Bishops Waltham Parish Fishing Club
Bishops Waltham Parish Fishing Club
Evening Matches
Two matches of the Evening Series have been fished to date. The competition is fished on total weight caught over four matches with each match lasting three hours. With the prolific weed growth this year only swims 13-18 on the Station Road bank have been used for the competition. Also, a more even competition was predicted if the fishing styles were limited to pole or waggler fishing. Leger or feeder fishing into weed would compromise fish welfare and so was excluded as a viable fishing method.
Match 1, on 20th June, was fished by 5 members on a balmy Saturday evening. In total, 33 lbs 21/2 oz of fish were caught. This is a low weight for a summer evening. Perhaps too many fish have been lost in the North Pond? Associate member Chris Shepherd won the match from swim 14. Despite leaving his rod and pole top sections at home, he caught 16 lbs 111/2 oz fishing the waggler to a weed patch at about 15 metres on borrowed tackle. He achieved his weight using a rod, reel and float loaned from Steve Edge. Steve came second with just under 6 lbs using the pole to 11m. Steve graciously declined to accept 10% of Chris’ weight! Other weights were in the 4-5 lbs range. Andy Weavil fished the long pole but struggled from swim 18, landing 1 lb 15 oz. On the positive side, good quality roach and bream are being landed.
This quality of silver fish was repeated in Match 2, fished on July 4th. Six members competed and weights were up. In total 48 lbs 21/2 oz was caught. Another warm evening saw a good start for most who were fishing but sport tailed off as twilight became more like dusk. Carp were more prevalent but not in numbers that would normally be expected. No particular bait caught consistently well! Roger Pilling was the best on the night from swim 13 using his secret mix: bread (or is it pellet and paste)? He landed an impressive mixed bag of 19 lb 3oz. Not unlucky for him, then. Perhaps it is the bolognaise rod he uses that reaches parts of the Pond others cannot reach! Prof (Paul Moriarty) came second on swim 14 with 12 lbs 15 oz including a fine bream to 1 lb 5 oz. Other weights ranged from 4-6 lbs but all agreed it was hard work. Andy Weavil maintained his form from swim 16. He caught rapidly from the start with four fish in the first 20 minutes. This was worrying everyone around him but that was it! He weighed in 71/2 oz. Commiserations, Andy. We have all been there.
Restrictions on swims used and fishing methods may be applied to other matches
The restrictions on swims used and type of fishing may need to be applied to the other matches this season, at least until the weed dies down. Also the weed growth is so prolific from the Winchester Road swims that leger and float fishing is almost impossible. Float fishing is achievable from the Station Road side.
Weed cutting work party held
A work party was held before the opening of the new membership year in June to cut back some of the excessive weed growth. Areas in front of each swim were cut to give clear areas for fishing. The weed will be a challenge for anglers whether leisure fishing or in the competitions and will certainly test everyone's skills to find the best approach to catching fish. The water weed (photo attached), which is growing rampantly, appears to be a type of Water-milfoil, possibly the Eurasian Water-milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) which is native (http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/spiked-water-milfoil).
Water Milfoil
The weather conditions this year seem to have been ideal for its rampant growth. It is providing food for the many water birds which have made their way to the South Pond. It is also a good weed for wildlife and provides habitats for many invertebrates, which in turn provide food for the fish. Although it makes fishing more difficult, it may boost the size of fish which can be caught.
Some of the water birds on the S Pond
August, September and October activities
August is a busy month for competitions. Saturday 1st August is the final match of the Evening match series, then there are the Carp Only match and the annual competition held in memory of Martin Eustace, a former Club Chairman who was very keen on the wildlife of the pond as well as the fishing. September sees the start of the Match Series which continues through the autumn and winter. The full set of competitions is in the latest version of the Match Calendar which can be downloaded from the website.
Joining the Club
If you are interested in joining the club please contact our membership secretary Cathy Naylor on 07934-895513, or contact our chairman Roland Palmer (after 6pm) on 01489-894063 for an application form, or download one from our website. The membership year runs from mid-June. Membership is open for renewals and can be done by downloading a 2015-16 form from the website and sending, with an SAE, to our membership secretary (details above and on the web site). New members are also welcome to apply.
Membership is open to anyone who lives in Bishops Waltham, plus a number of Associate membership places (for those living outside the Parish). Priority is given to Parish membership (especially juniors), but anyone living outside of the Parish wishing to join should contact Cathy for an Associate Membership space for the 2015/16 season.
It is rare for anglers not to catch fish at the pond, which makes it ideal both for more experienced anglers and for youngsters starting out. As a mixed fishery, with fish like carp, roach, rudd, bream, perch and the odd eel - there is something for everyone. There are carp to 10lb plus, many between 6lb and 8lb, lots of roach, bream and also perch over 1lb. If you love your fishing and don’t want to travel far then join us - your local club. Its always nice to see new anglers on the bank and hopefully we will also see you at the matches.
Club web site
For more information about the club and its activities, the club's web site can be found at:
www.bwpfc.org.uk
Steve Edge and Barry Jerome