Dear Member,
Well, over halfway through the year itself and into the fifth month of our fishing season!! Doesn’t time fly when you get older?!!
There is a competition on the match lake on Sunday 17th August 2008, which is being run by “Big” John Reed. The draw is 5.00 a.m. and the competition runs from 6.00 a.m. till 2.00 p.m. Personally, I think that all anglers are barking mad, but John really does take the biscuit (mind you, I will be picking John up on that morning so no doubt he will be giving me a dirty phone call at 4.00 a.m. – so that must make me as barking as the rest of you!!!)
The gate is still being left open!! Please, remember to shut it behind you (unless there is someone going in or coming out and ensure that they will close it behind them, please) and scramble the combination number – which for those of you, who are unable to remember, is 1876.
We would also like to remind all members that you must take your rubbish home and dispose of it and not leave it littering up the lake and its’ surrounding land. You are also reminded that whilst you may use a disposable barbecue, you cannot have a fire at the lake and you must make sure that you take your rubbish home. I draw to your attention the matter of the fires – Bylaw number 6 and litter comes under bylaw number 10.
Podge and I have both been down the lake recently and found that there have been several anglers using 4 rods!! Whilst we know that those of you who hold a three-rod membership (and have provided us with the necessary copies of your rod and line licences) this does not mean that you can use four rods on Chartham and District Angling Society waters!! We will have to take action if we catch anyone else!! We have spoken to those anglers that we have caught, but for the rest of the members who think that this does not matter – YOU HAVE NOW HAD FAIR WARNING!!! You may only fish using up to the number of rods that you have paid for. This means, 2 rods – then no more than two lines in the water, 3 rods, then no more than three rods. Please do not abuse this – remember, the three rods was brought in and is still being monitored!!!
The Committee would also like to draw to your attention that the lake is being looked after regularly by three members who are maintaining the grassy areas on a voluntary basis. The grass is being cut on a two-week rota. They are doing this at the request of the Committee. WE WILL NOT PERMIT ANY MEMBER TO GET ABUSIVE AND RUDE WITH ANOTHER MEMBER, LET ALONE A MEMBER WHO IS DOING ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE WORK THAT THE COMMITTEE HAVE ASKED THEM TO DO!! Please remember that the work that is being done is to enhance your fishing pleasure and after all, if you do not/or are unable to attend the workparties then please remember, these volunteers also turn up and do all of the workparties as well as doing the work that the Committee has asked of them in addition. Please do not moan at them.
Something else has also come to light; we would like to warn members that we expect ALL ANGLERS who fish that we would like to see unhooking mats in use. We know of a member who was carp fishing and caught a carp that was in a landing net (which was not anywhere big enough for the size of the fish) put directly onto the gravel. This is totally unacceptable. If you wish to continue being a member of Chartham and District Angling Society, then make sure that you come fully equipped for fishing. NO EXCEPTIONS. If you are fishing for carp, we would like to see a net size of NO LESS than 36”.
Talking of workparties, at the Annual General Meeting, Podge Terry suggested that the members come up with some ideas of any work that needs doing around the lake (personally, I think that he’s getting old and can’t remember what needs doing!!!) and it’s surrounding land. If you have any ideas, please let us know. We really would like to know what you think. It is hard when we get no feedback from you, the members, we hear rumours, but nothing that we can use. Help us to make fishing more enjoyable to you. The next workparty will be on Sunday 4th January 2009. Please assemble in the first car park at 8.30 a.m. Food will be supplied as well as tea and coffee (Carol Boden and I must be mad turning out on a cold Sunday morning that early after New Year) but we would love to see as many of you as possible.
I would also like to remind ALL ANGLERS that fishing should be a pleasant and relaxing hobby. This is for everyone to enjoy, so please remember to respect your fellow anglers when at the lake and keep disturbance to a minimum. We all know that competitions can be a little boisterous, but for those who just come for a quiet few hours or a quiet night, please treat all anglers with the respect that you would like to be treated with. That goes for the way in which our fish-stocks are treated. They must be returned to the water carefully and in good condition.
Finally, for those of you who are still waiting for your membership, please give me a call. I have about a dozen that I am unable to send out, as I have no idea who the photographs that are amongst them belong to!! This is why I have always asked for names to be on the back of the photographs for. It is fine for those members who are renewing membership, but for those of you who are new, it is impossible to know what you look like!!!
That is all for now. Until next time,
Tight Lines.
Jane E. Flippence
Hon Secretary,
Chartham and District Angling Society