Latest news from the local angling scene.

BRADFORD No 1 AA

Sunday's third round of the Raskelf Winter Series saw a change from previous rounds with the top three all coming from the shallow end following a week of milder temperatures, although a sharp overnight frost meant that the match didn't fish quite as well as expected for most.

Result: 1 James Vickerman 31lbs 14oz; 2 Fred Prudham 25lbs 12oz; 3 Simon Freer 19lbs 8oz; 4 Dawid Moska 18lbs 2oz; 5 Howard Foster 13lbs 1oz (two bream).

The win took Vickerman to second place in the series on 85.5 points with one match remaining, just behind Dawid Moska on 90 points. Half of a point separates third and fourth with Simon Freer on 77 and Chris Pitman on 76.5. The final round will take place on March 24.

Widdington Hall will be closed from March 5 to 7 for outside bookings.

The milder weather has seen an upturn in catches at most waters, including some good chub and barbel catches from the River Nidd and River Swale.

There have been plenty of big bream caught from Knotford with fish into double figures.

Members are reminded to dip all nets and slings on entry to this lake and that a key is required for here and Kirklees Lagoon.

A lock with the same key will be in place at Raskelf from January 2020.

SALTAIRE AA

With a bumper attendance last week's match has reverted back to the permanent peg numbers.

Results: 1 Darren Womersley, Tricast Calder, 12lb 8oz, peg 18; 2 George Colbran, Keighley, 11lb 4oz, peg 20; 3 David Colbran, Keighley, 7lb 12oz, peg 21; 4 Tony Price, Matrix Waynes Tackle, 7lb 10oz, peg 17; 5 Tim Worsnop, Matrix Halifax, 7lb 1oz, peg 19.

All weights were caught on caster and consisted of mainly roach with the odd small skimmer.

Open matches will continue to be run over the coming weeks. Anyone wishing to fish Sunday's match must book on before 7pm Saturday night with Richard East on 07815 092966.

There is also a river match this Sunday. To book on, call Carl Chadwick on 07955 727079.

Tong Park has had its first treatment to help combat the weed and this will continue over the next few days. Anglers may notice a slight blue colour to the water which is perfectly normal and does not harm the fish or wildlife in any way.

This is in preparation for a delivery of 12,000 roach and skimmer bream which we have ordered. Details will be posted on social media.

Catch reports from any of our waters are welcomed to help us plan with future restocking programs.

SKIPTON AA

It’s getting to that time of the year when anglers have to renew their club membership and in quite a lot of cases, renew their rod licence as well.

Under new rules introduced last year, rod licences are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. This may result in a licence expiring some time after a club membership renewal which in the past has provided a reminder with regard to the rod licence renewal.

The Environment Agency has issued a timely warning to all anglers on the need to ensure that they renew their rod licence by giving details of recent court cases where anglers were fined a total of almost £8,000 mainly for not having a valid rod licence and refusing to provide their name and address.

The highest fine handed out was for £880 plus costs and a victim’s surcharge of £194.

Four anglers were fined £440 plus costs etc of £172 and another angler received a fine of £660 plus costs of £162 for fishing without a rod licence and leaving his assembled rod and baited line in the water unattended.

The lowest fine dished out was £400 plus costs of £157. All the offences took place in central England and southern Lancashire.

Anglers expecting to be treated more leniently in our area will be disappointed to learn that this is not the case and fishing without a rod licence usually results in fines approaching those shown above. The maximum fine for fishing without a rod licence is £2,500.

One case saw an angler asked for his rod licence whilst he was looking at the River Ribble from a road bridge with his rod in its bag and the rest of his tackle in his bag.

When he produced his rod licence it had expired by a few days but this resulted in several court appearances spread over months as he fought the case.

In the end he was not fined and received a conditional discharge but the case took all the pleasure out of fishing that season.

Rod licence costs for 2019 for the trout, coarse fish and use of two rods are £30 aged 17 to 64 and £20 for OAPs and disabled.

Junior anglers do not need a rod licence if they are under 13 years of age.

Juniors aged 13 to 16 need to apply for a licence but they are issued free of charge.

Be wary if you apply online as there are companies that charge an extra £20 just to apply for a licence on your behalf.