BRADFORD CITY AA

THE drought continues, with no rain to speak of over the past week and nothing forecast. Even if we have an occasional thunderstorm, it’s likely the rain will just run off the hard ground and the rivers will return almost overnight to the existing low levels. Many anglers have stopped fishing rivers as high temperatures and low, dissolved oxygen content put fish under severe stress. Fishing continues on still-waters, however, though many anglers are on holiday at the moment, and fishing pressure remains light.

Nevertheless, various members have told of fish to the net. Oakworth Ponds are fishing particularly well, especially the upper pond with its cool, spring-fed water supply. Bailiff Lee Isaac reported the water absolutely alive with fish from 7.30pm onwards, catching a dozen carp to 8lb on method feeder in the space of an hour, as well as roach, ide and chub on corn. Other anglers at Oakworth have had tench, crucians and silvers on light gear. At Staveley, Tom Pawson and Carl White have reported some good carp to the net, while Wayne Mellor, fishing Shipton Lake, had three carp, five bream and a tench in one session.

Most club anglers have been avoiding our stretch of the Swale at Topcliffe because of the seal and the low water conditions. However, a brief spell of light rain and cooler weather early this week saw new member Andrew Bogan successful downstream of the island, with a barbel and some quality perch to his net. We’ve not had reports of this latter species from Topcliffe before so it would be interesting to know if these fish have migrated to cooler water from elsewhere in the river. If members plan to fish our Salmon Hall stretch of the Swale, then please be careful of an electric fence at the entrance to the fishery from Catton Lane.

Another attempt was made last week to try to capture and relocate the seal from Topcliffe Weir again unsuccessfully. A new net is currently being trialled and improved in preparation for an eighth attempt. There seems to be no other way to protect whatever fish stocks are left in the stretch, other than to keep trying and/or hope that a major flood will push the animal downstream and back out to sea.

Occasional reports continue to arrive of outbreaks of KHV, a virus lethal to trout. Though there are no local reports, anglers must continue to make every effort to guard against the risk of transporting virus on wet tackle used at an infected fishery. Please therefore check your fishing tackle, and clean, disinfect and dry it thoroughly in the sun after every fishing trip.

We’d like to make a last-minute appeal to all our members for any proposals they wish to make at the annual meeting on Wednesday, September 26. These must be received by the end of this month and we will send the agenda and proposals to all members for whom we have e-mail addresses early next month. Please phone Jim Munden (07940 814431) to discuss any ideas that you may have.

Our next match was planned for Topcliffe tomorrow, but given the presence of the seal and the very low river level, this match will now be held at Staveley. Please let John Stark know (07793 558227) if you want to fish.

BRADFORD No 1 AA

There was another incredible result in Saturday's junior match at Raskelf as the young anglers really showcased their talent. In his final junior match, Sam Taylor caught a huge 55lb 12oz of F1 carp in just three-and-a-half hours to win the match and the aggregate weight over the two matches with 73lb 9oz. The under-11s section was won by Jess Harrison with 20lb 12oz.

Result – Over-11s: 1 Sam Taylor 55lb 12oz, 2 Alex Riley 21lb 4oz, 3 Sam Baker 13lb 12oz, 4 Harry Michael 13lb 4oz, 5= Jude Corbin, Jacob Riley 12lb, 7 Harrison Jones 4lb 8oz, 8 Jasmine Jones 3lb 4oz. Under-11s: 1 Jess Harrison 20lb 12oz.

The committee match on the River Nidd at Cowthorpe was again fished in very low and clear conditions and, while there were plenty of chub and barbel seen, they weren't interested in feeding. Result (for JK Broadley Trophy): 1 Howard Foster 8lb 14oz (a chub, a barbel and a net of grayling and chublets), 2 Nick Freer 4lb 12oz, 3 Andy Fox 3lb 6oz. The Harry Foster Memorial Trophy for the aggregate weight: Simon Foster 47lb 6oz.

Some sections of the River Calder will be closed on Sunday for the third round of the Calder League. The River Aire at Beal will be closed tomorrow for an outside booking.

LEEDS ASA

Result of the match on the tidal Wharfe at Ulleskelf: 1 S Thompson 17lb 12oz, 2 C Burton 13lb 3oz, 3 C Hughes 12lb 5oz. Result of the Tuesday match at Kippax Park (Osprey): 1 1 P Carter 154lb 1oz, 2 P Cromie 148lb 14oz, 3 S Mazza 135lb 7oz, 4 A Rymer 104lb 12oz. Result of the Wednesday match at Moor Monkton Pools: 1 T Bainbridge 171lb 8oz, 2 S Thakwray 158lb 4oz, 3 J Roper 150lb 1oz, 4 A Middleton 109lb 11oz. Result of the Saturday match at Kippax Park: 1 N Rymer 169lb 1oz, 2 A Barker 160lb 15oz, 3 S Pierson 137lb. Result of the Sunday match at Moor Monkton Pools: 1 O Hewitt 161lb 11oz, 2 D Wright 131lb 6oz, 3 M Bainbridge 120lb 2oz.

Anglers are reminded that they should carry their membership book at all times when visiting our waters – otherwise they will be asked to leave, despite stating that they have one at home.

BRADFORD SEA AC

We have six anglers going to Culdaff, County Donegal next Tuesday for six days of solid fishing. This will be the 24th year that the club has been to this venue and hopefully, given good weather, they should have plenty of sport. If they get out to the wrecks, they should encounter cod, pollock, ling and coalfish. If the weather is a bit lumpy and they can't get out to the wrecks, they will fish for tope and porbeagle shark in side some marks they have. We wish them good luck and tight lines. Reports pictures and videos will be posted as I receive them as I am going with them. We also have a trip to Scarborough a week tomorrow. Anyone wishing to go, please ring our trip secretary on 07711 987833 to book a place.

LISTERHILLS AA

For safety reasons, at this time of exceptional weather the temptation to swim in still-waters should not be indulged. Draw for the canal open on Sunday at the Aire Valley Marina length is at 10am. Contact 07532 115556 for further information. Result of the last evening match: 1 J Harrison 6lb 30z, 2 E Harrison 4lb 12oz, 3 D Jackson 2lb 9oz. Would D Stephenson contact the secretary on 07518 721051.

BRADFORD PALS AC

Result of our match at Brafferton (Ghost Lake): 1 Pete Fraser 60lb 12oz, 2 Bernard Hook 55lb 14oz, 3 John Hooley 55lb 7oz, 4 Terry Richards 52lb. Our next match is on Sunday, August 5, at Woodlands Lake (Partridge). Anyone who will not be fishing this match must notify the match secretary by Sunday or they will be charged a peg fee.

BINGLEY AC

Plenty of small fish were caught at last Sunday's match at Coppice Pond but one bigger fish each decided first and second. Result: 1 A Greenwood 12lb 5oz (carp of 11lb 7oz) 2 A Healy 5lb 11 (4lb tench), 3 C Dine 2lb 13oz. Sunnydale is still fishing well, with roach, perch and hybrids being caught. With rivers still in need of rain, please take care to give any fish caught plenty of time to recover before returning them.

CENTRAL AC

Our next match is at The Oaks (Cedar Lake) on Sunday, July 29, meet at venue 8am, fishing 9am-3pm.