OPENING DATE 1ST DECEMBER 2011
OXON POOL- OPEN AT LAST
With great delight I am pleased to announce that at long last and after lots of hard work Oxon pool is finally to open. The chosen date will be the 1st of December 2011.
The pool has responded well to early probing test sessions and has revealed plenty of fish of varying species namely Perch, Bream, Carp, Roach and Rudd and Pike to specimen proportions well into double figures. It is hoped that the winter Pike angler will capitalise on this little fishery through the coming months and give us a true indicator of what this pool is capable of.
The pool is available to fish to any full SAF season permit holder but you must purchase an additional day permit (as for Radbrook, Butlers etc) at a cost of £4. This is primarily to control the numbers of rods/anglers on the fishery on any given day. There are a limited number of permits available. These can be obtained from either Total Angling or from the Frankwell post office. Please bring your rod licence as you will NOT be issued a day ticket without one.
Individuals (none members) wishing to fish Oxon, who are staying at the caravan site on the Morris liesure side of the pool may also purchase an 'OXON' day ticket from the duty office or reception on the caravan site. Again numbers are limited.
Oxon is still very much a work in progress and work will continue through the winter months with the creation of safe pathways to each particular, individual platform, access into and out of the fishery and with some tree felling work to be undertaken soon. The pool is a desiganated nature site and both walkers and anglers are welcome to visit. Keep an eye out on our website or on our regular monthly newsletters for any further developments or updates.
I am further pleased to announce that the SAF having proven itself of ability on this project Shropshire Council are looking through the portfolio of water to see if any other sites may be of interest.
Also now that the infrastructure is finished and the end result can be imagined once recovered, the site has been designated as a site of WILDLIFE INTEREST. Given that the SAF have ensured 25 % angling and 75% wildlife interest as the end result.
Don't forget this fishery has two car parks so if the first is full then drive 150 yards and plenty of room. Also we must remember the bird watchers as the site sports a purpose built bird hide and many species can be viewed at leisure from the hide and bank.
I am pleased to report that two major projects were undertaken at Oxon during March and completed on time.
Over on the far side of the pool, what we refer as to the Morris Leisure side for now, shortly to be pegs 15 to 20. We have created these 5 new pegs, the heavy work has been done with machines and path edge timbers have been set just needing back fill with wood chip. The new pegs are now complete including walkways, this then being a side of the pool that has not been fished for many years.
Although it looks like good ground under the pegs DO NOT try wading as to the front of the pegs the bed drops off to 4 foot six and more. Unlike the car park side of a foot out from waters edge is 5-6 foot peat and water.
The second major project was to remove and burn the so called bungalows of old tree crowns that sat in the middle of the fauna area. This work has been completed and we succeeded in removing more than planned, making the whole area far more attractive.
Pegs 1 to 14 still need some adjustment and this will be attended to during the summer. The main element is that infrastructure is now complete some 9 months ahead of schedule. We now time to look at management structure of the site for the future.
Permit sales are looking good, both from our membership and from Morris Leisure clients.
The site area is now greening up with vegetation and indeed looks far more attractive.
Peg 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.
Our motto is:
“Protecting LOCAL 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 to that 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 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
The history of Oxon:
Well, imagine a very sad, neglected pool, with practically zero access due to the immense tree growth and wild banks,........ but with tons of potential,
Well this is Oxon Pool. Situated just slightly south west of the Town centre it is almost a dream come true. A massive undertaking spearheded by the SAF to bring this forgotten pool back to life. We, with the help of many varied groups, parties, organisations and individuals have helped to bring the pool and it's surroundings to a place where all can visit. This is not aimed primarily at the angler but more the lover of wildlife. A true nature haven where you are free to stroll, explore, relax, and enjoy.
We at the SAF would like to extend our sincere gratitude and thanks to every single peson who has been involved or who has helped along the way to make Oxon Pool something we all can be proud of.
More details and photos to follow soon.........
Kane Offland with a good double figure Pike
PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE REGENERATION OF OXON POOL
Not in any particular order
Summertime 2012 (in leaf) photos to follow
