Welcome to a new season with the Verulam Angling Club.
You will have
received your new membership card including fixture list, updated fisheries
handbook and rule book. Please will you have a good look at all these documents
before you commence fishing. Many rules appertaining
to the fisheries have been printed along side the maps so there should be no
misunderstanding of the cans and can’ts. If you do
have any queries please contact a Bailiff or myself (Barry Killinger).
You are also
advised to make yourself familiar with all the general rules as printed in the
Rule Book and please sign your membership card before commencing fishing.
WOULD ALL
MEMBERS PLEASE ENSURE THAT THEY CARRY THEIR MEMBERSHIP CARD AND IDENTIFICATION
CARD WITH THEM AT ALL TIMES WHEN VISITING THE CLUBS FISHERIES. IF YOU DO NOT,
THEN A BAILIFF OR OTHER OFFICER OF THE CLUB MAY ASK YOU TO LEAVE THE FISHERY.
WARNING!
LITTER HAS BECOME A PROBLEM AT SOME OF THE FISHERIES ESPECIALLY AT TURNFORD. SMALLFORD IS NOW LITTER FREE AND HAS BEEN FOR SOME TIME LETS KEEP IT THAT WAY!
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT ALL MEMBERS SHOULD TAKE THEIR LITTER HOME WITH THEM, YOU ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LITTER FOUND IN YOUR SWIM.
ANY MEMBER FOUND LEAVING LITTER ANYWHERE ON THE CLUBS FISHERIES MAY BE EXPELLED FROM THE CLUB FOR LIFE.
What better way to start the new season than a trip to the Rivers. What
better place to start than the River Great Ouse at Radwell or Felmersham.
The fishing on these two stretches continues to improve with reports of
a lot more Barbel into double figures reported last season.
In particular at Felmersham where Barbel to 12 lb were
reported, big Perch, Chub and Tench were also reported regularly with some good
bags of Roach. Many trees have now been removed or cut back making the river a
lot more accessible.
At Radwell, always noted for the big Barbel has to be worth a visit
this year.
Incidentally, night fishing is allowed at Felmersham and Radwell, except the small stretch (downstream of the road bridge) at Radwell. New parking arrangements at Radwell have yet to be finalised, please follow any signs that may be erected regarding this point.
The Ivel
Protection Association have over eight miles of
fishing on the River Ivel and incidently
our updated fisheries handbook gives details of the new stretch at Blunham.
The Backmeadows section at Biggleswade produced some double figure Barbel last season
together with some decent sized Chub.
One of our most popular fisheries the river and backwater provides good
sport with Roach, Chub, Perch, Barbel and Carp.
It has been noticeable over the past year or so that many of the fish appear to be getting bigger with Roach and Perch reported to 2lb with Chub and Barbel also showing an improvement on previous years. Double figure Carp were also reported last season from the backwater.
PLEASE NOTE THAT FISHING IS NOW RESTRICTED TO PEGGED SWIMS ONLY ON THE SHORT STRETCH.
Many of you are aware of the fluctuating water levels at Marford
therefore we trust you will take this into account if using a keep-net. If
necessary a ban on the use of keep-nets will be enforced if water levels remain
low or that the use of nets is found to be abused.
This fishery undoubtedly attracts a lot of members and therefore we ask
that you treat the fishery and its stock with respect at all times. We
unfortunately had to impose restrictions on the fishery last year following a
number of complaints from members regarding the handling of fish and disregard
of our rules and regulations.
The ‘long walk’ provided improved sport last season over previous years
with many reports of good Barbel Chub and Roach catches from most swims.
Would you all please park sensibly in the car park.
Please note that glass bottles and tins are now banned from this Fishery.
We hope that this season will see big improvements in the productivity
of this fishery and hopefully the demise of the crayfish. Further stockings
have continued through the winter which should make a big difference.
Frogmore.
Tony’s lake
will hopefully have been stocked with Tench , Crucians
and Golden Rudd and will be open for fishing from June 16th.
Smallford.
The fishery looks, and is in great shape with Carp, big Bream, Tench
and Roach on offer to those of you that wish to put some effort into the
fishery. Maps of the fishery indicating depths and contours of the bottom are
available if you wish to contact me or any of the Bailiffs that visit the
fishery.
Litter at this fishery has caused serious concern in the past with the
fisheries committee considering a ban on night fishing or closing the water
completely for a time in an effort to make members sit up and listen.
TAKE YOUR LITTER HOME WITH
YOU! Is the rule of the club and must be taken seriously. We will not
tolerate this problem therefore anyone found leaving litter of any description
ANYWHERE ON THE FISHERY INCLUDING CAR PARKS may be expelled from the club for life.
Turnford.
Our
consortium complex comprises four well matured lakes of which
major changes within the management of the complex has seen a recent
upturn in the popularity of the fisheries. A new re-stocking programme is
underway which has resulted in the stocking of many thousand carp into the
‘Boot Pit’ and fishing has improved dramatically. Stocking of 4-6lb fast
growing Carp into Railway pit will ensure there are plenty of fine doubles in
the future complementing the existing stock of fish over 30lb. Marsh Pit boasts
Catfish of at least 23lb and Tench to double figures are possible from any of
the lakes. Lea Pit is capable of producing 100lb bags of Big Bream as was the
case on a number of occasions last season.
Night fishing is allowed on a limited basis i.e. 48 hours maximum and then no return for 24 hours. Please ensure all rules are adhered to as they are strictly adhered to by the Bailiffs and bans of six months or more are not uncommon.
River Lea (
As a member of the Verulam Angling Club you are entitled to fish any
stretch of the River Lea that constitutes the Lea Valley Consortium.
Approximately 21 miles of river/canal is available which is constantly being
re-stocked and improved. Details of how to obtain a fishery handbook can be
obtained from our Registrar or Secretary.
AND FINALLY…
Please note that Keep nets are allowed on all our waters unless a sign
on the gate or notice board states otherwise. Please ensure that the keep net
is of adequate size and meets the regulations of the club. All keep nets should
be dipped into the disinfectant dip tank if there is one on the fishery and
please make sure that the instructions are followed precisely. This instruction
also applies to landing nets and unhooking mats.
The most effective way of preventing the spread of diseases and
parasites is to make sure that all your nets in particular and other equipment
is thoroughly dried out after every fishing trip. This is the ONLY effective method. Dipping you
equipment only reduces the risk slightly.