BRADFORD No 1 AA

The Calder League competition got underway on Sunday from Brighouse to Dewsbury, with eight teams again competing. Last year's runners-up Mirfield romped to victory in the opening round with 54 points, ahead of Willy Worms (39pts) in a match which produced 18 double-

figure individual weights, many of which were roach and perch catches. Result: 1 Craig Turbitt (Calder 8) 29lb 7oz (roach from below Cooper Bridge), 2 Kevin Hartley (Mirfield) 19lb 14oz, 3 David Armitage (Punky's 8) 18lb 14oz, 4 James Vickerman (Bradford No 1) 18lb 9oz, 5 Martin Highe (Mirfield) 18lb 2oz. The next round will take place on Sunday, July 16.

The next members' match will be held this Sunday on the River Aire at Beal, fishing for the Centenary and ABU trophies. This match will draw at the Jenny Wren in Beal at 9.15am, with tickets available for £15 on 01274-571175.

The River Nidd at Cowthorpe is continuing to produce catches of chub and barbel on bomb and meat, while large nets of silver fish are possible on stick float and maggot.

SKIPTON AA

The heavy rain last week gave the River Aire a good flushing out, and with the river remaining within its banks, at least this season’s fry will have stood a good chance of survival. By the weekend, the river had fallen to a good angling level, although not many anglers appeared to have taken advantage of the situation.

The upper reaches received most of those who wet a line, and some decent fishing was enjoyed with trout and grayling to the fly. Lower down the river on the Skipton length, the best fish landed was a good brownie weighing around 1820g.

Once the river settles down to normal level there should be a good chance of getting among the chub, which seem to be making a comeback. One or two big fish have been caught recently and in the last couple of years there have been plenty of fry about after spawning. These fish should be around 25cm in length now and possibly well distributed, so may turn up anywhere.

Last year’s “Act of God” fish kill showed that the river contained a surprising number of gudgeon, which had hardly ever featured in catches on the Skipton water recently. Luckily not every fish appeared to have died and the majority of fatalities were mainly upstream of Cononley Bridge.

It could well be that they may turn up more frequently at Skipton in the near future and create an added interest for the general angler. The last time gudgeon were present in shoals at Snaygill, some of them weighed up to 50g and were around 15cm long. A few of them in a keep-net soon added an appreciable weight to a catch which, in those days, probably also included two or three roach, a perch or chub and maybe even a bream.

The second match in our four-match Peter Hart Memorial Series is on Sunday. The venue has not been announced yet but should be somewhere on the association’s length of canal down Broughton Road. Further details may be obtained from events secretary Simon Chenier or on our Facebook group pages.

LEEDS ASA

Result of match at Ulleskelf: 1 P Baron 19lb 11oz (five barbel weighing drawn in the bay hole), 2 M Rapier 12lb (barbel from the salmon pool run off), 3 A Millar 11lb 12oz (barbel). Result of Wednesday’s match at Moor Monkton Pools: 1 A Bull 125lb 5oz, 2 M Gallagher 110lb 6oz, 3 S Pool 57lb 12oz. Result of Sunday match: 1 O Hewitt 92lb 13oz, 2 R Cooksie 73lb 14oz, 3 L Smith 71lb 7oz. S Fearnley has caught a specimen barbel weighing over 11lb from an undisclosed length of the River Ure. Several other good-sized fish have been caught from the Ouse and Ure.

LISTERHILLS AA

Result of Sunday’s open match at Armley: 1 G Colbran 2lb 10oz (all roach), 2 R Movley 2lb 4oz (all perch), 3 M Paton 2lb 2oz, 4 B Mason 2lb 1oz. The match scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled. The next canal open is on Sunday, July 16. The match which is advertised for July 22 has been put forward to July 23 as it is thought that Sundays are better for most anglers. Anyone intending going to Sunday’s match on the Ouse at Nun Monkton should contact 07518-721051. A reminder that any member requiring Leeds Amalgamation membership can obtain it through our club at a reduced price. It has come to our notice that some individuals are killing pike caught on the canal. This practice must cease. The Environment Agency have been informed. Some good catches of tench have been made at Pilleys.

BRADFORD SEA AC

All our members had a pleasant day at Rhyl aboard Gary Jones's boat Lune Sea. The weather was calm and very sunny, but the fish were hard to come by. Gary put them on the marks but the fish had other ideas. Best fish was a thornback ray of 9lb. There were a few bull huss up to 8lb, and plenty of lsd, whiting, dabs and codling. Rob Wadsworth had about nine guarnard, which was good considering that he was taking photos too. The banter was good and the tea kept on coming. We will definitely be booking Gary again. A fantastic raffle prize of a new Diawa boat rod on offer at our next general meeting on Tuesday, July 18 at the New Inn, East Bierley (8pm).

BINGLEY AC

The extra water has improved fishing on the rivers, with trout, chublets and grayling being caught on the Aire and barbel on the Wharfe at Boston Spa. The next match on Sunday, July 16 has been moved from Settler Dam to Myrtle Park, draw 9am on the bank. To book on, contact Tony Greenwood (07971-428678).

CENTRAL AC

Result of our match at Redwood Lakes on Sunday: 1 J Mountain 73lb 8oz, 2 M Davey 30lb, 3 C Davey 28lb, 4 R Wharfe 21lb 10oz. Our next match is at Forest Lane on Sunday, July 16, meet at venue 8am, fishing 9am-3pm.

BIERLEY AC

The John Glenton Memorial Match will be fished on Sunday on the second pond (third if needed). Draw 9am, fishing 10am-4pm. Separate nets for carp and silvers, all nets to be dipped.