BRADFORD CITY ANGLING ASSOCIATION

Dales rivers are still low, though not as low as they were this time last year.

A bit of rain during the week has put the Aire and the Ure up a few inches, but there is a big slug of extra water on the Wharfe which promises good fishing this weekend.

Forecast is for the weather to be a little cooler, and for more showers and some heavier rain too. This will help flush out accumulated debris and algae from the rivers.

We regret to say that there has been no angling news from our stillwaters, so all the reports relate to fly-fishing this week.

Mayfly have been hatching on the rivers – though not in a big way – but trout seem to have preferred feeding on the smaller blue winged olives which are now starting to hatch off.

These have short stumpy cigar-like nymphs, with a shortish tail, slate grey on top and a lighter paler olive underneath.

Sampling of local rivers this week reveals invertebrates to be generally small, but with plenty of BWO nymphs around to suggest further large hatches in the near future.

Flat bodied heptagenids and stonefly nymphs also feature heavily in counts, with stoneflies probably the next big hatch.

An Adams Trude dry-fly might be a good generic artificial for anglers to offer when the BWOs come off.

Chris Stones reports Laneshaw Reservoir – where our members can access a deeply-discounted day ticket arrangement from Colne Waters AA - is fishing well, with cats whisker, nymphs and dry mayflies proving effective.

Paul Wildman managed a few brownies at Funkirk, by watching and waiting to target the odd rising fish.

Steve Picksley was pleased with his first fish from the Wharfe at Burley, on a Mohican mayfly.

Pike are showing high up the Aire at present, with swans, oyster catchers and curlew active on the riverbank and surrounding fields

Barbel and chub have been busy spawning on the Swale and feeder becks in the past weeks.

Coarse anglers are now eagerly anticipating the opening of the river coarse-fishing season on June 16.

At Oakworth we have this week installed some fish refuges, to help protect fish when the lake is stocked later in the year.

Finally, a quick reminder that this Sunday we are holding our open day on the Aire, where the A59 crosses the river.

All anglers are welcome to attend. There is a £5 donation for entry, all proceeds to Wild Trout Trust funds – there will be demos by well-known anglers, riverfly and BCAA info, a chance to walk and fish the river, and barbecued sausage in a bun. Further enquiries to Jim Munden on 07940 814431.

BRADFORD NO1 AA

Just a few weeks ago we brought the news that a new lake record carp had been set for Knotford with a common carp at just over 37lbs.

Since then the fish has been caught a few times, most recently by John Leyland breaking the 40lbs barrier for the first time.

The carp have also been on the feed at Kirkless Lagoon, with John Hopkins catching the biggest of the week at 26lbs 2oz.

Members are reminded that Raskelf Lake will be closed between June 17 and 21 for maintenance work.

The first junior match of the year will take place at Raskelf on June 23, with free entry and places available from Simon on 01274 571175.

Tickets for the veterans (over 60s) match at Raskelf on June 9 are also available from Simon.

The committee match at Queen Mary's Ponds this Sunday will draw at 10am.

CENTRAL A/C

Result of our match at Forest Lane: 1 R Wharfe 62lb- 4oz; 2 R Creek 56lb-1oz; 3 S Worley 45lb- 8oz; 4 M Davey 44lb -12oz.

Our next match is at Woodhouse Grange on Sunday, June 9, meet at venue 8am, fishing 9am to 3pm. No meat baits are allowed on this venue.

SKIPTON AA

The change to showery and windy conditions has not affected angling too much and the rain has been insufficient to make any difference to the state of the River Aire which remains at summer level.

The sport at the moment can be described as about average with the fly fisherman maybe having the advantage over the bait angler.

Recent catches have generally produced smallish brown trout to the fly from Skipton up to Gargrave, while the worm has accounted for the occasional brownie to around the 900g mark.

Grayling are virtually absent and an occasional small chub has fallen to the fly.

Minnows have begun to reappear on the river and can be seen making their way upstream to the spawning grounds.

This small fish can be an attractive live bait for trout and may be well worth trying at the moment.

In the past the minnow was often taken to both Embsay and Whinnygill Reservoirs by Skipton members and those that were turned loose at the end of a day’s fishing managed to build up a large population over the years.

Nowadays they have disappeared probably due to the change to restocking with rainbow trout and the emergence of perch in both reservoirs.

Anglers may still use them as bait but they cannot be taken live to the water.

Bradford City members have reported some good sport with the brown trout on their length of fishing on the River Ribble at Skirbeck above Long Preston.

Fly fishermen have been doing particularly well during gnat and hawthorn fly hatches even though this stretch is not typical fly fishing water.

Skipton members will be hoping that the curse of Whinnygill Reservoir will be kept at bay when they fish the first match of the season there next Tuesday evening.

The event will be the first in this season’s Sunset Series of matches and the draw will be held at 6pm.

Whinnygill will also be the venue for the first Peter Hart Memorial match on Sunday, June 9.