We have year agreed with our landlords a five year lease for the fishing right on Harefield No1, and even with the emergence of the Denham Quarry trail we feel with the discussions we have had with the council the fishing should not be affected to much. Other new stipulations in the licence include the banning of Carp sacks, Livebaiting and prebaiting in Harefield No1.
Visitors Tickets
Are available from Terry or Frank and from the Fishermans Cabin, a new tackle shop in the same location where Colne Valley Angling used to be. The proprietor Steve Brown, is happy to sell the tickets, and we wish him well in his new venture.
New Members Form
There is a new members form enclosed with this magazine, the green form, if you have a friend who wishes to join pass it to him after you have proposed him on the form.
Swans & Swanlifeline
In this magazine you will find an article on Swanlifeline that you should read and remember. If you should need them in an emergency their telephone number is in the magazine, and on the back of your ticket. As an additional precaution because of the shallow lake and the birds from the start of the new season barbless hooks only must be used at Langley. John Miles has arranged for a small group of Society Officers to have training in the use of the swan hook, courtesy of Bucks County Council, our thanks to them for the training.
Two Rods Only
There has been much speculation regarding the introduction of the use of more than two rods in the Thames area, so far no change has taken place. Regardless if there is a change or not the HAS policy remains two rods only per angler maximum.
Gates & Keys
All our locks will from this season have combination locks on them, the number is on your ticket, the only exception is the Harefield No2 red gate that is conventionally locked. There is a new key for this gate this season that you will get with your new permit. Articles and Cover Pictures The cover of this magazine, was supplied by Alan Hague, his debut. My thanks for the work, more from him and others would be welcome. All articles and pictures will be received with thanks. Articles for the next magazine should be with me for the beginning of August, on any subject.
Nights Fishing
If you wish to fish the opening night, you must apply for night tickets from Terry Gibson who will accept enquiries by post three weeks before you wish to fish.
Working Parties
Your presence will again be welcome at one of our many working parties with your good humour and lunatic strength. If you have any wood and scaffold poles that the club could use at our lakes, please contact your fishery manager.
Guest Speakers
At the September members meeting we are to witness an exclusive, one of a very few showing's of Paul Boote's slide show 'fishing in Africa' for the 'goliath Tiger Fish'. Paul has done two slide shows for us already and brought us the magnificent channel 4 footage 'searching for gold', in pursuit of the Marseer of India, this is one not to miss.
Vince Sutton
Those of you who were members when the GLC were in existence will remember the plans they had for the area we know as Harefield No 1&2. Barges were removed, trees planted, and plans laid. There abolition saw these plans shelved, and shelved they were until last year.
Our Landlords commissioned a report to look at again developing this and other areas along the colne valley. The report which sought to produce a quarry trail for people on foot, cyclists and some horseriding. Your committee were given the plans and have had discussions with the landlords to seek a solution amicable to both parties and to hopefully ensure that we can continue angling without to much loss of amenity and allow us to continue to enjoy our sport.
Those of you that have visited the site since work has begun will see a new trail run up the side of No1 leading to the top end of the lake adjacent to the road to No2. Also the access to the road from our gate has been blocked at our suggesting, to ensure the visitors cars stay in the car park. We proposed the car park suggested be moved to cover the area around where our existing entrance to number one, as they intend to allow vehicular access via Moorhall Road, which we can use as well. We intend to move our existing gate to ensure that we can gain access and the trail users stick to the correct paths. The path is a shown on the diagram, but will proceed along the path made adjacent to the No2 road, with a view at the very top end of the lake, and not as originally suggested on our very popular 'point'. The trail will then leave the lake and proceed along the boatyard bank of No2, and along the canal bank and onwards to lake No3 exiting into the Denham Country park. Various other secondary footpath have been proposed which would circumnavigate No2 and pit 4, objections have been raised especially with respect of the limited access along the railway bank of Harefield No2, and to attempt to avoid disruption for the wildlife that flourishes there, but this point has not been accepted.
The point has been strongly made for supervision as opening up the area could attract vandals, motorcyclists and litter bugs. Cost is though the problem for the council, the whole project is on a minimal budget which will not stretch to wardens, in fact the idea is of a low use unsupervised trail. To address these and other issues we have proposed, and been accepted a site meeting with the groundwork trust, and our landlords to further explain our problems with the scheme. A further report will be given at the AGM, please attend.
Vince Sutton
By the time you all read this, we will all be suffering the closed season blues, and your wife or girlfriend will be saying strange words to you, such as decorate the living room or cut the grass.
On behalf of other officers of the Society and myself, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support over the past season, and personally extend my thanks to my fellow Officers for there support on the committee this season. They all work extremely hard in their own time, without reward on your behalf.
This season has shown yet again some very good catches, some to new members (what are all the older members doing wrong?). But you will all have to wait until the AGM to find out exactly what, as I am not going to steal Frank Webb, your curators speech, and your chance to hear one of his stories.
Your committee have a lot of plans for improvements for the forthcoming season, such as a stocking at Rowley, which I am sure John Miles will tell you more about. Hopefully, also by the time you read this, we should have the all clear from the NRA, and we shall be looking at new fish stocks for Harefield No2.
This year, the membership fees have risen (the first time for two years), which you will find detailed below. This unfortunate increase has been forced upon us for a number of reasons, rent and rate increases from our Landlords, printing and postage of the magazine, general inflation, repairing and replacing equipment, lake maintenance and the cost of new fish stocks. We, as a committee hope to be able to maintain the new fees for the foreseeable future.
We are also undertaking a long term management plan on all of the waters, which has been recommended to us by a professional fishery management consultant.
Please do support the fishery managers on the working parties (Steve Jenner cannot cut all the grass at No2 on his own), I and the other members of the committee look forward to seeing you all at the forthcoming AGM.
Ray Kilham
On Wednesday 17th July 1991, I again spent another nice day fishing alongside my regular angling companion Vic West. Just as we had both done so since fishing this beautiful lake this season, Vic and I had caught our usual bag of perch, roach, a very nice Bream, an eel of 3lbs, and lost a goodly sized carp (lost by myself just as Vic had the landing net under it), however the following true story finished off the day for Vic and I.
The regular procedure with Vic and I - when one or the other hooks into a fish - is for the non catcher to stand by with the landing net to assist the other in case he is required, and it was after my companion had hooked into a rather goodly sized perch that I stood by with the net.
As Vic reeled in his catch (a lovely perch of around the 1lb mark, he got it to six feet from the bank when suddenly a grey shape broke the water behind it. Of course this was a goodly sized jack pike after Vic's catch and it was snapping and diving upon the unfortunate perch all the way up to the wooden frontage of the swim. As Vic desperately tried to lift his catch from the jaws of the pike, I was just as desperately trying to get the landing net under the Perch to save it from certain death. Somehow or other I did force the net between the perch and pike and when I was sure it was completely under Vic's catch, I lifted it clear of the water. However, something went terribly wrong because instead of lifting the perch clear of the pike, it was the pike itself I netted, lifting it clear onto the bank as if I'd been doing this trick all my life!! In the meantime Vic had safety landed his perch so it was a double effort by the West & Jones team.
The outcome both this jack pike 6lbs, and the terrified perch were safely returned to the water whilst Vic and I argued for several minutes as to who would take credit for catching a Pike. WITHOUT ROD OR LINE!!
Harry Jones
This year Steve Kearvell resigned as fishery manager for Harefield No2 due to pressure of work. We would all like to thank Steve for the hard work he has put in, due to the fish kill and the water improvements, also many thanks to Alan Tomkins for driving the sample fish to Stirling university in Scotland.
Due to Steve's resignation Les Skidmore and myself have agreed to take over the running of No2. We have already started by putting in dip tanks, this was decided as a precaution in case whatever is wrong with the fish in No2 is transferable. Despite the lack of Carp this season the fishing has been extremely good, the record for Tench and Bream from No2 has been broken with weights of 7lb 8oz and 8lb 12oz respectively, and there are reports of a 11lb Bream being caught on a deadbait! Good bags of Tench were caught at the start of the season, July and August produced good roach and Bream catches along with a number of Perch to 3lb, and the occasional large eel. A few Carp have been caught though, with the best fish 25lbs and a smaller common Carp of 10lbs caught by Mick Rees, quite a result after 15 cans of draught Boddingtons, but what is encouraging is a few small Carp caught to people fishing the float around Dews Farm Lane and the Peat Bank.
There were some irresponsible members who have taken guests to the lake without the appropriate tickets, a silly move as the only people to suffer is them when they get there tickets revoked.
As from next season the sailing base will be fenced off, if you wish to fish there you will need to seek permission from Jeff Creek at the sailing base. This is due to the development of the Colne Valley country park.
The Pike season got off to a good start with a number of good fish caught the best so far is 17lbs caught by Les Skidmore, a large number of smaller fish have also been reported.
The closed season will require some hard enjoyable work from you on one of our working parties, I suggest as its not long now before you will be called into action, so get down the gym now and start training!
Steve Jenner
At the time of writing, January 1992, I have just been shown some tackle recovered from fish and also around the banks of Harefield No2 by one of the joint fishery managers, Les Skidmore.
Firstly, one or two of the treble hooks that were shown to me would have been better suited having a rope tied to them, and being used as a grappling hook to scale a wall. Secondly, some line that was found still attached to a rig would have made good tow rope.
TO CATCH A FISH AT ANY COST using tackle as described above takes the pleasure and sport out of fishing.
The members out there, who I am writing about, know who they are, and thankfully you are a small minority. If you are uncertain of what tackle and methods to use have plenty of courses of action open to you.
The rig I was shown with the line like a tow rope, had been put together in such a way, that when the line parted, the pike had no choice but to be forced to tow hooks, wire trace, line, lead weight and float around. This rig was thankfully removed, but the pike's mouth was all torn, and it's stomach was cut and grazed from towing the above around.
Your committee will take a very dim view of any member found to be using tackle of this standard which can and does cause damage to fish. I would draw your attention to our rule book, and quote rule number 22.1, all fish to be returned to the water with as little injury as possible, this includes pike and eels. Any angler found to be abusing fish, will be liable to expulsion from the society without further notice. TAKE NOTE, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
Please remember, if we do not take care of what we have to day, we may not have it tomorrow.
Ray Kilham
Vince's "headline" in the last magazine in the above format has prompted the idea of writing a series of reports on the rebirth of this fishery. Titled simply "Rowley lake - Date etc" I will endeavour to record the long road to recovering.
Since my last report in November 1991 there has been much positive action by NRA Thames Region, the farmer and Bucks County Council in seeking out the source of the pollution and sealing it off effectively and, hopefully, permanently.
Extensive dye tests have been undertaken with each section of drain being scrutinised in detail until the offending length of pipe was found. One particular area of drain has been completely replaced, sealed and tested and at the time of writing the system appears to be safe although final testing and approval by NRA is still to be carried out.
Work has not been restricted to the immediate farm area only. You will find when you visit the lake that the feeder stream has been cleared and re-dug, the silt trap has been enlarged and is to be fitted with a small sill adjacent to the footbridge in order to slow the incoming water further and provide a degree of oxygenation before it enters the lake.
Further up stream, as the stream leaves the underground culvert, provision has been made for temporary damming of the stream should a further incident occur. It will now be possible to retain the stream and pump any offensive water up into the farm slurry tank and then away onto the fields out of harms way. This will obviously be a short term solution but will provide the necessary time to assess the situation and take immediate remedial action should the need occur.
A note of thanks, I feel is required here to all concerned in the above activities in that they have treated the situation with the utmost seriousness and responded in a quick and positive way.
Whilst the litigation wheels turn ever slowly in the background the committee have given the whole situation the utmost priority and have sanctioned the spending of between three and four thousand pounds on the initial stages of restocking.
Although these figures sound and indeed are, very high in this business you don't get an awful lot for your money. However, we are about angling and we have to somehow put back what has been lost and hopefully, long term, more than was lost. By shopping around for quite sometime I think we are getting value for money and when I saw the quality of the first consignment of Tench I was convinced.
To date (18th February 1992) thirty one Tench between 2 & 6lbs (116lbs total) have been stocked, with a further 150lbs and some big Roach/Rudd hybrids (2 1/2 to 4lbs are due to go in within the next day or so.
The total order is for:
More stocking will take place when further funds are available (please don't forget water fund donations box on your membership renewal form).
It is hoped that the above fish will be stocked by the end of February and added to the few fish which remain will provide a degree of sport towards the end of the season. Incidentally I know of at least 4 Carp being caught since the pollution and saw 10 one afternoon in October.
I am confident that all can be done has been done in trying to prevent a further incident but I would repeat that you are ever vigilant and report anything you consider to be out of the ordinary i.e. smelly, discoloured water, fungal growth on the bed of the silt trap or lake, distressed fish etc etc.
Please report the up side of things - fish caught, fish sighted - anything which will assist in determining the level and progress of the fish within the lake.
As a point of interest, Ray Rogers, is making a video of the lakes recovery. He will be recording restocking, working party activities, nettings, fish caught, action shots, surrounding wildlife etc. He reckons to take 3 years over the project, sell copies at grossly inflated prices and retire to 'Lake Superglue' in the South of France with Andy Little.
John Miles 18th February 1992
Stop Press - 164lb of Tench between 2lbs and 6lbs (approximately 50 fish) and 23 Roach\Rudd hybrids between 2 1/2lb and 4lbs put in on Wednesday 19th February.
Patron Lady E.Howe JP
Swan Lifeline is the oldest and original Registered Charity entirely devoted to the care and needs of sick and injured swans. We have our origins in the charity Save our Swans started by Steve and Zyllah Cooke about ten years ago.
Britain's Mute Swan
The Mute swan, one of 10 varieties of swan found worldwide, is Britains largest and most graceful bird and is found on most of our slow-running waterways. In common with all wild-life today, the Mute swan faces many environmental hazards, a major one being the dramatic loss of feeding, nesting and territorial sites due to man taking for his use areas which were once wild and natural.
Lead Shot and other Dangers
Although anglers lead shot between the sizes 0.06 grams and 28.35 grams is now banned swans are still suffering from lead poisoning caused by ingesting lead weights. Other man-made dangers include oil and chemical pollution and injuries caused by fishing tackle and litter.
Overhead cables, bridges, lock races weirs, boats and even roads pose a threat of accidental physical injury to such a large and heavy bird as the mute swan.
Unfortunately, malicious vandalism such as shooting, wounding and destruction of nests and eggs still takes place.
Natural Predators
Although there are few natural predators of the Mute swan, foxes, dogs and other animals cause some injury and death, as do territorial fights, botulism, infections and tumours.
The Organisation was formed in the Autumn of 1986 by people who had worked with Save our Swans, a group who had highlighted the needs of swans and pioneered swan rescue and treatment in the Thames Valley for the preceding six years.
Swan Lifeline is a charitable organisation manned by volunteers, backed by expert veterinary care headed by Steve & Zyllah Cooke, committed to high standards or rescue and treatment with the aim of releasing swans back to their natural habitat.
Swan lifeline will continue to promote greater public awareness of the man-made problems which face the Mute swan in Britain today.
Emergency Contact Number
Reports of swans needing attention are received on the rescue number Slough (0753) 575894 (answerphone checked regularly), you must state the following:
Mrs Marjorie Unwin runs a treatment centre and sanctuary at Outwood (near Redhill). Eton College are to grant us a lease on Cuckoo Weir Island, Eton and subject to planning permission we intend to build a rescue headquarters and treatment centre on the island.
Swan Watching - Points to look for
Healthy swans hold the neck in a graceful curve, have the tail straight out behind and eat well. Sick swans show a 'kinked' neck, the tail often turns up and they tend to separate themselves from the main flock and show loss of appetite.
Membership of Swan Lifeline
Membership rates for 12 months are: