Getting stuck in

With just a week left until the end of the Coarse Season (on 14th March) and indeed of our own Winter Fishing Season, there have been a few more members taking advantage of the low river levels and the dry weather. Not many Grayling have been caught unfortunately, but there is a strong consensus that although catches have been fewer, the Grayling caught have been much bigger than in previous years. Not sure why this is, but it'll be interesting to see what happens in future years, and whether perhaps this is cyclic.

Nigel and Matt have been busy restoring steps and ladders in preparation for next season, including sorting out some petty vandalism on 3a, and Nigel and I have just installed some Barley Straw bales into the Reservoir to help control the blue-green algae.

Although the weather has improved, and the banks are a lot less slippery, do bear in mind that some of our parking areas are still very soft, and unless it stays completely dry until April, they need to be treated with respect and suspicion. You may have seen the recent guidance on parking at the Reservoir - do not even think about driving down to the side of the reservoir.

You should also be very careful when parking at Share Farm (when the new season starts), as that can be very soft, but be particularly careful at Stone Bridge.

En route to the Reservoir this morning, Nigel and I had to help a member's Discovery out of the mud at Stone Bridge, with a tow-rope, and 3 strong members pushing. Even then it was touch and go, so do not try and park off the track in the parking area or you will get stuck.

We do have tentative plans for improving the parking area there, but it won't happen quickly, even if we can get the appropriate consent.

I hope you're making the most of the good weather nonetheless, and do be sure to let us know if you fish the Reservoir, even if you don't catch anything.

Cheers

PeterB