Reading & District Angling Association

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Information Sheets

September

COUNTY GAME FAIR

 

The stall at the above Fair  situated at Mapledurham House over the weekend of 21st & 22nd August appeared to be a success. Although the weather (especially the wind) contrived to make things difficult for us we had a regular show of interested parties over the two days.

 

 

SANDFORD WEIR

 

I am receiving glowing reports on this venue with roach & skimmer nets well into double figures and even some going into the 20lbs plus. I fished it a couple of weeks ago and managed 8-9lbs of hemp & tare float fishing, very enjoyable. I look forward to hearing the result of the forthcoming South Reading match on the venue which is booked for this coming Sunday 22nd August. All of the works have been completed and the car park area is back to normal.

 

 

TREES AT SONNING

 

We have received reports from anglers of the dangers the trees pose both on the river and lake. One has already come down between two anglers. This has been reported back to the agents who are looking into it. I would add that our anglers must also take some responsibility over where they fish in time of high winds.

 

 

 INCIDENTS INVOLVING POLICE

 

The two recent incidents (Cottage Lane motor cycles & fish theft at Nursery Pool) involving police attendance are both waiting for police response. I have spoken to the Sergeant dealing with both cases who at present is on holiday and if we have no response by the time of his return I will be bending his ear. All three local MP’s have been made aware of the problem and I am dealing at present with John Redwood.

 

 

FISHERIES REPORT

 

Unfortunately, this month’s report is a short one, in yet another episode of negative karma, I’ve have had another mishap! This being the reason for me being missing on the venues.

This time with a graphic display to my son on the consequences of not wearing the appropriate safety equipment while riding a motocross bike!!  Although I wouldn’t recommend scooping large amounts of flesh and bone out of your leg with a motorbike foot peg, I have lost a little weight, so that’s a bonus!! 

 

After a report about the limited access to the top bank at Sonning Eye, I spent a day cutting a larger path with the strimmer, I will in the coming weeks revisit this with the flail mower to make this path more angler friendly.

I have also spent a few days cutting the paths around Englefield and Flint.

Pingewood has also seen some work, but due to the above this was cut short, this will resume this week in time for the charity match.

I decided recently to take a fairly easy walk or should I say hobble to Upper Benyons and Ufton. To my dismay I noticed some kind person or persons have plonked their double divan and associated paraphernalia in our car park at Ufton. Now this is either a member (I would like to think not) or someone accessing the carpark due to someone leaving the gate unlocked!! Please, if the gate has a lock, use it! As removing rubbish costs!!!

On a slightly amusing note, after the mishap of last month, I have been taking the new truck onto our venues, so I can keep it in sight. On this particular evening I was doing a spot of angling. Just after a gentleman walked past me, I received a call from our Head Bailiff asking if I could nip down to the very venue I was fishing as someone had parked a truck on the venue!! A great advert for the bailiff hotline!

 

 

 SPECIMEN GROUP CONTROLLERS REPORT

 

To date we have 193 senior members and 3 Accompanied Junior and 58 Associate permits have been sold thus far, including a few OAP and junior permits.  The figure of 193 senior permits is exactly the same as at this time last year, although there were 7 Accompanied Juniors at that time.

A fairly quiet time as far as the fishing is concerned; but I have had a few reports as follows:

Pingewood has seen its largest resident on the bank again last month at 45lb along with a few others in the 30lb+ bracket and some tench of unspecified weights.

Englefield has seen a 15lb carp reported along with tench to around 5lb.

Farnham Flint has had carp to 33lb caught, no reports of the tench or bream from this venue however.

Whistley Mill is still fishing quite well with a few multiple captures from the lake including carp to 26lb, tench to 10lb and bream to around 15lb.  The river is a bit tougher though, nevertheless there are reports of ‘good’ barbel being landed, although no weights specified, along with chub to 4.5lb.

Finally, as I have no report from Sonning; Upper Benyons has seen some very good barbel captures including a specimen of 13lb 4oz

 

 

August

GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT

 

SANDFORD WEIR

 

I recently met the land agent on site as there was some concern on the boundaries of the venue. This has now been resolved and I also understand from him that the footbridge repairs will be completed before the end of July. This also coincides with the Environment Agency completing their works on the footbridge to the island.

I have received some reports from the venue but this was at the very start of the season when the Thames is never at it’s best. The river is running very clear at present so hopefully some rain will see some colour back into it.

Please keep reports coming in.

 

ERIC GILBERT – CHAPPELL

 

King Heron have made a donation to RDAA in the memory of Eric who died recently.  He was more commonly known as Gill and was a popular local match fisherman who featured regularly in the monthly RDAA matches. Many of you will probably also remember him from his working in the shop at Tadley Angling. His wife has requested that the donation goes towards RDAA juniors. Our thanks go to King Heron for this kind gesture.

 

FLOATING PENNYWORT

 

The weed has been sprayed by the Environment Agency and is showing signs of dying back but it is still important for all of us to keep an eye out for any new outbreaks.

 

 

WHISTLEY MILL RIVER

 

The permit book next season will show “No Fishing” on the northern bank of the river. We do own the fishing rights on the southern bank of the venue and a part of the northern bank which is the  upstream section of the river. The access to this is causing a problem and as such we will remove it from the permit. Any members fishing this bank this season will be asked to make their way back on to the southern bank.

I have received some reports regarding the platforms that are being installed on the far bank by the syndicate that have taken it over. By all accounts the platforms will not be in residence after the venue suffers it’s first floods of the winter.

 

MATCH CANCELLATIONS

 

Could Clubs please give us as much notice as possible when cancelling matches. The Friday & Saturday prior to the booked match is too late. Only 5% of our membership are match anglers so the pleasure section have every right to complain when they find no Club fishing a booked venue.

 

MAPLEDURHAM GAME FAIR

 

RDAA have booked a stall at the event over the weekend of 21st-22nd August. Clubs have been circulated.

 

FISHERIES REPORT

 

 Unfortunately due to a mishap earlier in the month I don’t have a great deal to report, as I have only had a couple of weeks actually doing anything.

The last part of last month was spent mostly catching up with some bits and pieces that I noticed while out strimming.

This last week has been mostly spent sorting things for the future.

 

We had a call regarding two poachers on the Nursery pool at Flint, and upon investigating caught them red handed cooking a 3-4lb Tench. This is the first time we have caught poachers bang to rights, so the Police were informed, they attended and took the poachers details with a view to prosecuting them for theft under the 1968 theft act. We will be looking for some action from the Police on this one and will chase this all the way.

 

The other thing of note is the bridges at cottage lane have been installed, a little late I know but there are reasons for this. Despite the usual complaints of ‘the diggers chewed it all up, it’s all muddy’ the levels to all lakes have evened out (so, no more soggy paths etc) and I have not had one fish death reported despite this extended period of hot weather. Something I am sure we wouldn’t have been saying if we had not put the ditches in.

 

SPECIMEN GROUP CONTROLLERS REPORT

 

To date we have 177 senior members and 1 Accompanied Junior and 52 Associate permits have been sold thus far, there have been a further 3 sold since.

 

I have had reports back regarding the state of the fishing on most of the venues last month:

Sonning has seen carp to 28lb reported from the main lake along with a few 10lb+ fish from the Thames.  The bream fishing however, has yet to reach the level achieved a couple of years ago. 

 

Not much to report from Pingewood, where the weed is starting to make an impression, with carp to 20lb and tench to 6lb reported among very few captures last month.

 

Whistley Mill lake is also off to a slow start with a few carp to 19lb reported along with tench to 8lb and bream to 7lb.  The river however, has made a better start with barbel to in excess of 10lb and chub to 4lb 8oz.

 

Farnham Flint has had confirmed reports of 14 carp landed to 33lb 6oz along with tench and bream to 6lb.

 

Benyons, like Whistley River, has had a good start with 3 barbel in excess of 11lb reported along with several over 10lb, this along with chub to 5lb 4oz and a trout of 2lb 8oz have made it an excellent start, with one angler having 6 barbel in one day with the largest being 11lb 6oz!

 

 

 

July

GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT

 

WATER BOOKINGS

 

Calcot will be closed on September 18th & 19th.

Northmoor River will be closed Wednesday 7th July.

As the Water Booking Sheet was produced before a couple of Clubs ceased their Affiliation there are some alterations as below.

The following venues will be open :-  Mapledurham Beat 1 on Sunday 18th July, Northmoor Sunday 22nd August, Padworth Canal on Sunday 29th August, Wallingford "B" on Sunday  29th August, Lower Benyons "Blue" on Sunday 26th September, Beat 4"B" on Sunday 24th October,Sonning River on Sunday 7th November, Wallingford "B" on Sunday 21st November, Lower Benyons Yellow on Sunday 21st November, Salmon Cut "B" on Sunday 5th December, Beat 5A &  5B on Sunday 16th January 2011,Beat 3 "A" on Sunday 13th February 2011, Burghfield River on Sunday 27th February 2011 and  Calcot "B" on Sunday 13th March 2011.

Sandford Weir bookings to date are Sunday 22nd August.  Sunday 26th September and  Sunday 31st October.

These bookings are all shown and any updates can be found on our website under Water Booking Updates.

FLOATING PENNYWORT

 

The Environment Agency should have completed surface spraying the weed with an approved weedkiller  week commencing June 14th. This will be from Longwater Lake to Fobney Lock including Foudry Brook although Green Park have confirmed the weed is no longer visible in Longwater Lake and down to the Island Road bridge on Foudry Brook.

 Hopefully this will be the end of the weeds presence but it is still important to report any sightings of the weed.

 

BEAT 5

 

I understand we now have a tarmac footpath to walk along on this venue, should make transportation of fishing equipment a little easier.

 

WHISTLEY MILL RIVER

 

Queens A.C. have not renewed  the lease on the far bank of the Loddon. A small syndicate has taken over and this is based in the Amersham area. We have no matches planned for the coming season on the river so this should not cause too many problems. I hope we can both live opposite one another in peace.

Although shown in the permit we will not be allowing far bank fishing next season on the upstream section shown in the permit due to an access problem.  Members fishing this bank this season will be asked to move to the western bank.

  

FISHERIES REPORT

 

COTTAGE LANE LAKES

 

With just the bridges to install the work to join together all four  lakes is nearly complete. First indications are that it has been a success as we have not had one single fish death reported despite the rigours of spawning and the hot sultry weather, something that in previous years has sparked problems. In addition to this I have had reported to me that anglers are catching a variety of species from all lakes something I have not heard of for years. Touch wood this continues.

 

NEW SEASON

 

Over the past few weeks you may have seen  Phil Lush and myself  walking rather lopsided due to spending to many hours with a strimmer attached to our right hips. With only one exception all the river sections have been cut without any issues. The exception is Beat 3 backwater, although the swims have been cut out the path remains uncut as someone unknown at present has changed the lock to the barrier without informing us.

I am in the process of trying to locate a key, hopefully before the first match is held on the venue.

The trimming and strimming of our lake venues will be on going and our rivers will get another visit in approximately 6 weeks in an effort to stay on top of things.

 

The annual start of season Bailiff meeting was also a success with most of the bailiffs opting to carry on, with a further three  joining.

 

VOLUNTEER

 

Three weeks ago I also had the pleasure to meet with a young man (and his family) with regard to him volunteering as part of an environmental qualification he is doing. This obviously will help out the Association from an ‘on the ground’ perspective and from a P.R view. If successful I will be looking into ways in which we could expand this.

  

SPECIMEN GROUP CONTROLLERS REPORT

 

To date we have 143 Senior members (121, 2009) and 1 Accompanied Junior (3, 2009) and 47 Associate permits have been sold thus far (51, 2009).  So I think it is fair to say we are off to a good start.  We also have a better spread of venues at this point rather than the usual rush to get on Benyons and Pingewood, which are still the top sellers of course.  But there is also an increased uptake of permits on Farnham Flint and Sonning Eye in particular.

 

During May Sonning has fished quite well with the best specimens reported being a 37lb common and a 27lb mirror.  There have also been a number of large bream caught by the carp anglers, who did not weigh them but have on several occasions stated that they were in excess of 10lb. 

 

Whistley has seen carp landed up to 24lb with some anglers catching between 5 and ten carp in one session, although there was no mention of the duration of these sessions, there have also been a number of tench to 8lb+ landed.  As is normal for this time of year the weed is starting to get up a bit now in the lake.  As a footnote; one of the regulars on the Loddon has sent some mobile phone footage of a near albino barbel he saw on the shallows.

 

On Pingewood there are carp reported to 28lb along with tench to 8lb and double figure bream, again no specific weights for these.  There is now one member on this venue who has bought a permit so that he can fish for the eels, hopefully he will let me know how he gets on as it could be quite interesting; as you may have heard there have been a couple of very large specimens to around 7lb landed from this water in the last few years.

 

There has been a variety of specimens reported from Englefield from last month, most notably 9lb 14oz tench, a 2lb roach and a 4lb 9oz perch along with bream to 7lb 5oz and a 22lb common carp.  It is good to be getting some feedback from this venue for once, normally they will not admit to even fishing there!

 

Finally, Farnham Flint; there are reports of a 39lb mirror being caught last month but I only have verified reports of fish to 34lb, with a total of around 14 carp reported over the month, also bream to 5lb along with tench to the same weight.  As mentioned above; sales for this venue are a long way in front of any previous season, so it would appear that all the hard work put into the venue earlier in the year is starting to pay dividends.

 

June

GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT

 

AFFILIATED CLUBS

 

Following the May Delegates meeting we now have four new affiliated Clubs for this season namely Tilehurst Royal British Legion Angling Section, Caversham Working Mens Angling Club, RAF Benson and Old Windsor A.C.

A reminder to all Clubs of their need to attend at least three of the four Delegates meetings. We have fined one Club for non attendance last season.

 

SANDFORD WEIR

Some Clubs have already taken up the offer to use this venue for matches even though it was too late to appear on the Water Booking sheet. Clubs can have matches on this venue for this season if they wish but must book in with Paul Wilding prior to make sure nobody else has booked it. It is also important that they report back to us with their catches as we have a years trial on the venue before we commit to a longer lease if we wish to.

 

RIVER KENNET AND WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE

We are still waiting for information on where the present Kennet committees will sit within the Directive and what if anything will happen on the Lower Kennet. I understand over 3 million pounds has been spent on the river and its tributaries especially the River Lambourne above Newbury. This amount of spend has come in the form of grants from organizations such as Natural England. The river in this area has several Sites of Scientific Interests (SSI) and these are able to attract funding. The only completed project to my knowledge east of Newbury has been the fish pass from the Kennet into the Osier Bed Stream, The Fobney Island project will be included but the proposed fishing lake has been shelved due to the cost and this only leaves the meanders to be put back into the backwater which will have little effect on the river.

 

JUNIOR & MATCH LAKE

We are still actively looking at installing a commercial type fishery on at least one of our venues. The Sonning Nursery Lake is still favourite but this is still tied up with planning permissions after gravel extraction. The other plan to use the narrow arm of Englefield Lagoon is still within the KHV restriction and it may be that if Sonning does not progress fast enough then Englefield will be first and that whilst the restriction is there nets will be provided by RDAA and not brought on to the venue.

 

KHV PINGEWOOD LAKES

I understand from CEFAS that CEMEX have restocked their Burghfield Match Lake with silver fish after attempting to remove all of the infected Carp. The stock in the lake is due its first KHV health check in October and sometime soon 150 Carp will be introduced in a large cage, these will be left for 30 days and then tested for KHV. This will be repeated again next year when hopefully we will get the all clear.

 

FLOATING PENNYWORT

The Environment Agency are at present sourcing the necessary spraying equipment to treat the weed on Foudry Brook and a small part of the  River Kennet where the weed has re-appeared after the removal last Autumn by mechanical means. The E.A. are also aware that South Reading who fish the Brook have not been able to catch anything on the venue since the removal. I would ask all of our members who fish Beat 4 & 5 regularly to look out for this weed and report back to us if found. I expect the spraying to take place within the next couple of weeks.

 

JUNIOR PROGRAMME 

This season’s programme commenced on May 8th at Cottage Lane Lake 1. Will Barnard will continue teaching our juniors even though he has terminated his job as Reading Angling Development Officer.

 

FISHERIES REPORT

 

FARNHAM FLINT

Over the last few months there have been a couple of work party’s on Farnham Flint. At which the fisheries team plus a few volunteers rebuilt some 15 or so swims. Work to clear the logs etc from the tree felling will continue throughout the summer months. I would like to thank all those who have helped out so far.

 

 

CALCOT RIVER

We have at long last got permission to install the security carpark at Calcot river. I am planning to have this installed by the end of July. There will be room for 8 cars and it is hoped that this will see a rise in members fishing a much under used venue. The lock will be a high security combination lock to which the number will be changed monthly; the current number will be available from the bailiff hotline.

 

COTTAGE LANE LAKES

I have also gained permission from the land owner at Cottage lane to dig the ditches between the lake (in affect making them one) this will be the first part of a bigger plan to try and restore the venue back to it’s former glory. I will also be resurfacing the track to the venue. Work to the swims will be high on my list come the winter when the venue is quieter.

 

BAILIFFING

The bailiffs this last year have surpassed themselves with more checks than ever before (over ½ our membership total), covering all of our venues  (if you haven’t had your permit checked you are in the minority). Factor in the very cold winter we have just had and I think you will agree they have done a great job. Thanks to them all.

 

In closing I would like to add that when selling this coming years permits can you make sure the buyer knows that their permit does not start until June the 16th as every year the bailiffs and I have to turn away new members from our waters, because they think the permit starts from when they purchase it! This also causes no end of problems on locked venues with members smashing locks because they think the numbers wrong or the locks faulty.

 

SPECIMEN GROUP CONTROLLERS REPORT

 

The work on Farnham Flint and Englefield Lagoon seems to have been well received by the membership, so well done to all involved, and thank you.

 

Fishing also seems to have picked up a bit with reports of some decent fish being caught from all of the SG venues (which can, of course, also be used by regular permit holders during the daylight hours).  Reports received are as follows:

 

Pingewood saw the capture of the brute at 50lb 8oz along with a few others.

Englefield saw a 2lb roach and 9lb 14oz tench landed

There have been carp to 24lb and a tench of 10lb caught along with several others, apparently the sport is improving almost by the day on this venue.

Sonning has seen a common carp of 35lb and a mirror of 26lb landed in April, again there were a few others landed of lesser weights to the anglers that have been putting the time in.

 

All of the venue controllers are giving me shopping lists in respect of work they feel is needed on their venues, I will try to put this together on a spreadsheet for our overworked Fisheries Officer so that he can add it to his ‘things to do’ list.

 

 

May

GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT  (Alan Hughes)

 

GREEN PARK VILLAGEAND STATION

 

There has been no update regarding the pumping down of Smallmead Lake and I understand that the railway station has been put back to September due to missing the bird nesting season.

 

NEW THAMES VENUE (SANDFORD WEIR)

 

At very late notice we have taken on a stretch of the river at Sandford in Oxford. This at present is for a trial season only and we will then have the option to extend if we wish. The venue is around 1 kilometre long with parking at one end. It is actually a backwater of the river so boat traffic will not be a problem. A large weir forms part of the venue which I am sure will attract members. If Clubs wish to swap any of their

Thames 2010-11 water bookings or want an extra venue then please ring Paul Wilding to book it. This will stop any double booking. You will also have to peg around any other persons already fishing. I have made up some permit inserts of the venue and these will be issued to all Clubs to place into the permit when issuing. We would also welcome any reports (good or bad) on the venue.

 

SONNING LEASE

 

 Following several weeks of protracted talks we have finally agreed terms for the lease of the venue. The road at present is having some maintenance work  carried out on the surface and we still have the problem of locking the venue with the sailing club. We also have an issue with the crack willows and safety.

We have had reports of the lake having  weedkiller installed by contractors for the rowing club. If members see this going on please get as many details as possible and let us know a.s.a.p.

 

RIVER LODDON

 

Some of you may be aware that the Angling Trust intervened and stopped the Environment Agency’s flood defence section removing all of the trees and bankside cover in the Lower Earley area ready for dredging of the river. The A.T. intervened after local angling pressure informed them and discussions are now ongoing with regards to the way forward. This will be a difficult one as the E.A. also have to consider the Water Framework Directive.

 

JUNIOR / MATCH LAKE UPDATE

 

Now that the Sonning lease has been agreed we will be negotiating with the land agents for Lafarge on the possible taking over of the Nursery Lake on the Henley Road. We also have the project going forward on the narrow arm of Englefield  Lagoon. I certainly hope that one if not both of these projects will be ready for the start of the 2011-12 season.

  

FISHERIES REPORT  (Del Shackleford)

 

We now have permission from the land agents to install the secure parking compound at Calcot river. I was hoping to get this in before the new river season, However, it’s looking unlikely at present. I will endeavour to get the work started a.s.a.p.

 

The landrover kindly driven into Upper Benyons has now at last been removed and barriers put in place at the field entrances to try and stop a recurrence.

 

I had a meeting with the farmer at Padworth mill earlier in the month who asked if we would be ok with him installing gates to our river section, as he is having problems with dog walkers wondering off the footpath and though his fields. These gates will be situated at the top and bottom of our section and will be locked with our locks (combination numbers in your permit) Please as always make sure they are relocked after use.

 

The track at Sonning has been resurfaced after the floods left it in a bit of a mess.

 

The barrier at Cottage lane while deterring the fly tipping (our end) has done nothing to stop the motorbikes! So far I have replaced 4 locks, we may have to look at some other ways we can go forward in solving this problem. I would urge all members to phone the police if you see anyone abusing the barrier, locks or riding motorbikes in the field.

 

The 2 weekend work parties on Farnham Flint were a success (unfortunately, only the same old faces appeared, bar 2 or 3) with work rebuilding 15 + swims completed. Work will continue to clear the felled trees in the coming months.

I would like to thank all those that attended the 2 weekends.

 

I have now been granted permission from the landowner at Cottage lane to commence the digging of the ditches as described last month. This will take place in the coming weeks. Unfortunately, I will have to close the whole venue for around a week, signs will be posted at the venue and I will also post something on the website.

 

SPECIMEN GROUP CONTROLLERS REPORT  (Paul Millington)

 

To date we have 248 Senior and 8 Accompanied Junior members. I am still receiving a few calls and e-mails regarding the availability of part year permits, but not in any great quantity now, most calls are regarding the availability of permits for next season. I have also had my first two applications for next season in the last couple of weeks, they obviously wanted to book early to avoid disappointment.

Not much reported on the fishing front; Pingewood has had reports of common carp to 25lb, Farnham Flint; carp to 31lb 14oz and bream to 6lb and Sonning has had tench to 9lb along with a few bream along with a few average sized pike, but no reports of any carp landed. The venue controller did say though that all the fish he has seen from Sonning are in excellent condition.

There are also quite a few trees down at Sonning with some having fallen into the lake adjacent to the swims, it seems that a bit of a cleanup is required but I am sure that Del will have noted this when removing the trees that were obscuring the bridge alongside the Thames.

 

 
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