BRADFORD CITY AA

ALTHOUGH we had fine days last weekend, the weather this week has been mixed, with generally overcast days, cold winds and even heavy rain. The Met Office reckons more of the same in the coming few days, though the wind in the west might make for better fishing conditions.

Many of our members have been out on our still-water and trout fisheries and reported fish to the net. At Oakworth Ponds, Michael Whiteoak had carp on the top pond in good fighting condition on luncheon meat, and roach also came to his net. Carl Moralee reported a successful visit, with 47 fish in total, made up of carp, chub, roach, ide, skimmers and gudgeon, all caught on the pole.

Mark Bradley reported good mixed bags too, with roach coming to maggots, and corn and expander pellets attracting fish too. At our Shipton Lake fishery, Alan Robinson had a good night session, with three carp to 16lb and some early tench of 4-6lb. On the rivers, Phil Bailey guided a member from London on the Upper Wharfe and the River Ure, but found one of the few days of bright sunshine with very little insect life or fish moving. Elsewhere, John Aldridge was on the Wharfe at Burley, and had success with brown trout on the F fly and Klinkhammer, with the fish taking the fly just as it dragged under the surface of the water.

In support of World Fish Migration Day, The Wild Trout Trust’s Jon Grey and Tim Jacklin completed a one-off and specially-permitted epic paddle down the course of the River Aire to Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills. This traced the part of the river which will be opened up by the Developing the Natural Aire Project to make passable four major weirs on the river to and allow ‘salmon to Skipton’ for the first time in about 150 years.

We are involved in a number of events over the next few weeks. Firstly, we need help to survey the River Aire for giant hogweed. If you are able to walk a couple of miles of river for us, then please call Jim Munden on 07940-814431. Secondly, the Wild Trout Trust are holding their national annual weekend at Gargrave on May 19-20, and many attendees will also fish various beats of local Dales rivers. All anglers interested in trout are invited to come along. Please register on the event via the WTT website or call Christina Bryant on 02392-570985 for details.

Lastly, all anglers are invited to our open day at Inghey Bridge (by the A59 road bridge at Skipton) on Saturday, June 2. The programme will include river walks, casting and riverfly demonstrations, while food will; be available via a barbecue and refreshments. All enquiries to Phil Bailey on 07811-286652. Our next match is the JD Illingworth Rosebowl at Staveley Lakes on Saturday, May 12. Contact John Stark on 07793-558227 if you wish to enter or have any enquiries.

BRADFORD No 1 AA

As many anglers took to the banks over the weekend with the warmer weather, the fish were obliging and there were some very good catches from the club's still-waters. Carp anglers in particular have found the fish well and truly on the feed following the protracted winter, and two 30lb carp were caught on the same day.

Reece Lisle's overnight session at Knotford Lagoon on Friday produced four carp, the biggest being one of the large commons weighing 31lb. Meanwhile, new member David Barlow has had an outstanding opening week. On his first visit to Kirklees Lagoon, David manage to tempt one of this year's stocked mirror carp at 20lb, but this was topped on his second visit on Saturday by the capture of the fish known as Wonky, weighing in at 30lb 14oz. Queen Mary's Ponds at Ripon are beginning to produce good tench catches, including Dawid Moska's net of four fish up to 5lb 5oz.

Result of Sunday's members' match series for the W Backhouse Cup at Raskelf (41 fished and caught most in the first three hours, but there were good weights all over the lake): 1 Nick Michael 33lb 3oz (24 F1 carp on pole), 2 John Walsh 31lb 3oz, 3 Pete Wilson 28lb, 4 Ian Newby 26lb 8oz, 5 Andy Jacques 24lb 14oz. Among the fish caught was a 14lb 10oz carp on pole by Dave Atkinson. The next match will take place on the Aire & Calder Canal at Pollington on Sunday, May 20.

After lengthy discussions with the council, we have obtained permission to place a lock on the otter-fence gate at Kirklees Lagoon from June 1. This lock will use the same key as the one currently in place at Knotford, and keys are available for members by completing the form on page 21 of the yearbook.

BINGLEY AC

The canal did not fish well in last Sunday's match, with bream failing to show and low weights being registered, but at least everyone caught fish. Result: 1= O Hudspith, C Dine, 3 I Needs, 4= A Healy, A Newman. A signal crayfish was caught below the Five Rise Locks and stresses the check, clean and dry campaign promoted by the Angling Trust. There is a working party at Coppice Pond on Thursday evening, all volunteers welcome.

FIELD AC

Result of our match Brafferton on Sunday: 1 Bernie Hook 74lb 8oz, 2 Keith Gardner 58lb 3oz, 3 'Big John' Hooley 46lb 15oz. Our next match is on Sunday, May 6 at Lindholme. Can members please note we are now on the Willows. If any member can’t make it please let Mick Stoney know as soon as possible.