The new season has started, the Evening Matches are ideal for summer evenings and the first Junior/Adult joint match will be on 15th July

The new membership year started on 16th June

The new season is now open and with warm summer days there is a lot to look forward to for general pleasure angling and for competitions. Two new matches have been introduced into the programme this year - a mid-summer match and a joint Junior/Adult match. No weed is present at the moment so fishing should be easier than last summer.

Barley straw bales have sunk

The barley straw bales were put in place a few weeks ago but have sunk. This has not happened before, they usually float all season, used by the water fowl as a refuge. It may have been the exceptionally heavy rain during a few storms that caused it. New bales will be put in as replacements. The barley straw bales help to reduce the possibility of an algal bloom which can result in a low oxygen level and fish deaths.

The fish are spawning

A concerned member of the public mentioned fish in distress, but the water quality is fine and it is most likely that it was spawning in progress. Just in case the pond pump was put on to keep the oxygen level high. The second pump cannot be used as the moment as it  has a coot nesting on top.

Illegal fishing

During a regular licence check by the EA a number of individuals were seen illegally fishing using multiple rods and hand lines. They were presumably fishing to take away what they caught. Those involved made their escape before they could be approached. If anyone sees any suspicious activity on the South Pond please call the EA incident hotline on 0800-807-060.

July & August activities

July has four matches, three of the Evening Match series plus the newly introduced Junior/Adult match. The idea of this new match is to encourage more Juniors to fish by having a joint junior and supervising adult pair. The junior competitor fishes but the adult can provide guidance on tackle and method of fishing. There are three matches in August, the final Evening Match and the Carp Only and Martin Eustace memorial match.

Joining the Club

If you are interested in joining the club please contact our membership secretary Cathy Naylor on 07934-895513 for an application form. Alternatively, applications can be made by downloading a membership form from the website and sending, with an SAE, to our membership secretary (details above and on the web site). The membership year runs from mid-June.

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.

Club web site

For more information about the club and its activities, the club's web site can be found at lb

www.bwpfc.org.uk

Barry Jerome