift.

Chris Stones and Richard McGinley also had a great day’s fishing on Laneshaw Reservoir. Bradford City AA have an exchange arrangement in place with Colne Water AC on this fishery and at Churn Clough, with 20 fish between them, taken on a variety of flies, dries, weighted nymphs, damsels, minkies and boobies.

Elsewhere on club waters, there are a number of things for members to note. We’ve seen some poaching on the Aire in the last week. If members spot any poachers, please them to the head bailiff, who will inform the police. Bailiffs are being proactive in walking the banks, working closely with the police on the issue.

A new fence has been erected on the field side at Shipton Lake and we hope to otter-proof this in the medium-term. Old padlocks have now been removed from all our locked fisheries, and access can now only be made using the new key, which is on sale from our online shop and from agents. The Highways Agency has also added a padlock to the gate on our Langthorpe fishery. Anglers can get the code from BCAA’s general secretary or the president. Finally, Phil Bailey, our fly secretary, will be hosting an invertebrate open day on Monday, meet on Gargrave Green at 10am. Further details can be obtained from Phil on 07811-286652.

Anglers please note that we have decided to cancel our inaugural match on the River Swale at Topcliffe on Saturday, June 17 due to an oversight regarding the clash with the opening of the river coarse-fishing season. The next match will therefore be the Championship at Staveley Lakes on Saturday, July 1. To book a place and for further information, call Rodney Brooksbank on 07875-275749.

BRADFORD No 1 AA

Result of Sunday's officials' match for the RW Naylor Memorial Trophy at Queen Mary's Ponds, Ripon: 1 Nick Freer 43lb 8oz (ten tench up to 5lb 11oz to 14-metre pole with worm, fishing close to an overhanging tree), 2 Matt Foster 18lb 12oz (five tench up to 4lb 14oz), 3 Simon Foster 10lb 14oz (three tench).

Raskelf will be closed on Sunday for a veterans' (over-60s) match, which will draw at the lakeside at 9.30am. There are a few tickets remaining for this match from Simon on 01274-571175.

The coarse season on rivers reopens next Friday (June 16), meaning that all waters will be open with no bait restrictions in place. The River Calder around Brighouse, the River Nidd at Cowthorpe and Nun Monkton and the River Swale at Maunby and Thornton Bridge are all worth a visit in the opening weeks. Tickets for the members' match at Cowthorpe on Sunday, June 18 are available from Simon on the number above or Tackle 2U in Bradford.

The first junior match of the year will be at Raskelf on Saturday June 24, with an entry free for members and plenty of prizes to be won. Please contact Simon to book a place. Membership remains available to purchase, and costs just £5 for the rest of the year for juniors.

SKIPTON AA

The recent prolonged spell of good weather has certainly improved fishing on most waters, although the River Aire is beginning to suffer from a low flow rate and an abundant growth of weed in all but the deepest of pools.

Whinnygill Reservoir is the jewel in the crown of our four main waters, and members are reporting some excellent catches of roach, perch, rudd, golden rudd and tench. John D Nicholls enjoyed an estimated 14kg bag of these fish, while another member landed about 40 tench in one sitting. Specimen trout are also being caught, along with bream, although it is requested to avoid the bream if at all possible as they are still engaged in spawning activities. Carp and orfe are often visible on the surface but are proving difficult to attract at the moment.

Result of the recent Skipton Summer League match on the reservoir: 1 Kenny Wright 1590g, 2 Andy Wharton 720g, 3 Jason Aldis 620g. Leading league positions: 1= Danny Bolland, Keith Brown, Richard Thornton 34pts, 5= Geoff Hartley, Ernie Ramsbotham 31.

Skipton members will be hoping that the present spell of inclement weather has not put the Whinnygill fish off the feed when they fish the first of four matches in the members' only Peter Hart Memorial Trophy Series on Sunday, draw 8am, fishing 9am-noon, entry fee £7.

Elsewhere the canal is showing signs of improvement, both in the basin and on the Broughton Road length. Graham Waterfall had a good five species bag of fish from near the Coach Street Bridge, which included numerous gudgeon, while the western length has been producing decent roach, perch and skimmers.

The low water on the Aire has taken its toll on sport, with fly fishermen having been pestered by out-of-season grayling. Bailiff Dave Martin has had a few good trout on the black gnat, while a small nymph produced a signal crayfish. Prospects remain good on the still waters but the river could benefit from some extra water to improve fishing.

LEEDS ASA

Anglers who require a membership book for the first day of the coarse season on rivers, which is next Friday (June 16) should apply by Monday to ensure having it on time. Result of the Tuesday match at Kippax Park: 1 A Broomhead 99lb 9oz, 2 A Rymer 75lb 5oz, 3 B Rymer 55lb 12oz. Result of the Wednesday match at Moor Monkton Pools: 1 M Gallagher 96lb 15oz, 2 D Pollitt 84lb 2oz, 3 A Bull 70lb 3oz. Result of the Bank Holiday match: 1 S Cromie 97lb 15oz, 2 D Pollitt 67lb 7oz, 3 B Jeffreys 42lb 5oz. Result of the Sunday match: 1 M Gallagher 98lb 15oz, 2 M Dodsworth 96lb 9oz, 3 P Cooksie 91lb 13oz. A member has lost a wedding ring while fishing at Knotford. If anyone finds it, please contact the general secretary.

LISTERHILLS AA

We hope to be able to give members some good news about the club’s lease at Pilley’s in the near future. Result of the Sunday Open match on the canal at Canal Road, Armley: 1 D Colbran 5lb 9oz (including a tench), 2 B Mason 2lb, 3 J Mason 1lb 8oz. Tomorrow’s match is on the nature reserve length at Rodley, draw 10am. To book on this or the members’ match at Newton on Ouse on Sunday, June 18, contact 07518-721051. Result of the evening match at Apperley Bridge: 1 E Harrison 1lb 12½oz (all small fish). Any member with suggestions about match venues for next year is invited to send details to the match secretary.

CLAYTON AC

Result of match on Sunday at Moorfields (17 fished): 1 Steve Charge 65lb 11oz, 2 Dean Clarkson 64lb 5oz, 3 Jack Hawkins 59lb 8oz. Section winners: Ricky Malone 53lb 13oz, Steve Fairbrother 40lb 10oz, Derek Milner 37lb 10oz. Pairs winners: Dean Clarkson, Jason Craig. Our next match is on Sunday, June 18 at Tollerton. Any member not fishing, please inform Jason seven days prior to the match.

CENTRAL AC

Result of our match at The Oaks on Sunday: 1 C Cull 64lb 8oz, 2 R Wharfe 42lb, 3 S Worley 37lb, 4 J Mountain 32lb 10oz. Our next match is at Woodhouse Grange on Sunday, June 18. Meet at venue 8am, fishing 9am-3pm.

BINGLEY AC

This Sunday's match is at Coppice Pond, draw 7am on the bank. Coppice will be closed to anglers until after the match. The next clean-up on the River Aire is also this Sunday, meet in the rugby club car park at Wagon Lane at 10am. Sunnydale is fishing well, with quality roach and the odd bream being caught.