minutes from last months meeting

Curley’s Fishery Forward Plans.

20 March 2015

Introduction

Steve Kershaw the owner of Curley’s fishery called an open meeting for interested parties to discuss the forward plans for the fishery and to introduce the recently appointed fishery manager Joel Green.  In his introduction Steve stated that he recognized there was a need for improvement and made it clear that the discussion to follow was to focus on the future not the past.

Joel told the meeting that he had a lifelong passion for all country pursuits and among other activities had in the past served as a bailiff on the river Hodder at Whitewell.  He said that he was aware of the need to improve communications with the angling community and to this end a new blog and website had been created, which he would regularly update.

Forward Plans,

Steve outlined the future plans as follows,

Stocking Policy

There is a commitment to purchase a minimum of £12,000 worth of fish in the next twelve months, with an initial stocking of around 500 fish, which will be on 25 March.  Thereafter there will be a stocking every fortnight, except in August and December.  The first stocking and all future stocking be videoed and posted on Curley’s Fishery blog and You Tube and will include a fish count.

Initially income from the fishery is insufficient to cover the cost of stocking, which will need to be met from other income.  However the aim is to grow the membership and to reinvest all income from membership fees into fish stocks.

Maintenance

It is recognized that in the past maintenance has not been of the standard required and this will be addressed by:

1        A programme of replacing the decks on the embankment at a rate of two per week, and then to focus on the pontoons.

2        Creating two pegs for disabled anglers, advice is being taken on how best to do this.

3        Recruiting an apprentice to work under Joel’s Guidance

4        Tree and shrub maintenance is an issue but we do have some constraints being in a conservation area

Communication

In order to improve communication with the fishery manager a number of two-way radios are to be purchased.  There will be one radio in the restaurant and possible access to a further radio located outside the tackle shop for use by anglers is being explored.

Boats

The current boats are unserviceable and will be disposed of, a source of new boats is being looked at, possibly of aluminum construction.

Membership Costs and Benefits

A review of local fisheries and those further afield has been used to set membership charges.  It is recognized that there may be cheaper fishing available, but where this is the case what is offered is different form Curley’s.  They are not for profit organizations with very low overheads, usually with no paid staff and very limited facilities.  Often a significant commitment of time is required from members.

Current proposals for Curley’s annual membership are:

                        Membership                                                  £300

                        Day Membership (Monday –Thursday)      £240

                        Junior                                                  £150

Members will receive 4 full day sports tickets for accompanied guests

If fish are taken that will be from the member’s allocation, which is two per week

Open Meeting Questions and Answers

Q.        Can you stock some big fish say 5lb plus?

A.        Not at present.

           

Big fish are expensive and we plan initially to recover to a situation where the lake holds a good head of healthy fish maximizing the opportunity for anglers to catch.  However bigger fish represent interesting options for the future

We are buying fish inoculated against Argulus, despite a 20% premium on such fish, having lost stock to the parasite in the past.

Other stocking issues,

Reliable catch returns are required to ensure stock levels are maintained and all anglers will be asked to co-operate.  Consolidated returns will be published on the website

Cormorants are a problem, but to obtain a permit to kill we must demonstrate that we have tried all available non-lethal measures, that there are no other predators, and fish loss is not a matter of water quality.  We must also show that they are causing significant economic damage to the fishery.  We need therefore to gather as much evidence as possible and again all anglers will be encouraged to assist in gathering information.

Site security with access from the road being too easy in some places is being addressed.  There will be barrier hedging planted (hawthorn and the like) to discourage trespassers. C.C. cameras will also be installed, which will have the added benefit of giving staff a view of the lake regardless of where they may be.

Anglers will be encouraged to dip nets both on arriving and leaving the fishery, although this is requested at present more compliance is necessary to protect fish stocks.

Q.        Could you consider Tagged fish?

A.        It is a practice, which has its attraction and, which could be introduced in future once we have established a good head of fish.

Q.        Is the reduce price for a weekly membership at reasonable level compared with the reduction in fishing time?  Cost is reduced by 20% while fishing time is reduced by 43%

A.        The point raised is understood and the price structure will be reconsidered in view of this comment.

Q.        Could you reconsider the Junior Membership since if anglers are under 16 years old, they must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

A.        The point is taken and will be considered.  The basic objective is to encourage younger people into angling and we will do the best we can to achieve this.  Rules will need to be very clearly set to avoid abuse.

Q         What is the coarse fishing policy?

A         Coarse fishing except for pike is restricted to the small lake.

It is not felt that coarse and trout fishing on the lake are compatible.

Distinguishing which are target fish by fishing method is ineffective. Also expected ticket prices are different

Coarse angling is allowed on the small lake but this really needs significant improvement, and will be considered once the trout fishery becomes sustainable.  The problems include the fact that the lake readily silts up and an easily manageable concrete lined settling tank somewhere in the woodland is required.

Q         What is the car parking policy?

A.        Anglers usually at the fishery for several hours are asked to park in the lane particularly if they will be present at peak times for restaurant customers.  The principle reason for this is that many of those using the restaurant have limited mobility.  Staff will be happy to help members who themselves are less mobile.

General Comments and matters for future review

All anglers using the fishery should see themselves as its custodians and report any malpractice or inappropriate behavior to Joel

There are corrosion problems with aluminum boats and most commercially fisheries favor fiberglass hulls.

Could you consider growing fish on in pens in the lake (as Barnsfold does) to provide bigger fish?

Could you charge a premium for anglers targeting tagged fish the revenue from which would cover the additional cost of the fish?

Astroturf may be available from sports clubs resurfacing playing areas or possibly Bolton MBC.

Day tickets cover the period from when the fishery opens until dusk when the fishery closes.

Could there be a lost property box?

Can we have a follow up meeting in say six months to report progress?