Another season has now passed and it was fair to say that like the Curate’s Egg, it was good in parts.

Although last year, we originally planned to open at the beginning of February, weather conditions were such, first with frozen lakes, followed by excessive rain and coloured water, that we were unable to introduce stock fish and things didn’t really get going until late March. Even so, because of the poor weather, anglers were still reluctant to visit, but as soon as spring arrived, albeit a bit late, the fishing proved very good and members enjoyed excellent sport through to the end of June. Come the summer though, the hot dry weather and lack of rain led to high water temperatures through July and August, with the feeder streams virtually drying up, although thankfully the dissolved oxygen content remained O.K. and as far as we know there were no fish losses. As a result, in common with most other fisheries at this time, we suffered the dreaded “dog days” when the fish just weren’t interested and very few were caught until things cooled off a bit in September, when the fishing improved and then continued to be pretty good right through to the end of the season.   

A total of 1990 trout were stocked during the year, equally at both locations. Fish were stocked at Cinder Hill from February through to June in all the lakes, with further introductions to the top and middle lakes in July and September and also again to the top lake in October. No stocking took place in August due to the water conditions or into the bottom lake after July as we stop fishing the latter at the end of September. Fish were caught consistently through to the end of June in all three waters and again in the top lake in September and October, but in spite of the further stocking, no fish at all were taken in the middle lake from the beginning of July, the high wildfowl numbers present being thought partially responsible.

At Piplye, stocking was carried out from March through to October, with the exception of August due to the water conditions. The fishing here did not start until the end of March and apart from the July and August “dog days”, this venue generally performed well throughout the season, which finished at the end of November, with Grubbero, the top lake, fishing exceptionally, justifying all the work carried out a couple of years ago, with virtually all the fish stocked being caught.

We had 117 members in the Syndicate this year and analysis of the catch returns show that while a few used up all or most of their 25 visits, some hardly fished at all and on average a member fished 10 to 11 times during the season. 1367 fish were caught, 569 at Cinder Hill and 798 at Piplye. While some anglers regularly managed to catch, others struggled a lot of the time, resulting in catch returns of 1.1 fish per visit at Cinder Hill and 1.45 for Piplye, giving an overall figure of around 1.3.

Figures for the individual waters show that the top lake at Cinder Hill gave up 58% of the fish stocked, the bottom lake 68% and the middle a disappointing 47%, the venue average being 57%. At Piplye, the bottom pool yielded 62%, the middle 74% and the top an amazing 100%, although there must be some doubt about this figure and it seems likely that fish have been credited to this water which were actually caught in one of the other lakes. This goes to show the need for accuracy when members complete the returns sheets. The venue average for Piplye comes out at 80% fish caught of those stocked and the overall figure for the whole fishery 69% which is on a par with previous years.

The largest fish at 4lb 8oz was caught by a guest from the top lake at Cinder Hill, with the best from Piplye being one of 4lb caught by Terry Tullett in Grubbero pool in October. This fish, along with 3 others also gave Terry the heaviest bag of the season at 12lb 4oz, while he also captured the best bag from Cinder Hill back in early April weighing 10lb. A total weight of around 1330lb of fish were caught with the average weight being 1lb 11oz.

The cormorants did not seem to be so much of a problem last year. Maybe it was due to the presence of the several scarecrows and the hawk kite that were deployed around the lakes. We would like to think so and our thanks are due to the members who took the time and trouble to make scarecrows at home and then bring them to the venues. To protect them from the ravages of winter they are holidaying in the huts having been temporarily retired from active duty and after some repair, will be re-installed in time for the initial fish introductions prior to the start of the season.

We held nine work parties during last year, perhaps the greatest feat being the clearing of some of the fallen willow trees in McArthurs Pool, the bottom lake at Cinder Hill. Most were well attended and we achieved quite a lot, but there is always more that can be done. Our thanks are due to all the members who turned out to help and although they all qualified for an additional fishing visit for every session attended, none took advantage of this as they didn’t manage to achieve their normal full quota of 25 visits in the season. Just shows what a great bunch of guys we have in the Syndicate, work parties being all part of the overall scene. Weather and ground conditions permitting, to get the waters in good shape, we will be arranging some sessions prior to the start of the season and members on our volunteers list will be advised of the dates in due course. If you are not sure if you are on our list and would like to help, please contact Mike Richardson via e-mail or telephone and we will make sure you are included.

Although we could start fishing at the beginning of February, last year’s experience suggest that it is not really viable and we now plan to open on the 1st March this year. However, at the time of writing, weather, ground and water conditions suggest that this could possibly also be delayed, as although we haven’t had any freezing conditions (yet !), the excess of rain has made vehicular access for stocking almost impossible and the high very coloured water not suitable anyway. Let’s hope February is a dry month allowing things to settle down. We will keep members informed via e-mail and our web site.

Syndicate rules allow for two visits in any one week. When fish are first introduced they are relatively easy to catch and it became apparent that some members, once they were aware of a recent stocking at one venue or the other, were taking undue advantage, by taking their two visits in close proximity, to the same venue, even to the extent of taking them on the same day. There was nothing against the rules in that and who could blame them for making the most of their opportunities, after all, we all like to catch fish. After the initial early season introductions, fish are generally stocked at a rate of approximately 30 per lake per month unless weather and water conditions are unsuitable, so with the present 4 fish limit, it doesn’t take very long, or that many visits, for the large majority of these fresh fish to be taken, leaving very few for other members who were unable to fish at the prime times and as a result, after the initial post stocking limit bags, catches have tended to dry up fairly soon, leaving some members disappointed with their fishing. Therefore, in an effort to spread the availability of fresh fish to more of the membership, we are proposing a change to the rules, retaining the two visits per week, but limiting those visits to one to each venue per week. Members will however, still be able to take a guest, which will count as one of their 25 visit allocation, but not the two per week limit.

We consider very carefully before setting the Syndicate annual subscription, but unfortunately the cost of fish continues to rise, increases in the price of their feed being the main culprit. We also need to maintain and indeed increase our cash reserves as we will need to carry out extensive and costly work on our waters in the near future and as a result, the subscription in 2014 has been set at £260, an increase of £15 over last year’s figure. We are sorry about this, but it still works out as very good value at £10.40 per visit for a 4 fish limit if one uses all their 25 allocation, where else offers such low cost good value fishing.

We hope this will not deter you from renewing your Syndicate membership this year and look forward to another enjoyable season fishing some of the most beautiful waters in the area and hopefully catching plenty of quality fish.

 

Mike Richardson, Syndicate Organiser.