Banks cleared of excess growth, hot weather and weed is a challenge, memberships being processed

A lockdown cleanup of swims and paths

During 'lockdown' the South Pond's vegetation and wildlife have enjoyed a human free environment and optimum growing conditions. Our thanks to all members who respected the no-fishing guidance. We did have a small group of illegal fishers that were dealt with by the police.

The vegetation and pondweed thrived and since re-opening for angling the quantity has become a problem.The efforts of Match Secretary Andy Weavil and of member Clifford Martin and his family (also members) have cleared much overgrown bankside growth. A big thank-you to them in these trying times.

Match angling can restart

Andy Weavil, match secretary, has researched that match fishing could resume under stricter participation guidance. We are looking at how the Match Calendar can be amended to facilitate the start of competitions. We expect participating anglers will be low in number as many are of pension age (but not all!). Members will be informed of an amended Match Calendar in the near future.

However, the vigorous weed growth makes many swims unviable for fishing. The weed stretches the whole distance of the Winchester Road bank.. The weed also extends from the bank margins to the centre of the pond and to the trees flanking 'Fairlawns' house and grounds. It effectively means nine swims are unfishable for feeder tactics. Float fishing is also a lottery in attempting to find a weed-free patch of water.

Andy with George Martin and other Martin family members have pencilled in a weekend to use boats to clear as much weed as possible. This will be done following social distancing rules but the recent deteriorating weather has meant a postponement.

Hot weather and weed growth is a challenge

A small number of members who had renewed (by post) fished the water in June. Results were disappointing. You may catch a good size fish but take 3 or 4 hours to do so. Good size perch have been caught close in and a large bream has shown itself.

If you can find a weed free patch, then float fishing has produced good bags of plump roach and rudd with the odd 'specimen'. A mini tench has been caught but in the last bout of heat the fishing dropped off again.

Steve Edge fished for Rudd and Roach during the last week of June in the heat. The water was very clear showing large weed clumps everywhere off his swim. Not many fish were caught but carp were thrashing in the shallows spawning. They were in the weed, under flotsam by the boom, against the swim sides to the left and right and even behind him as the swim juts further out into the pond. Some were almost throwing themselves onto the swim tops that were closer to the water surface.

Carp of large to match size were swimming past, close in to the front of the swim. They meandered through the weed singularly or in twos and threes and even a shoal of 5. They were simply intent on spawning. Not interested in any bait at all, even if presented on their noses. Any bank that had full sun was busy with carp.

So, the fish are there. Just need to catch them!

Memberships now being processed

As lockdown rules eased and fishing was allowed again, membership renewals were processed by post. New memberships are also now being processed.

August and September activities

The match calendar has had to be reworked taking into account the latest rules on lockdown and social distancing. The four Evening matches are proposed to start in July and continue into August. The Martin Eustace match and the Carp Only match are also scheduled for August. There is then a break in matches until the Match Series starts at the end of September. with the pressure on dates to fit matches in, arrangements are being looked at so that leisure fishing can take place alongside match fishing but on opposite sides of the South Pond.

Two work parties are also proposed, on 26th July and 13th September, but may have to be rearranged depending on latest government lockdown guidance on social distancing

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 on the form and on the web site). Membership renewals and applications are only being processed by post. The membership year runs from mid-June. Membership renewals and applications for the 2020-21 season are now open.

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 place.

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