VAC Fisheries Review for 2002

VAC FISHERIES ROUND-UP FOR 2003

At Frogmore double figure carp to 14lb were common and some members reported over 75lb bags from the match pool. 60lb plus bags of Bream were reported from the car park lake; good-sized Tench, Roach and Perch have also been reported.

With the final phase of the complex now nearing completion we have the opportunity to create a super little Tench and Crucians water. A decision has yet to be made as to whether this may be the case, what do you think? How about some feedback?

At the moment we have called the lakes 1, 2, 3 & 4. Lake 1 being the first lake as you approach the complex to your left and with a new associated car park. This lake has been earmarked as the club's possible new Trout fishery if all criteria regarding water levels and suitability are met; here again a decision has yet to be made but hopefully not in the far too distant future. Lake 2 is the existing 'car park lake, Lake 3 is the match pool and Lake 4 being the 'Tench and Crucians' water.

Riverside Road has produced good fishing at times throughout the season with good Crucian and Roach bags quite commonplace during the summer months. Carp to 19lb were reported with many lower figure doubles. Tench to 5 1/2lb have also shown quite reasonably with many smaller fish showing well after restocking a couple of years ago. Generally as we approached Autumn the fishing dropped off quite badly with many members finding it difficult to catch. Unfortunately this always seems to be the case at this time of year but we are reasonably confident that following recent surveys of the fishery there really is not anything wrong but is just an unfortunate characteristic of the fishery, incidentally the club does not have any bans on bloodworm, apart from on matches, which although expensive, could have the desired effect of picking up a few fish when times are hard! STOP PRESS: Contrary to the above one member reports that he regularly does well at Riverside ‑ so it's seems it's a question of the right tactics.

Crayfish continue to be a nuisance to anglers especially during the summer. We continue to remove them in quite large quantities and will continue this effort to reduce the problem. If anyone as any other ideas in the removal or would like to help out in the removal we would be glad to hear from you.

At Smallford fishing has been reasonable with plenty of Carp into the twenties reported. Mini boilies have accounted for many good sized Bream and Tench to double figures and many anglers have reported bags of Bream and Tench to 80lbs Perch continue to show up to a lb and Roach to 2lb. Pike fishing has been a bit slow but fish to 22lb were reported in the early Autumn. If you are going to Pike fish please make sure you have adequate tackle and are competent with handling Pike, many good sized fish have been lost through bad handling and poor tackle and tools for hook removal. Please note that three rods may be used (including marker tackle) up to March 31st After this date, two rods only. You are reminded that two rod licences are required when using three rods.

At Marford farm sport has generally been good with most anglers reporting plenty of Chub Barbel and Carp to double figures especially on the short section. The long walk section, as always, has been slower but reports are coming through of good Chub catches and the odd Barbel. We had to take measures during the latter part of the summer to ensure the welfare of the fishery, which meant the introduction of a one-rod rule, no keepnets, and barbless hooks only. Many complaints were received from various members of other anglers generally showing little respect for the fishery in terms of the type of tackle being used and the welfare of the fish. A flyer was posted to all members asking for some respect and responsibility when fishing this water. These measures seemed to work as complaints dropped off quite considerably. A decision to lift the restrictions imposed may be discussed early in the New Year. Obviously, if the problems arise again then restrictions will be reinstated.

As stated previously the Environmental Agency wish to start work on the short stretch at Marford quite soon after Christmas. There will undoubtedly be some disruption to fishing, we therefore ask you to be patient whilst this is going on and please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Onto our Great Ouse fisheries at Felmersham and Radwell, although suffered quite considerably with heavy weed growth and flooding during the Autumn has produced some good catches. At Felmersham we received many reports of good Roach bags to 25lb and Barbel to 12lb Smaller Barbel have also shown quite regularly.

At Radwell, many Barbel, we know, have been reported over 10lb especially from the Vauxhall bank opposite. Unfortunately swims are limited on the VAC side but some of the local bailiffs have requested some materials to build platforms in the New Year, so hopefully these will be ready for the new season in June. If you wish to help out in this respect, and I know the bailiffs have got a few other jobs planned, please contact me for further information

On the River Ivel at Sandy our new water acquired last season unfortunately has not lived up to expectations. Although some members have reported some good catches of Bream and the odd Chub, generally fishing has been poor. We hope that this situation may change with some members having witnessed large shoals of Bream on the upstream stretch from the weir. Locals insist that the winter

months are best therefore we look forward to your reports!

Turnford Consortium waters at Broxborne. The current committee of the Turnford consortium, which includes representatives from Verulam, are currently working hard to recover from the decline of the fisheries over the last decade or so. New fishery management plans and strategies have been put together over the last year to ensure the future success of these waters. Last year saw many thousands of small carp introduced into the match lake (Boot Pit) and many more are due to be introduced early in the New Year. Fast growing Carp up to 8lb were introduced into Railway pit to guarantee the size and quality of fish available in the future. Carp to 371b and plenty of 'twenties' have been reported so far this season. Lee pit has some shoals of big Bream with 100lb bags not uncommon and good-sized Pike close to twenty pounds.

The Marsh pit has produced Catfish to 23lb this year with smaller specimens also showing occasionally; in all the lakes Tench to double figures are resident.

Paynes Lane, our other consortium fishery is now beginning to benefit from the stocking of Carp and Rudd over the last few years. Some good sized Rudd have been caught contrary to belief that the Cormorants had finished them off! Water levels seem to have stabilised now from their peak of a few years ago and most swims are now accessible. The formation of a self governing committee represented by all the member clubs was instigated last year and we now see some benefit from this with a newly formulated management plan of the fishery which includes further stocking of Bream and Tench when they become available.

Sport on the River Flit has been very disappointing, so much so that we are in contact with the EA over it. With lack a lack of visitors, the bank side growth has made the fishery virtually unusable upstream. Further down, even ideal looking swims have produced virtually nothing. Let's hope, with the EA's help, we can restore the fishery to its former glory.

It is quite satisfying to know that the club continues to grow and that no serious problems have arisen with any of our fisheries this season so far. In fact many will say that fishing has been better than previous years on many of the waters. Obviously, we should not get too complacent and therefore the work of all the various committees, especially the fisheries committee will continue in its effort to maintain and develop the fisheries to the best of our ability. Unfortunately, last year we have noticed an increase in problems associated with some members who seem to have an attitude problem with regards to respect of club rules and the welfare of our fisheries. For example, we continue to have problems with litter and discarded tackle. We also appear to have a growing problem with members not having their membership documents with them. Night fishing on some of our waters has been evident. In view of some of these problems the General Committee will be taking a very serious view in the future against any member who finds himself accused of a disciplinary offence and litter in particular will carry an EXPULSION FOR LIFE DECISION.

Generally, 1 believe we have a good membership of responsible anglers who wish to go fishing in nice surroundings without the least amount of hassle and generally abide by the rules and regulations. It is a very small number of anglers that try to push their luck and break club rules and obviously we do not want them in the club. 1 appeal to all members of the club to contact any officer if a problem arises with regards to the breaking of club rules by another member or witnesses any unsportsmanlike behaviour. All too often we get reports of incidents occurring involving members breaking rules a week or so after the offence has taken place. Please do not forget that the club belongs to its members and that 1 believe it is the responsibility of everyone to ensure that the club remains and continues to grow as a club to be proud of.

At Leasey Bridge fishing has been excellent with many reports of good Barbel, Chub, Roach to 2lb and the odd Tench! Both back water and river have produced good sport although the backwater did get quite weedy during the summer months. The removal of the weed was carried out by one of the regulars at Leasey Bridge and therefore the club is grateful for his assistance. However, I must stress that in future any work that is carried out by members around any of our fisheries is agreed upon by myself BEFORE the work is started. I will then clear the request with the other fishery officers associated with the water so that everyone is aware of what is going on. Unfortunately, any member that goes off on his own and starts carrying out work off his own back could be faced with disciplinary action by the General Committee.