Angling Lines

BRADFORD CITY AA

Anglers have generally found conditions challenging, with strong winds making life difficult. Stephen Brown went mobile to catch chub on ledgered bread from the BCAA length of the Ribble at Skirbeck, while a few chub and barbel have also graced anglers’ efforts on the Swale.

Elias Ame sent in a long and very interesting report of recent outings on the Shipley length of the Leeds and Liverpool canal. The usual lure-based approach proved unproductive in gin-clear water, where predators are naturally very cautious, but a previously successful spot, and a boat muddying the water as it passed, proved differently. Delicate drop-shot tactics using small one-inch sticktail grubs brought 40-plus smaller perch to the net, with a larger 4D bleak lure inducing a vicious take from a stunning fish of about 1lb. After bites dried up, a switch to float-fished smelt then brought a pike of 8.5lb to the net for fellow angler Ben. On a trip a few days later, Elias landed the very same fish on a float-fished roach dead-bait.

During the general fishing lull, maintenance work continues. Work parties this coming Tuesday and Wednesday (February 5-6) will plant more trees next to the River Aire near Gargrave. Meet at 10am, by the stepping stones on Mill Lane, next to Gargrave Green. Call 07940-814431 for further details or to offer your help.

We also plan work parties at Salmon Hall to clear more pegs and to repair the stiles at Skirbeck.

Contracts have been placed this week to repair existing fencing on the Aire above “Railway Corner”. New fencing and a stock-drinking supply will also go in along our new Niffany Farm stretch on the left bank of the Aire. This new beat extends over two fields, for 700m downstream of the stone fence opposite our Funkirk Farm length, as far as the line of the disused railway.

Access is via the entrance to the Funkirk length – anglers will need to wade across the river – and fishing will start on March 1, using the same rules.

BCAA has agreed to undertake bank improvement here too, with a series of working parties to be arranged over the coming months. The Funkirk fishery map on our website has now been updated.

Sales of 2019 memberships continue apace via our online shop, accessible from www.bradfordcityaa.co.uk. Renewal memberships are £42 and £27 (concessions), including two rods, and juniors can sign up free (plus postage) as well. A joining fee of £15 applies for new members, and will also be charged to any adult 2018 members who renew after March 31.

The local branch of Salmon and Trout Conservation UK will hear a presentation on Tuesday February 12 from Wild Trout Trust expert Jonny Grey at Ben Rhydding Golf Club.

Jonny will describe in non-nerdy terms some of the science explaining why fish eat, what and when. The meeting starts at 7.30pm, costs just £5, and is open to everyone.

BRADFORD NO 1 AA

A group of 35 anglers withstood gale force winds to fish the second round of the winter series at Raskelf Lake on Sunday.

Poor presentation and heavy overnight rain meant weights were lower than normal but it took some quality fish to win the match.

Graham Brammer fished groundbait feeder to catch three big bream and four F1 carp for a total weight of 28lbs to take top spot and 35 points. Second place went to Nick Michael with 13lbs 8oz, followed by Pete Vickerman with 11lbs 2oz.

A section win for Dawid Moska keeps him in the lead for the series with 61 points at the halfway stage, just ahead of Michal Wasilewski (56 points), Chris Pitman (55.5) and Paul Royston (55). The next round will take place on February 24.

Widdington Hall will be closed on Saturday for an outside booking.

Tickets for the open match on the River Nidd at Cowthorpe on February 10 are available from Simon on 01274 571175.

There may be some disruption on the River Nidd at Cowthorpe as the Environment Agency carry out tree clearance works from February 4 for up to two weeks. Representatives from the club have met with those carrying out the work to ensure the effect on fish and anglers are kept to a minimum.

Anglers fishing Shelf Dam over the last week have reported good catches of both roach and pike.

BRADFORD & DISTRICT SEA AC

Plenty of good cod being caught on the East coast with Whitby being the best venue.

Boats are catching decent cod and Whiting inshore using up-tide methods.

Shy Torque has now completed her cleaning operation and is now back in the water and ready to take bookings.

Our next general meeting will be on Tuesday, February 19, in the New Inn commencing at 8pm.

Any member who won trophies last year, could you please make sure you bring them to this meeting as we have to get them to the engravers ready for our presentation evening on March 19.

FUN KNOCK UPS

This week has seen the folks up at Tom's Pond in Otley. Result: 1 John Clark 40lb 10oz,

2 Wayne Fawthrop 33lb 4oz. Sections: Cliff Bacon 21lb 10oz, Stuart Oakes 21lb, Brian Myers 30lb 1oz.

The spoon was hotly contended by a few anglers. Stuart Potter Waterhouse is very lucky that there were three DNW. The first DNW went to Steven Thackwray, who did not finish the match. Next match is on February 10 at Toms Pond. Any new or old anglers are welcome to join the group on Facebook.

LEEDS & DISTRICT ASA

Match results have taken a slight drop, owing to weather conditions. The Tuesday match at Kippax Park on January 22 resulted in a win for S Pearson 55lb 9oz. 2 J Gee 35lb 12oz, 3 B Rymer 34lb 14oz. The match at Moor Monkton pools the day after found that ice had to be broken before fishing could start. 1 R Worsnop 21lb 8oz, 2 M Green 12lb, 3 C Watson 6lb 3oz. The Saturday match at Kippax Park was won by D Wright 19lb 14oz. 2 L Wilshaw 15lb, 3 B Rymer 13lb 2oz. The Sunday match at Moor Monkton pools was fished in gale force winds which made control of tackle most difficult. 1 G Miller 45lb 3oz, 2 C Burton 42lb 10oz, 3 M Hare 24lb 14oz.

Pike anglers have met with mixed fortunes. On the Ouse, R Thorne landed one of 17lb 12oz which had been caught two weeks previous at 19lb.

LISTERHILLS AA

Nominations are now required for the team to represent the club in the National Championship which is on the Shrophsire Union canal on Saturday, September 14. The closing date for team registration is March 29 so names are required before that date.

SKIPTON AA

Apart from a couple of days last weekend the weather has continued to be a deterrent to angling with generally low temperatures, gusty winds and occasional periods of wet weather which have brought about higher water levels.

In spite of all this, the canal and the river have seen some anglers in action with reasonable catches of fish being recorded.

Still waters such as Embsay and Whinnygill reservoirs have only seen the odd angler in action and the sport has been almost non-existent.

Around Skipton the canal is currently the place to catch fish and the popular spots seem to be able to guarantee success with small to reasonable sized roach, perch and skimmer bream falling to the maggot, bread and even a small length of worm.

Pike are active in the area around the basin with fish up 4.5kg falling for the dead bait or a spun artificial lure. However, the large perch that tend to frequent this length at this time of the year prior to spawning are still absent.

On the River Aire the higher reaches are producing some of the best fishing with the length between Heslaker Lane and Inghey Bridge being particularly productive.

Sweetcorn and bread have accounted for some decent chub to 1.5kg and quite a few smaller fish which indicates that the species is continuing its recovery on this stretch of river.

The worm and maggot is attracting plenty of grayling especially from the Funkirk Farm and upstream length.

Most of the fish are around 20 to 25cm in length with just the occasional bigger fish. Brown trout are also plentiful but are out of season.

Downstream at Snaygill, pike anglers have been trying their luck for maybe a 10kg fish, but recently have been thwarted by the rise in the river level over last weekend.

Recent catches have seen fish to around the 3.6kg mark being brought to the net after taking a dead bait.

Future prospects would benefit from a settled spell of dry and milder weather but at the moment this is unlikely to materialise until after the weekend at the earliest.