BRADFORD CITY AA

AFTER last week's snow disappeared, everything seemed to be rosy for this coming weekend. But another heavy snowfall surprised us all yesterday and we will now have to wait and see how quickly this latest covering vanishes. For example, will still-water and river banks be safe for anglers to take advantage of this last weekend of the river coarse-fishing season?

Despite the weather, one or two hardy anglers have braved the elements, although we have had only one report from club members this week. Steve Brown, a regular visitor from Morecambe to the club's fishery on the Ribble at Skirbeck, reported good-sized grayling up to about 2lb in the deeper sections. More widely, some decent pike to 18lb have been caught from the River Aire (and returned), so fish are to be found even in freezing weather by those anglers prepared to test their skills.

The club have now completed the winter's planned stocking, with the last fish going into Oakworth Ponds this week. Overall, we have put large quantities of crucians, tench, roach, ide and skimmers in all our still-waters in the penultimate year of a five-year restocking plan. At Staveley Lakes, we have been busy with chainsaws and a manitou loader, plus safe basket, removing dangerously overhanging tree limbs and a tree endangering the otter fence.

Next Wednesday is the last day of the river coarse-fishing season. After that date, no angler is allowed to fish rivers in Yorkshire until the trout season opens on Sunday, March 25. Joint Environment Agency and police patrols are already planned for many locations and all fishermen should remember there is a criminal record awaiting for anyone found guilty of fishing during the close season.

Anglers who were our members in 2017 now have little more than three weeks in which to renew membership without paying the rejoining fee. Anyone – whether renewing or joining for the first time – can do so through agents or the club's online shop, via the link on the front page of our website. A newsletter will be going out in the next few days. If anyone would like to be added to the circulation list, call Jim Munden on 07940-814431.

Finally, a repeat call for help and information. A club member accidentally left two expensive coats on the roadside bank at Shipton Lake a few weeks ago and is offering a three-figure reward for their return. If you can help, call Munden and he will arrange return to their grateful owner.

BRADFORD No 1 AA

Last week's 'Beast from the East' rendered most, if not all, still-waters in the area unfishable but they have now defrosted and improved temperatures over the next week should see an upturn in catches.

A good number of anglers braved the conditions to venture onto the rivers on Sunday before the snow melt entered the system and were rewarded with some brilliant catches. Simon Foster managed 16 chub averaging over 3lb on stick float and maggot from the River Nidd at Cowthorpe. There were also a few more anglers with double-figure numbers of chub from the stretch, with likely the biggest fish falling to Andrew Fieldhouse with a 5lb 1oz chub.

The coarse season on all rivers in the district will be closed from next Thursday. The trout season will reopen on March 25, with bait restrictions in place before the coarse season opens on Saturday, June 16.

Tickets are still available for the Charity Sweepstakes Open match at Cowthorpe on Sunday from Simon on 01274-571175. Widdington Hall will be closed tomorrow for an outside booking.

BRADFORD SEA AC

The trips for this year have now been finalised. If you want to view them, please come along to our general meeting on Tuesday, March 20 at the New Inn, East Bierley, which is also our trophy presentation evening, or visit our Facebook page. The evening is a light-hearted affair, with the winning anglers suffering plenty of leg-pulling. There is also a free buffet provided. Wives or girlfriends are welcome.

SKIPTON AA

This weekend will be the last in the present coarse-fishing season on rivers and, with temperatures set to rise to double figures, prospects for some good end-of-season fishing look to be ideal for those wishing to wet a line for grayling and pike. These two species have been in short supply virtually all winter, due mainly to prolonged high-water conditions, so perhaps the season will end on a high note.

Canal anglers should also see an improvement in sport, although there is no close season to worry about on most canals and still-waters. The basin at Skipton has not fished well this winter and few of the specimen perch that patrol this part of the canal at this time of year have been caught, apart from two specimens of 1.137kg and 1.200kg that set new club records for the canal. Hopefully the return to normal temperatures will bring a few more specimen perch to the net.

Anglers wishing to have a change from fishing may wish to take part in two events aimed at removing litter from the banks of the Aire. The Aire Rivers Trust have organised a litter-picking session at Shipley tomorrow and volunteers are asked to meet at the end of Dockfield Road for 10am (look out for the RSC vehicle). Dress in boots and warm clothing. Free hot drinks and biscuits will be provided. Further details from Nick Milsom on 07378-878857.

The second event will be the Skipton AA River Aire clean-up on Sunday, March 18. Meet at the by-pass bridge on Carleton Road for 9.30 am. See our Facebook groups page for more details.