Waterside News
December 2024
Hot-cross buns are now officially off the menu and the start of the long season of mince pies has now begun. Whether these two food items are linked to global warming is unknown,but gone are the days when they were only available at Easter and Christmas. Carp fishing this year seems to have followed suit with fish still showing despite the drop in temperature over the last few weeks.
Well Storm Bert,like its name, was short and to some not very sweet. There has been no major damage at any of our lakes other than leaves,small twigs and branches coming down. There is a tree over at the Orchard that has a gained a bit of a lean, but other than that the rain was welcome.
November's matches have all taken place without any major hiccups, but can I remind all members to check the match dates and venues to avoid being asked to move as a specific lake is designated for a competition. All these matches are listed on this web-site and can be accessed by phone or there will be a notice displayed on site beforehand.There is a lot of work that has gone into the planning and organising of the matches so please take a couple of minutes to check,especially at weekends, so your planned session does not clash with a match.
Down to the matches,Float 2 was fished at the Abbey Lake and was won by Paul Barrell with a weight of 13lb 15oz.
On the subject of the Abbey, could the member who joined under the name of Dr. Bruce Banner,alias "The Hulk", have a thought for us mere mortals and not stretch the chain across the entrance so tight it takes two people to unlock the gate. Thank you.
Gary Bateman won the OAP match on Cox Lake with a top weight of 107lb 12oz with Adrian Loughton winning the Silver pool with 13lb 12oz. This was a Float only match.
The 4 Lake Challenge final match took place on the Abbey. This is a sectional match with Paul Barrell and Ged Spurgin winning their respective sections. Although Ged won the match on the day, Paul won the overall competition.
And finally, Float 3 was fished on Bramley with Gary Page winning with a weight of 11lb 7oz having some bonus fish in the last half hour.
Part of the "Keep Britain Tidy" campaign is to make people aware of cigarette butts. The fibres in the filter tips of cigarettes are made of plastic and hence are not bio-degradable. The TV and media promotion shows a Mallard Duck following somebody home, and dropping their discarded cigarette end back on their doorstep. If you go on-line and type in "butt box" you can get a free box to put your cigarette ends in rather than leave them as litter.Do not scroll down for alternative interpretations of this heading!!
This is a monthly reminder to all of you that wonder how the lakes manage to look so great,tidy and well managed.Well the secret is that there is a group of dedicated members who are not getting any younger who give up their time to go gardening on an industrial scale.Anybody who can spare a few hours during the week to help clear the swims and surrounding areas ready for the start of next season, will be more than welcome. The group maintaining the Orchard meet on a Wednesday morning at around 08:30hrs and tasks will involve strimming, clearing etc.Those maintaing the Lake at Alresford meet up on a Thursday morning at the same time and will be clearing general vegetation.The work is done mid-week so as not to encroach on weekends so if you have a few hours to spare,please lend a hand. It is your club and it is for your benefit.
The Angling Trust and Fish Legal are responding to the proposals in the current consultation on the reform of Bathing Water Regulations by DEFRA and the Welsh Government.They need anglers and angling clubs to act now to stop a massive loophole in the proposed new Bathing Water Regulations which could see canoes, kayaks, rowing boats and even powered craft designated as ‘bathers’ and disturbing fish and fishing on small rivers where currently no navigation is allowed.Obviously this does not directly affect us as a club, but I would urge all members to join the Angling Trust as they support our sport nationally and represent all anglers whether they be sea,freshwater or game fishermen. If you go on to the web site BWC@anglingtrust.net you will be able to lend your support to this campaign and register your views to your MP.As a group we are not known as placard wavers but we do need to be heard.
This time of the year there are still the hardy few that sit by the water's edge and are rewarded by a bend in the rod tip. Alresford is producing one or two Pike to lures but they seem very shy to deadbaits at present. Silver fish tend to shoal up,so it is a case of being in the right place at the right time and dropping a bait on their nose and not a case of more bait more fish.Perch,Bream and Roach will carry on through the winter months but the bites will be lighter and fewer and maggot tends to be favourite. Although there is always a bait of the day. So,If you don't go you won't know.Once again,our friends at iCarp gave us a tank of silver fish. These comprised of Bream, Roach and Perch and went into the stock of Alresford lake and were provided with the consent of the Environment Agency
Through history despite the wishes of us all for peace on earth and goodwill to all men, December has seen a lot of significant and turbulent history. Some of the more inoccuous events are,in 1508 London has piped water again. The first time in a thousand years since the Romans left. 2nd December 1891 a patent for toilet paper was taken out to cover 100 years by Joseph Gavelly.Part of the patent resolves the arguement that the roll should be mounted up and over not the other way round.Both these subjects remain relevant in this current age of supply and demand.
So at this time of the year can we the Committee wish all of you,your friends and familes a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year, and thank you for your support through 2024.
​​ As always,stay safe,enjoy your fishing and look out for one another
Tight Lines to you all.
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