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,
IDENTIFICATION CARD AND ROD LICENSE 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. 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.
We are pleased to report that all our
Riverside Road opened for business on may 15th and has been fishing exceptionally well with plenty of Carp to double figures, Tench, Bream, Crucians and Roach also providing good sport. Crayfish do not seem to be the problem as in previous seasons but having said that the water is still warming up and therefore we shall keep a very close check on their presence. If they become a problem then we shall do the same as in previous seasons and install fyke nets over a period of a week or so in different parts of the lake. Please be patient if this requires the closure of particular sections of the lake. The end result is very effective and will ensure that you are less likely to be pestered by them in the future months of the season.
We sincerely hope that
At Frogmore we also report that the fishing on the match lake has been excellent over the last few months with lots of Carp to 18lb, Tench, Bream and Roach all providing good sport.
Tony’s lake has also been providing good sport with Tench to 4lb , Crucians and Perch to a pound showing well.
Water levels at this fishery has given much concern and as you can imagine has given way to lots of discussion! Work to prevent the loss of water between the car park lake and the match lake is underway and remedial work to the carpark lake will be underway as soon as possible to try and seal the bed of the lake to reduce the loss of water. All going to plan we could have the lake back up and running again by the late autumn.
Although we have received many comments over the situation at Frogmore we should all take into account we have had one of the driest periods on record over the last twelve months or so which has obviously had a grave effect on the fishery.
At Smallford, following a very quiet period during the early spring has been fishing very well over the last few months. Many Carp to 32lb have been caught with lots of quality Tench and Bream nudging double figures regularly succumbing to waggler tactics in the margins.
You will notice new signs in the car park
reiterating many of the rules found in your rule and fishery books. Please be
aware of the local rules and regulations appertaining to this fishery and DO NOT LEAVE LITTER!
Overbaiting here has become an issue again and many of
you will recall the discussions over this subject at the Annual General
Meeting. We have decided not to impose restrictions on this matter and trust
that most people will be sensible on the amount of bait that is used. If it
becomes a problem again then obviously we will have to act in the interests of
the welfare of the fishery.
WE
HAVE DISCOVERED PILES OF HARDCORE DUMPED IN THE CAR PARK AT SMALLFORD. PLEASE
BE AWARE THAT IF WE FIND OUT WHO THE CULPRIT IS THEN DISCIPLINAIRY ACTION WILL
BE TAKEN.
THE LANDLORD
HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND THEY WILL PROSECUTE.
IF
ANYONE IS FOUND TIPPING WE ASK THAT IT BE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY TO THE OFFICERS
OF THE CLUB.
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. The complex is now
open twelve months of the year.
The most popular of the lakes is Railway Pit. This lake is stocked with
many specimen Carp up to 37lb, Bream to 14lb and tench to 12lb. Eels are also
quite common.
Marsh Pit is popular for double figure Tench and Catfish which have
been caught up to 32lb. Large Pike are also present.
Boot pit is the general coarse fishery which contains many smaller
Carp, Tench , Roach, Rudd and Perch. It also contains
a large shoal of Bream which run up to double figures. Boot does get quite
weedy during the summer so it is advisable to take a rake with you to clear a
swim if necessary.
Lea Pit is by far the hardest nut to crack but if successful 100lb bags
of Bream are not uncommon with fish up to 15lb. Carp also run up to 30lb.
These pits really do offer something special to most anglers but we
emphasise that the rules of the complex should be fully adhered to at all
times.
For further information please see the website at www.turnfordac.co.uk
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.
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.
At Radwell, always noted for the big Barbel has to be worth a visit this year. We constructed some new platforms last year which proved to be very popular. Unfortunately the Environmental agency ordered the removal of these platforms and for the last few months we have been in discussion to reinstate them. Hopefully we will end up with more than the three platforms but possibly of a different design.
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.
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 WITHOUT ADDITIONAL
CHARGE but you must have your VAC documents with you at all times.
Approximately 21 miles of river/canal is available which is constantly being re-stocked and improved. You will find details of all the fisheries in the new fisheries handbook.
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.
Weed in the backwater
has become a problem during the summer months but we have organised the removal
at various times so please bear with us on this one.
PLEASE make
yourself familiar with the rules and regulations appertaining to this fishery
especially fishing times. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE FISHERY(not
including car park) ONE HOUR BEFORE
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 this
fishery and at
The ‘long walk’ provided improved sport last season over previous years with many reports of good Barbel Chub and Roach catches from most swims. Carp to double figures were also reported.
Would you all please park sensibly in the car park.
Please note
that glass bottles and tins are now banned from this Fishery.
Our new stretch of the River Lea since last Autumn has provided some good sport at times. Probably not so prolific as our other stretches of the Lea but may still turn up a few surprises. Swims are limited but a fishery worth a couple of hours after work has to be worth a try.
Please park sensibly, ideally just inside the gate but if conditions dictate otherwise please park sensibly in the adjacent roads.
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.