Fishery Development
This year the necessity was to spend the majority of time and funds on club owned waters.
Decoy:
The road side of the lake was renovated with new swims and the path was laid with stone chippings (mot). We repaired the bridge along the main path and laid the path with mot chippings as well as enlarged the car park. It doesn’t sound like a lot but it was and it was hard work and there still is a lot to do. The plan is to repair all the swims (field side) and to build purpose built swims on the causeway, but not this year. This year we are going to look at planting aquatic plants in between the swims (road side) to give a few more features to fish to in the margins and we are still progressing with the potential new lake in the wooded area between the car park and the main lake. While the lake is closed, it will be netted so we can see exactly what stock we have in the lake. We can assess what, if any, stocking is required and finally the usual pruning and trimming.
George Cragg pond:
If you haven’t seen the pictures on the website or seen the pond, work started in October. The pond has been completely de-silted, redesigned with margins and deep bowls. After initial problems due to banks collapsing, the pond is now starting to fill up and work is in full flow on the construction of the disabled and permanent swims. The landscaping and planting has been planned and designed to suit the type of pond which will include lilies, bulrushes, wild grass and reeds. Planting will commence early spring.
As for the stocking of fish it has been decided to make George Cragg pond a specimen pond and stock Tench, Crucians and Perch only. We have taken advice from specialists and an initial stocking plan will commence from August. Due to the amount of work carried out, the pond will be closed until further notice so it can establish itself.
On both Club owned waters a height security barrier will be installed, this measure has to be taken as there has been fly tipping, poaching and maintenance materials have been stolen. Yes we are spending time and money on club owned waters, but when the projects are completed the amount of maintenance will be minimal, which is good as work party attendance is crap!
To finish off, our friends at the Environment Agency have held several open fishing days at Decoy which were a great success, they are very impressed with the club and they awarded us a grant of £5000 towards the renovation of George Cragg pond which covered a big chunk of the cost.
I would like to thank the maintenance team for their hard work and everybody who helped especially the tea ladies!
To all members if you hear or see lakes, ponds for sale let me know as we are still actively looking.
Thanks
Chris Poore
Fishery Development Officer