This Sunday the senior river competitions will be held.

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Dr. Chester Senior Competition – Sunday 25th July (Senior Male Members). Sadly, Dr. Eddie Chesters, a former club president and well known angler passed away this winter. This will be the first opportunity for the club to remember him through fishing the competition set up in his name many years ago.

Also, we see the first outing for our lady members to fish the Angela Moralee Shield. This is a new competition introduced in recognition of the growing number of women enjoying the sport of angling. Angela Moralee has been long associated with the club through Low Field Farm, our major Riparian Owners and great supporters of the club for many years. We are delighted to recognise this by naming the new ladies competition in her honour.

Those wishing to fish these competitions please meet at Jubilee Bridge Carpark (Postcode – DL15 0DJ), for 2.30pm, for a 3pm start. These competitions have in the past been sponsored by The Anglers Lodge at Jubilee Lakes, who have in the past donated some fantastic prizes.

The weather forecast for Sunday is still looking warm with some showers forecast.  As always fish care is critical during any competition and this will be discussed in more detail on the day.

The club waters have been well stocked with some lovely fish this year, COVID did delay this a little and rod numbers have been low on the water, added to an ever improving stock of large fish a great day is in store for all.

There are also some fantastic Grayling in there but while they might make your day even better please remember they do not qualify for the competition which is for the largest Brown Trout.

It would be greatly appreciated and very helpful if anglers wishing to take part were able to confirm this to the secretary If you cannot confirm in advance you are still able to fish on the day, advance numbers will always be very helpful though, so if you can confirm please do.

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This picture shows a stand of Himalayan Balsam taken on a section of bank which looked impossible to tackle but which is now almost clear of this nuisance. It happened over time but a real difference was made. Last year a new section was started and monitored, returning to it this summer it was found to have much reduced Balsam growth, with those stragglers pulled and destroyed it has a chance of being clear next year.

Every section we can clear reduces the risk of erosion next winter.

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Just what is the problem with Himalayan Balsam?

Aside from the obvious issues of access to and from the river this plant causes problems for the fish themselves.

This is a non-native plant, introduced to this country by gardeners, but which has since gone wild and overtaken our river banks. The issue is that the thick canopies of foliage prevent the growth of better rooted plants which bind the soil together. When the Balsam dies back the river bank is susceptible to erosion with little or no protection from other plant roots.

The erosion causes many problems including siltation of the river bed, which in turns is problematic for the gravel beds which form the spawning grounds for Trout and Salmon. With these fish under severe pressure they need all the help they can get and clean gravel to form the Reds is essential. That’s where we come in.

How can we beat this menace?

Well, it takes a little effort but it can be done and if we can attack it BEFORE it seeds the task becomes much easier.

We have previously requested that every angler should try to find 5 to 10 minutes on each visit to the river to pull a few plants, try to clear a small area. Every little helps. Pull the plants by the roots, snap the stems and pile the roots and plants in an area where they can decompose. It’s great if everyone does a little but we can do more.

The problem becomes the remaining seeds which the plants spread very effectively.

We have seen that a patch once cleared, if followed up the following season can be fully cleared. If anglers could choose a patch, be it the size of a towel, a room or a garden and attack it we can clear worthwhile areas, protect the river bank and improve the spawning success of fish by reducing siltation.

Choose a patch.

Pull the plants, snap the stems and pile them to decay.

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Return to that same patch next year, if it’s been well cleared, before the plants seed it will be much clearer.

Choose a new patch.

Repeat.

Thank you.

The senior men’s and the ladies competition are now able to resume after a break last year due to the lockdown situation.

We are now delighted to announce that these competitions will be fished side-by side on Sunday July 25th.

anglers please assemble at Jubilee Car Park at 2:30pm in readiness for a 3:00pm start.

It’s great to be able to bring people together again hopefully we can enjoy a fantastic days fishing in great fishing company.

See you soon.

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A selection of previous winners and their quarry