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Shropshire Anglers' Federation
www.cormorantwatch.org
The Angling Trust has launched a new web site for you and your fishing friends to record sightings of cormorants, goosanders and mergansers throughout the UK
www.cormorantwatch.org
January news from the Chair
Plan your visit
We announced this new feature in June and by all accounts is being well used and reports are that the map is easy to use.
This new feature is aimed at the travelling angler. Hit the FISHERIES TAB and under the sub heading "Plan your visit" hit the red Google extension.
You will see a Google map, zoom into individual fisheries, find parking options, where fisheries start and finish, where to buy permit etc. Simply zoom in and print off.
ONLINE DAY PERMIT
Simon our I.T. man reports success as he has this new element working in the background and just a little fine tune and should be able to go live on this one very soon.
Simply fill the form in, pay via PayPal / credit card and print off along with your payment receipt and rules page.
Oxon Pool
VOLUNTEER DAYS
We wish to have a number of these and it is so difficult to get one day where we invite say a dozen people and find only three can make that day.
So to resolve this, if any of you can spare two or three hours to help, can you please register this by e-mail or phone me
( saf@oldcolonial.org.uk or 07813 544881).
All I need is your mobile number in effect. This will create a pool of contact numbers.
It will work like this, the committee decide on a day and start time. I will send to the entire pool a text message.
Something like “SAF Oxon 10 am Friday the 10th Jan”.
Simply if can spare an hour or three just turn up, if we can get fifty volunteer options then if only 20% can turn out, great!
Well the opening day went well December 1st
Some twelve fish went to 5 rods
All rods were on Pike and 12 lbs topped the day
Initially you will be fishing best described as wild river tactics to get to the pegs. The undergrowth is dying back and you will be able to reach your destination peg. In the spring before the new flush of fauna starts we will have laid pathways direct to the pegs
Certainly the winter Pike campaigners are in for a treat!
Requirements:
Annual SAF membership and E/A licence – carry them with you as you will need them to get your day permit
Day permit £4.00 for SAF members
Available from Total Angling – Frankwell Post Office
Morris Leisure Caravan site
Caravan / Angler
Day permit sales are from your Morris Leisure Caravan site reception
£7.00 for non SAF members The £7 includes £3.00 SAF day membership
We have four bailiff covering the pool and no day permits will be sold on the bank for this water.
Your reminded of the safety of this pool around the pegs to waters edge, which this summer has ebbed away from the peg line.
What looks like ground is probably just peat at 5 feet deep.
This last week has seen four solid days of work put in on the far side of the pool. In the main Health & Safety work for dead trees overhanging Morris Leisure ground.
An extension of this work has produced the option to create one long peg of some 40 to 50 feet, being fed by a fence line wood chip pathway with a similar path connecting the peg to the fence path. Very much just the groundwork being completed at this stage with the spring seeing the fulfilment.
However as I have already said this year is infrastructure not management.
In the time given and the forced lay off due to the Wildlife Act I personally feel we have achieved much and indeed it could be said we could have achieved more. That said the whole project is given to volunteer help and they are few and far between, although we are lucky in having the ardent few and we thank them publicly. Getting everyone together on a given day is more problematical than you would believe.
Concentrating on infrastructure not management at this point next week we embark on phase three as to some tree clearing on the Morris Leisure side of the pool with the felling of some twenty two trees, these are all dead ash that have died from wet feet. The area we are concentrating on will be from the Morris Leisure wicket towards the A5 for a hundred yards.
The dead crowns are being removed from the site, however the trunks will be utilised and laid as the foundations of a new path or four fishing pegs also in this cleared area, thus completing our intention of 75% waterside left to nature and 25% given over to fishing.
Also in year three we hope to introduce a “rest-awhile” open fronted log cabin style shelter, this will be dug into the bank under the second car park and afford a stunning view of the entire pool.
I must repeat that myself, the SAF Executive Committee have always stated both publicly and to ShropshireCouncil this project was a three year project to fulfilment and it is not possible to create infrastructure and at the same time introduce a rolling management system. A system that will be be the norm and keep the site most agreeable to the eye.
Butlers Pool
This training pool is primarily aimed at juniors, who fish free of charge up to the age of twelve. However they can only fish in the company of an elder. We do not mean in the company of a fourteen year old, we mean Mum or Dad or Granddad / Grandma, whosoever must be an annual member of the SAF.
Of the nine pegs five are held over for training. Any SAF annual member can fish if they wish on a day permit basis like Radbroook Pool simply ask for a permit, at Total Angling they cost £4.00.
A word of caution
This water is very deceptive, the road end of the pool being 7 foot in depth and the opposite end being four foot six inches. These depths are achievable less than 3 feet from the bank waters edge.
Fancy a fishery a bit more secluded a stones throw away, then look at our Maids Fishery web page back on the fisheries tab.
This is an SAF created club from within the SAF and looking for more members?
It was tapping too much for a carp, but it gave a heck of an account of itself so I could not work out what it was. It kept very low. At one point I thought I had the Roach of a lifetime when the flash of silver couldn't be a carp but it was a Chub of 4lb 2oz.
I also took 3 Carp to over 7lb, which for 21st December has to be a cracking days winter fishing. It really is an excellent little fishery for a quiet day in the countryside. I have been 3 times now: buying tickets from Total Angling.
I thought you would want to know about the Chub!
Dave Matthias
If only other anglers would give us feedback like this it would be great
MOUSECROFT POOL
My plea for a Electrician, a Bricklayer and a Ground worker
Thank you so much we have now the help we need.
Water levels are starting to recover with the much needed rain, not much granted but an improvement all the same.
I am pleased to announce the supply ditch completion. Complete save for passing under the pathways. Also that an electrical supply has now been agreed and we await connection to start pumping.
An electrical supply is now in the pipeline and await the urgent completion.
Water level
Well this summer the following has taken place in relation to this problem for your information:
Investigations have taken place to discover if a leak was the cause, if so a remedy had been cost quoted and organised if required. This was found not to be the cause.
Emergency water supply from the quarry pit 100 yards behind the pool had been organised with Shropshire Fire Service at a cost of some £1400 in prospect. Only to be brought into use if fish showed signs of distress which they have not.
To expedite this water supply further meetings took place with the owners of the land that the pit is on, this culminated in the SAF adopting stewardship of the entire three meadow site. Also to carry out further work to discourage unlicensed anglers gaining access to Mousecroft through the back door. To put a stop to the idiots who stole fish out of Mousecroft and put them in the pit.
Another avenue pursued and cost quoted was the prospect of a bore hole some 200 metres deep at the same time cost an electricity supply to run a pump off the bore hole as obviously having to drill the bore hole would not artesian. Tow companies were invited to quote for this work some £6,000 plus cost of electricity supply infrastructure.
Yet another avenue was pursued by examination of adjacent farm land and pools to see if these other entities had artesian or spring feeds that we could ditch from to Mousecroft. Sad to say the answer was no due mainly to water company abstraction lowering the water table to the extent all pools in the area have similar dispositions forced upon them.
We also looked with Highways Dept Shropshire Council as to divert roadside verge ditches into the pool and permissions sought and gained. Also further down the Nobold Lane towards the Nuffield a stream runs into the River. We have tried in vain to find the source of this stream as it appears to be from behind Mouscroft Pool, however I failed.
We looked at Conduit Head behind the Enterprise Yard, the eight well heads at the lower end of this site offered a supply but due to geography and land level a non starter.
We looked again higher up and found a well head and bore hole. This time we found a supply some six feet below ground on both outlets. Yes we have found water, how much though? On another day we used a generator and 6000 litre per hour pump, initially dropping five foot in level within the first ten minutes then from that point on the level steadied and we continued pumping for another hour. During this hour the well increased the level by some three inches, not much admittedly however it did display the ability to withstand 6000 litres per hour and gain on the pump.
Last autumn we did discover a possible small spring supply against the site line of the Enterprise yard, test trenches were dug and found to fill. Subsequently this spring the Council were asked to dig a ditch form the test trenches down to the pool. The Council to account of costs and quotes taken £6000 was the answer so nothing happened.
What your committee did was press forward and to save the SAF money I personally bought a digger and have completed the ditch for the test trenches to the pool save for putting pipes under the three pathways ( half a days work). It is to this end the ditch will be utilised to receive the water from the pumped tested supply well head. To achieve this permission had to be sought to take the water and then put a pipeline two feet underground across the Enterprise Yard. These permissions have been granted.
We the had to consider an electricity supply, unlike the bore hole idea electricity terminates in a building only five yards away from the well head. Council will not pay as they have no money in budget for reconnection of supply and redistribution of underground cable to the well head. We have bought a second hand submersible irrigation pump for the purpose of a 24 hour supply. So now we are stuck and yet to have a committee meeting to discuss this final stage and cost, a cost that we should not have to concede to.
So forgetting the creation of Oxon Pool felling 2 acres of woodland and creation of fourteen pegs, the general running of the federation, grass / path cutting, £3600 spent keeping the Quarry and County Ground pegs open for the start of the October competition programme, oh the fish rescue at Snailbeach entailing three separate visits to clear the pool, clearing saplings on the beach Sydney Avenue, catching non permit holders, catching poaching enthusiasts, turning out at midnight onto Emstrey as a group of nine decide to have a free fish camp and fire twice now they have been this year and twice we roll out the boys in blue in support.
Far from it, the committee treat very seriously the problems of low pool levels and in particular Mousecroft and being anglers ourselves are all too aware of the prospect of what frost could do. We could ruin the pool and take the stock out altogether but then we would need a pool with normal water levels to put the fish in, seeing as they all have the same problem of lack of water what would you do?
We have lost three fish recently 9lb and two 20’s this was before the pool froze over. The two 20’s both had burst stomachs so we presume unable to spawn last summer is the cause.
Radbrook Pool
I am also very pleased to announce that the CCTV which is solely pool based to waters edge has started earning its keep! Also new signage is at hand and will be erected shortly.
The shopping trolley put onto last winters ice and sank on thawing. Has now been removed with the use of the punt, the Punt proving very useful and will float in 2 inches of water would you believe.
You will remember the idiots (three) who were responsible for this shopping trolley nonsense had been identified. The parents of these three being told that recovery would have to be paid for via the school headmaster. You will be pleased to hear that an invoice £150 is being sent to the school for that very purpose.
Last week once again CCTV to the fore. Two youths and mum in tow, fish the beach one of the youths took exception to our no fishing the beach sign and pulled it down and dumped it in the pool. Sadly for him he has been traced to Ellesmere and the Police informed of the criminal damage. As I write he is receiving a visit. More importantly he is also receiving an invoice for £50 for the cost of a replacement and labour for the erection of a new sign.
“We are suffering from repeat offenders on this water and the time has come to make an example”. I stated in the last “ news from the chair”.
Well this programme has started and news will spread.
My reasoning is simple:
You put your hand in our pocket!
We will put our hand in your pocket!
Don’t pay up, we leave it to County Court, although this then will include Court collection costs. So £40 could become £240.
Snailbeach Pool
As you know Shropshire Anglers Federation is responsible to Shropshire Council and at the same time to annual permit holders and member clubs alike. In the particular instance, such was the public outcry of the state of the pool and fish stock something had to be done and quickly based purely on social responsibility, to be seen as being so and this will be quite likely to reflect upon Friends of Snailbeach Angling Club, Shropshire Council and the SAF alike.
With regard to the rescue of the fish stock. It is very sad to see the day dawn when this action is required and is never undertaken with a light heart. The stock removed came out at 20 Carp the heaviest just on 16 lb and and the rest varied around 10 / 12 lb with a couple at 6 to 8 lb, some 400 or so small silver fish 2 to 6 inches and some 8 Perch. These fish have been placed in one of S/C pools that we are responsible for.
I intend to visit again this morning (Friday 16th September) the pool to see what is left of the stock as the water will continue to drop such is the size of the leak and the impact of that leak on the smaller volume of water.
Vincent Chidley, local farmer is keeping a daily level watch and contacting me daily with this report. It is intended to make a last ditch effort when the level is critical to see if we can scrape the last of the life from the pool. If felt possible we may well make another attempt safety dependant. If the leak at the end of the day is fixed, you may ask what could the timetable be to fulfilment.
Well this is very much a village thing. Friends of Snailbeach Pool Angling Club and Shropshire Anglers Federation have many very kind and indeed most helpful individuals in your local area. A meeting needs to place of all concerned parties and prior to that the Parish needs to get together to find supplies via ditches and springs. When supplies have been found then and only then can we start trying to find funding for whatever ditching and the like can be obtained. Until you reach that point the pool will be in trouble for some time, the prospect of re-stocking is unfortunately not on the horizon.
I and the SAF committee are more than happy to assist the Parish / village in any and all matters relating to my last paragraph. I feel if you can arrange a Parish / village meeting at the village hall we could make a lot of progress in this direction once the Shropshire Council reservoir Engineer report is published. This must surely be the next step!
It is hoped and desirable that the pool is not left to flounder. I personally envisage probably a smaller than original pool being created once the leak is fixed. This will take time and money, time is a plenty money is short so a quick fix I cannot see. Whatever is left at the end of the day is that the end product will fall below the criteria of the Reservoir Act. If this happens it will leave a fishable venue for the village.
The only reason for the action of the Shropshire Anglers Federation in this particular rescue is due to the fact the Friends of Snailbeach Angling Club is and has been for some time Club / Association members of the SAF .The Executive Committee of the SAF holds dear to progressive management of fisheries and those of it’s membership. Always willing to do anything within it’s powers to assist any member club through any difficulty.
Before I close
Saf 30’s photostream
We have now created a link on “flikr” This as you may know is a photo based website and I have to fine tune the link so you can go directly to SAF photo album.
Our reasoning is simple I must have 1,000 photo’s I have taken over my 5 years with you all and no doubt Simon and others as many.
Our website cannot carry this volume and I just feel for to have these photo’s and not be seen is a just bad news. So you can browse at leisure and maybe find yourself! Over the next couple of months more and more images will be added. If you have any you feel would serve well on this site send them to me.
So get on google and search
Saf 30’s photostream
Our motto is:
“Protecting LOCAL ANGLING amenity
for LOCAL ANGLING community”
Well that’s it for now.
Not forgetting membership renewals are due January 1st
Of the 88,000 odd of you that have visited our website - we thank you.
Shropshire Anglers Federation
The body responsible for about 3,000 permit holders who use waters local to Shrewsbury. Equally the Shropshire Anglers Federation is responsible to the Shrewsbury Town Council who is the riparian owner of the waters around Shrewsbury. The SAF is responsible to the STC for the enforcement of by-laws and the collection of revenues, through annual and day Permit sales through local tackle shops. Bank Permits are also available via any one of our six man Bailiff team.
The Shropshire Anglers Federation was founded in 1921. Having grown in strength over the years, steered by many well known local anglers and individuals involved in the local business of angling via membership of the committee. The committee predominantly working on the basis of invite to stand on committee by virtue of being a member of a local club. Thus ensuring a committee being made up of individuals with a proven interest, desire, and ability to serve the local angling community.
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For the local angling community
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