Harefield No2 - Sailing Base Fishing
Editorial
By the time you read this the clocks will have gone back and, if you’re anything like me, the year seems to have slipped by once again and you’re left wishing you’d fished a bit more in the summer. Well, I say summer but it wasn’t much to speak of was it? A bit rich really considering I’m writing this on the beach in Turkey!!
As the Society is in its 70th year the magazine takes on a bit of a history book feel with some members recounting their years in the club.
I enjoy talking to the longer standing members and if they’ll permit me the ‘old boys’ because they talk of days where Roach were as long as you’re arm and it was ‘a bite a chuck’. Recent stockings to Rowley and Pit 1 are trying to restore the good old days but we still have some way to go. We obviously have different concerns these days with regards to fish predation. From Cormorants to Eastern Europeans our fish stocks are under constant threat and we must be vigilant to keep our precious stocks for our future sport. The Environment Agency are up to speed with these problems and our regular meetings with them allow us to get a feel for what’s happening through the Colne Valley. They have given us a Hotline Number to report any poaching incidents which is 0800 807060 and is a 24 hour number. Please make a note of it on your mobile phone. If you need to use it, please give as much information as possible including a post code of your fishery and any details of a vehicle used by the poachers. The EA have the powers to track a registration number to an address and if necessary make arrests. So far we have had a handful of incidents reported by our bailiffs and members but we must be on our guard.
Post Codes: Harefield UB9 6PE Rowley SL3 6DR.
I have been producing this magazine for about 4 years and over that time with the help of my wife, Sharon, we have hopefully made it interesting and attractive to read. Printing costs deny us full colour but this time we have pulled out all the stops for this special 70th edition. As I have now taken over the role as Treasurer, time is a bit short in supply to carry out both jobs so I’d like to hand the magazine over to someone else. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to do this, a computer and a keenness for information is what it’s about and the format is up to you. Make it your own. As an example, when I took over I reduced the size from A4 to A5 to make the mag ‘tackle box’ sized. It’s really up to you. If anyone feels like they’d like to have a try then drop me a line on 07973 210442 and I’ll explain in a bit more detail what is involved.
I’d like to thank any contributors to the magazine over the last 4 years for their words and pictures and critical spell checking etc (there are always a few put in deliberately to keep these people busy, wink wink) and I would encourage them to support our new Editor, as I will, with new material. Finally, big thank you to Sharon for all of her help over the years. She really is a wizardwith Microsoft Word and I’d be in the brown stuff without her. Sharon is very actively involved in Girlguiding and won’t be left twiddling her thumbs I can assure you!!
Time for me to sign off, I wish you all tight lines and may your fish be huge and your nets full.
Dave
From the Chair
Having fished for only the second time this season, and having to endure the barbed comments of “nice to see you down the lake” and “see you again next year”, made me reflect on my personal history with the Society. It is wholly entangled with people both current and past. These personal stories along with many told on the bank, add up to part of the hidden and occasionally apocryphal history of the Society.
My Mum and Dad introduced me to Angling at a very early age and my earliest memories were of the Canal, Thorney Weir and that single railed bridge I was terrified to cross, the Thames, the Rother with its magnificent Chub, Littleton a huge gravel pit was my introduction to big water fishing and big water fish and Colnbrook lake where I caught my first Tench. This passion led me and my fishing pal Mike Rees to Ruislip Lido, the Grand Union Canal, the Gade, Rickmansworth Aquadrome and many other places. This was a time before the commercial fisheries we know today, it was a time of fishing apprenticeships, which some say I failed, and saving up to buy tackle. I’m not saying we were poor but we had one hook box between us, shared a landing net and our first shared brolly had to be held by hand!
Then something changed, at the start of one the 1980 season I visited my local tackle shop ‘Macdonalds’ in South Harrow where a previous Chairman Mick Reid and Peter worked. After getting my tackle Peter asked “was there anything else” I said “yes a good local club” fed up as I was with the distances travelled and overcrowded day ticket waters.
Peter introduced me to the Society, it seemed expensive at the time and joining involved strange rituals. We had to attend a meeting in the Clay Pigeon and be vetted by Jack Clark, Colin Head, Terry Skelton and Frank Webb, along with the entire membership. We had to stand up and be paraded before the membership as they considered our suitability, and for us to attest to our willingness to abide by the rules and be good HAS citizens. This was my induction into the strange world of the Harrow Angling Society, it seemed more like the masons than a fishing club at the time. I soon found a friendly thriving club with a huge membership of 325 full members, a waiting list and nobody fishing (well some things never change!). This meeting was also my introduction to the eloquence and humour of Frank Webb, our Curator, prolific magazine contributor and raconteur. My favourite Frank story was that one day he was fishing Harefield No2 at Dews Farm, probably in pursuit of ‘Old Ginger’ the Pike when he heard a commotion from the car park, remembering that every member was a Honorary Bailiff, Frank duly went to investigate, upon entering the car park he discovered a strange car he did not recognise. Not only strange but there was a peculiar rhythmic rocking of the car, Frank approached the car to see if he could recognise the inhabitants but unfortunately the windows were steamed up and no identification was possible. He then walked around the car to see if he could see our car sticker that was at the time required and he found none. He could take the abuse of the HAS rules no longer and opened the driver door to enquire as to the absence of the car sticker when he found a very shocked couple inside, he asked them kindly to ‘withdraw’ and leave the car park immediately!
Following a visit to Harefield No1 I was hooked. For some reason I was totally unaware of the Colne Valley and the gems therein. Harefield No2 was just scary, and it was while visiting No2 that we had our second encounter with HAS authority in the shape of Jim Griffiths the Bailiff. We had hardly got out of the car when we were challenged for our tickets, my I thought, this is a well run Society. It was the Rowley that clinched the deal, who could resist such a beautiful lake that just screamed fish.
I was soon persuaded to run for Committee and at the 1983 AGM I took over from Jim Griffiths as Fishery Manager of No1 and Editor from Mick Read. I joined our Secretary Terry Skelton and John Miles, two of our hardest working and longest serving members of the Committee.
Harefield No1 was the Societies top Tench water. Night fishing on the lake was a rarity and most anglers got up with the lark in search of their favourite swim. Peter the Painter was so quiet and so well camouflaged that you could only detect his presence by the rising plume of smoke from his pipe. Terry Gibson and Harry the Hippy regaled me with stories of float fishing at night with hordes of Tench eager to leap on the hook as soon as darkness fell. Jim Brown my Bailiff was always around, along with Scat, Steve Jenner, Micky Grice and Graham Pearce. The ever present Bailiff Stuart Verity was always checking tickets, but in all my time in the Society I have never seen him fish, indeed, does he actually own a rod?
When I became fishery Manager of Harefield No1 there was little shallow end fishing of No1, it was uncharted territory and I announced my intention to rectify this. We created a couple of swims now the site of the picnic tables and where we used to fish to the islands for Tench. It was on one of our exploratory missions that I caught my first sight of the elusive Carp that inhabited the lake, it seems strange now but this was a time when there were only a couple of fish in the lake and they rarely if ever saw the bank. Whilst wading thought the reeds at the very top of the lake we were trying to work out how we were going to establish a fishing presence, when the water erupted and this monster parted the reeds like Thunderbird two and shot from its shallow resting place out into the lake. We stared out after this massive bow wave for a couple of minutes when the fish, a scale perfect Common treated us to two dolphin like leaps fully clear of the water as if to say I’m here but you won’t catch me, and he was right! Derek ‘scat’ Hart had the only reported capture I can recall.
After this the swims just had to be built and the working parties were arranged. This led to the working party chain gang in which we formed a line and rock by rock built the two swims amongst the reeds by hand. As we toiled nobody moaned, because Pauline Rees was there hauling the rocks with everybody else and none of the macho men could be seen to give up and be beaten by a girl! I reported these events in the next magazine, and the comments of the extreme manual work required still makes me smile: “It was easier on the chain gang”, “I thought they abolished slavery in this country”.
Harefield No2 was another story, a massive place with few Carp and a couple of dedicated anglers Mick Read and Paul Gutteridge who fished for Carp without much success (so we were told) in the early years. The Tench fishing was hard, but as today rewarding when the fish are located. Many regulars that are now missed, Adj & Trev (Hinge and Bracket) on the Viaduct, they chose this location so their Van was level and the fat in the frying pan did not drift to one side! They always seemed to be fishing for Pike and Eels, welcoming a morning visit with a Bacon Sarnie.
Fred Cook and Roy Wildey both alas no longer with us, were always around and although an occasional grumble always came back. Ian Hill, Ron Johnson, and Pete the Plumber were always there and when Ron caught the Carp that Ian was after we never heard the end of it. Barry Testro was another regular who enjoyed the Perch fishing and was also our Junior Coach. Andy Pigott loved the place and I can still see him on his motorbike with his rod bag over his shoulder wondering how he never fell off.
Chris Taylor and his brother Martin along with Colin Chambers could always be found fishing Dews Farm and could always winkle out a couple of Tench from under the tree Branches that Colin an Arborist used to cut in such a way as to maximise the need of the tree, do the job as requested and ensure it was the perfect fish holding area!
Steve Jenner when he was fishery manager of Harefield No2 spend so many years doing great work on the lake but one of his key goals was to get weed to grow, in all the years he only managed only two sets of pads, ironically nature as we have experienced over recent years succeeded rather too well where Steve failed.
As editor of the magazine I produced more magazines than I care to remember, but through the years the technology changed from a hand cranked duplicator to an offset litho printer and finally a professional printer. The evenings round mine collating, stamping, stuffing all those mailings were a chore but made easier by willing helpers, Mum, Dad, Mick Rees, Steve Jenner, Micky Grice, Warren Kencroft, Graham Pearce, Melvyn Brown and many more, were always great fun and strangely we always finished in time for last orders as a thank you for a job well done. Much praise for the work of the Editors that followed me Warren, Dave & Sharon as I know the challenges of the job, please give them your support.
Harrow for me has always been a friendly family club where nobody ever takes it too seriously, everybody is willing to chat, share catches and swap stories without too much competition, I hope you all still find the club like that, long may it continue.
My thanks go to all the Officers, Committee, Bailiffs, and Members both now and in the past who have contributed so much the Society and without whom I would not have these wonderful memories.
Vince
History of the Society Part 1
Part 1 - The Founding Years 1937 - 1965
The Harrow Angling Society was founded in 1937 by a small body of local anglers including E.W.Siddall, Jack Groves, Len Lane, Mr. Bradley and Mr. Sidwell, also others unnamed, all keen fisherman at that time. They secured the fishing rights of Harefield Pit from the original owners, Rose and Company, and later John Morgan and Company.
The area of water adjoining Moorhall Road which we call No. 1 lake was quite small then, but slowly this began to grow larger as the ballast workers extracted their quarry. Ballast used to be brought by a large flat bottom barge to the entrance at Moorhall Road and taken away.
After a few years, machinery was erected on the site that the present modern plant occupies. The No. 1 lake then began to grow quite large as the workings progressively pulled back. It was most fortunate that the land was cut in irregular pattern, trees were left uncut, bushes and shrubbery grew, the lake began to mature, and a very fine fishery was made by man and nature, stocking of all types of coarse fish had been carried out by the Society. With nature playing its full part, fish bred rather rapidly.
A picture painted by Mr. Sydney Jones of this original No. 1 lake is on show at our Club room at the Windmill. Apart from the mountains in the background, which Mr Jones saw fit to include, this is a true picture of the lake as it was, a very lovely scene. Mr Sydney Jones was a past President and Secretary for many years.
After a period of time a consignment of fertiliser was put into the lake which resulted in fine weed growth taking place, this then was an anglers paradise. I have seen heron standing in shallow water at this lake waiting to lure fish for their feed, kingfisher and several wild birds species being frequent visitors. Robins would perch on the edge of one's bait can and enjoy the feed off the maggots. Sorrowfully this is now lost. Old barges were brought in for destruction and sunk. Much to my horror this happened one Sunday by arrangement with the owners of that time, no notification being given to the Society; back filing on a large scale took place later, and the beautiful wooded section torn apart and uprooted, just three years ago.
This area subsequently filled with water and remains today as it was left. At the beginning section of this lake there used to be what was known as the pool, this was abundant with weed of various types with an island at its centre. Fine catches of tench, pike, rudd, carp, perch and roach could always be obtained here as many members will recall, and if you wandered around the further bank, many attractive spots were available for some fine sport.
A pair of swans used to nest on the island every April, and invariably four cygnets were born, sadly two of these pretty young creatures were usually devoured by pike come late June, this happened year after year.
Referring back I remember one could always choose a swim and know one would catch a fine bag of fish, many's the time I have gone for pike and had great sport. A large amount of the original head of fish have now migrated to the lake known as No. 2.
Approximately thirteen years ago workings commenced at this area, which has now resulted in the huge stretch of water we now have at our disposal. This I believe will mature and become as an attractive fishery as No. 1 in the past. I, together with other members, have patiently waited for the workings to end on this lake in order to tidy up this vast area of fishery the Society controls.
This huge lake will mature as nature and we members play our part. A fine consignment of carp and roach were deposited in this lake three years ago, and other species will be added in the near future. The wooded section all along the west side of this lake has great potential. Weed life should appear in the course of time in the shallows along this section, and now that the ballasting has come to an end on this stretch of water, let us look forward in anticipation, for many years to come, coupled with our willingness to work for, enjoy, and retain our Society's fishery.
E.R.J.Potter
Hon Treasurer - November 1965
Harefield Pit 1
Dear Members,
The start of the fishing season was pretty slow as most are, but as a couple of months rolled on fishing started to improve, especially Bream coming out regular with sizes of 5 to 10.2lb reported, had lots of Carp reports with some of the stockies from 6- 10lb, Original stock Carp reports of 13-29.12oz & one that comes out regular that is easily recognised as it has a bulge on its side and is around 28/29lb, very surprised with the silverfish didn't expect it to be as good as it is this year good catches of Roach and Rudd A few Tench coming out ranging from 7oz- 6lb, and I would like to thank everyone that was involved in the work that was done in the car park & around the lake.
Would ALL members be courteous to others when casting and think about anglers in other areas keep your casting length down please.
Shallow end of the lake was weedy this year but as it was a softer weed the fish managed to get through
Can all members be vigilant around the lake for Poachers, especially if they're using lines, we know some anglers like to fish the public side of the lake but as a fisheries Manager I feel it's my responsibility along with the Committee that we'll have to do something that side of the lake, It is only one swim that is affected I would like to hear any views that members may have on this matter, we can go ahead and leave this area open ( where I'm sure fish are being taken out) or we can close it by the same means as we have done in the past at the other end.
I would like to thank both Dave Hambly & Dave Cargill for their efforts at organising matches this has been done well
I would also like to thank Dave Rowjeski for the last few years that he has helped me with the fisheries Manager job and all his efforts around the lake, Graham Pearce will be helping me from now on. I would also like to thank ALL BAILIFFS for there help around the lake especially Stuart Verity because he seems to have been a good bailiff for as long as I can remember. Rubbish situation is a lot better this year. Carry on Fishing as I can only see it getting better.
Tight Lines Larry
Harefield Pit 2
Hello to all,
We'd like to start off with thanks to the bailiffs who have been doing a sterling job throughout the summer, it has been noted how well the lake is being looked after for which we are grateful.
Those of you who have visited the lake during the summer months will have noticed how good it is looking. This is mainly down to the efforts made during the close season by those who attend the working parties, but also due to the "in season" work parties and maintenance carried out by fishery management with help from the bailiffs again, and also the regular anglers. Once more thanks go out to all those who have put the effort in to help us with the ongoing housekeeping, especially the work done on the Railway Bank and the Pylon.
Onto the water now and the weed that we expected to take a real grip after the mild winter never materialised in the quantity expected. Most of the lake was fishable and virtually all the weed has now disappeared.
The water is a shared facility and we feel the need to reiterate that we do have a good relationship with the other users of the water. A few incidents have happened this season that has given both us and the Activity Centre cause to phone the other party to make complaint. Try to respect other people’s hobbies and if you do have any dealings with other water users try to be courteous and polite.
We have had the usual problems with litter, much of which can be attributed to Joe Public but we have had incidents of anglers leaving litter, namely disposable BBQs and beer bottles. Those believed to be involved have been notified that this is unacceptable and expulsion from the club will be the final outcome for persistent offenders. Whilst on the subject of litter we have also had problems with human "litter." Again this is unacceptable, anyone caught polluting the bank will be seeing the committee. Its not rocket science, paper burns and there are plenty of areas no man will tread, use your brains please!
Onto the fishing side of things and the lake has been fishing well. Lots of bream have been caught ranging from little skimmers of roughly 8oz up to double figure fish. There have been plenty of doubles caught accidentally by the carp anglers but some of the lads fishing for them by design have had some real good results. Of note we'd like to congratulate Hammy for a new lake record of 13lb 2oz, caught on light gear, one of many good fish between himself and Phil Skidmore who have put the time in after them and been richly rewarded. They have also had tench to over 8lbs and eels when doing the evenings, no roach showing yet but as the water cools they could turn up so keep plugging away with the mags lads!
The carp fishing has been slow, around 40 or so fish out so far this season. A big well done to our very own membership secretary Paul Kempthorne, (Turnip to the regulars) who bagged himself a new PB and lake record fish of 43lb 10oz, a magnificent mirror that lots of people would love to see in the bottom of their nets. Also a word of praise for the new members who have stuck at it and who have enjoyed the ambiance of our special lake, keep at it the rewards are there for you!
The pike season is just about to kick off and by the time you read this we should have had a pike match on the lake, hopefully plenty will be caught. We hope you enjoy the piking on Pit 2, but as usual we would request that if you do lose any tackle in bankside vegetation that you please inform us on one of the numbers below so that we can try to retrieve it as soon as possible.
That's it for now, we have the best fishing months coming up and hopefully we can inform you next time of some monsters from the deeps, here’s hoping!
Until next time
BONJOUR
Les & Ian
Harefield No2 - Sailing Base Fishing
I have had an enquiry from a new member as to what our "boundaries" are on Pit 2 and where we are and are not entitled to angle. Just for clarification I will detail this here and get it duplicated in the next magazine for future reference for members new and old.
We as a club have the fishing rights to the lake, however the lake is a shared facility. The Hillingdon Outdoor Activity Centre (from hereon known as the Centre) also uses the water and adjoining land for various pursuits. The boundaries of the Centre are dictated by the fences surrounding their grounds for security reasons.
Location wise, our last swim is the "Fox" on the Peat Bank accessed via the "Workings" car park at the northern end of the lake. We have no access to the pylon or beyond until you reach Dews Farm next to the Archery range. This section can be reached by car by entering from Harvill Road into our own car park behind the "Gate" swim, or alternatively by walking the length of the "Railway Bank" from the "Viaduct" car park by the arches at the southern end of the lake.
The relationship between the angling club and the management of the Centre is a good one and has been so for a number of years now. They accommodate us with loans of boats etc for working parties when needed and also keep an eye on the lake during the close season chasing off undesirable poachers when seen. On the flip side we tend to look out for "strange" occurrences on their property out of their usual business hours, help with water levels by monitoring the outlet stream, advising members not to leave markers out or to fish at any distance over the top of weed beds if boats are out, retrieving lost tackle a.s.a.p. and also giving the phone number of the Centre to those fishing the lake regularly to report directly of any troublesome kids etc.
Over the years people who have fished the club have been granted permission to fish from within the boundaries of the Centre after gaining permission from the Principal of the facility by prior arrangement. Those who have gained access have done so after building up a relationship over a period of time, meeting with those who have the power to grant permission over many years and showing they have the best interest of their surroundings at heart. The subject has been raised recently that people are not being granted access to the land that the Centre encompasses. I have spoken to the Principal of the Centre who has said that they are only willing to let a limited number of people onto their property who they recognise as being trustworthy. You then have to angle around the operational times of the Centre which will be dictated to you if access is granted, this can be as little as 10hrs overnight in the summer. You can not leave your gear set up and go off for the day, you have to be off before the Centre opens and are not allowed access until the Centre shuts. Also we have no vehicular access to the Centre so have to park in Dews Farm car park and walk your gear in and out.
As you can tell fishing from the Centre is not straightforward, it is hard work and you must be prepared to put in the effort for this style of fishing. I hope this clears up any queries people may have had regarding the boundaries on Pit 2, if not please feel free to contact me.
Regards Ian Kempster
Rowley Lake
What mentality thinks they can abuse our waters by fouling our swims and footpaths and then pathetically trying to cover it up hoping the rest of us won’t notice???!! Thankfully, not many, but those who do put our fishing at risk and therefore will not be tolerated.
Sadly we have seen an increase, this season, in this grossly unsociable behaviour, not only at Rowley but at the Harefield waters as well. Unfortunately, catching the perpetrators in the act is difficult, however the committee has ideas on who they are and, rest assured, it is only a matter of time that such events are linked to their presence at the water, night ticket issues etc. and we can then be rid of them.
You know who you are; cut it out!
Sorry to kick off in this manner but such behaviour is a very, very real threat to our fishing; our landlords take a very dim view of it as do your committee, and I for one do not consider cleaning up after the b*******s as attractive fishery management.
Onto the fishing. The stockies put in on June 16th have provided great sport to both pleasure angler and specimen hunter alike. These little fish (up to 5 – 6lb) are fast, strong and test tackle to the limit. I had 9 one afternoon in July and lost another 4. Dealing with them on conventional float gear was that difficult, I only began to put them on the bank after I scaled up to an Avon rod, 6lb line and a size 8, and then sometimes it was pretty hairy.
Unconfirmed reports of reasonable bags of Tench, unfortunately to Carp anglers, I’d love to see a big bag on more balanced tackle and encouraging catches of goer Roach and Rudd to the float all go to make this season yet another success.
John Pickard, who has caught stacks of Carp off the top during the last few years, has identified 25 different Twenties with another half dozen or so about to break the twenty barrier.
Rumour has it that he is developing his floater technique to include Pike, having had them strike at the small Rudd and Roach as they whittle away at his bait.
I am looking forward to the Autumn on this idyllic fishery and hopefully will do for some years to come.
That’s subject to certain individuals cleaning up their act of course.
Good fishing.
John Miles
Tales from Langley Park
As I’m getting old, I’m unsure of the time but I think it was in 1971 that this tale occurred.
We used to fish at Langley Park. We often parked at Ken’s garden and walked to the lake. We usually fished by the oak tree, to the left of where the cattle used to drink. In those days there were no boilies or hair rigs. We were guided by the fishing articles of Richard Walker. Bread, boiled potatoes, worms and mussels etc was the recommended bait.
So our first job whilst setting up was to grope in the mud for mussels. Well I say ‘we’ but really I mean my son’s Les and Phil, who were 14 and 12 respectively and were getting stuck in. They were both keenly digging away when Phil shouted “look what I’ve found Dad”. I went over and there in his hands was no mussel, or even a juicy lob but a mortar shell!! Having seen a few in my RAF days I knew exactly what it was. I told him to carefully put it down on the grass and then I ran away, to get help of course!! I ran up the long road to the council house at the end of the drive. I told him to get the army and come down.
Very quickly they arrived in their truck and told us all to evacuate the area. Another big lorry shortly followed and they surrounded the bomb in sandbags and retired to a safe distance. One big bang and loads of smoke and that was it. Phil went whiter than white and the area was deemed a no-go zone for a few days whilst they checked for more. They found another 10 or 12 in the mud. Apparently the local home guard had dumped them there during the 2nd World War. After that the mussels were off of our bait list.
Eric Skidmore
A Reflection of 70 years
Nothing, it seems, ever stands still. Just as society changes in its habits and achievements with time, so has our Angling Society changed its face in many ways. My early memories of the Club stretch back some 40 years, Britain had just about recovered from WW2, and fishing was a much sought after pastime in the absence of the multitude of activities and sports available today, and applicants for membership faced an interview before acceptance. How I wish Hang-gliding, Scuba diving and the Computer had been so freely available in those days. Whereas much fishing today has specialised in the quest for the large carp, back then the aim centred more on trying to log a good fish in every species, which meant learning different techniques depending on the quarry. Even a 3 ½ oz gudgeon was a prize to some in those days. And of course the face of our waters has changed so much.
Walking around our two lakes in Denham Quarry on the day of our mid-July Fishing Match and barbeque, my mind cast back to the days when I first visited these waters. It was around 1971, and these deep moody waters seemed to promise much interesting fishing, a promise they were to fulfil in the following years. But how different was the scenery in those days. Our Landlords of that time were Hoveringham, the gravel-digging company that excavated these two pits over some 40 years, and where the Club first fished on its formation in 1937. The workings were just about exhausted, but the company were still busy on site, screening huge piles of gravel into different sizes for the various uses to which it was destined. Like all gravel extracting companies of those years, when they moved on from a site, any equipment that was past its sell-buy date was just left to rot – an eyesore that still lasts to this day, some now hidden by bramble and shrubbery, but still waiting for the time when it will be a prized discovery for some archaeologist.
One benefit that Hoveringham did leave us however, was their levelling and grading of the bank adjacent to the south end of the marina and the straight road running parallel to the canal, making access and fishing more comfortable. There was barely a piece of greenery to be seen in that whole side of the lake at the time, and look at it today. Mother Nature has moved in, planted trees and shrubs that have matured to the point where today, apart from the tell-tale abandoned debris of gravel digging, one could be fooled into believing these were natural lakes. On that morning last July, it looked splendid - a whole variety of birds in evidence, with the occasionally surface movement of the larger fish that sent the pulses racing, and made me wish I had come prepared to fish instead of just look.
During the earlier years of the gravel-winning, there had only been one lake, but to facilitate the movement of extract from the railway end of the site, a road was constructed at the marina end cutting the wet dig into two parts giving Lakes no.1 & 2 as we know them today. Earlier it had been practice to boat gravel across the lake to the screening plant sited at the northern end of the workings. Before Hoveringham, left they sunk the two wooden barges used for this purpose, in No.1 adjacent to the picnic area; presumably believing out of sight would be out of mind. They were to provide a haven for fish, good fishing and the occasional snagging for many years until the London Borough of Hillingdon, our present landlords, decided to haul them out onto the bank as a focal point during their 1991 project to provide a Community facility and Nature Trail. This plan included the planting of literally hundreds of trees around Lake 1. – many were better suited for a garden than a woodland They were planted during a dry summer, were never watered and so many died. It was rumoured that the department responsible had an excess of money left in their budget with the end of the financial year coming up fast – if they did not spend the money, this budget would be reduced for the following year, and that could not be allowed to happen! I am just happy I was not a local rate-payer, although I have no reason to believe my own authority is any less cavalier with our money.
Gravel extraction exhausted, the G.L.C. took over the site and remained our landlords until their abolition in March 1986, when the London Residuary Board, who wound up the G.L.C.’s affairs, ‘gifted’ the site to the London Borough of Hillingdon.. Fortunately, the G.L.C. Land Manager that I had dealt with when negotiating fishing leases, took up the same responsibility with L.B.H., and so our tenure on the waters continued seamlessly. An important factor then was that the Society had a good reputation with him and his officers for managing the water, a factor that is just as important today.
One thing that has not changed over those years has been the calibre of our key Society Officers. In all my time at the Club, we have been fortunate in always having a dedicated few who take on these roles. It is my intention to cover the work of these Officers in more detail with a follow-up article, but for the moment let me talk about our Fishery Management Team.
The late eighties and early nineties were somewhat disastrous for the Society, in that we suffered a high, large carp mortality in Harefield No. 2, believed to have come from a stocking with diseased fish from Sandholme Fisheries, although they were covered by health certification. If that was not enough, an outbreak of the potentially lethal Spring Viraemia disease followed a couple of years later, catalysed by hot dry summers. Both events gave a heavy workload for our Fishery Managers. The benefits of their efforts are seen in the good fishing that we enjoy today.
Rowley was not without its problems, suffering serious pollution resulting in major fish loss in both October 1988 & September 1991. That this water had made such a magnificent recovery is due almost solely to John Miles. His prodigious efforts, not only in virtually camping at the water when required to tend the equipment pumping oxygen into the water day and night to keep the remaining fish alive, but also dealing with a mountain of legal detail for the court case that led to us recovering significant damages for the fish loss etc., were both well beyond the call of duty.
We have good reason to be thankful for having a dedicated band of Fishery Managers. Through their unselfish and unstinting efforts, we enjoy comfortable and good fishing in delightful surroundings. They are often under-rated, sometimes unjustifiably castigated, but be in no doubt they apply a lot of their time and thought in keeping our waters in good order, when they could be fishing. Another thing that has not changed over those years is that your cooperation as a member is just as vital today. The waters are there for your benefit; you have paid your fees, so your help in keeping them in good order is important, and I hope you will have many pleasant hours fishing them.
Terry Skelton
Hon. Secretary.
History of the Society Part 2 - The Years 1965 - 1985
Following Mr Ernie Potter's excellent note on the founding and early years of the Harrow Angling Society this is a short account of the progress made during the 20 year period 1965-85. I regret that a report of this nature will inevitably include many names from the past and in particular many dates and the first of these is 1969 when we were all sad to say 'goodbye' to Ernie upon his retirement to Wadebridge. He really was a character and apart from being a good fisherman he was for some years Treasurer of H.A.S.
In June 1967 the Society acquired fishing rights at Rowley Lake closely followed in September 1968 by Langley. About the same time fishing on a short stretch of the River Bourne in Surrey came into our hands. The Bourne is a small stream, rather narrow and very weedy in summer, but holding good chub among other fish. This was the Society's first running water since giving up a length on the Colne some years previously. Also at this time - May 1969 - the News Magazine appeared in its present form, the first editor was Arthur Pitts.
At the AGM in April 1970 a Sea Angling Section was formed and was organised by Denis Sleigh. He, regrettably, is no longer a member having moved from his home at High Wycombe, and after a period of dwindling support the section was wound up. In April 1971 our much respected President and hard working past Secretary Eddie Pragnell retired to Devon. He had taken over the reins in 1960, and two Committee members as well as the writer, who at that time was Curator, served with him. During this period the membership, about 100, was gradually creeping up until what was considered a maximum workable number for a Society with honorary officers would be reached (300-350). Ken Miller replaced Mr Pragnell as Honorary Secretary, a position he held with great distinction and much hard work until he was suddenly taken very ill in December 1975. It was during Ken Miller's many years as Secretary together with Mr Jack Clarke, Chairman and latterly Treasurer too that the Society really made great headway as a well run angling club with five waters and sound finances. Close season working parties, lake maintenance programmes and fishery management under Eric Cooke all contributed to this success.
Sadly his illness forced Mr Miller to give up the Secretaryship and the Society was indeed fortunate to have a member with business experience willing to take over at short notice - Terry Skelton. Terry at the time of writing is still our Secretary and the hope is that he will be able to continue for many years yet.
To go back a little, after Eddie Pragnell, John Tekell took over as President followed by a founder member Leslie Mead in 1972. Upon Mr Meads untimely death, Reg Daws stepped into the President's shoes and he was succeeded by Ken Miller for a brief period, by now happily recovered from illness.
Over the years as Committee members were elected, served and departed two officers continued to give their valuable time to the Society year after year. They were a tower of strength, Jack Clarke as Chairman for many years and Treasurer has already been mentioned and Frank Webb our Curator who also enjoyed a short spell as President, in the 60s.
Although the Society has never gone in for match angling as such, in 1979 three competitions were arranged for that season on a trial basis for members and friends. They were quite well supported and judged a success and are now a regular feature.
In the last twenty years much re-stocking has taken place particularly at Harefield No 2, Rowley and Langley. Weed at the latter two waters was causing concern but energetic measures taken by the Fishery Management Committee and the particular fishery managers involved have, for the time being at least, brought the problem under control.
The River Bourne lease was not renewed for the 1980 season. The only other item of note not mentioned here so far is the advent of the Hillingdon Sailing Base at Harefield No 2. This started in a very small way about 1966 and like Topsy grew and grew , backed by the Borough Council, much to many anglers unease. However relations on the whole are good and mutual complaints of bad behaviour are now rare.
This note is intended to cover only the 20 year period to 1985, but before I close I must record here the sad fact that Jack Clarke died in August 1987 and although he is greatly missed we are fortunate to have secured the services of John Barnes to succeed him as Treasurer.
Lastly I will conclude this review with the hope and belief that under the present vigorous and enthusiastic management and those that follow, H.A.S. will continue to thrive over the next 20 years.
C.R.Head
President - December 1987
Full Circle
Early 1970’s and I can still remember arriving for the first time at No1. It has always been an attractive water and even then had beds of lily pads throughout the margins. However, it was still being worked and the top end of the lake was dominated by the gravel workings. Very few ventured up to the far end at this time. In those days a four pound tench was still a big fish, a five pounder exceptional. There were no giants in No1 but the fishing was good and I spent many happy days and nights float fishing in the margins. At that time there were rumours of carp in No1 and, although the few that were present were frequently discussed, they were rarely if ever seen. It was around this time that I first met Chris Taylor, Steve Jenner and Mick Grice. Chris had the place “sussed” and used a roach pole and worm to great effect. Steve introduced me to the bolt rig with dacron hooklinks and hairs. I had a match fishing background and to me the rigs looked horrible, hard rig tubes, thick black dacron, huge leads, hooks that were surely too large, and home rolled vanilla boilies, but they worked. I started fishing the top islands from what is now the public swim with Steve and Mick with some success. The social side had also become as enjoyable as the fishing.
Harefield No 1 – Early 70’s
I had spent the odd session on No2 and began to fish it more and more. I would like to recount how No2 has changed but it hasn’t and it still looks almost identical to how it was over 30 years ago. As the years progressed, I started work which greatly reduced the time I had available to spend at the water.
However, moving to shift work improved this and when on the evening shift I would work 4pm-midnight, go to bed for a couple of hours, and be on No2 waiting for it to get light. I would fish until 2:30pm and go straight to work….and so on for the week. I must have had much more stamina in those days. Anyway, the time I was spending on the water paid dividends and I started catching some large tench. Tactics were simple, float fished corn in the milk crate swim or the first swim up the canal bank.
I made many friends over the coming years including Adge and Trev (great characters) and Steve Kearvel who went on to catch some huge carp from No2. During the winter months I would join Steve Jenner and Mick Grice every Sunday morning to fish the barge dock for pike. We would fish until midday and then retire to the Horse and Barge for a drink and chat with Stuart Verity and Jim the farmer. Happy days!
Frank Webb was our curator at this time and recorded captures with an enthusiasm rarely seen. He was a great character and you could never just pop round and see Frank, he would always ask you in, give you a cup of tea, and recount stories from his angling past. Meetings were held at the Eastcote arms and then the Whittington and were always well attended. It was around this time that John Barnes took over as Treasurer and we started holding committee meetings at his house. Colin Head our President and Terry Skelton our secretary always ensured that the meetings were conducted in an appropriate and professional manner.
I have too many memories from No2 to print in one article. However a couple spring to mind. I was telephoned early one morning to go and take some photos for Adge and Trev. They were fishing the far corner of the lake, next to the disabled swim (with campervan), and when I arrived they produced two 20lb pike, one each, to be photographed. I duly obliged and both were safely returned. Unfortunately, the photos are long since lost. It was also around this time that Steve Kearvel caught the first 40lb carp from No2. Although Steve tried to keep the capture quiet word soon spread and within days the committee had applications from all over the country, one of which was from two Scottish anglers asking if they could fish No2 for the whole season, and I mean the whole season, non stop! We of course declined but the new found popularity did lead to us introducing interviews for new members, held in the Half Moon in South Harrow.
Around the same time I became more involved in the running of the club and was appointed Chairman and Membership Secretary in the mid 80’s. During the coming years we had many ups and downs. On the negative side we lost the rights to Langley (thanks to the swan lady) and one sad Sunday morning we were informed that there had been a complete fish kill on Rowley (a leak from the silage tank). Langley was a great loss for the society but thankfully Rowley has now been successfully restored to its former glory.
Andy Pigott
Langley – A Great Loss
Towards the end of the eighties I decided to take a complete change of tract and pursue my match fishing ambitions. I spent the next 10 years fishing the Open Match circuit and Team Fishing with some success. The competition was a real buzz but to remain competitive you really had to put the time in. There were also no “carp puddles” in those days and most of my time was spent on the inner London canals, not the most picturesque of venues. Anyway, I was half way through a match on the canal at Scrubbs Lane one Sunday morning, and doing rather well, when I took a good look around me, it was a tip. What the hell was I doing here? I packed up, walked off and have never been back since. I spent the next few years pleasure fishing, carp fishing and just getting back to enjoying my time in pleasant surroundings.
Last year I finally got the urge to come back to HAS and after a couple of emails to Vince subsequently rejoined. On the first day of the season I took a wander around No 1 to see what it looked like and how it was fishing. Over 20 years away and the first people I bump into are Steve Jenner and Mick Grice, it was like I had never been away! Stuart Verity duly arrived and after a long chat I left them all in peace. Over the next few days I met many of the “old faces”, including Les, who was on No2 when I left 20 odd years ago and was still there when I came back! One character sadly missing was Terry Gibson.
I have managed to fish No1, No2 and Rowley several times this season and have had some very enjoyable days. It is always hard to go back because nothing is ever the same and you are frequently disappointed. In this case I am delighted to say that it is better. The characters are still there, the company is good, and the fishing is even better than it was. The committee and all those involved over the last 20 years should be justifiable proud.
Tight lines
Andy Pigott
Curators Report
These reports are a small representation of the fish that have been caught from our waters by 33 of the members that have returned catch reports.
Please can I encourage others to send in details of captures so that the committee can use the information to effectively manage our waters and decide on the correct stocking polices to be applied to further improve our fisheries.
Pit 1 125 reports
67 Bream - from 4 to10 lb, majority of captures in 5-7lb bracket
36 Carp - from 5 to 29.5lb, majority of captures in 6-8lb bracket (however 3x29lbers and 1 28lber reported)
2 roach - both over a 1lb
20 Tench - from 2oz to 6.5lb, majority of captures in 4-5lb bracket
Pit 2 25 reports
30 Carp from 19 to 43:12oz, majority of captures in the 30lb bracket
15 Bream - from 7 to 13 lb, majority captures in 9 -10lb bracket
1 Eel - of 3lb 8oz
2 pike of 9 and 11 lb
5 Tench - from 6-10 lb, no average weight.
Rowley 35 reports
27 Carp - from 3 to 16lb, majority of captures in to 20-26 lb bracket
1 Pike of 8lb 7 Tench from 4-6 lb, majority of captures in the 4lb bracket
Pit 1 Summer Match – 14th & 15th July 2007
9 members fished the day match & 15 members fished the night match generating a food and prize fund of just over £100. Dave Cargill did a grand job on purchasing the food and supplying the gas BBQ to still leave us enough money to award four £20 prizes with 2 prizes awarded per match.
The morning match commenced at 8am, and due to the difficulty of catching carp out of pit 1 during the day, I decided to concentrate on the prize for the silver fish, knowing that many other anglers were fishing boilies.
With a float rod and a pint of maggots I managed to bag 3lb 1oz of roach and rudd from the end of the arm and was beaten to the winning post by Peter Brown who landed a 5lb 9oz Bream to leger tactics on buzzers casting out to Nessy in the middle of the lake. Dave Cargill fished Joes corner and allegedly caught several hundred pounds of fish, including some stonking Perch, but due to the hole in his keepnet (This is a fact, Brian Busby is my witness, Ed.) – only managed to weigh in 1lb 14oz of mixed species. Various other anglers around the lake who were fishing for mixed species managed to catch fish, but chose not to submit them for the weigh in.
As predicted, the carp prize for the day match was not claimed, so the £20 prize was split and rolled over to the night match to increase the prize fund. The lunchtime BBQ went swimmingly and we all stuffed our faces on burgers and sausages in buns with fried onions and ketchup. Compliments to the Chef-Scoop!! A few beers were sunk and many cups of tea were drunk before the anticipation of the draw was realised.
After a second draw for swims and with a belly full of food the anglers waddled off to their new swims for the commencement of the 4pm match that would run through to Sunday lunchtime.
“Stockie” Carp seemed to be caught from all over the lake throughout the night with buzzers sounding regularly. Kino landed a gorgeous Tench over 5lb but it was Peter Brown bagging Bream that took the silverfish prize fishing the same swim that proved successful in the morning match.
I fished a tight swim to land a couple of Carp and also dropped a couple but still managed to take the overall Carp weight prize although it was a close call with some other anglers landing 3 stockies to total nearly 20lbs.
It must be said that Scoop picked the best swim of the night, for tea drinking that is. Brian Busby has a kettle that refuses to be cold and he was taking full advantage of it.
All in all the entire match was, once again a success. Friendly and social these events could become a regular booking on the HAS calendar.
Pit 1 48 hour Carpathon – 15th-17th September 2007
Twenty tickets for the match were sold at £10 per head generating a substantial kitty to spend on this event to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Harrow Angling Society.
Dave Cargill went to town on the food and spent over £100 on Kebabs, Burgers, Sausages, Beers, Soft Drinks & Condiments. I never imagined that all this food, including the copious amount of bread rolls would ever be eaten by the 17 anglers that turned up for the draw, but once the women & children turned up (of which there were a few) the supply of food was rapidly consumed and very little was left over. Many of the anglers present commented on how nice it was that the event was incredibly sociable and family orientated.
Anyway, back to the fishing. 17 anglers on Pit 1 sounds like a lot of people, but it was surprising how quickly everyone disappeared into their surroundings once the draw commenced. Ian Kempster was first out of the hat and promptly chose the willow swim on the marina bank (just past the social point). I’ve never seen him move so fast. One minute I’m asking who’s drawn number 1, the first I know he’s nodded with the handles of his barrow already in his hands, and he was off in a cloud of dust. From there on in, everyone pretty much got the swims they wanted regardless of where they were in the draw. The Busbys took the social point with Graham Pearce, Dave Cargill’s gang of 5 dominated the end of the arm, back bay and a couple swims from the top of the arm, Joe got Joes corner, Sye choose the Helipad, I took the bird watchers platform, and the 3 remaining anglers fished the other end of the lake in the ample space that was available.
My records of events after then are a bit sketchy, but there were certainly plenty of runs all round, even if approximately a dozen fish were lost and the amount of fish crashing about in the night added to the noise of buzzers kept me wondering what on earth people were catching.
It wasn’t until the final day that the captures around the lake were collated. Sye managed to land a 3lber, as well as a tench which didn’t count. Steve bagged an 8lb’er, Graham Pearce landed a 8lb 6 oz, Johnny came in at 3rd place with two 7lb’ers winning a £20 prize, Ginger in Second with a 17:12 earning him a £30 prize and I managed to win the £50 first place with a 20:8 and 16lb’er. Overall around 100lb of fish graced the bank.
Even those that blanked enjoyed the event and I’m sure a similar match will be arranged for next year. Keep your eyes peeled in the April magazine.
Pike Matches
Just a quick reminder to you all that there are several pike matches in the calendar for you to attend. Signs will be going up around the lakes to remind you of these events, but just a note to say that the lakes will remain OPEN to all other anglers during these short 5 hour matches. By the time you read this the October match should have already occurred, so hopefully there will be plenty of captures to inform you of at the November meeting (for those of you that are planning to attend).
Sunday 7th October 2007 – Pit 2 Open Pike & Predator match
Sunday 9th December 2007 – Pit 1 Open Pike & Predator match
Sunday 1st March 2008 – Pit 2 Open Pike & Predator match£3 per head for 2 rods. For Pit 2 meet on the Workings, for Pit 1 meet in the Moorhall Road car park for 8am, the draw is at 8:30am, match commences at 9am and finishes at 1pm. Pike and Perch are included for weighing in.
The prize fund will be determined on the day and based on the number of attendees. Guests are welcome to participate for the day without the additional cost of a day ticket when accompanied by a full member