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Shropshire Anglers' Federation OXON POOL opens December 1st Sams Social Sydney Avenue 15th November 2011 Now in it's 3rd year Sams social was well attended by Sams friends and the regulars of Sydney Avenue. A wonderful, bright and mild autumn day greeted us as set-up commenced at around 9:30. The camp was established and the kettle went on shortly after. Anglers started to arrive from around 10 am and were greeted with cups of tea and bacon butties cooked on the bankside. Ian Bruce once again supplied the bacon and baps, again paid for out of his own pocket. Thanks Ian. The draw for pegs took place at around 11:50 and fishing commenced shortly after. One or two anglers choosing to chat at their free will and socialise rather than cast in at the first opportunity. This was noted by the sponsor and organiser! A total of 11 anglers fished on the day but sadly catches of Barbel were lacking once again with only 1 Barbel being landed by Joe Bensley, I think it went to 8lb 5oz. Cups of tea, coffee and biscuits were delivered along the bank throughout the duration while everyone fished, the 3 hours quickly passed, the whistle was blown and everyone assembled back at camp to hear who had got the prize money and the trophy. A quick round of butties and teas were handed out whilst a quick speech and thank you's were read out by Simon. We acknowledge the reason why we all assemble on the banks of Sydney Avenue once a year and gave thanks to Sam for his kindness and friendship. Bang on cue at exactly 3pm Carol (Sams partner) arrived to present the trophy to the lucky winner. This year the trophy was awarded to Bob Jordan. He has attended every single social so far and not only travels all the way from Wrexham but also shows the greatest characteristics we look for in this little event, that being focussed on socialising and not neccesarily fishing. He in my opinion enters into the spirit of the event the most and is never too keen to wet a line, choosing to spend time chatting just as Sam would. The look of surprise on his face when his name was read out as the trophy winner was a delight to see and worth every penny. Good on you Bob. I will now let you into a little secret in as much as due to Bobs location I had already decided to award him the trophy before the day arrived so had it engraved with his name and had to keep the trophy hidden and keep it a secret untill the magic moment arrived. Well done Bob. Well deserved The award and prize money for the most number of fish was awarded to Joe Bensley for his fine Barbel taken from Tony's swim and with no second or third place to take the prize money this was donated to Ian to help towards his costs. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those involved, Carol for once again arriving to present the trophy, Ian for supplying us with bacon butties, the SAF for allowing us to organize this little event and all of you for turning up. If it were not for you this memorial event would not happen so thanks again for making the day a special one. Sam would be proud. See you all next year. Thanks Simon ON-LINE DAY TICKETS-SOON AVAILABLE Don't forget that your current 2010 season permit will expire on the 31st Dec 2010. The 'new' 2011 permit comes into force on the 1st Jan and is valid for 12 months NOW AVAILABLE For further details go to our PERMITS page OXON POOL A big thank you to the work party attending Oxon Pool recently. Pictured above is the band of helpers who gave up their valuble time to complete phase two of the work. Gates and styles were amongst the tasks undertaken. Also out of shot at the time was Raymond Harris. The SAF would like to thank everyone who has been involved with the project to date. A massive amount of work, time, effort and money has gone into the work so far. However we still seek help with further projects and of course phase 3 which will bring the Oxon Pool project to completion. It has been a massive undertaking so thank you to all involved. If you would like to become a volunteer please contact either; or SAFTALK blog GOES LIVE.... SAFTALK blog is now up and running and went live on the 1st December 2010. Although still restricted to just a select few members and administrators the blog can be viewed by anyone with an internet connection. Type in the following details into your browsers search bar : http://saftalk.shropshireanglersfederation.in/#home or click on the link at the top of our HOME page. You can sign on and become a registerd user by submitting your details to our adminstration (full details on blog) once you have your 2011 permit. Applications from the 1st Jan 2011. Its success will depend entirely on its users so come on, join in and have your say. SAFblog e-mail address now operative. SAFblog@talktalk.net December news from the Chair TEXT UPDATER SAF is forever evolving and improving. How do you fancy text alerts, news snippets to notify you to follow up main story on the website. The answer is simple? Send your mobile number only to saf@oldcolonial.org.uk. We do not need to know your personal details, so it is safe. The e-mail address is direct to the Chairman and your number will be held in my Skype group folder and only myself will have your mobile information. So cannot be abused! As a group folder I simply write a short text of whatever informative content is required, press send as SMS. The group can be ten or five hundred and in seconds you receive it on your mobile. So why wait? My plea for a Electrician, a Bricklayer and a Ground worker has fallen on deaf ears once again. So it will be up to the handful of Faithfull’s to shoulder the work for the rest, yet again. Competition Scene Matches will be run every week if enough interest is shown so please book as usual with Total Angling, also the all winners final is to be fished on the 15th of October on the same sections, so if you framed or won a section over the past three seasons please book in again with Total Angling as there is an extra £240 to be added to the payout for this event. Sadly, only fourteen names were put forward for the second competition held recently. This state of affairs cannot be left as it is, a remedy must be found. I will be talking to event organisers to see what opinions could be heard with regard to utilising a venue change such as Monkmoor or Emstrey. I will report back my findings a little later in the month, as you know the newsletter is updated through the month as news is created. So stay tuned! 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 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. In taking over these woods and pool we had to achieve certain criteria for Yes we ended up with what is best described as three bungalows of crown timbers. This was in the spring of this year before March if you remember. As unsightly as it may look, due to the Wildlife Act we could not touch these unsightly mounds until after the end of September, so they simply have been left to rot down and dry. We had no option to burn as indeed this was the desired end aim, Simply down to the fact these mounds sat on peat and if we had fired them we could have ended up with a peat bog fire that could not be doused. We have taken the Fire Service advice upon this problem and that was the outcome. Neither could we utilise wagons to remove the crowns as the felling site would not support heavy wagons, let alone the cost. Yes we created the path and seeded it, however being so dry this summer the seed grass could have faired better, I decided not to cut the grass on the path and let it run to seed. As from next spring the path will be mown on a regular basis to afford a very attractive stroll through the length of the estate, without getting stung by nettle or the need for wellies. The car parks were created and yes they have become weeded, it was intended to put in place a management programme to take account of this at the same time as mowing the path and to weedol the car parks. 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 two 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 that will eventually encircle the entire pool. I make the point here the back path will not continue through the very boggy area nearest the A5 end of the pool as it is intended to terminate into the meadow and re-enter the site at the first car park. It is also intended to introduce three 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. Whilst we have the tree felling going on over on the far side little or no nuisance will experienced. When the felling ceases and the area cleared of debris we intend once again to bring in our 13 ton tracked timber grab machine. This machine will move the twenty two cleaned trunks into place about four feet apart and set in line along the fence line as far as they will go. It will be year three before we look to topping these trunks with walkway timber and safety rail. Whilst the machine is on site it is intended to bring the machine back onto the cleared woodland site and attend to the “bungalows”. It is hoped the machine driver will agree to driving up onto these mounds and roll them down, as the timbers are now crispy dry, the mounds in my estimate should compress to about four feet in height. So will be far less obtrusive and still create and afford habitat. 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. Every week-end now we are seeing even Grandparents along with parents taking juniors to fish this venue with the elders sitting on rugs with flasks and sandwiches. Best of all the fishing, below are some of the results taken at random permit checks. Two hours 61 fish biggest 3 lb Tench. Three hours 84 fish topping at 6lb. Two hours 51 fish incl 1.5lb Rudd 3 lb Perch. Four hours bailiff test fish 102 fish topping at 11lbs. Clive Talbot took his Grandson for 90 minutes and took 63 fish topping 2.5 lb Tench his six year old struggled to fight this chap. Sure enough a day non of them will forget.
Just received an e-mail from Dave Matthiasas below:
On the SAF website under "fisheries" for If only other anglers would give us feedback like this it would be great 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? MOUSECROFT POOL 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 creation of supply ditching has started. It is hoped that the ditching will be completed as soon as possible. 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. I now have a major problem this month with Mousecroft. Or should I say an individual who purports to have been a regular on this venue. To have offered help with four or five others that unless the situation improves considered going to the papers. As the SAF committee were neglectful and in effect not fit for purpose. An extensive reply from myself to the received e-mail was dully sent the same day. On no less than three occasions I have since requested a response in reply to no avail. Upon a visit to Total Angling I find that public conversations are taking place by the individual of the committee neglect and that he had stuck an e-mail up the Chairman. In view of the lack of response and the failure to supply the volunteers list this individual holds to the volunteer coordinator Clive Talbot. As he stated we only had to ask for help and then NOT give the contact detail . I have now decided to go public myself on this subject, as no doubt the angling rumour factory will have broadcast the matter. My position is simple: I refuse as Chairman to be criticised, neither as Chairman will I support / accept criticism of any individual committee member or the committee as a whole. Any grievances should be reported to the Secretary for being placed under the AGM agenda. Or a request in writing to attend the next committee meeting for the purpose of a discussion hearing. -----Original Message----- From: michael blain Sent: Friday, November 04, 2011 4:57 PM To: saf@oldcolonial.org.uk Subject: Mousecroft pool Hello there my name is michael blain and i am very concerned about the water levels at mousecroft you have probably seen the state of the place i fished the it all last year and the water level was a major talking point then a year on and nothing has been done i find this an absolute joke all the regular people who fished there said we would help to do whatever was needed to help keep costs down for the s.a.f. I feel the fishes welfair should be taken into consideration above all else we are into november now so frosts are fast approaching and that is the main worry this time of year one frost and all the fish will die and to me thats negligence on the s.a.f's behalf if this matter is not sorted i have no other option but to go to the papers and none of us want that do we i look forward to hearing from you. In Reply M.J.Blain Mr. M.J.Blain in answer: I have read with some degree of annoyance your remarks below whereby you throw into the air such suggestions as: "nothing has been done”,“absolute joke”, “welfare should be taken into consideration”, “negligence on the s.a.f's behalf." Well to answer your rather pointed contact. I will answer you concisely and equally to the point. "Nothing has been"done you say. 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 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 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. No you are quite correct it is high time the committee steps down and the Chairman can do one, as "nothing is being done". “it’s a joke” –“welfare should be taken into consideration” you say: 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? “negligence on the s.a.f's behalf." You say I have gone overboard to answer you directly on the questions raised. Most annoying is the need to have to repeat myself, seeing all the above has been carried with monthly updates submitted in the “News from the Chair” on the website. Negligence by myself as SAF Chairman or any Committee member is refuted absolute. No evidence of any type supports your claim. In closing I would add that you mention yourself and a few others would be happy to help/ volunteer. I wonder if you could supply Clive Talbot Volunteer Coordinator a list of mobile numbers and e-mail addresses for this purpose. As of 23rd November 2011, you have failed to respond in reply, you have failed to furnish the volunteers contact details. The foundation of your claim is based upon a falsehood. For the next committee meeting I will request your attendance to explain yourself. Sir John Roberts SAF Chairman 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 86,000 odd of you that have visited our website - we thank you. Myself and Committee wish to thank the volunteers for the help extended throughout this last year. To all members A Merry Christmas and Happy
November news from the Chair MOUSECROFT VOLUNTEERS WANTED WITH PARTICULAR SPECIALITIES / QUALIFICATIONS SPARKIES 1….The well supply at Conduit Head Mousecroft has a disconnected supply in a building 5 yards away from the well. 2….Are you legally capable to remove existing broken fuse box at cable end in the building and fit new trip fuse box (supplied). 3….Connect underground armoured cable to well side ( we can dig the trench) and fit waterproof 13 amp socket. BRICKIE 1….Build a small two foot by two by two foot brick box to house the socket and fit some sort of metal hatch with padlock facility. GROUND WORKER 1….We need 3 lengths of pipe twelve to fifteen inches diameter and eight to 10 feet in length. 2….This is to go under the 3 pathways to connect to pre-dug ditch ( we will trench and back fill just need the pipe can be anything poly / concrete / other 3…We then need to connect from well head to ditch head so 100 yards or so of three inch diameter poly irrigation pipe or similar needed. Anyone any ideas / knowledge? Direct replies please URGENTLY The SAF have at it’s disposal a wealth of talents / expertise through annual membership……..Instead of asking what can the SAF do for you……..what can you do for the SAF…………. Your angling community, not ours! In fact let me list items at the disposal of the SAF available to member clubs with or without driver! Tractor with log splitter or tractor on it’s own + Diesel water cooled 2 wheel drive lawn tractor, this is heavy duty and will take out vegetation 6 foot high + trailer with punt, fish tank, oxygen diffuser pump + tri axle 18 foot bed Ifor William’s trailer with sides, ideal for that lumber / bough shifting + towable 8 hp digger for ditches, trenches, sluices. + Range Rover with four ton winch. If any of these fit your bill then just ask our secretary Keith Robson SAF is forever evolving and improving. How do you fancy text alerts, news snippets to notify you to follow up main story on the website. The answer is simple? Send your mobile number only to saf@oldcolonial.org.uk. We do not need to know your personal details, so it is safe. The e-mail address is direct to the Chairman and your number will be held in my Skype group folder and only myself will have your mobile information. So cannot be abused! As a group folder I simply write a short text of whatever informative content is required, press send as SMS. The group can be ten or five hundred and in seconds you receive it on your mobile. So why wait? Competition Scene Matches will be run every week if enough interest is shown so please book as usual with Total Angling, also the all winners final is to be fished on the 15th of October on the same sections, so if you framed or won a section over the past three seasons please book in again with Total Angling as there is an extra £240 to be added to the payout for this event. Sadly, only fourteen names were put forward for the second competition held recently. This state of affairs cannot be left as it is, a remedy must be found. I will be talking to event organisers to see what opinions could be heard with regard to utilising a venue change such as Monkmoor or Emstrey. I will report back my findings a little later in the month, as you know the newsletter is updated through the month as news is created. So stay tuned! 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 The new signage for this water is now in hand. With eight out of fourteen pegs being finished. We are going for a December 1st opening at last! 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. In the meantime having discussed it with committee secretary can see no reason why the pool should not open. 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. In taking over these woods and pool we had to achieve certain criteria for Yes we ended up with what is best described as three bungalows of crown timbers. This was in the spring of this year before March if you remember. As unsightly as it may look, due to the Wildlife Act we could not touch these unsightly mounds until after the end of September, so they simply have been left to rot down and dry. We had no option to burn as indeed this was the desired end aim, Simply down to the fact these mounds sat on peat and if we had fired them we could have ended up with a peat bog fire that could not be doused. We have taken the Fire Service advice upon this problem and that was the outcome. Neither could we utilise wagons to remove the crowns as the felling site would not support heavy wagons, let alone the cost. Yes we created the path and seeded it, however being so dry this summer the seed grass could have faired better, I decided not to cut the grass on the path and let it run to seed. As from next spring the path will be mown on a regular basis to afford a very attractive stroll through the length of the estate, without getting stung by nettle or the need for wellies. The car parks were created and yes they have become weeded, it was intended to put in place a management programme to take account of this at the same time as mowing the path and to weedol the car parks. 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 two 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 that will eventually encircle the entire pool. I make the point here the back path will not continue through the very boggy area nearest the A5 end of the pool as it is intended to terminate into the meadow and re-enter the site at the first car park. It is also intended to introduce three 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. Whilst we have the tree felling going on over on the far side little or no nuisance will experienced. When the felling ceases and the area cleared of debris we intend once again to bring in our 13 ton tracked timber grab machine. This machine will move the twenty two cleaned trunks into place about four feet apart and set in line along the fence line as far as they will go. It will be year three before we look to topping these trunks with walkway timber and safety rail. Whilst the machine is on site it is intended to bring the machine back onto the cleared woodland site and attend to the “bungalows”. It is hoped the machine driver will agree to driving up onto these mounds and roll them down, as the timbers are now crispy dry, the mounds in my estimate should compress to about four feet in height. So will be far less obtrusive and still create and afford habitat. 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 Every week-end now we are seeing even Grandparents along with parents taking juniors to fish this venue with the elders sitting on rugs with flasks and sandwiches. Best of all the fishing, below are some of the results taken at random permit checks. Two hours 61 fish biggest 3 lb Tench. Three hours 84 fish topping at 6lb. Two hours 51 fish incl 1.5lb Rudd 3 lb Perch. Four hours bailiff test fish 102 fish topping at 11lbs. Clive Talbot took his Grandson for 90 minutes and took 63 fish topping 2.5 lb Tench his six year old struggled to fight this chap. Sure enough a day non of them will forget. 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? MOUSECROFT POOL I now have a major problem this month with Mousecroft. Or should I say an individual who purports to have been a regular on this venue. To have offered help with four or five others that unless the situation improves considered going to the papers. As the SAF committee were neglectful and in effect not fit for purpose. An extensive reply from myself to the received e-mail was dully sent the same day. On no less than three occasions I have since requested a response in reply to no avail. Upon a visit to Total Angling I find that public conversations are taking place by the individual of the committee neglect and that he had stuck an e-mail up the Chairman. In view of the lack of response and the failure to supply the volunteers list this individual holds to the volunteer coordinator Clive Talbot. As he stated we only had to ask for help and then NOT give the contact detail . I have now decided to go public myself on this subject, as no doubt the angling rumour factory will have broadcast the matter. My position is simple: I refuse as Chairman to be criticised, neither as Chairman will I support / accept criticism of any individual committee member or the committee as a whole. Any grievances should be reported to the Secretary for being placed under the AGM agenda. Or a request in writing to attend the next committee meeting for the purpose of a discussion hearing. -----Original Message----- From: michael blain Sent: Friday, November 04, 2011 4:57 PM To: saf@oldcolonial.org.uk Subject: Mousecroft pool Hello there my name is michael blain and i am very concerned about the water levels at mousecroft you have probably seen the state of the place i fished the it all last year and the water level was a major talking point then a year on and nothing has been done i find this an absolute joke all the regular people who fished there said we would help to do whatever was needed to help keep costs down for the s.a.f. I feel the fishes welfair should be taken into consideration above all else we are into november now so frosts are fast approaching and that is the main worry this time of year one frost and all the fish will die and to me thats negligence on the s.a.f's behalf if this matter is not sorted i have no other option but to go to the papers and none of us want that do we i look forward to hearing from you. In Reply M.J.Blain Mr. M.J.Blain in answer: I have read with some degree of annoyance your remarks below whereby you throw into the air such suggestions as: "nothing has been done”,“absolute joke”, “welfare should be taken into consideration”, “negligence on the s.a.f's behalf." Well to answer your rather pointed contact. I will answer you concisely and equally to the point. "Nothing has been"done you say. 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 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 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. No you are quite correct it is high time the committee steps down and the Chairman can do one, as "nothing is being done". “it’s a joke” –“welfare should be taken into consideration” you say: 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? “negligence on the s.a.f's behalf." You say I have gone overboard to answer you directly on the questions raised. Most annoying is the need to have to repeat myself, seeing all the above has been carried with monthly updates submitted in the “News from the Chair” on the website. Negligence by myself as SAF Chairman or any Committee member is refuted absolute. No evidence of any type supports your claim. In closing I would add that you mention yourself and a few others would be happy to help/ volunteer. I wonder if you could supply Clive Talbot Volunteer Coordinator a list of mobile numbers and e-mail addresses for this purpose. As of 23rd November 2011, you have failed to respond in reply, you have failed to furnish the volunteers contact details. The foundation of your claim is based upon a falsehood.
For the next committee meeting I will request your attendance to explain yourself.
Sir John Roberts SAF Chairman Yes the water level is down, yet again. However plans have been drawn after discussions/ meetings with I am pleased to announce the creation of supply ditching has started. It is hoped that the ditching will be completed as soon as possible. Complete save for passing under the pathways. In the last couple of days, today being 19th October it was reported to Total Angling that four dead Carp had been found and that one at least had signs of Otter damage. Clive Talbot and myself immediately went to examine the pool and could find no evidence of this report. So as it stands no truth in this rumour can be substantiated. Unless of course someone knows different in which case call me . 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! 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. Of the 82,500 odd of you that have visited our website - we thank you. October news from the Chair
MOUSECROFT VOLUNTEERS WANTED WITH PARTICULAR SPECIALITIES / QUALIFICATIONS SPARKIES 1….The well supply at Conduit Head Mousecroft has a disconnected supply in a building 5 yards away from the well. 2….Are you legally capable to remove existing broken fuse box at cable end in the building and fit new trip fuse box (supplied). 3….Connect underground armoured cable to well side ( we can dig the trench) and fit waterproof 13 amp socket. BRICKIE 1….Build a small two foot by two by two foot brick box to house the socket and fit some sort of metal hatch with padlock facility. GROUND WORKER 1….We need 3 lengths of pipe twelve to fifteen inches diameter and eight to 10 feet in length. 2….This is to go under the 3 pathways to connect to pre-dug ditch ( we will trench and back fill just need the pipe can be anything poly / concrete / other 3…We then need to connect from well head to ditch head so 100 yards or so of three inch diameter poly irrigation pipe or similar needed. Anyone any ideas / knowledge?
Direct replies please 07813544881 URGENTLY
The SAF have at it’s disposal a wealth of talents/ expertise through annual membership……..Instead of asking what can the SAF do for you……..what can you do for the SAF…………. Your angling community, not ours! We need a Fibreglass king who can resurface the keel of our punt.. Yes we have one for clubs to use, just ask! We need a paint sprayer….. paint /thinners provided also a building to work in a generator for power, a compressor to work with. In fact let me list items at the disposal of the SAF available to member clubs with or without driver! Tractor with log splitter or tractor on it’s own + Diesel water cooled 2 wheel drive lawn tractor, this is heavy duty and will take out vegetation 6 foot high + trailer with punt, fish tank, oxygen diffuser pump + tri axle 18 foot bed Ifor William’s trailer with sides, ideal for that lumber / bough shifting + towable 8 hp digger for ditches, trenches, sluices. + Range Rover with four ton winch.
If any of these fit your bill then just ask our secretary Keith Robson
TEXT UPDATER SAF is forever evolving and improving. How do you fancy text alerts, news snippets to notify you to follow up main story on the website. The answer is simple? Send your mobile number only to saf@oldcolonial.org.uk. We do not need to know your personal details, so it is safe.
The e-mail address is direct to the Chairman and your number will be held in my Skype group folder and only myself will have your mobile information. So cannot be abused! As a group folder I simply write a short text of whatever informative content is required, press send as SMS.
The group can be ten or five hundred and in seconds you receive it on your mobile. So why wait? Competition Scene The Severn in A worrying red tinge has returned to haunt the Top spot on the day went to Shrewsbury rod Guy Jones, drawn on county ground peg 25 he adopted a stick-float approach two rods out, feeding and fishing bronze maggot on the hook he had two large perch and some bits for a 6-9-0 winning weight. Five pegs above the winner on spinney peg 20 was Total Anglings Rob Brennan who decided on a ground bait and pole to hand attack which resulted in one good chub and some small dace to put 6-3-0 on the scales for second overall. Third and final frame place went to Wrexham’s Paul Williams, drawn on bunker peg 46 he opted to fish stick float and maggot off the rod end and again the bulk of his 5-4-0 weight was to large perch. 1st G Jones. Total Angling.( peg 25) 6-9-0. 2nd R Brennan, Total Angling (peg 20) 6-3-0. 3rd P Williams, Wrexham, (peg 46) 5-4-0. There will be opens run every Saturday so please book in with total angling,9am draw.. "Happy dace are here again" as the Severn in Shrewsbury comes back to life with match coordinators, Ian ward and Steve Milward enjoying some great sport, they have test fished the competition waters and taken aback by the result for a couple of hours test. Ian caught approx18lbs of silvers, having lost three good chub. Considering the low clear water which would not normally be classed as ideal bodes well indeed for the future of the competition scene. Book your peg at Total Angling As Chairman of the 36 of Perry’s mates lined the banks of the Severn to honour such great loss to the match scene and in doing so raised a wonderful £300 to go to the Severn hospice in With the river being the lowest on record for this time of year it reflected in the results. In first place was midland match man Terry Trueman, drawn on Quarry peg 62 he opted for a stick float approach three rods out, feeding maggot and hemp and fishing red maggot on the hook he took small dace intermittently before hooking and landing a huge 11-2-0 barbel which took his total to 13-12-0. Second spot went to Third place went to last frame spot went to Total anglings Tony Bouckley, drawn above Ian on peg 20,he also fished the stick for 4-10-0. Many thanks to Dean from Total Angling who donated a wonderful silver plate to be fished for annually in memory of Perry. 1st T Trueman, Fosters ( peg 62 ) 13-12-0. 2nd. C Holmes. 3rd. I Courtney. 4th T Bouckley. Total angling ( peg 20 ) 4-10-0. A section. P Goulding. B Section. M Croft Birkenhead, ( peg 40 ). 3-2-0. C Section. M Crawford, Wrexham. ( peg 51 ).1-14-0. D Section. D Harrell. DH Angling. ( peg 74 ). 4-5-0. Matches will be run every week if enough interest is shown so please book as usual with Total Angling, also the all winners final is to be fished on the 15th of October on the same sections, so if you framed or won a section over the past three seasons please book in again with Total Angling as there is an extra £240 to be added to the payout for this event. 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 In taking over these woods and pool we had to achieve certain criteria for Yes we ended up with what is best described as three bungalows of crown timbers. This was in the spring of this year before March if you remember. As unsightly as it may look, due to the Wildlife Act we could not touch these unsightly mounds until after the end of September, so they simply have been left to rot down and dry. We had no option to burn as indeed this was the desired end aim, Simply down to the fact these mounds sat on peat and if we had fired them we could have ended up with apeat bog firethatcould not be doused. We have taken the Fire Service advice upon this problem and that was the outcome. Neither could we utilise wagons to remove the crowns as the felling site would not support heavy wagons, let alone the cost. Yes we created the path and seeded it, however being so dry this summer the seed grass could have faired better, I decided not to cut the grass on the path and let it run to seed. As from next spring the path will be mown on a regular basis to afford a very attractive stroll through the length of the estate, without getting stung by nettle or the need for wellies. The car parks were created and yes they have become weeded, it was intended to put in place a management programme to take account of this at the same time as mowing the path and to weedol the car parks. 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 two 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 that will eventually encircle the entire pool. I make the point here the back path will not continue through the very boggy area nearest the A5 end of the pool as it is intended to terminate into the meadow and re-enter the site at the first car park. It is also intended to introduce three 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. Whilst we have the tree felling going on over on the far side little or no nuisance will experienced. When the felling ceases and the area cleared of debris we intend once again to bring in our 13 ton tracked timber grab machine. This machine will move the twenty two cleaned trunks into place about four feet apart and set in line along the fence line as far as they will go. It will be year three before we look to topping these trunks with walkway timber and safety rail. Whilst the machine is on site it is intended to bring the machine back onto the cleared woodland site and attend to the “bungalows”. It is hoped the machine driver will agree to driving up onto these mounds and roll them down, as the timbers are now crispy dry, the mounds in my estimate should compress to about four feet in height. So will be far less obtrusive and still create and afford habitat. 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
Every week-end now we are seeing even Grandparents along with parents taking juniors to fish this venue with the elders sitting on rugs with flasks and sandwiches. Best of all the fishing, below are some of the results taken at random permit checks. Two hours 61 fish biggest 3 lb Tench. Three hours 84 fish topping at 6lb. Two hours 51 fish incl 1.5lb Rudd 3 lb Perch. Four hours bailiff test fish 102 fish topping at 11lbs. Clive Talbot took his Grandson for 90 minutes and took 63 fish topping 2.5 lb Tench his six year old struggled to fight this chap. Sure enough a day non of them will forget. 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? MOUSECROFT POOL Yes the water level is down, yet again. However plans have been drawn after discussions/ meetings with I am pleased to announce the creation of supply ditching has started. It is hoped that the ditching will be completed as soon as possible. Complete save for passing under the pathways. In the last couple of days, today being 19th October it was reported to Total Angling that four dead Carp had been found and that one at least had signs of Otter damage. Clive Talbot and myself immediately went to examine the pool and could find no evidence of this report. So as it stands no truth in this rumour can be substantiated. Unless of course someone knows different in which case call me 07813544881. 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! 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. September news from the Chair Phew! What a month this has been, since we last had a chat. Well we have good news and bad news and most of it is good news. Get yourself a pint and pull up a chair.
River A sinister new twist in the tail of poaching comes to the fore.
Three Barbel carcases have been retrieved today 26th from downstream
I doubt these fish were killed first, at best judge I would say smallest 6 lb and largest around 9 lb. Please “keep em peeled” and report any odd goings on. We just need to catch one or two carrying and we can get the Police to work an action for theft. Once the case is found, then hit them with a hefty Civil fine through the County Court. Competition Scene Shropshire Anglers Federation are pleased to announce that after the efforts of our anglers to dissuade the Goosander population over the last eighteen months to reside in The Severn in The first match being the Perry Delgarno memorial match on the 1st October 2011 with open matches every Saturday after. Based in the Quarry and "Happy dace are here again" as the Severn in Shrewsbury comes back to life with match coordinators, Ian ward and Steve Milward enjoying some great sport, they have test fished the competition waters and taken aback by the result for a couple of hours test. Ian caught approx18 lbs of silvers, having lost three good chub. Considering the low clear water which would not normally be classed as ideal bodes well indeed for the future of the competition scene. Book your peg at Total Angling As Chairman of the Sydney Avenue, Emstrey and Monkmoor are all reporting a similar trend, That the river is fishing better than expected. Request for help We have an angler who recently acquired a split cane fishing rod w hich has an inscription on it and was looking for information on it. The rod itself is 12ft long,3 piece with old canvass type bag and appears complete and very good condition.There is an inscription on the rod butt which reads "presented to C.W.CAUNT.ESQ,by the The rod has "Shuker and son, 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. On Line 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 The laying of wood chip pathways to the pegs is being left until winter or spring. It has been decided rather than fight the undergrowth to create the path structure, that we leave the area to die down and complete this phase then. It is hoped that during the next month to complete this final stage and announce that in fact the pool is now open. Any offers of help on this light work please contact Clive Talbot as he is now our volunteer coordinator. Any balance of work continuing alongside the open venue and we may well still be at it in twelve months time. Your SAF committee have taken on a massive task, probably the biggest task since 1921 when the SAF was created. Our motto is: “Protecting LOCAL ANGLING amenity for LOCAL ANGLING community” If we had not grasped the nettle someone else would have done so and quite possibly your local angler would not have got his nose through the gate! This fishery is proving to be an important edition to our water portfolio. Further test fishing has produced 12lb, 14lb and 24lb Pike. Undoubtedly giving this fishery a twelve month cycle of sport I doubt this area has been fished at all for many a year and surmise a good head of Tench and other species will be found in this area of the pool. Add to this the fact you will be able to buy your permit from Morris Leisure static and touring caravan site next door and abundance of shops and hot food outlets in very close proximity is going to make Oxon Pool a very important fishery of the near future Phew! Talk about a result or what. Clive Talbot and Trevor Jones have been running taster sessions through the school holidays and have proved very successful indeed. Well supported and most important all the nippers caught a bag full. GHOF have also been busy on this fishery also and is exceptionalsport. I am being approached by schools of late wanting to extend the taster sessions and must look into it with Clive and Trevor. Every week-end now we are seeing even Grandparents along with parents taking juniors to fish this venue with the elders sitting on rugs with flasks and sandwiches. Best of all the fishing, below are some of the results taken at random permit checks. Two hours 61 fish biggest 3 lb Tench. Three hours 84 fish topping at 6lb. Two hours 51 fish incl 1.5lb Rudd 3 lb Perch. Four hours bailiff test fish 102 fish topping at 11lbs. Clive Talbot took his Grandson for 90 minutes and took 63 fish topping 2.5 lb Tench his six year old struggled to fight this chap. Sure enough a day non of them will forget. Killer bait is single sweet corn with a single maggot. Due to only nine pegs on this water it is vital you purchase a day permit. As once nine permits have been sold on a given day no more will be sold for that day. Thus ensuring you do obtain a peg upon arrival. You the adult responsible for junior must be an annual member to obtain this permit. The permit covers you to be at waters edge, junior in effect fishes free. Don’t make the day memorable for being turned off the water because you do not have the correct papers. 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. We do ask however if the pool is heavily fished on a particular day and a junior and elder arrive to make provision to assist so that the youngster can get in and fish. I am sure you understand the point we are making here. Our local G.H.O.F. team have made a couple of visits giving youngsters taster sessions. All enjoyed the experience and more importantly ALL caught many fish! 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. How to get to this venue. Easy take the Ellesmere Road out of town up to the Albrighton Hall Hotel, (not the Albright Hussy) when you get to the Albrighton Hotel proceed for about 100 yards and you will see a phone box and a couple of white signs on your left and opposite you turn right into Plex Lane. Follow the bends (take care here the road is tight) within 300 yards you come to a straight and half way up the straight you will see on the right a six vehicle lay-by and on the left a large oak tree in the field. Over the style which is elder friendly and you are fishing. Don’t forget if you end up in the company on the water of anglers that you feel are suspect or have no right to be fishing phone 07813544881 for an immediate Bailiff response. Abuse of this fishery will not be tolerated by the SAF or the Estate owners. 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? MOUSECROFT POOL Yes the water level is down, yet again. However plans have been drawn after discussions/ meetings with I am pleased to announce the creation of supply ditching has started. It is hoped that the ditching will be completed over the next fourteen days. I make the point here the quotation for the Council to create this ditch of 200 metres was £6500, so far having completed 45 metres of ditch it has cost the SAF one gallon of petrol, Such is your Executive Committee efforts to ensure money spent wisely. I am more than pleased to inform that we have found a bore hole with 34 feet of water and a well with 15 feet of water. This Friday 23 rd September we are pumping these two supplies dry if we can with a heavy duty pump. The sole purpose of this is to gauge the recovery time, this will then give an average flow rate for both and then we can look at the purchase of a pumping unit that will relate to the wells capabilities. If found to be a real prospect of supply then to run second hand irrigation pipe underground through the Council yard and into the new ditch plan seems to be best option.
UPDATE
Friday 23rd September
It is also intended to fell the trees around the bend at the top of the pool and to get the Council operative in to kill the roots with poison. As and when we expect the water level to rise, particular note will be taken of the small pool that develops at the back of this corner of the pool. A field Committee meeting carried out test digging this area to try identify a leak. Although damp clay was indeed found, consensus of opinion is that no actual leak is evident. This position however will be heavily monitored during the forthcoming months. Just a quick mention here Barry Archer has made some major improvements to his venue over the winter. Improved pathways, removal of much undergrowth and trees around the perimeter. The trees being bark mulched to make a very attractive area just to sit and watch or have a rest from the peg. Great work Barry, may we all succeed in what we endeavour. 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! 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. Snailbeach Pool final stage UPDATE Saturday 24th September saw a return visit to the pool with rescue kit. The result of our attempt today was the capture of some 2,000 silver fish, in the main roach varying from 7 inches down to two inches in length. Once again our gratitude to the Chidley brothers, However the day was dampened slightly at the start. A lady with three dogs, apart from the dogs being overwhelmingly noisy and most unnecessary. Quite took exception as to being asked to ensure the dogs stay away from the water this morning as we wished pool to be calm for the rescue. The result being a most indignant outburst uttered from her lips. However this outburst was delivered in a very robust manner and certainly not in keeping with the quiet tranquil nature of the day and surroundings. This situation developed in front of Vincent and Vernon Chidley, Clive Talbot and myself. I had no intention of introducing myself and apologised to our gathered company for such an intrusion. Today we were able gather something in excess of 2,000 fish from 2 to 4 inches in the main with many 5 to 7 inch. Sadly although very much fewer than before we started, a small contingent of small fish stock are left in the pool. They had gathered on the far side of the water and that side was indeed totally unapproachable due to depth of mud. It is now to nature we must look for this final resolve. We have done our best and although a success I would have preferred a total success. Now to the future, a village meeting to discuss the way forward is best answer, prospect supplies and the like. At that meeting decide as to whom we should invite to second meeting to include all interested parties. Natural As Chairman and Head Bailiff of Shropshire Anglers Federation on behalf of the Executive Committee we are most pleased to have been able to be of help
Before I close Simon I.T. and myself have some time ago discussed a word of caution as to how much space our website in fact has available to us. I refer in the main to photographs, as they take a lot of memory space. Forgive me for this Simon as he knows nothing of my actions of the last 48 hours. I have, I think 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. My 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 I hope when I do get it running you all can browse at leisure and maybe find yourself!
Simply "google" search or "any browser" use for that matter and type in: Well that’s it for now. Of the 80,500 odd of you that have visited our website that - we thank you.
August News from the Chair Sadly we do lack much in the way of fry at the moment and certainly little in the way of under 3 lb Barble or Chub. I put under 3 pounders down to fry of 2008 and 1 pounders down to fry of 2009. Right or wrong I put this down to Goosander taking effect. If I am correct on this then I ask myself what will be the effect of this present position in two years time when this present lack of one to three pounders should be in place as four to six pounder breeding stock. It is most pleasing to see some small fish and some fry topping the river this last couple of weeks. We now know at least we do have some stock fish left that the Goosander has missed. 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 For some reason this system is yet to come on line, looking into it I will update as soon as. Simply fill the form in, pay via PayPal / credit card and print off along with your payment receipt and rules page. Oxon Pool The site area is now greening up with vegetation and indeed looks far more attractive. Peg assemblies have now been put in place 14 in total. Apart from laying wood chip pathways to the pegs we are very close to opening this venue. It is hoped that during the month of August to complete this final stage and announce that in fact the pool is now open. Any balance of work continuing alongside the open venue and we may well still be at it in twelve months time. Your SAF committee have taken on a massive task, probably the biggest task since 1921 when the SAF was created. Our motto is: “Protecting LOCAL ANGLING amenity for LOCAL ANGLING community” If we had not grasped the nettle someone else would have done so and quite possibly your local angler would not have got his nose through the gate! It is further intended to the considerations of laying on two or three punts this would enable the fishing of the lily pads off the far bank. I doubt this area has been fished at all for many a year and surmise a good head of tench and other species will be found in this area of the pool. Add to this the fact you will be able to buy your permit from Morris Leisure static and touring caravan site next door and abundance of shops and hot food outlets in very close proximity is going to make Oxon Pool a very important fishery of the near future Phew! Talk about a result or what. Go back 40 / 50 years the good old days when Atcham fishery used to belong to Every week-end now we are seeing even Grandparents along with parents taking juniors to fish this venue with the elders sitting on rugs with flasks and sandwiches. Best of all the fishing, below are some of the results taken at random permit checks. Two hours 61 fish biggest 3 lb Tench. Three hours 84 fish topping at 6lb. Two hours 51 fish incl 1.5lb Rudd 3 lb Perch. Four hours bailiff test fish 102 fish topping at 11lbs. Clive Talbot took his Grandson for 90 minutes and took 63 fish topping 2.5 lb Tench his six year old struggled to fight this chap. Sure enough a day non of them will forget. Killer bait is single sweet corn with a single maggot. Due to only nine pegs on this water it is vital you purchase a day permit. As once nine permits have been sold on a given day no more will be sold for that day. Thus ensuring you do obtain a peg upon arrival. You the adult responsible for junior must be an annual member to obtain this permit. The permit covers you to be at waters edge, junior in effect fishes free. Don’t make the day memorable for being turned off the water because you do not have the correct papers. Thistraining 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. We do ask however if the pool is heavily fished on a particular day and a junior and elder arrive to make provision to assist so that the youngster can get in and fish. I am sure you understand the point we are making here. Our local G.H.O.F. team have made a couple of visits giving youngsters taster sessions. All enjoyed the experience and more importantly ALL caught many fish! 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. How to get to this venue. Easy take the Ellesmere Road out of town up to the Albrighton Hall Hotel, (not the Albright Hussy) when you get to the Albrighton Hotel proceed for about 100 yards and you will see a phone box and a couple of white signs on your left and opposite you turn right into Plex Lane. Follow the bends (take care here the road is tight) within 300 yards you come to a straight and half way up the straight you will see on the right a six vehicle lay-by and on the left a large oak tree in the field. Over the style which is elder friendly and you are fishing. Don’t forget if you end up in the company on the water of anglers that you feel are suspect or have no right to be fishing phone 07813544881 for an immediate Bailiff response. Abuse of this fishery will not be tolerated by the SAF or the Estate owners. 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? The River In particular regard to the prospective new development of the old Gay Meadow site going over to housing. Plans have been submitted for housing and river frontage flood elevation / landscaping. Historically SAF have enjoyed this stretch of water albeit under-fished. In view of this development and using the public access availed to interested parties the following question has been confirmed as being tabled in the application by your SAF Executive Committee "Please may I confirm that MOUSECROFT POOL Yes the water level is down, yet again. However plans have been drawn after discussions/ meetings with Shropshire Council, more importantly agreed. The supply we had originally found now seems less favourable. We are watching the water level and more importantly the fish stock. The first sign of trouble we have now organised a programme that can be put in effect within 24 hours. An emergency supply has been agreed via the pumping out of the pit pool over the back into Mousecroft pool. Best guess would be that the pit could put a foot of water onto Mouscroft in about 4 hours. All various permissions have been granted. Even to the point of a mountaineer being on reserve to climb down into the 35 foot deep pit to recover any and all fish stock left in the bottom. Thus returning the balance of the stolen fish of some months ago. So the whole programme will be put on ice until we see a problem during the expected hot days of August / September. In the meantime we are proceeding with a Hydro – Geo Engineer report to see what is underground in relation to water supplies and if we are lucky we then will consider benefit over cost for a bore hole supply. With regard to leaks prospect on pegs 1 to 5, well now is the time with low water to investigate and this I have in my own way completed. In my laymen view the pool bank is just that a bank with a thin clay liner topping out with four timber plank runs that do not meet the clay. Over the years trees and subsequent roots have invaded the water line and at best I would say natural seepage is the cause. A simple answer would be to make new bank against the existing of say three foot front to back of new clay, thus sealing the waters edge well away form the roots etc. The biggest problem is going to be once the clay is on site how do you get the clay from the tipping point to the job? Also once the clay is on site the job must be worked immediately before the clay starts to dry out. Meetings have taken place with the company that own the fields that back onto Mousecroft Pool. The outcome is that the SAF now are officially managing stewards of these fields. Thus allowing control and relative permissions to stop ingress of permit dodgers by whatever means deemed required without the need for to refer. Also 50% of bank top trees excluding specimen will be felled making a barrier along the length to thwart the easy access, since they broke down the original fence. This step has also been agreed to by Shropshire Council as the only way forward as the cheapest option. So when you do fish Mousecroft “keep em peeled”. We have two new bailiff on this water and you can always phone me 07813 544881 as prosecutions will be made, enough is enough. Merrington Pools Yes that’s right Merrington Pools. Yes it a commercial and yes it is nothing to do with us, or has it? I have had meetings with the proprietors, to explore what possibilities might be at hand to enhance the waters portfolio of the SAF. I am happy to announce that indeed we do have an accord to the benefit of SAF membership. First and foremost they have recently opened a competition pool, horseshoe shape in fact. I say this for a very good reason. We are in the throws of restarting the Shropshire SAF Junior Cup competition scene. Horseshoe? Well for these junior competitions in this day and age we need to have level 1 and two ADB coaches on hand, this element we can achieve form within SAF membership. From the point of view of risk assessment, at no time is any individual out of sight of those responsible to the running of the competition. All pegs are up to standard and meet the requirements of the ADB. For these competitions the use of the clubhouse and facilities are included. The pool will accommodate up to 40 pegs and more importantly I have agreed with the proprietors that this venue for Junior competition in the interests in keeping an active junior campaign for angling will be free of charge! Now for the seniors, the adult angler. What can be achieved for you in this fishery, as you quite rightly you think at this stage” nothing” as you go and fish it anyway if you want to, wrong! Any member club of the SAF can have the same facilities for a competition on this pool for £20.00 and this includes the use of the clubhouse. The main pool is also of interest to any annual SAF member now to. Upon presentation of your SAF annual membership permit when paying your fees for the day a note will be taken of the permit detail. On your third visit you will fish for free! Thus a saving of between £12.00 to £25.00 for night fishing. I view this as a result by any standards and goes a long way as to why your £35.00 per year SAF membership is value for money. Just a quick mention here Barry Archer has made some major improvements to his venue over the winter. Improved pathways, removal of much undergrowth and trees around the perimeter. The trees being bark mulched to make a very attractive area just to sit and watch or have a rest from the peg. Great work Barry, may we all succeed in what we endeavour. RadbrookPool I am also very pleased to announce that the CCTV which is solely pool based to waters edge has started earning its keep! Friday 27th May 13:30 hours kicked in and notified my mobile wrong doings were afoot. Sure enough upon arrival I find 6 individuals using bread on the beach. When questioned 3 said they could not read. One had his line stuck behind the sign "no fishing". All hell broke loose with the six running in four directions. We are suffering from repeat offenders on this water and the time has come to make an example. Snailbeach Pool Sadly this venue looks very much like the death knell is sounding for this water. At a guess suffering the loss of some eight feet of water with 75% of the floor pan out of water. The only saving grace for the stock is a fifteen foot deep trench at the dam side that is containing the stock fish. E/A have advised Electro fish and netting are unfavourable due to conditions. The reason for this long period evolving lack of water is simply a failing supply that is firmly fixed against the back drop of global warming and lack of rain levels over a number of years. Possible cause leaks of the pool have been and are being investigated. However even if a hole is found and you plug it, with no supply what then? Well that’s it for now. Of the 78,000 odd of you that have visited our website that is 8,000 more since June - we thank you. August News from the Chair Sadly we do lack much in the way of fry at the moment and certainly little in the way of under 3 lb Barble or Chub. I put under 3 pounders down to fry of 2008 and 1 pounders down to fry of 2009. Right or wrong I put this down to Goosander taking effect. If I am correct on this then I ask myself what will be the effect of this present position in two years time when this present lack of one to three pounders should be in place as four to six pounder breeding stock. It is most pleasing to see some small fish and some fry topping the river this last couple of weeks. We now know at least we do have some stock fish left that the Goosander has missed. 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 For some reason this system is yet to come on line, looking into it I will update as soon as. Simply fill the form in, pay via PayPal / credit card and print off along with your payment receipt and rules page. Oxon Pool The site area is now greening up with vegetation and indeed looks far more attractive. Peg assemblies have now been put in place 14 in total. Apart from laying wood chip pathways to the pegs we are very close to opening this venue. It is hoped that during the month of August to complete this final stage and announce that in fact the pool is now open. Any balance of work continuing alongside the open venue and we may well still be at it in twelve months time. Your SAF committee have taken on a massive task, probably the biggest task since 1921 when the SAF was created. Our motto is: “Protecting LOCAL ANGLING amenity for LOCAL ANGLING community” If we had not grasped the nettle someone else would have done so and quite possibly your local angler would not have got his nose through the gate! It is further intended to the considerations of laying on two or three punts this would enable the fishing of the lily pads off the far bank. I doubt this area has been fished at all for many a year and surmise a good head of tench and other species will be found in this area of the pool. Add to this the fact you will be able to buy your permit from Morris Leisure static and touring caravan site next door and abundance of shops and hot food outlets in very close proximity is going to make Oxon Pool a very important fishery of the near future Phew! Talk about a result or what. Go back 40 / 50 years the good old days when Atcham fishery used to belong to Every week-end now we are seeing even Grandparents along with parents taking juniors to fish this venue with the elders sitting on rugs with flasks and sandwiches. Best of all the fishing, below are some of the results taken at random permit checks. Two hours 61 fish biggest 3 lb Tench. Three hours 84 fish topping at 6lb. Two hours 51 fish incl 1.5lb Rudd 3 lb Perch. Four hours bailiff test fish 102 fish topping at 11lbs. Clive Talbot took his Grandson for 90 minutes and took 63 fish topping 2.5 lb Tench his six year old struggled to fight this chap. Sure enough a day non of them will forget. Killer bait is single sweet corn with a single maggot. Due to only nine pegs on this water it is vital you purchase a day permit. As once nine permits have been sold on a given day no more will be sold for that day. Thus ensuring you do obtain a peg upon arrival. You the adult responsible for junior must be an annual member to obtain this permit. The permit covers you to be at waters edge, junior in effect fishes free. Don’t make the day memorable for being turned off the water because you do not have the correct papers. 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. We do ask however if the pool is heavily fished on a particular day and a junior and elder arrive to make provision to assist so that the youngster can get in and fish. I am sure you understand the point we are making here. Our local G.H.O.F. team have made a couple of visits giving youngsters taster sessions. All enjoyed the experience and more importantly ALL caught many fish! 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. How to get to this venue. Easy take the Ellesmere Road out of town up to the Albrighton Hall Hotel, (not the Albright Hussy) when you get to the Albrighton Hotel proceed for about 100 yards and you will see a phone box and a couple of white signs on your left and opposite you turn right into Plex Lane. Follow the bends (take care here the road is tight) within 300 yards you come to a straight and half way up the straight you will see on the right a six vehicle lay-by and on the left a large oak tree in the field. Over the style which is elder friendly and you are fishing. Don’t forget if you end up in the company on the water of anglers that you feel are suspect or have no right to be fishing phone 07813544881 for an immediate Bailiff response. Abuse of this fishery will not be tolerated by the SAF or the Estate owners. 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? The River In particular regard to the prospective new development of the old Gay Meadow site going over to housing. Plans have been submitted for housing and river frontage flood elevation / landscaping. Historically SAF have enjoyed this stretch of water albeit under-fished. In view of this development and using the public access availed to interested parties the following question has been confirmed as being tabled in the application by your SAF Executive Committee "Please may I confirm that MOUSECROFT POOL Yes the water level is down, yet again. However plans have been drawn after discussions/ meetings with Shropshire Council, more importantly agreed. The supply we had originally found now seems less favourable. We are watching the water level and more importantly the fish stock. The first sign of trouble we have now organised a programme that can be put in effect within 24 hours. An emergency supply has been agreed via the pumping out of the pit pool over the back into Mousecroft pool. Best guess would be that the pit could put a foot of water onto Mouscroft in about 4 hours. All various permissions have been granted. Even to the point of a mountaineer being on reserve to climb down into the 35 foot deep pit to recover any and all fish stock left in the bottom. Thus returning the balance of the stolen fish of some months ago. So the whole programme will be put on ice until we see a problem during the expected hot days of August / September. In the meantime we are proceeding with a Hydro – Geo Engineer report to see what is underground in relation to water supplies and if we are lucky we then will consider benefit over cost for a bore hole supply. With regard to leaks prospect on pegs 1 to 5, well now is the time with low water to investigate and this I have in my own way completed. In my laymen view the pool bank is just that a bank with a thin clay liner topping out with four timber plank runs that do not meet the clay. Over the years trees and subsequent roots have invaded the water line and at best I would say natural seepage is the cause. A simple answer would be to make new bank against the existing of say three foot front to back of new clay, thus sealing the waters edge well away form the roots etc. The biggest problem is going to be once the clay is on site how do you get the clay from the tipping point to the job? Also once the clay is on site the job must be worked immediately before the clay starts to dry out. Meetings have taken place with the company that own the fields that back onto Mousecroft Pool. The outcome is that the SAF now are officially managing stewards of these fields. Thus allowing control and relative permissions to stop ingress of permit dodgers by whatever means deemed required without the need for to refer. Also 50% of bank top trees excluding specimen will be felled making a barrier along the length to thwart the easy access, since they broke down the original fence. This step has also been agreed to by Shropshire Council as the only way forward as the cheapest option. So when you do fish Mousecroft “keep em peeled”. We have two new bailiff on this water and you can always phone me 07813 544881 as prosecutions will be made, enough is enough. Merrington Pools Yes that’s right Merrington Pools. Yes it a commercial and yes it is nothing to do with us, or has it? I have had meetings with the proprietors, to explore what possibilities might be at hand to enhance the waters portfolio of the SAF. I am happy to announce that indeed we do have an accord to the benefit of SAF membership. First and foremost they have recently opened a competition pool, horseshoe shape in fact. I say this for a very good reason. We are in the throws of restarting the Shropshire SAF Junior Cup competition scene. Horseshoe? Well for these junior competitions in this day and age we need to have level 1 and two ADB coaches on hand, this element we can achieve form within SAF membership. From the point of view of risk assessment, at no time is any individual out of sight of those responsible to the running of the competition. All pegs are up to standard and meet the requirements of the ADB. For these competitions the use of the clubhouse and facilities are included. The pool will accommodate up to 40 pegs and more importantly I have agreed with the proprietors that this venue for Junior competition in the interests in keeping an active junior campaign for angling will be free of charge! Now for the seniors, the adult angler. What can be achieved for you in this fishery, as you quite rightly you think at this stage” nothing” as you go and fish it anyway if you want to, wrong! Any member club of the SAF can have the same facilities for a competition on this pool for £20.00 and this includes the use of the clubhouse. The main pool is also of interest to any annual SAF member now to. Upon presentation of your SAF annual membership permit when paying your fees for the day a note will be taken of the permit detail. On your third visit you will fish for free! Thus a saving of between £12.00 to £25.00 for night fishing. I view this as a result by any standards and goes a long way as to why your £35.00 per year SAF membership is value for money. Just a quick mention here Barry Archer has made some major improvements to his venue over the winter. Improved pathways, removal of much undergrowth and trees around the perimeter. The trees being bark mulched to make a very attractive area just to sit and watch or have a rest from the peg. Great work Barry, may we all succeed in what we endeavour. RadbrookPool I am also very pleased to announce that the CCTV which is solely pool based to waters edge has started earning its keep! Friday 27th May 13:30 hours kicked in and notified my mobile wrong doings were afoot. Sure enough upon arrival I find 6 individuals using bread on the beach. When questioned 3 said they could not read. One had his line stuck behind the sign "no fishing". All hell broke loose with the six running in four directions. We are suffering from repeat offenders on this water and the time has come to make an example. Snailbeach Pool Sadly this venue looks very much like the death knell is sounding for this water. At a guess suffering the loss of some eight feet of water with 75% of the floor pan out of water. The only saving grace for the stock is a fifteen foot deep trench at the dam side that is containing the stock fish. E/A have advised Electro fish and netting are unfavourable due to conditions. The reason for this long period evolving lack of water is simply a failing supply that is firmly fixed against the back drop of global warming and lack of rain levels over a number of years. Possible cause leaks of the pool have been and are being investigated. However even if a hole is found and you plug it, with no supply what then? Well that’s it for now. Of the 78,000 odd of you that have visited our website that is 8,000 more since June - we thank you. June news from the Chair with Rolling Updates on new season It is most pleasing to see some small fish and some fry topping the river this last couple of weeks. We now know at least we do have some stock fish left that the Goosander has missed. Oxon Pool The site area is now greening up with vegetation and indeed looks far more attractive. Peg spaces have now marked out, 20 in total. Thanks to Keith, Clive, Roger, Trevor in the main. These people, some of your committee members committed to 5 days hard labour and created 20 new pegs from our purchase of recycled plastic bottle product on four pallets. Just under four tons of equipment in fact, this entailed no less than 1,620 holes, being drilled and countersunk let alone build jigs to erect the frames. As Chairman on behalf of the membership may I say thank you very much for your valiant effort. Prior to erecting the pegs on site we need to remove all of the small dead wood branches and twigs from the area of the waters edge back by thirty yards, if you like leaving a tide mark of debris 30 yards inland. So for the 18th June Saturday we are hoping to get the likes of GWR, GHOF, Probation service community offenders and you on site between 10am and 4pm. I guarantee it will be light work just fiddling twigs and branches two to three feet long, even bring a rake or similar. We need you desperately for up to six hours or two if that is all you can manage. Once this is complete we will be removing from in front of the intended new pegs, water born debris with winch and punt on another day. It is then we believe the work can begin in creating twenty pegs. It is when we have reached this stage to then open the pool with the balance of work continuing alongside the open venue and we may well still be at it in twelve months time. Your SAF committee have taken on a massive task, probably the biggest task since 1921 when the SAF was created. Why bother you may ask and the answer is simple. Our motto is: “Protecting LOCAL ANGLING amenity for LOCAL ANGLING community” If we had not grasped the nettle someone else would have done so and quite possibly your local angler would not have got his nose through the gate! It is further intended to the considerations of laying on two or three punts this would enable the fishing of the lily pads off the far bank. I doubt this area has been fished at all for many a year and surmise a good head of tench and other species will be found in this area of the pool. Add to this the fact you will be able to buy your permit from Morris Leisure static and touring caravan site next door and abundance of shops and hot food outlets in very close proximity is going to make Oxon Pool a very important fishery of the near future 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. Some nine pegs exist and of those 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. We do ask however if the pool is heavily fished on a particular day and a junior and elder arrive to make provision to assist so that the youngster can get in and fish. I am sure you understand the point we are making here. The pool itself fishes very well indeed and has a good head of varied stock. Roach to 2 lbs, Perch to 3 lbs, Rudd to 1.5 lbs, reasonable Carp also show well. Unless you are very unlucky your junior should see a bag of a couple of dozen fish banked in a couple of hours, the beauty being you never know what you are going to have take his / her bait. In fact I would say the pool fishing is fantastic. Our local G.H.O.F. team have made a couple of visits giving youngsters taster sessions. All enjoyed the experience and more importantly ALL caught many fish! 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. How to get to this venue. Easy take the Ellesmere Road out of town up to the Albrighton Hall Hotel, (not the Albright Hussy) when you get to the Albrighton Hotel proceed for about 100 yards and you will see a phone box and a couple of white signs on your left and opposite you turn right into Plex Lane. Follow the bends (take care here the road is tight) within 300 yards you come to a straight and half way up the straight you will see on the right a six vehicle lay-by and on the left a large oak tree in the field. Over the style which is elder friendly and you are fishing. Don’t forget if you end up in the company on the water of anglers that you feel are suspect or have no right to be fishing phone 07813544881 for an immediate Bailiff response. Abuse of this fishery will not be tolerated by the SAF or the Estate owners. 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? The River Some may have noticed in the Shropshire Star, Radio Shropshire and Angling Times a public diatribe by me trying to keep the Cormorant and Goosander concern in the forefront of the public domain. This has been quite intentional and ruffled a few feathers, this being the desired net result. Many conversations have gone on behind this public shouting and bleating. I have taken to task a number of entities who have complained to me directly. We are still fighting for a limited Cull on these two predators. The R.S.P.B have just got get heads out of sand for once, it is notable the demise of population of heron and kingfisher over the last couple of years. This surely is down to the lack of food based on commonsense. I am told by the Environment Agency and R.S.P.B. that I am NOT helping the cause by my public discussion. What cause? Do they mean don’t discuss it keep it under wraps. My advice given to the E/A was instead of advising on my not helping the cause, the E/A should drop following the party line and SUPPORT the angling community! Yes the Angling Trust have done wonders in bringing the matter to a head with Richard Benyon MP Minister to DEFRA. Yes DEFRA have announced £100 million to go into our waterways in relation to the year (2000) E/U water framework directive. Hold on! DEFRA had got to do this anyway to fall in line with the directive. So exactly what ground was indeed given by DEFRA to us? Just how much will go to benefit angling? However the public diatribe has at last reached ears from afar. Tim Pemberton who created Carp World magazine also ECHO English Carp Heritage Organisation and P.A.G. Predator Action Group based in MOUSECROFT POOL Yes the water level is down, yet again. However plans have been drawn after discussions/ meetings with Shropshire Council, more importantly agreed. We have identified a supply and we think we have identified a loss also. To this end it is intended to rebuild the pool face between pegs 29 and 24 with a new wooden wall from pool bed to path level, some two feet forward of the existing wall and backfill with compressed clay. This action will we hope plug the leak. A meeting takes place today 25th May with Shropshire Council as an outlet pipe has been identified that feeds the small pit pool over the back of Mousecroft. I had no knowledge of this until recently and we intend to establish the height and whereabouts of this pipe in relation to the pool. Mosecroft Pool has become open to attack from the rear for want of a better term. With fencing broken down and what seems to be very well used path leading up the bank and away. The users of these paths are pure and simple licence and permit dodgers, as soon as your car hits the car park they scarper. Meetings have now taken place with the company that own the fields that back onto Mousecroft Pool. The outcome is that the SAF now are officially managing stewards of these fields. Thus allowing control and relative permissions to stop ingress of permit dodgers by whatever means deemed required without the need for to refer. Also 50% of bank top trees excluding specimen will be felled making a barrier along the length to thwart the easy access, since they broke down the original fence. This step has also been agreed to by Shropshire Council as the only way forward as the cheapest option. So when you do fish Mousecroft “keep em peeled”. We have two new bailiff on this water and you can always phone me 07813 544881 as prosecutions will be made, enough is enough. Merrington Pools Yes that’s right Merrington Pools. Yes it a commercial and yes it is nothing to do with us, or has it? I have had meetings with the proprietors, to explore what possibilities might be at hand to enhance the waters portfolio of the SAF. I am happy to announce that indeed we do have an accord to the benefit of SAF membership. First and foremost they have recently opened a competition pool, horseshoe shape in fact. I say this for a very good reason. We are in the throws of restarting the Shropshire SAF Junior Cup competition scene. Horseshoe? Well for these junior competitions in this day and age we need to have level 1 and two ADB coaches on hand, this element we can achieve form within SAF membership. From the point of view of risk assessment, at no time is any individual out of sight of those responsible to the running of the competition. All pegs are up to standard and meet the requirements of the ADB. For these competitions the use of the clubhouse and facilities are included. The pool will accommodate up to 40 pegs and more importantly I have agreed with the proprietors that this venue for Junior competition in the interests in keeping an active junior campaign for angling will be free of charge! Now for the seniors, the adult angler. What can be achieved for you in this fishery, as you quite rightly you think at this stage” nothing” as you go and fish it anyway if you want to, wrong! Any member club of the SAF can have the same facilities for a competition on this pool for £20.00 and this includes the use of the clubhouse. The main pool is also of interest to any annual SAF member now to. Upon presentation of your SAF annual membership permit when paying your fees for the day a note will be taken of the permit detail. On your third visit you will fish for free! Thus a saving of between £12.00 to £25.00 for night fishing. I view this as a result by any standards and goes a long way as to why your £35.00 per year SAF membership is value for money. Just a quick mention here Barry Archer has made some major improvements to his venue over the winter. Improved pathways, removal of much undergrowth and trees around the perimeter. The trees being bark mulched to make a very attractive area just to sit and watch or have a rest from the peg. Great work Barry, may we all succeed in what we endeavour. RadbrookPool I am also very pleased to announce that the CCTV which is solely pool based to waters edge has started earning its keep! Friday 27th May 13:30 hours kicked in and notified my mobile wrong doings were afoot. Sure enough upon arrival I find 6 individuals using bread on the beach. When questioned 3 said they could not read. One had his line stuck behind the sign "no fishing". All hell broke loose with the six running in four directions. Being on my own I decided this was going to be difficult and then when I was given the "V" and told to go away ( in a fashion) from 100 yard distant. Ah enough is enough I thought, so I called in for help and the boys in blue were on the job in no time. We did not catch all of them but enough to spread the word. These lads ranging from 15 to 22 years ended up with recorded Police cautions, with a rider "we speak to you again on this subject and you will be charged with having no E/A licence". Well that’s it for now. Of the 70,000 odd of you that have visited our website we thank you. *************************************************************************************** ON-LINE DAY TICKET SALES We are pleased to announce another development in the SAF stable. Soon you will be able to buy your day ticket on-line. The on-line permit layout can be viewed by clicking the link here. The permit 'page' is still under construction and will be fully operational in the next week or so. 1ST DECEMBER 2010-SAFTALK blog goes live click on the SAFTALK blog link on our header ALL SAF Permit Holders The only way around the Cormorant and Goosander problem is: The advice received on the second visit to me of DEFRA inspector (November 2010) for the issue of a cull permit was refused. Based upon the fact that I had not shown sufficient evidence of Avian Predator! On the Monkmoor stretch on the opposite bank at the back of the Corbet Arms Pub. I showed him the dead Oak tree that 15 Cormorant roost in at night. I stated I wanted to sit under it and cull 50% of the brood stock. He was having non of it! Simply his answer was CUT down the tree and this is official. Oh also issue balloons to anglers so they can blow them up and burst them to frighten the birds 100 yards upstream. Well two can play at this little game of stupidity. I want to know from you identified sites of: Cormorant Roosting trees and Goosander (roosting) trees !!!!! All must be complete before the end of March!! So stuff the fishing I am changing over to a chainsaw "Pick yer window birdy yer goin thro it" We will see an improvement shortly Contact Two choices: 07813544881 DO IT ! February news from the Chair River Fish Stocks I have managed to convince the Shropshire Star to carry a feature on the SAF and the problem with our river. It will be in this week 17th – 19th February, I intend to send copies to our MP, Mr. Benyon Minister of Agriculture (DEFRA) and the Angling Trust in support of the lobbying so far taken. We hear such advice as to create more habitat for fry to hide, to get out of sight of the Goosander. June 2007 we watch them all wash away in a flood! We hear many answers, whilst the Cormorant and Goosander population explode unabated. Well I for one have had enough of this diatribe and now look for action not talk. I do fear it is too late, seeing as we started shouting two years ago with many editorials in the Star over the period. Only now reaching national concern. Fact: FIVE years this is a joke. It is not just predation either, may I say. Our river is the cleanest it has ever been, we are told. Sorry lets have it back dirty and grubby as it was when the likes of my dad Neville Roberts now 84 and our Watty Harris used to swim in the blasted thing. To Oh yes and this included natural otter populations also in those days gone by. Nature coped very well. Talking of weed where has it gone in the last six months from the face of the weir, don’t say floods as we only just had one from the low water levels of last summer, so I cannot accept that as an answer. Our pebbled breeding redds are now covered in nothing more than brown grunge. It has been scientifically proven in
NEWS
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 MatthiasVery very good news. This morning our test pumping of Conduit head has in all respects resolved our Mousecrioft supply and exceeded our hopes and expectations.
The well had shown a 4 foot drop in level from our last visit leaving from the original 15 foot of water some 4 feet .
Pumping with what we think is a 6,000 litres per hour pump
capacity we took some five feet immediate off the head of the well then suddenly the level stabilised!.........................
An hour later the level had increased by 3 inches whilst pumping had continued non stop.
It is evident that the well capacity to replenish is in excess of 6,000 litres an hour.
So next stage is either we go for a small windmill with a lunge pump or electrical supply some 5 yards away and install electric pump. Monday committee meeting we discuss options.