BRADFORD No 1 AA

AFTER many good catches from the club's river stretches last week, the final weekend of the river season was a wash-out. Heavy rain on Friday night caused river levels across the region to rocket, making many pegs not only unsafe but unfishable. The Charity Sweepstakes Open match on the River Nidd at Cowthorpe on Sunday fell victim, with the river not dropping enough to be able to find the 37 fishable pegs required.

The coarse season on rivers closed on Wednesday, so all of our river stretches will be closed to anglers. The trout season reopens on Sunday, March 25, with bait bans in place, before the coarse season opens on Saturday, June 16. All of our lakes and canals remain open all year.

With a slight increase in water temperatures, the fish at Raskelf Lake are now starting to spread out to the shallow end. James Vickerman had an all ide net weighing 22lb, consisting of more than 200 fish in only five hours on waggler and maggot. There have also been good catches of F1 carp on both waggler and feeder.

SKIPTON AA

Unfortunately, the weather did not quite turn out as forecast last week, with heavy rain adding to the melting snow and creating high water levels on the River Aire. This interfered with prospects for the final few days of the river coarse fishing season, which drew to a close this week.

Just one or two anglers could be seen in action on the Aire, where pike seemed to be the quarry. The length behind the cemetery has become popular recently and a few smallish fish have been tempted by both the artificial lure and the sprat. The best fish recorded probably weighed about 2.7kg.

Prior to the big freeze, pike anglers fishing lower down the river at Snaygill had met with some success, and a couple of quite large fish were landed that tipped the scales at around the 8kg mark, only about 2kg below the Skipton AA record fish.

Prospects for the end of the season were dealt a blow with a bank-top spate on the Aire and a forecast of more rain before temperatures dip towards freezing point again over the weekend. Trout anglers in Lancashire were in action from yesterday, but it looks like the weather could be against them.

Yorkshire trout anglers will have to wait a little longer before wetting a line as the traditional river season does not commence until Sunday, March 25. Still-water trout fishing can vary from club to club so it is best to check their rules for season-opening dates.

We will be holding our annual pre-trout season clean-up on the Aire this Sunday. Anyone wishing to take part should meet at the by-pass over-bridge on Carleton Road for a 9.30am start. All materials will be provided, but suitable clothing and footwear is essential.

LEEDS ASA

Snowmelt and heavy rain made rivers practically unfishable for anglers wanting a final fling before the coarse season on rivers ended on Wednesday. The adverse weather resulted in the matches on the River Ouse three weekends ago being cancelled, as well as the midweek matches that followed them. Pleasure anglers were also thin on the ground. Result of the Sunday match on the River Ouse: 1 N Chaffer 9lb 15oz (including a barbel of 9lb 10oz), 2 S Wilson 21b 15oz, 3 A Hampson 1 lb 1oz. Result of match at Lapwing Lake at Kippax Park on Tuesday, March 6: 1 A Broomhead 46lb 7oz, 2 N Rymer 46lb 5oz, 3 J Brogan 43lb 9oz. Result of the Saturday match on the same lake: 1 J Wake 99lb 1oz, 2 B Brown 67lb 15oz, 3 J Clark 46lb 14oz. Result of the Wednesday match at Moor Monkton Pools: 1 A Holton 35lb 9oz, 2 33lb 7 oz (no name), 3 S Jefferies 30lb 10oz. Result of the Sunday match: 1 T Roper 146lb 8z, 2 T Bainbridge 92lb 14oz, 3 M Brown 36lb 2oz. Result of the Saturday match at Kippax Park: 1 N Rymer 67lb 10oz, 2 A Rymer 51lb 2oz, 3 S Raper 43lb. Result of the Sunday match at Moor Monkton Pools: 1 T Bainbridge 55lb 9oz, 2 A Hornsby 10lb 3oz, 3 D Wright 7lb 15oz. The last day of the river season for coarse fishing was on Wednesday. No fishing will now be allowed on any river fisheries until the trout season starts on Sunday, March 25.

LISTERHILLS AA

Result of members' match on Sunday, where weights were pegged back by snowmelt which had entered the pond: 1 D Jackson 16lb (three carp), 2 E Harrison 7lb 12oz (silvers). The next members' match is next Wednesday at Gilmore Fisheries. To book on, contact 07518-721051. Guests are permitted. The last day of the river season for coarse fishing was on Wednesday, and no anglers should be fishing rivers until the tout season starts on Sunday, March 25. However, there are bait restrictions, and no fish are to be retained in keep-nets until the coarse season starts on Saturday, June 16.

BRADFORD SEA AC

After 'The Beast from the East', things are picking up along the east coast. Cod and ling are in a feeding mood, and Whitby seems to be the place as the boats are coming in with good catches. Our next meeting – the annual trophy presentation meeting – is on Tuesday at the New Inn, East Bierley (8pm). It's a light-hearted affair with plenty of leg pulling for the winners. There is also a free buffet, so come along as you might have won a trophy! Wives or girlfriends welcome.

BINGLEY AC

The next work party at Coppice Pond will be on Sunday, March 25 (10am, all volunteers welcome). The rivers are now closed to fishing until that date when the trout season opens.

FIELD AC

Our first match of the season is on Sunday, March 25 at Benny's Lake at Lindholme (9am). Can anyone not fishing please book off, giving at least a week's notice.