All the news from Bridgwater Angling Association's AGM

11:46am Saturday 24th March 2007

Comments (0)   Have your say »

BRIDGWATER Angling Association Ltd held its AGM at the Town Hall on March 20, writes GARY WARD. The chairman covered in some detail what had happened during the year, both on the fishing and financial side.

Briefly, this is what has been happening on BAA waters: Dunwear - This complex still looks good and is producing good weights. Only full-permit and weekly-permit holders are allowed to night-fish this water. Day tickets are from dawn to dusk only.

Screech Owl - This is part of the Dunwear licence and holds some nice fish. We are asking members who observe any misuse of the pond to try and stop it or report it to our head bailiff as soon as possible. It is a nature reserve and Somerset County Council insists that it must be part of the Dunwear licence.

Canal & Docks - The government has cut its grant to the British Waterways Board, who control canals. This has caused redundancies. Both Bridgwater and Taunton AAs have pressed the BWB that they must do work on the growth of weed and rush. The canal is a summer, as well as winter, water and the growth has affected both clubs' permit sales. The BWB have promised to do more and will work with both match secretaries to clear the areas most fished by members. They are also looking at repairs to the track at Fordgate.

Walrow - A lot of money has been spent on improving this complex. An island has been created, with more bank space and swims, while the whole area has been cleaned. Some re-stocking has taken place and all this has been paid for by the night-fishing account. The BAA's thanks go to Highbridge AA, their partners in overseeing the project. Members must park inside the complex and not on the track, as clamping policy is being implemented. Only full-permit holders are allowed to fish for £5 and no juniors are allowed. This is to comply with Highbridge AA rules and policy.

KSD - This water is still producing some good weights. The cycle track between Parchy and Bradney should assist the less mobile to use that bank and should not interfere too much with members.

Huntspill - This has a good head of fish of all species, although not many pleasure anglers use it. Although access to the bank has still not been improved, the association does try to do this and will continue in its attempts. Because a Division-One match is being held on the water, the Environment Agency is to spend a very large sum on weed and rush removal, which will benefit members.

Combwich - In May last year, there was a loss of 13 carp with ulcers on them. The whole pond was closed until the EA had tested some fish and given the all-clear. The association has spent a lot of money on developing a causeway, which has created a silver-fish pond, with islands and more better and larger banks. All overhead power cables have been removed and buried along the boundary. There is now a disabled-friendly toilet. The small pond has been stocked with £3,764 worth of silver fish and eight female carp, which have been tagged, have also been stocked.

The association is allowing only full members and weekly ticket-holders to night-fish Combwich, with day ticket-holders from dawn to dusk. The gates are being changed to make the complex more secure and there will be a padlock system. Members using the village entrance are reminded of the planning conditions regarding vehicle movement. The general public will not be allowed to enter the complex, which is for members only, so any rubbish left will be members' and will be dealt with internally. The complex looks very promising, but it will require members to watch for and stop misuse.

Among concerns raised by members at the AGM was the problem with vehicle access, particularly along the Huntspill. The EA are adamant that they will not allow any vehicles along the banks, but, with it soon to be a Division-One water, who knows, there could be some movement on this.

Also raised was the question of irresponsible dog-owners, who fail to clean up. Areas of concern are certain stretches of the canal and Dunwear. The BWB and the council have both put dog-waste bins along parts of both areas, but some dog-owners just can't be bothered.

The meeting also heard that there would be a change of rules, which will be in the new permit. The association have asked the EA if the barrier at Silverfish could be raised a little, as only small cars and small MPVs can get under it.

Finally, the Blake Museum has a display in tribute to the late Ray Perrott, who did a great deal for angling in the west country, was chairman and match secretary of Bridgwater AA and was still helping out until he passed away.