BRADFORD No 1 AA

RIVER levels are slowly but surely returning to normal, so a few anglers have been venturing onto the banks. Among these was Andrew Fieldhouse, whose short session on the River Swale produced two chub over 4lb. On the still-water front, there's been good catches of ide and F1 carp from Raskelf, along with ide and chub nets from Gratrix Dam in Sowerby Bridge.

On Sunday there is the Charity Open match on the River Nidd at Cowthorpe. Tickets are available for £15 from Simon on 01274-571175. Widdington Hall will be closed tomorrow for an outside booking.

Bookings are now being taken for the carp match at Knotford on the weekend on May 19-20, with a portion of the entry fees going to Marie Curie. Visit the club's Facebook page or contact Steve Kelly for full details. The first members' match of the year at Raskelf on Sunday, April 22 is now sold out and there is a waiting list in place.

SKIPTON AA

This time last year the great tree operation was underway on the banks of the River Aire, with the aim of reducing the flooding risk downstream towards Leeds. Some trees were chopped down and others suitably trimmed but the whole exercise appeared to peter out the further upstream they progressed.

Believe it or not, this year's plan to reduce flooding is a reverse of last years. Millions of trees are to be planted to soak up the water during times of heavy rain and thus prevent flooding. The scheme is obviously a long-term solution as in the first few years there will be little change until a reasonable growth has taken place.

The scheme is in its infancy and there has been little detail on where the trees have to be planted to provide maximum benefit. It seems likely that the valley bottom will escape becoming a forest but who wants the valley sides to be covered in trees? No doubt it will be sorted out in due course or be quietly forgotten like the tree thinning-out exercise.

The winter weather seems to be dragging on this year, with temperatures tending to be lower than average, although without producing much in the way of snow. Any change to milder conditions usually means rain and higher water levels on the river, thereby preventing much in the way of fishing.

One or two anglers have been in action on the local length of the River Aire but have not enjoyed much success, especially among the coarse fish. Any fish caught have been out-of-season brown trout, while the grayling, a fish that does not seem to mind the cold, has been conspicuous by its absence. Chub have also not obliged and there has generally been too much water in the river for pike fishing.

Still-water anglers have been thwarted by the running off of the water at Whinnygill Reservoir for repair work, and anglers appear to be giving the water a miss at the moment. The odd angler is fishing the canal but nothing of note has been caught of late.

About five weeks remain of the traditional coarse fishing season, so there is still time for a change to milder and perhaps drier conditions, which will certainly bring about an improvement in the fishing on all waters.

LEEDS ASA

There is evidence of unauthorised fires being lit on the bank side at Knotford Lagoon. This practice must cease, and anyone with further information should contact club officials. Result of last Tuesday's match at Kippax Park: 1 B Rymer 64lb 3oz, 2 B Brown 62lb 10oz, 3 A Rymer 56lb 12oz. Result of Saturday match at Kippax Park: 1 C Thompson 36lb 7oz, 2 B Brown 34lb 11oz, 3 J Mills 30ln 11oz. Result of Sunday's match at Moor Monkton Pools: 1 A Bilton 58lb 1oz, 2 G Watson, 3 A Callum 42lb 13oz. The polo pond at Kippax Park has received quite a lot of attention recently, but no reports have been forthcoming about catches. These, and indeed all catch reports, are welcome.

BRADFORD SEA AC

Will members who won trophies last year please remember to bring them back to the next general meeting on Tuesday, February 20 at the New Inn, East Bierley (8pm) so that they can be engraved for next month's presentation evening. Membership (£20) can also be renewed at the meeting, ensuring that the member gets priority on any club trip. Trips for this year are being finalised, and as soon as they are received, details will be passed on. Richard Ward has now put his boat (Shy-Torque) back in the water, so we should now see some good quality fish being caught. It is steady at the moment, with codling being caught inshore.

HEWENDEN AC

There is a pike match on Sunday, so the water will be closed for pleasure fishing. Will members please note that the annual meeting will be at the Fleece Inn, Cullingworth on Thursday, March 29. Any member wanting to put in a proposal must put it in writing to Mr S Webster PO BOX 62, Bingley BD16 3WR or via the club e-mail at hewendenac@yahoo.com by Wednesday, February 28 at the latest.

LISTERHILLS AA

Once again there has been minimal bank-side activity, with the only report received being out-of-season trout from the River Aire, which were returned immediately. All applications for Leeds Amalgamation membership have now been dealt with, and anyone caught without a current membership book will be dealt with by the committee.