BRADFORD CITY AA

UNSURPRISINGLY, the frequent blizzard-like conditions this week have resulted in river and lake banks being almost devoid of anglers. Even so, Carl White found a break in the weather to catch his first fish of the season – a beautiful carp from Staveley Lakes.

We have now nearly completed our stocking plans for the winter, with the latest delivery of crucians, tench and roach into Oakworth Ponds last week. Further stock of ide are due in the near future. Shipton Lake has received roach, skimmers, ide and tench, with Staveley getting roach and skimmers too.

In sunnier weather than present, another 450 trees have been planted alongside Eshton Beck, where it joins the River Aire.

We have now established a new Facebook page – Bradford City AA Fly Fishing – and invite all fly anglers (whether club members or not) to join the group. The main club Facebook page will then be closed to non-BCAA members from next month.

Two interesting events are being planned for any angler interested in fly-fishing. Particularly good news for the club is that the Wild Trout Trust national annual event will be held on the weekend of May 19-20 at Gargrave Village Hall. This will give Bradford City AA the opportunity to showcase development work in the past year, and a chance for our members to see and hear about some of the work the WTT does, and even to enjoy some fishing. Bookings can be made, and further information seen, on the WTT website.

We are also planning our own BCAA Open Day for Saturday, June 2. This will look to promote the club to existing and new members, let anglers see and try our fishing, and provide a social opportunity for club members and like-minded anglers to meet. More details will follow nearer the date – on our website and social media.

Now that March is here, there is only one month left in which members can renew membership without paying the rejoining fee. Please note that our previous agent Eccleshill Angling has recently changed ownership and no longer offers membership for sale. Joiners and re-joiners can now do so through agents or the club’s online shop through the link on the front page of the BCAA website at www.bradfordcitya.co.uk.

Finally, an appeal for help and information. A club member accidentally left two good quality coats on the roadside bank at Shipton Lake four weeks ago and asks if any angler has found them. A good reward is offered for their return. If you can help, please call Jim Munden on 07940-814431 and he will arrange their return to their grateful owner.

KEIGHLEY AA

Freezing weather conditions have severely affected angling activities with only a hardy few braving bleak local waters.

Despite the cold, several catches have been reported at shaded sections as well as sections close to bridges along some stretches of the Leeds Liverpool canal.

River conditions have stabilised after recent heavy rain and snowfall with some swims finally yielding decent catches. Although some brown trout and grayling have been netted, anglers chasing predatory perch and pike have fared even better after choosing spinner and dropshot tactics.

Decaying reedbeds and fast-flowing sections have seen several fine strikes notably a stunning double-figure barbel caught near Steeton.

Finally, Keighley Angling Club has received news that the Environment Agency and the Angling Trust are currently reviewing governance of the close-season rules. An evidence paper will set out arguments for and against change and give anglers an opportunity to voice their opinions about the 140 year-old Freshwater Fisheries Act. Present rules restrict activity, especially the use of some baits, to assist and encourage river-dwelling fish during the spawning season. Whilst some anglers support existing rules, others are opposed to the limits imposed on them.

SKIPTON AA

Although the weather at the moment is hardly a reminder that the new brown-trout season will be opening on Sunday, March 25, angling clubs throughout Yorkshire are already preparing for the start.

Skipton Angling Association are now ready to receive subscriptions, which for all categories of membership, are unchanged from 2017 thanks to the generous increase in membership last year.

The association has a new membership secretary, and subscriptions may be renewed via the website www.skiptonangling.co.uk or by post from Mrs L Tipling, Membership Secretary, Skipton AA, 12 Sharphaw Avenue, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 2QL. Please include a stamped addressed envelope for the return of documents.

Re-stocking for the start of the new season will be completed before March 25 at Embsay Reservoir, which is the association’s premier trout water.

Whinnygill will receive another batch of coarse fish during the later part of the year, while the River Aire will continue to be stocked naturally by the resident brown trout, which members cannot retain under any circumstances.

Anyone wishing to become an association member should visit the website (add /Prices.html to the above web address) for details of the various membership categories, subscription rates and entrance fees.

Besides the waters mentioned above, the association also controls two good lengths of the canal at Skipton which offer decent coarse fishing.

While the water level on the Aire has fallen to near normal for the time of year, the cold conditions of late appears to have kept anglers away from the waterside.

Last weekend just one hardy pike angler was in action on the Skipton length and he had not enjoyed any success.

Prospects for this weekend are even worse, with the likelihood of a bitterly cold easterly wind bringing frequent snow showers.

In the long term there is no sign of any real improvement, so the coarse fishing season as far as rivers are concerned may end on a very quiet note.

BRADFORD No 1 AA

Result of round three of the Raskelf Winter Series: 1 Dawid Moska 20lb (11 F1 carp, including three in the last 15 minutes), 2 Fred Prudham 19lb 7oz (10 F1s), 3 Pete Vickerman 16lb 3oz (10 F1s), 4 Paul Royston 14lb 8oz, 5 Bill Scott 13lb 8oz. Ian Bradley's section win gave him enough points to go into lead for the series, with one match remaining. Standings: 1 Ian Bradley 82, 2 Stuart Tate 81, 3 Bill Scott 77.

Widdington Hall will be closed on Sunday, as well as next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (March 4-6) for outside bookings. Tickets for the Charity Sweepstakes Open match on the River Nidd at Cowthorpe on Sunday, March 11 re available from Simon on 01274-571175.

This week's freezing conditions will mean that the club's lakes will be out of action for this weekend and most of next week. Anyone braving the rivers should take extra care with the banks likely to be very slippy.

LEEDS ASA

Result of the match at Kippax Park on Tuesday, February 20: 1 A Rymer 47lb 11oz, 2 S Mazza 44lb 3oz, 3 P Carter 43lb 5oz. Result of match at Moor Monkton Pools on Wednesday, February 21: 1 D Wright 161lb 11oz, 2 R Worsnop 58lb 11oz, 3 S Mazza 58lb 10oz. Result of Saturday match at Kippax Park: 1 J Clark 54lb 7oz, 2 L Wilshaw 53lb 14oz, 3 S Mazza 49lb 15oz. Result of the Sunday match at Moor Monkton Pools: 1 1 G Millar 40lb 15oz, 2 S Jeffries 31lb 1oz, 3 T Bainbridge 26lb 15oz.

Meanwhile, the famous peg 219 on the River Ouse did not win at the weekend – for the first time in two months! Work to improve the footpath and fishing areas is due to start this weekend at Knotford Lagoon, so members are forewarned that they may face some disruption there.

LISTERHILLS AA

The next members' match is on Sunday, March 11 at Kippax Park, followed by the Wednesday match on March 14 at Gilmore Fisheries. With the weather as it is, anglers are advised to take extra care on slippery banks. The plummeting temperatures put down fish on the canal and still-waters, where ice had to be broken before fishing could start. Catches were on the light side, with several anglers not getting a fish at all.

BRADFORD SEA AC

Our next general meeting, which is on Tuesday, March 20 at the New Inn, East Bierley, is our annual trophy presentation evening at which the expertise of our anglers is recognised. However, it is a light-hearted affair involving plenty of leg-pulling for the winners. There is also a free buffet, so come along – you never know you might have won a trophy! Wives or girlfriends will be made welcome.

BINGLEY AC

With the adverse weather conditions, there are no catch reports this week. The river closed season starts on Thursday, March 15. Weather permitting there will be a work party on Sunday at Coppice Pond (10am).