Waterside News

Here we are, officially in the throws of winter. If you have forgotten to alter your clocks, you may find that when you have turned up to meet someone, they have already been and gone. So, October has been and gone and it has been a month of ups and downs. One of the ups has definitely been the appearance of rain. An item that has been sadly lacking over the past few months. The daytime temperature has dropped and nights are definitely cooler and a definite recipe for more water in our lakes. Not being a killjoy, but long may it continue. The seagulls in the middle of Alresford lake are now floating rather that strolling around.

Due to the change in weather,it has been decided to open up Alresford Lake to Pike fishing this month. Please read the club rules regarding fishing for and the handling of Pike. Despite them being a ferocious predator, they really are a delicate fish when it comes to handling and returning to the water.

One of the downs this month has been our recorded entry onto the Land Register. After a two year wait, they have entered us as Alresford Anglian Association which is an annoying spelling mistake and hopefully will not take two years to rectify ! After constantly being referred to as Alresford Angling Association, what possessed them to make us a geographical area is puzzling at the least.

Also on the down subject, as members you are expected to maintain the security of the clubs waters by not disclosing the gate code to non-members unless accompanied and with a Guest ticket. Unfortunately, a person was found camping on one of our lakes and was asked to leave immediately. Details of the person have been circulated to the club's bailiffs and committee members. The fact that you pay a membership fee to get exclusive rights to fish our waters certainly does not entitle them to use them for free. If you are approached by a Committee member, bailiff, or any member to show proof of membership, please comply. They only have the club's interest in mind.

On the up side this time, there are still a few items of tackle that have been donated and are free to any deserving member, They are:-

1 x 12.5 mtr pole

2 x Keepnets plus holdall

2 x 13ft match rods

1 x Shakespeare Fixed Spool Reel

1 x Grice and Young Centre-pin Reel

Please contact Mike Day on 07896 938533 or e-mail at mickandpenny@hotmail.co.uk

Just a reminder to all members, please read the match fixture list contained in this web-site or the notices on the gates prior to match day. If the lake is closed due to a match being fished, you will be asked to leave and fish one of the other lakes.

The month of October has been a busy month for competitions with three OAP matches, three league and trophy matches and one team match. The team match was fished at home between us, AAA, and the Police and was won by us with a weight of 22lb 11oz against 7lb 112oz, with the next match being an away match. The three OAP matches were fished on the Abbey,Bramley and Worcester with a two being hard going and a nice Roach coming out of the Abbey. The 4 Float Challenge leg, fished on Cox Lake was won by Nick Austin with a weight of 104lb 4oz. The Autumn 2 match fished on Worcester Lake was hard going with long waits before any fish showed. This was won by John Popkin with a weight of 19lb 13oz who then went onto win the Autumn 3 on Bramley Lake with a weight of 21lb 7oz, despite drawing un unfavoured peg.

Many of you will have noticed the heavy cropping of acorns, sloes, berries, etc. This abundance of seeds and berries is known as a "mast year" when all the trees and shrub produce a super crop to allow for predators and still have enough seeds left over for future generations. The last year this occured at this level was in 2020 although a lesser one took place in 2022. Anybody that has night fished will know the size and numbers of acorns that have bombarded their bivvy. And on a plus note the Hornets on Alresford Lake seem to have disappeared .

Now that the Abbey has regained its level there are one or two nice Carp making an appearance, unlike there cousins in Alresford Lake that are few and far between although weight-wise,they are worth the wait.The odd Tench is still making an appearance on all the lakes along with Roach of over a pound.

Please be reminded to take your rubbish home with you. There are still instances of plastic water bottles and drinks cans being left on site.

  As always, stay safe , look after one another and enjoy your fishing.

                                                Tight Lines