Club History...

           The Brighouse Angling Association was founded in 1928 as a coarse angling club with the objectives of; promoting the sport of angling, the breeding of fish and providing facilities for members of the association to participate in the sport of angling. The club is run on behalf of the members by a committee of ten members elected bi-annually and officials that are elected annually. We are able to offer a lake, canal and river angling to our members. Day tickets and match bookings are available for our canal water and Brookfoot Lake.

Our main fishery is Brookfoot Lake. A 3½-acre, mixed coarse fishery, it is situated on the western outskirts of Brighouse via the A6025. We have recently completed a major change to the topography of the lake bed by introducing three islands to the water. This is to reduce the depth of the lake, the aim of the project being to improve the fishery for fish breeding and enhance the local ecological environment for both wildlife and anglers. The lake occasionally attracts some species of birds not usually found on inland waters. A few exotic wildfowl have taken up residence in the area making a welcome diversion to the many indigenous species such as kingfisher, coot, moorhen and the ubiquitous mallard. Close co-operation has been maintained between the club, local Environment Agency, contractors and with advice from Dr Bruno Broughton, Bernice Brewster  and made the most of members skills, expertise and time. On completion, the project should prove to make the lake one of the best all round fisheries in West Yorkshire. The latest improvement to the fishery has required the construction of a overflow which will stop the flooding of the lake in bad weather which has been the bane of the water in recent years. Year round access to all pegs on the lake should now be assured. Next up is the completion of access all round the lake which will provide more pegs for anglers.

           Adjacent to Brookfoot Lake is a new fishery/match pond. A members only fishery, this was developed as part of the major project from a little used old stock pond, and now named Tony Riley’s Pond after our late president. Though much smaller than the main lake, this also contains a good head of mixed coarse fish. Small carp, bream, tench, roach etc can be had though there are better fish for a bit of interest and excitement. The pond is particularly suitable for the young and novice anglers, some perhaps not quite so young. The canal water offers approximately 3½ mile-6km of typical canal fishing and is part of the British Waterways Calder and Hebble waterway. The sections are identified by local names generally descriptive of their location.. Access is relatively easy to most lengths and for the wheelchair disabled, with parking at or close to access points. Towpaths can be very muddy at times and some long walks/pushes may be necessary to reach all parts of the fishery. The Association has recently become a member of the Boothferry Aire & Calder Joint Canal Committee which now allows members to fish some ten miles of the Aire & Calder Canal from 'Great Heck to Goole'.

Our river fisheries are the Calder and River Swale. The Calder waters are situated around Brighouse and towards Mirfield and amount to some 2½ m - 4k. Some sections are a little difficult to access but the effort can be worth it. Most river species are present but with a growing domination of trout, all of which can make for good sport. Though some sections are exclusively Brighouse A.A., other sections are shared with Bradford No1. Unfortunately our river waters are unsuitable for many but the most ambulatory of disabled members also parking and access is limited. No day tickets are available for our river waters.

The River Swale water provides ¾m - 1k of prime river fishing with good chub, barbel, pike etc to be had. Situated in north Yorkshire, the fishery is easily accessed via the A1 - A61 with an area for parking next to the junction with the B6267/A61. A word of warning is that the banks are very steep in places and can be slippery and friable, take care! The Swale water is unsuitable for many but the most ambulatory of disabled members.

Mr Dennis Noble RIP

           Dennis worked as General Secretary for several years, with a loyal, dedication to the Club, until his untimely demise in 2004. The Brighouse Angling Association original website was created by Dennis with many hours of sweat and tears and hard work. Unfortunately when he departed, he also took the access codes to the website, with him. A new website has been created and is fully functional. Much of this website is the original creation and work from the original site. A big thank you Dennis.

Mr Ray Charnock RIP

 

           Ray died on the 20th December 2007.  His contribution to the Association has been immense, working as Committee member, as Treasurer for 20 years, Match Secretary and team member, junior organiser and general ambassador.

 

The Brighouse Angling Association will be forever in his debt.  The tangible legacy we retain is in the Lake and Tony Riley`s Pond.  Ray`s guiding hand oversaw their development through a period of change lasting five years and some times this was a seven days a week task over and above his own business in the bakery. The current website is also testament to his dedication on taking up the challenge after the loss of it’s original creator, Dennis Noble.

 

We have been privileged to have known and to have worked alongside him.

Mr Eddie Sandiford RIP

           Eddie died on the weekend 12/13th 0f January 2008; age 84 years.  We understand him to have been the longest continuous member of the Association having joined in the middle of the last century.  He served on the committee, along with his brother for a time, in the 50s, 60s and the 70s.

 

A war veteran of the Burma campaign he enjoyed a career post - war as a joiner but his real passion lay with his fishing.  By reputation one of the finest all round anglers the Association has ever had and as brilliant an exponent of art of river fishing to be seen anywhere in the North.

Brighouse Angling Association has lost another stalwart.