Angling: Fishing gold at the end of rainbow restocking

Yorkshire Water’s Thruscross, Fewston and Swinsty – set within easy reach of Leeds and Harrogate – could see record returns this season by the look of the recently released impressive stocking figures.

With the lion’s share of rainbows and the odd blue destined for Fewston, the 140- acre Thruscross shouldn’t be overlooked as its wild brownies can offer brilliant early-season sport.

And with Swinsty now open to coarse anglers, the series of reservoir fisheries has something on offer for everyone.

Alastair Harvey, the recreation advisor at Yorkshire Water, said: “These three reservoirs in the Washburn Valley are the jewel in the crown of our land. Hundreds of anglers love the fishery because it offers exceptionally high-quality trout fishing in a stunning rural setting.

“As we introduce the 10,000lb of fish to our waters over the next eight months, anglers can look forward to reeling in some great catches. So far the largest recorded trout catch came in 2006 when a 14lb rainbow specimen was landed.

“We challenge anglers to beat that!”

A fishing platform, with associated parking, is available adjacent to Swinsty Reservoir that also caters for disabled anglers.

The Washburn Valley Fishery is open from March 25, seven days a week between 7.30am and one hour after sunset. Day tickets cost £20, concessions are £17, and evening tickets are available at £15.

For more information about the fishery, details of on-site tuition and competitions, visit the Swinsty Fishing Office which is located at Swinsty Moor car park, or call 01943 880658.

As the season gets into full swing, I will report weekly on catch averages and the ‘in methods’ producing the most takes.

Mirfield’s Martin Highe finished the final weekend of the river season with average catches but brilliant results to win the Preston Innovations Matchman of the year Rivers/Drains Mini League.

Match cancellations and poor river conditions undoubtedly cost local anglers points, but the die hards of the Ouse circuit came out remarkably well in the national table with five anglers in the national top 10.

Cleckheaton’s Dave Armitage and Bradford’s Craig Turbitt took second and third place with Phil Austin and Kev Weighell also proving the Ouse anglers to be right up there with the best.

With the commercial winter leagues now finished, and the sell-out events making sure that much-needed revenue rolled in, I think clubs and fishery owners should thank local sponsors and match organisers who give anglers the incentive to get out and fish their lakes and events in weather that you would think twice about walking your dog in.

Local tackle outlet Bob-co are always at the front when coming to the aid of the region’s match scene, JT Rodgers made sure the series at Moor Monkton was a success, and BSR partners, Sean and Barry Rodgers, put in their own hard-earned cash to promote its own Kippax Park League.

Around the county, there are hundreds more unsung hero organisers that get little recognition.

Make no mistake, without them the smaller commercials that rely on all-year-round revenue wouldn’t survive.

Results

Matchman of the Year, Rivers/Drains Mini League: 1, M Highe, Mirfield 45pts; 2, D Armitage, Cleckheaton 40pts; 3, C Turbitt, Tackle-2-U 33pts; 4, T Marshall, Shakespear 32pts; 5, I Shepherd, Diawa 30pts; 6, P Passmore, Matrix 29pts; 7, P Austin, Barlby 22pts.

Bradford No1 AA, Raskelf: 1, J Vickerman 59-06; 2, C Mortimer 50-02; 3, F Prudham 49-14; 4, S Hodgson 39-03; 5, R Langley 29-14.

Xgates & District AC, Forest Lane: 1, S Kay 16-08; 2, D Watson 12-13; 3, M Johnson 10-08.

Bobco BSR AC – Forest Lane, Oaklands Lake: 1, O Hewitt 30-08; 2, E Storey 22-08; 3, L Smith 20-08; 4, S Rodgers 19-08.

JT Rodgers Winter League, Brafferton, Round 19: 1, T Biggins 66-02; 2, A Conboy 62-02; 3, A Jackson 59-09. Overall League Table: 1, R Richardson 128ptd; 2, K Richardson 120pts; 3, A Jackson/D Gunby 91pts.

JT Rodgers Spring Series. Leeds & District, Moor Monkton Pools: 1, G Broadley 46-07; 2, N Rymer 36-11; 3, O Hewitt 36-06; 4, D Wright 35-15.

Oaks at Sessay, Cedar: 1, R Minikin, Sonu Baits 88-02; 2, D Birdsall, The Oaks 80-01; 3, C Hall, The Oaks 59-01; 4, E Brydon, Maver 58-07; 5, S Medd, Diawa 56-15.

Woodlands Lake, Thirsk: 1, S Hodgson 139-12; 2, L McGinley 63-10; 3, J Maddison 61-08; 4, J Murray 59-14.

Moorfields Farm, Match Lake: 1, A Johnson, Majestic 50-00; 2, S Holmes, Majestic 49-00; 3, C Dunne, Harehills 41-12; 4, M Turner, Moorfields 38-12.

Messing Sands, Swan: 1, M Bissell 106-07; 2, G Stones 55-11; 3, J Hall 51-12; 4, G Wilde 38-15.

Viking Saturday Open (Hawk): 1, D Nicklas 71-03; 2, L Hardcastle 59-01; 3, D Playford 25-01; 4, R Padgett 23-01.

Marshlands AC (Viking Deer): 1, M Moore 42-13; 2, D Morritt 40-07; 3, J Raspin 38-00; 4, J Marshall 33-14.

Fryston Winter League (Viking Fox): 1, S Varley 41-03; 2, S Bird 32-09; 3, S Lupton 25-08; 4, M Salmon 24-01.

Rodley Barge AC (Viking Hawk): 1, D Lawson 74-04; 2, W Barber 70-10; 3, G Myers 67-12; 4, J Harvey 52-00.

Angel Lakes Open & Spring League Lookout: 1, M Craig 78-03; 2, D Pearson 40-15; 3, B Hall 39-11.

Angel Lakes Good Friday Match Lookout: 1, M Craig 70-02; 2, C Pine 42-04; 3, J Nelson 31-08.

Angel Lakes Open Bowes: 1, J Dryden 35-08; 2, A Simmons 24-11; 3, J Foster 17-01.

Match Diary

Saturday

Lex’s Legacy ‘Pride of the Isle’, Lindholme Lakes Big Bash: June 1, contact 01427 875555/01427 872905.

Feeder Master Qualifier: River Aire, Beal, contact Angling Trust 0115 906 1301.

Leeds & District, Winter Series: Ouse/Ure, contact Stan Haigh 07542700743.

Kippax Park, BSR Winter League: details contact Sean 07814454271.

Poppleton Saturday Open: pools, £15, draw cafe 10am, contact Roger 01904737279.

Aire & Calder Pollington: £15 all in, contact Kelvin 07779991483.

Birkwood Farm Fisheries: Emily’s or Oscar’s, draw 8.30am, contact 01924 892251.

Woodlands: 72 pegs, tickets £18, contact 01845 520110.

Oaks at Sessay: 50 pegs, tickets £17, contact 01845 501321.

Langwith Lakes: 60 pegs, tickets £16, contact 01904 431874.

Kippax Park: 27 pegs, tickets £20, contact 07967000746.

Moorfields Farm: 54 pegs, tickets £16, contact 07710817150.

Fleets Dam: 50 pegs, tickets £15, contact 01226 292579.

Birkwood Farm: 60 pegs, tickets £16, contact 01132 80609.

Viking Saturday Open: Deer Pond, 24 pegs, £16, contact 01405 860764.

Viking: Hawk Pond, 30 pegs, tickets £16, contact 01405 860764.

Tollerton Ponds: Open Match all ages, (Kingfisher 20 pegs, Coot 18 pegs, Heron 32 pegs), contact 01347 838115.

Listerhills AA, Leeds/Liverpool Rodley: £12 all in contact Eddie 07984597328.

Sunday

Leeds & District, Winter Series: Ouse/Ure, contact Stan Haigh 07542700743.

Woodlands: 72 pegs, tickets £18, contact 01845 520110.

Oaks at Sessay: 50 pegs, tickets £17, contact 01845 501321.

Langwith Lakes: 60 pegs, tickets £16, contact 01904 431874.

Oak Tree Leisure: 50 pegs, tickets £15, contact 01347 810686.

Leeds DASA: Moor Monkton Pools, contact 07967000746.

Poppleton Sunday Open: 50 pegs, draw 11am Cafe, contact 07425 146677.

Monday

Woodlands over-50s: 30 pegs, tickets £15, contact 01845 520110.

Langwith Lakes over-60s: 30 pegs, tickets £10, contact 01904 431874.

Tollerton Ponds over-50s: tickets £16, contact 01347 838115.

Tuesday

Kippax Park over-50s: draw 10am, tickets £10, contact 07967000746.

Wednesday

Leeds & District: Moor Monkton Pools, draw 10am, contact 07967000746.

Birkwood Farm Fisheries: Emily’s or Oscar’s, draw 8.30am, contact 01924 892251.

Woodlands: 72 pegs, tickets £18, contact 01845 520110.

Fleets Dam: 50 pegs, tickets £15, contact 01226 292579.

Tollerton Ponds: open match, all ages, contact 01347 838115.

Glen AC Ouse Thrash: contact D Miles 01133 910570.

Thursday

Kippax Park: 27 pegs, tickets £12, contact 07967000746.

All anglers are advised to check with venues to confirm match details.