The season got off to a good start mainly with Carp coming out 20 & 17lb+ from the Carp boys, the one exception was Roy Wildey catching a Carp of 20lbs on 6lb line and sweetcorn. As the weeks went on the Tench started to come out, the best was 7lbs 2oz, by our Tench expert Dave White. Bream to 8lbs 12oz fell to Dave Sellars, and plenty of Roach between 4 and 8oz.
With the increase of the hot weather some weed has started to appear mainly on the marina bank, we will be monitoring the growth and see what can be done for the following season. There has been some people camping on the lakeside, not fishing just causing a nuisance and mess, also some people poaching. If any member is unsure of anybody, ask for their ticket as everybody is a bailiff.
Many thanks to all those who turned up on the working parties. A lot of litter was picked up, mainly thrown alas by the public on the Colne Valley walk. A lot of work has been done on the peat bank, with 5 swims being made and tidied up for comfortable fishing, and its good to see they are being used. With regards to litter again, thanks to the person who fished the second swim down from the bend on the canal bank between 20 - 26 July for leaving a disposable BBQ, a plastic wrapper from the fisherman's cabin, cans, wrappers etc., obviously a fisherman. I had to pick it all up. Anyone caught will have there membership withdrawn.
Our thanks to bailiff's Fred, Brian and Paul for keeping their eyes open and checking permits.
Les & Paul
Dear Editor,
The European Common Market is to reduce fishing fleets by 40%. Is there any truth in the rumour that Angling Clubs are to do likewise? If so, will clubs eliminate members on results, or should I say, lack of results? This terrifying subject has now taken over as the main topic of conversation in my local on each and every Sunday lunchtime. Gone are dilemmas over (the one that got away), and who do you think could possibly be the disgruntled culprits associated with this dialogue? Yes, you've guessed, two members mentioned in a previous dispatch, who's abysmal catch last season gives them warranted cause for concern. With reluctance, I feel it is my duty to divulge a dastardly scheme perpetrated by the two in question. whilst drinking a lemonade in my local, I overheard their extravagant boasts predicting success for the forthcoming season. Why were they so confident? The two aforementioned anglers have, it seems, recently visited Brixham Harbour, attending a pre arranged meeting with a Captain L.J. Silver, who in perfect Spanish interspersed with terrible English, struck a deal with the dodgy duo. Cash changed hands, numero pesetas in the public bar of The Harbour Inn. After a pint or three, the two crafty anglers sauntered off to a parked Rolls Royce camouflaged as an old blue Ford Escort! One carried a redundant fish finding echo sounder, purchased with one aim in mind - the season's opening all night fishing extravaganza at Tring lakes.
On the evening of that extravaganza, I joined a group of expectant anglers in the bar of the Trout Inn, Tring, awaiting the bewitching hour and downed a large lemonade before walking the short distance to the lakes. An air of expectancy overcame me as I viewed the still waters shimmering in the moonlight, peaceful and unaware of the oncoming invasion of anglers. I discovered a place affording adequate concealment. At that very moment the splash of muffled oars interrupted the almost perfect silence. From my confinement, I was able to observe the erratic, gradual approach of a boat and oarsmen who should be breathalysed, silhouetted in the moonlight. Two figures were seated within, their heads bent forward and faces illuminated by an iridescent beam of light emanating from the confines of the creepy craft. I wondered, were they the famous ghosts of the lake? Did they drown in the bygone days under mysterious circumstances? I think not! One occupant pointed to the beam of light, "Eer! Look at this bleedin' lot - there's bleedin' hundreds of them down there, whoppers and all - LOOK! This is our spot boy, take note of that bush there on the bank. Right, let's go!!"
The vessel zig zagged noisily away. A long draft from a bottle of lemonade quenched my thirst. Hushed voices sounded, approaching from behind in the direction of the hostelry. I pulled down my trilby to conceal my features, whilst appearing to assemble my very own subterfuge, that of a 27" spokeless bicycle wheel laying flat, into which a loose sacking base had been secured earlier by means of strings through the spoke holes. A slice of mothers pride bread (toasting thickness) was tied in the centre. Three further 18" strings were positioned equidistant around the rim, pulled to a triangle above the wheel, tied together and secured to a single string. I proceeded to slowly lower the wheel to the bottom of the lake adjacent to the bank on which I seated myself, whilst observing the two crafty anglers. Did their expensive secretive plan work on the June night? Did they proceed to their predicted record catch? OH NO!
"Some bloke wearing a bleedin' trilby with a bleedin' bike wheel and a slice of Mothers Pride (toasting thickness) broke the record!"
M.Pollock 17th June 1996
On December 31st 1994 I received 1 years membership for the Ruislip and Northwood Branch of the British sub aqua club as a birthday present. Little did I know what was involved, six months training 2 hours a week both practical and theory. I must admit I had wondered what I had let myself in for. My training instructor Helen, made the mouth to mouth sessions more bearable. Having qualified as a novice diver and having been on a couple of dives at sea and in lakes I decided it was time to combine my new hobby with the old one, so on the second and third working parties on Harefield No2, I decided to go in for a look round. The first dive around the workings of No2 was not too successful, as the visibility was very poor and I could only see about a metre in front of me, and only 1cm behind me, as I kicked the sediment up. I had a poke around the rocks at the workings and the old Mini, the bottom was littered with dead leaves, and when I put my hand into the leaves, underneath was at least six inches of soft black mud, silt. When I got out of the water and was talking to some of the other blokes on the bank, we came to the conclusion that if anyone was going to fish the area then it would be best to fish the areas that were not as deep but in the case of the workings where there seems to be fish all over the place, then the best thing to do was to plumb the swim and then move the float down at least 6", in other words, fish off the bottom, otherwise, you'll be in it right up to your swan shot. The next dive I made was the following month, this time at the other end of the lake, there was a particular feature I wanted to look at, the feature looked as I thought it would, but for the silt. The area I was looking at contained a plateau 5' deep while all around was about 9-10'. I always imagined the bottom of No2 to be strewn with rocks and boulders and to be very uneven, but no, I was surprised to find that apart from the margins the bottom was very flat and covered in silt 6" deep. The only areas where there was any kind of food for the fish were the shallow areas, or a case of look for a feature anywhere the depth varies and fish the shallowest spot. I hope to be doing some more diving on No2 this close season, as now I've got this nifty underwater camera, so I'll be able to get some photo's. Having read this I bet there is a question on all your minds, and you all want to know if I saw any fish, well the answer is NO! just a wide open expanse of flat silty lake bed, with the features covered in snails, mussels and weed. So having successfully combined my two hobbies all I need to do is find out where the big shoals of Carp, Tench and Bream are hiding, when that time comes I will have to ask permission from the Harefield No2 fishery manager, because it won't be me. At this years AGM I resigned my posts as No2 joint fishery manager, Assistant Secretary, and Vice Chairman. I was co-opted onto the Committee while I was still in London, looking for a job in Dorset, after 18 months looking I have now been successful, so I will no longer be able to play an active part in the Society, but as you kindly elected me as an Honorary Life Member, I'm sure I will see you occasionally on the waters, especially No2, now that I know so much more about it! Steve Jenner
Early in July I had a call from one Bob James of the ACA. Yes the Bob James of Passion for Angling Fame. Bob now works for the ACA in a promotional / marketing capacity and was looking to do a promotional article for the ACA in one of the monthly Angling magazines. Instead of doing the usual "the ACA are great because etc." kind of article, Bob was keen to try and make the subject more interesting by featuring an actual case study - a successful case that the ACA has followed through for one of its members.
It was arranged that Bob, Jane Brett (Director of ACA) and John Wright, an Angling journalist would visit Rowley Lake for a look around and a bit of fishing on July 12th. I was also there to show them around and fill John in on the pollution's Rowley suffered in 1988 & 1991.
All three were very taken with the beautiful setting that Rowley provides and John wants to join up.
At the end of the day only three fish were caught, a skimmer Bream to each of Bob and I, and a first ever Tench to Jane of 5 lbs 1oz. John and I had a nag for about an hour the bones of which will appear in the October issue of Coarse Fisherman magazine. Buy it, read it, and join the ACA.
On a more general note, I understand from my spies (I don't fish the water in the summer) that the fishing got off to a good start with the Carp and Tench showing well. Apparently it has now quietened down considerably. This is probably due in part to the indifferent weather, and the heavy angling pressure that this lake has received over the last couple of years. Try ringing the changes, you may be pleasantly surprised.
The old chestnut of litter has reared its ugly head on more than one occasion this year. So too have the phantom dumpers been at work. The island continues to be used as an open toilet. I'd hoped we had got rid of this kind of angler from the society, as we haven't had a problem for a couple of years. A number of members wrote to me expressing their deep concern over one particular situation this summer. I thank them for their vigilance and interest and I know their comments would be endorsed by almost everyone of you. However, if we are to catch the perpetrators of such disgusting acts we need to identify the individuals, as in this case we were unable to, we need names. Everyone of you is an honorary bailiff and you are quite entitled to ask to see another members card. If you suspect or, even better, see someone behaving badly, give it half an hour and just sidle round for a chat and ask to see their ticket; being sure to remember their name. You do not necessarily have to confront them if you don't want to. Please do it - Litter of all types loses waters.
On a lighter note, back to Bob James. As a thank you for out hospitality on July 12th Bob has agreed to present one of his famous slide shows and talks at the forthcoming members meeting. The Harrow Angling Society on the night will make a donation of £1,500 to the ACA to show our appreciation for their sterling work in bringing our case to a successful conclusion. Their solicitor, Simon Jackson, worked patiently and diligently for 5 years on our behalf, thus saving the Society a considerable amount in legal fees and the Committee a lot of sleepless nights.
Don't forget - Bob James at Ruislip Football Club on Wednesday 25th September.
See you there.
John Miles
Harrow Angling Society Cup - Harefield No 1 Excluding Pike and Carp
Winner J.Burrows Tench 6 lb 8oz
Runner Up D.Edgar Tench 6 lb 7oz
Commended I.Kempster Tench 5 lb 4oz
Commended D.Edgar Bream 5 lb 12oz
Mick Read Shield - Harefield No2 Excluding Pike & Carp
Winner R.Wildey Tench 6 lb 12oz
Runner Up C.P.Taylor Tench 6 lb 6oz
Commended B.Smith Bream 7 lb 8oz
Ken Miller Rowley Lake Trophy - Excluding Pike and Carp
Winner Charlotte James Tench 5 lbs
Commended D.Rojewski Tench 5 lb 2oz
Commended I.Kempster Tench 4 lbs
Ladies Cup
Winner Sharon Millard Pike 11 lb
Ron Porter Memorial Cup - For Juniors
Winner D.Edgar Tench 6 lbs 7oz No1
Runner Up D.Edgar Pike 20 lbs 2oz No2
Harrow Angling Society Carp Bowl
Winner D.Rojewski 21 lbs Rowley
Runner Up D.Rojewski 20 lb 12oz Rowley
Commended D.Edgar 20 lbs Rowley
Steve Jenner Pike Shield
Winner D.Edgar 20 lb 2oz No2
Runner Up A.Hague 19 lb 10oz No2
Commended D.Edgar 18 lb 8oz Rowley
Les Mead Memorial Trophy - Best Magazine Article Vince Sutton the magazine editor decided that the best contribution to the magazine was submitted by Gary Blinco with his 'African Adventure - fishing on lake Kariba, Zimbabwe', published in the September issue.
Frank Webb
This is the 'normal' question that I asked my other half every Friday evening, knowing of course what the answer would be!! Not really understanding or even caring what the wonders of this sport was all about, I listened to all the "man against fish" stories and did my best to look interested. The usual comment "you'll be more interested if you tried fishing" ME? Sorry I'm busy. Well after continually being nagged until I was fed up I decided to go, if just to keep the peace. So there I was armed with my permit, licence and my lunch. With a few lounge-side lessons under my belt, I attempted to put it all into practice out in the real world.
Before starting I decided that the Pike was the fish for me, such a nice endearing smile!! After a spot of lake-side revision, I rigged up and started to put my lessons to good use. It was a bit strange at first, trying to watch the trees, the float, the weights and the direction of flight all at the same time, but after a short while it all came together.
Just as I thought the lake was empty I noticed the float disappear. STRIKE!! STRIKE!! my other half shouted, but thankfully the lessons had included "Fishing Jargon" so I grabbed the rod and began the task of reeling it in. "Play with it" was the cry, pardon? I haven't got time!! After a bit of coaching I managed to get it close enough into the bank to catch it in the net. It was my first Pike only a pound and a half, but "IT WAS MY FIRST PIKE"!!
After that I was hooked (more jargon!) and after reading up on the wonders of Pike I managed to catch a 10 lb 1oz fish (My first Double, yes!!) and an 11 pounder to win the ladies cup for the last two seasons.
Although nothing could be as exciting as "your first Pike" but now I'm trying for my first "twenty".
Sharon Millard