Angling: Restocking helps secure the future of local rivers

Carrying over 4,000 chub in tanks full of moving water, plus oxygen, pumps, nets and equipment needed to ensure a safe journey, the one hundred mile trip to deepest Yorkshire went without a hitch, every fish released were bouncing and in pristine condition, they all swam away strongly.

The first of the one thousand strong batches were introduced to the River Wharfe close to Harewood Bridge hopefully helping to secure the future as far downstream as East Keswick and Linton. Wetherby also benefitted by a thousand fish introduced to its town waters with Boston Spa’s runs and glides taking the final thousand intended for the Wharfe’s middle reaches.

The good access and short walk of the River Ure at Aldwark Bridge made things easy and gave the remaining chublets a new home, close to the popular Hunters Lodge sections that see the Ure change to the Ouse upstream of Linton – these fish should give good back up to previous stockings ensuring perfect mixed year classes.

I have been lucky enough to have spent a day at the hi-tech Calverton Pools and hatchery complex under the watchful eye of hands-on boss and team leader Alan Henshaw who left us with no doubt that nothing was left to chance.

The figures released recently in the EA annual report came as no surprise, our region’s chub, barbel and grayling being just a part of a record-breaking 18 months that have seen over a half a million fish stocked around the country, totally funded through rod licence sales “what better reason to get out and buy one?”

Last week’s stock fish look to be only the start of a spring project that is quickly becoming an annual event, as the river clears and drops the Wharfe’s sought-after brood grayling will become the next priority as the season comes to an end (more next week).

After promising results in the last Saturday league fixture, Sunday’s event took a dive as the river again proved to work against those looking for bites on the Ouse around Linton.

Rising by over a metre through the night, single quality fish guaranteed anglers a place in the top four, Bradford’s Bob Foster drew fancied 253 and again produced the goods to win with a bream of 5lb falling to a simple ground bait feeder rig and worm.

A double lobby caught chub from 191 below the willow garth was enough for Craig Turbitt to take second place, with single 2lb skimmers being enough for third and fourth.

Popular River Swale venues around Cundall, Fawdington and Helperby will be a hard task for those fancying a late season fat chub or big barbel. Thornton Bridge the well known crossing point for all specimen anglers and those visiting the Oaks at Sessay will be closed from Monday, February 15.

Repairs and inspection after the recent floods should take about six weeks with the road closed during this time.

Meanwhile, Yarnbury AC club secretary Adie Addie would like to remind all members that its club’s annual general meeting will be held this Wednesday (February 17) at Horsforth’s Old Ball starting at 7.30pm.

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Results

Leeds DASA, Winter Series, Hunters/Linton: 1, Bob Foster 5-10; 2, Craig Turbitt 2-04; 3, Dave Pollitt 2-00; 4, Noel Speight 1-14.

JT Rodgers Winter League, Moor Monkton Pools: 1, Paul Gallagher, The Willows 128-05; 2, Dave Wright, Leeds 66-11; 3, Andy Middleton, Bob-Co 44-03.

Mosella Silver Fish only, Woodlands: 1, J Maddison, Mosella 29-14; 2, P Kozyra, York 24-08; 3, M Arrowsmith, Mava 21-04; 4, L MacIntosh, Mosella 20-08.

None-Go-By, Silver Fish Series: 1, I Exley 6-15; 2, S Michaels 6-05; 3, D Briggs 6-03; 4, S Webster 6-0.

Woodlands Thirsk, Skylark/Partridge: 1, S Keane 73-08; 2, K Golightly 47-01; 3, P Jones 44-12; 4, E Collins 37-14.

Oaks at Sessay, Silver Fish Rover: 1, R Minikin, Sonu Baits 29-12; 2, C Metcalfe, Mosella 25-13; 3, T Watson, Mosella 23-02.

Oaks at Sessay, Cedar: 1, C Routledge, Cleveland AC 60-10; 2, C Hall, Neo-Baits 51-02; 3, J Gadd, Colmic 43-05.

Wakefield AC, Calder & Hebble Canal: 1, R Reah, Wakefield 12-00; 2, B Reah, Wakefield 4-00; 3, R Crispin, Walton 3-14.

Moorfields Farm, Match Lake: 1, A Johnson, Majestic 61-08; 2, M Heptonstall, Moorfields 45-06; 3, G Crane, Harehills/S Holmes, Majestic 30-02.

JT Rodgers, Brafferton, Round 12: 1, I Jordan 46-04; 2, D Ward 45-15; 3, K Richardson 37-01.

JT Rodgers Winter League, Round 13: 1, R Richardson 58-13; 2, D Gumby 47-01; 3, K Richardson 46-15.

Turner Open, Kippax Park: 1, J Brogden 51-00; 2, B Clarke 34-00; 3, M Turner 31-01.

BSR Winter League, Kippax Park: 1, Sean Rodgers 89-12; 2, Bob Rymer 44-00; 3, Neil Rymer 33-12; 4, Tony Hewson 28-04.

Rodley Barge, Brafferton F1 Lake: 1, D Lawson 70-00; 2, L Hook 13-00; 3, R Ward 10-01; 4, M Rockingham 6-02.

Viking Saturday Open (Deer): 1, M Moore 79-12; 2, L Tones 74-11; 3, J Kenning 65-13; 4, P Morris 50-02.

Fryston AC Winter League: 1, S Varley 34-08; 2, J Holmes 21-9; 3, S Lupton 18-03.

Match Diary

Saturday

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 Oscars draw 8.30, 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, 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: 27 Pegs, tickets £10, contact 07967000746.

Wednesday

Birkwood Farm Fisheries: Emily’s or Oscars draw 8.30, 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.