We would like your views please.

Some anglers are not entering club competitions or entering fish for club trophies because they prefer full catch and release. We are aware of an excellent salmon last season which was not entered for this reason and recently at least two juniors did not fish the junior competition because they did not wish to kill fish.

To be clear, there is no intention to introduce compulsory C&R but the club does encourage anglers to return wild fish unharmed and in the case of Brown Trout would encourage anglers to kill only fish marked with a black spot (the stockies).

A few ideas have been discussed such as a time stamped photograph clearly showing the length of a fish and change from weight to length to decide winners. One benefit of this is that it would allow any salmon caught before June 16th to be entered as the earliest and/or largest migratory fish of the season.

Currently a fish would need to be verified by a committee member with the scales used being calibrated against a set held by the secretary for accuracy and consistency.

Please let us have your thoughts; what system would you suggest?

The senior completion this weekend will take place under the existing rules but is it possible to have something better in place for next season?

 

Please note.

The social event with Guest speaker planned for July 14th at Willington Cricket Club has needed to be postponed.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

The Dr. Chesters Senior Competition (Sponsored by Angler’s Lodge at Jubilee Lakes) : For the largest fish caught takes place this coming Sunday.

Last years winners : Paul Myers and Ronnie Featherstone each with a Brown Trout of 1lb 6oz. Sharing the prize donated by our web-site sponsor Angler’s Lodge at Jubilee Lakes: £100 of vouchers each.

Paul and Ronnie won £100 worth of vouchers for Angler’s Lodge, kindly donated by the sponsors Angler’s Lodge at Jubilee Lakes.

The Dr. Chesters  Senior Competiton: Sponsored by Anglers Lodge at Jubilee Lakes : Takes place this weekend, the 1st Sunday in July : 3:00pm to 8:00pm.

( The 2015 winners shared £200 of vouchers for Angler’s Lodge kindly donated by our sponsors).

Anglers please meet at Jubilee Car park for a 3:00pm start.

 

 

 

Anglers up and down the country are slowly learning about the different habits and effects of stocking Triploid in place of Diploid fish.

We need your feedback to understand what is happening on our waters, we need to understand the effects of Triploid fish on the river and on angling.

The club has completed stocking for the year, 250 Triploids have gone in in two batches. What is your experience. Are you catching these fish? What methods are working? Bait, worm, nymph, wet fly, dry fly?

The stockies are marked with a black spot, this may be central or further forward towards the gills. Please let us have any feedback possible, it is important.

 

We are looking to add to the benefits of membership of  Willington Angling Club with a social aspect.

A Sportsman’s Evening has been arranged at Willington Cricket Club, with a guest speaker and a pie and pea supper on July 14^th.. The Speaker is Stuart Wardle, former England International and well renowned angler.

Please contact the secretary (Shaun O’Dowd) for details or to reserve your ticket.

The river is in great nick when it produces fish like these, all taken and returned on Willington waters very recently, and prior to the last stock fish being released.

The net and rod scale these fish quite nicely to show a beautiful Brown Trout and fantastic Grayling each well in excess of 2lbs.

An angler recently told us ” there are no fish in there.”  Thanks to Anthony and Chalkie for the evidence that he couldn’t be more wrong with these great examples of the excellent fishing currently being enjoyed on our club waters.

Maybe it’s time to try a different fly !

 

 

 

Himalayan Balsam is growing vigorously right now, and now is the time to take action. Balsam Bashing is not about going out with a big stick, and does not need to be in organised events. We can all take action to help.

The problem with this plant is that it takes over and shades out other plants which help to secure the banks. When the Balsam then dies back this leaves the banks at greater risk of erosion.

What can YOU do?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If each angler can spare just ten minutes on each visit to the river, particularly at this time of year, BEFORE flowering takes place, we can make a difference.

Ideally pull the young plants by the roots, snap the stem and pile the plants up to rot. Away from the waters edge is best. Every patch we can clear is a piece of land where other plants and grasses can take hold and protect at least that area.

A huge thank you to those who have been taking action, and to all members please take just a little time to help protect our waters.

Anglers are reporting excellent days and evenings on the river. One visitor reported catching more than a dozen Trout with nothing less than a pound in weight and a novice fly angler enjoyed 9 similar fish on his first outing, all safely released.

June 16th is almost here, anglers who wish to take fish for the table after that date are respectfully reminded that the stocked trout are marked with a spot between the gills. This gives us the opportunity to return wild trout to the river unharmed.

The river will be stocked once more with similar sized and marked fish , meanwhile Sea Trout are being seen and a little rain to freshen things up will help. If you’re going to be fishing after dark please remember to display your parking badge so that club bailiffs can identify unexpected visitors. If you are aware of any suspicious anglers please report this to the club, any help from members really does help us to protect YOUR fishing rights.

Don’t forget, the EA has byelaws applying to hook sizes after darkness, no need to be caught out, to be safe you can view the EA Regulations and bye-laws using the link to the side of this page.

Have a great summer, tight lines.