BRADFORD CITY AA

AFTER warm sunny weather over the bank holiday weekend, and with gentle breezes from the south and west, it’s been cooler recently. Forecast for the weekend is for more of the same. Most of the Dales rivers are showing low water levels, which adds to the challenge.

Many fishermen have been out on the banks, with some good fish reported to net. At Staveley, seven-year-old Mani Morris, with dad Richard, showed his elders how to fish with a lovely tench and then some good carp during a 24-hour session later in the week. Josh Henderson was also on a roll at Staveley with an excellent common carp.

James Wall was also happy with a nice mirror to add to the other five species he’s caught on the lake this year. Nick Brand netted a 15lb linear. Oakworth too has been fishing well, with 12-year-old Callum Feather picking up some good-looking fish in a very short session over the weekend.

On the rivers, Jonny Grey had a good session at Funkirk Farm on the Aire – “some of the smaller trout are starting to show now – I had my first fish of under 1lb this season, as well as a cracker of around 2½lb from among the Ranunculus. Almost every single riffle had some serious chub spawning activity, with some quite hefty specimens too.”

At Inghey Bridge, we have had a major litter-pick to clean up after the sad habits of one or two dog owners, who continually allow their animals to foul the pathway over the bridge, and of motorists throwing litter down the bank. Our fly secretary Phil Bailey says that most of the trees planted during the winter have established themselves, and we will be planting up any gaps over the next few weeks. Unfortunately, we’ve also seen some poaching by anglers using spinning rods on this fly-fishing only stretch, and also some potentially forged day tickets. Giant hogweed mapping and spraying continues.

Our next coarse-fishing match is the JD Illingworth Rosebowl tomorrow at Staveley small lake. Call our match secretary John Stark (07793-558227) if you want to fish the match, or for further details. Entry is £15, draw 8.30am, fishing 9.30am-3.30pm.

BRADFORD No 1 AA

Steve Kelly still has places available for the carp match at Knotford on May 19-20. The lake will be closed on the Friday night prior to the match. Tickets are also still available from Simon on 01274-571175 for the second members' match of the year on the Aire & Calder Canal at Pollington on Sunday, May 20. This canal has been fishing very well over the last few weeks for bream and roach, with 20lb-plus nets being caught regularly from the Pollington stretch.

Members are reminded that, as per rule 70, all nets, mats and slings used at Knotford must be immersed in the dipping bin provided upon arrival at the fishery. This is to reduce the risk of diseases being spread to the fishery and protect fish stocks. A lock will be in place on the gate at Kirklees Lagoon from June 1 so members will need a key to access this lake. This is the same lock as at Knotford, and keys are available by completing the form in the yearbook.

The bright conditions over the bank holiday weekend meant difficult fishing conditions, with many fish more interested in basking in the sun than feeding, but hopefully the increase in water temperatures should benefit anglers over the next few weeks. There have been many carp to over 20lb caught from Knotford and Kirklees, tench to over 5lb from Queen Mary's Ponds and ide and chub to over 4lb from Gratrix over the past week.

LEEDS ASA

Concern is being shown at the number of damaged sections of the otter fence at Moor Monkton Pools, and anyone caught causing damage will receive a lifetime ban. Further work parties are due to be held on river venues in preparation for the new season. See our website leedsdasa.co.uk for details. Result of the match at Kippax Park on Saturday, April 28: 1 P Cromie 58lb, 2 S Pierson 57lb, 3 A Broomhead 48lb 6oz. Result of the match at Moor Monkton Pools on Sunday, April 29: 1 O Hewitt 123lb, 2 T Bainbridge 69lb 10oz, 3 S Mazza 52lb 14oz. Result of the match at Kippax Park (Lapwing) on Tuesday, May 1: 1 P Carter 124lb 3oz, 2 N Rymer 86lb 4oz, 3 S Pierson 76lb 10oz. Result of the Wednesday match at Moor Monkton Pool: 1 G Watson 78lb 7oz, 2 G Wright 74lb 4oz, 3 A Bolton 73lb 1oz.

BRADFORD SEA AC

We had a trip to Whitby on Wednesday, May 9 but no results through. Hopefully these will be available for next week's report. There seem to be plenty of cod on the nine-mile marks at Whitby so hopefully the lads will have a good day. On the west coast, things are picking up, with dogfish, whiting, dabs, bull huss and mackerel getting more and more plentiful as the weather warms up. Some members are off to Clare Island on the western seaboard of Westport in Ireland in a couple of weeks' time. Our next general meeting is next Tuesday at the New Inn, East Bierley (8pm). New members will be made most welcome.

LISTERHILLS AA

The upturn in the weather has led to an increase in bank-side activity, but the result of the open match was a disappointment as far as weights were concerned, although everyone weighed in. Result: 1 R Thorne 1 lb 10½oz, 2 B Mason 1lb 5½oz, 3 E Harrison 1lb 2½oz. The next members' match is next Wednesday, while the next canal match is on Saturday, May 20 (contact 07532-115556), when it is hoped that the shoal of exceptionally large bream, which have been seen cruising under the surface, will have spawned and settled down to feed.

BINGLEY AC

The next club match on Sunday, May 20 has been moved from Settler Dam to the canal, exact venue yet to be decided. Contact Ady Newman on 07783-332705 for details. The Bingley canal festival takes place on Saturday, May 19 on and around the Three and Five Rise locks, both on the water and towpath. Members are advised not to fish the area on that date.

CENTRAL AC

Result of Sunday's match at Redwood Lakes (Acre Lake): 1 R Lee 53lb, 2 R Wharfe 51lb 8oz, 3 J Wharfe 47lb 8oz, 4 S Worley 40lb 10oz. Our next match is at The Oaks Maple Lake on Sunday, May 20, meet at venue 8am, fishing 9am-3pm.

FIELD AC

Result of our match on the Laurels: 1 Barry Frankland 99lb 13oz, 2 Mark Green 67lb 2oz, 3 Martin Sereika 64lb 1oz.