BRADFORD No 1 AA

Steve Raper topped the 82-strong field to became the 2017 Lower Aire champion at Beal on Sunday with 16lb 8oz of skimmers, just 4oz ahead of Kev Hartley. Although the bream did not feed in great numbers, the biggest (7lb 4oz) was caught by Keith Hobson and there were good catches of perch and roach, with ten double-figure weights. Result: 1 Steve Raper 16lb 8oz, 2 Kev Hartley 16lb 4oz, 3 Tony Earnshaw 16lb 3oz, 4 Arthur Benstead 14lb 10oz, 5 Keith Hobson 14lb 8oz.

Geoff Gillingwater has had some very good short sessions on the River Nidd at Cowthorpe recently, catching a range of species, with the highlight being a double-figure barbel. There have also been quite a few fish just below the magical 10lb mark being caught from the stretch, including one of 9lb by Andrew Fieldhouse.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Jesse Young has caught a pike over 20lb from Chellow Dene in Bradford, while Warren Burke landed a 21lb 5oz common carp known as 'Lumpy' from Knotford. There have also been some very good catches from Raskelf Lake, including nets of over 100lb of F1 carp.

The road at Thornton Bridge is due to be subject to night closures (8pm-6am) for the next couple of weeks while repairs take place, so this may affect anglers fishing the river there or at Raskelf.

SKIPTON AA

The third and final taster day of the year took place at Whinnygill Reservoir last Sunday. Conditions were quite good, with a light southerly wind and hazy sun. Plenty of fish were caught from all four sides of the reservoir, including quality roach, perch, rudd, carp and brown trout – to the delight of the many junior anglers who took part during the six-hour event.

Earlier in the week, the final Sunset Series evening match had been fished on the reservoir and, apart from the first two weights, other catches were poor to nil. Russell Heaton and Kenny Wright had battled for the top spot all through the six-match series, with Heaton just having the edge in the end, winning with 1630g to Wright's second-place weight of 1140g. Simon Chenier was third with 270g, while Malcolm Mawson was fourth with 40g.

Overall series points: 1 Russell Heaton 84pts, 2 Kenny Wright 82, 3 Simon Chenier 68, 4 William Raymond-Barker 64, 5 Malcolm Mawson 58, 6 Graeme Waterfall 52.

Only two planned events remain in our calendar – a fly-fishing match at Embsay Reservoir on Sunday (details from Simon on 07794-276638) and the final memorial match on Whinnygill on Sunday, September 10.

Continuing unsettled weather has affected fishing on the River Aire, where the level is still about 300mm above normal. Few anglers are fishing at the moment but those that have wet a line have experienced some decent sport.

Brown trout to over the 1000g mark have been landed in the Skipton middle reaches, mainly on the float-fished worm, and a good trout of nearly 1820g fell to the worm on the upper Heslaker Lane stretch. The length below the Carleton Stone Bridge is producing some brown trout and reasonable numbers of chub up to around 450g. A few grayling and the odd gudgeon have also turned up, all taking the float-fished maggot.

Embsay Reservoir has responded to the recent restocking with some good sport, with rainbow trout to around 1360g. Brown trout and perch are also turning up in good numbers to the fly and the worm.

KEIGHLEY AC

Varying weather conditions and slightly cooler temperatures heightened the activity of shoals of fish in many stretches of the River Aire. We received several reports of trout and chub being landed in some of their most popular swims along the river, especially between Silsden and Stockbridge, and also downstream from Kildwick. Maggot and chopped worm were the most effective baits.

Cloudy skies also made the canal more responsive. Stretches all the way from Riddlesden to Silsden saw increased activity, with bream and roach being tempted by a variety of bait, including corn and mixed maggot. Local angler Joe Rennolds netted the best catch of recent weeks with a magnificent fin-perfect River Aire perch weighing 3lb 2oz.

BRADFORD SEA AC

The six members fishing out of Scrabster are having a good time, with two boxes of mixed fish (cod, coalfish, pollock and ling) on the first day. Given good weather, things should pick up for them. We have a trip to North Shields for cod fishing next Wednesday. Anyone wishing to go should call our trip secretary on 07711-987833 to book a place. Also our beginners' trip is still ongoing. If we can get enough people to go, we will book a boat for about four hours' fishing. Once again, ring our trip secretary if you fancy taking your son or daughter. Our next general meeting is on Tuesday, September 19 at the New Inn, East Bierley (8pm).

BINGLEY AC

The River Wharfe at Boston Spa continues to fish well for barbel but we are having problems with rubbish being left on the bank, mainly connected with pike fishing.The club will take action against any member or non-member breaking club rules, so please take your litter home. The canal at Crossflatts continues to fish well, with good nets of small roach and bream.

CENTRAL AC

Our next match is at Woodhouse Grange on Sunday, meet at venue 8am, fishing 9am-3pm. Meat baits and hemp are banned.