BGA NEWS LETTER JANUARY 2012
Welcome to the first newsletter of 2012. I hope you all had a merry Christmas and, like me, you are looking forward the start of the new season.
The AGM is to be held on 1 March 2012 at the Fairview Inn, Llandulas. The meeting will start at 7-30 prompt and as in previous years there will be sandwiches provided. The agenda, previous minutes and financial statement will be available on the night. If any member wishes to stand for office as a Committee Member, or nominate any other person for office, then a written nomination must be sent to the Club Secretary, Sylvia Oliver, 44 Lon Cymru, Llandudno, Conwy, LL30 1SJ, at least one week prior to the AGM. If you are nominating another person, then that person must consent to his or her name being put forward for consideration by the membership. Please make every effort to attend as it is an important function of running a democratic club. Ken Oliver, Membership Secretary, will be on hand to accept membership renewals on the night and Alan Smith, Treasurer, will be more than happy to process the subscriptions. If you wish to have an item added to the agenda please contact Sylvia Oliver, sylviaspaghetti@yahoo.co.uk or 01492 879533 no less than one week prior to the meeting.
The Fairview Inn is also the venue for our monthly Committee meetings and the next two are on the 19 January and 16 February. These are open to any Club member to attend, or to offer to assist with the running of the Club.
Firstly, I want to thank John Lewin, Arfon Williams and our President Henry Hughes for the sterling work they have done keeping the Canadian pondweed at bay on Tai Lake. Those of you who have ventured out recently will surely have been impressed by the quality of the water and fishing. Those of you who have fished the lake or read the previous newsletters will know the problem that we have keeping the lake fishable. The three gentlemen named above are past the first flush of youth and they should not be expected to carry the burden of this work. However, they feel passionately about this water and they realised if they had not carried out the work the lake would have become unfishable and we would have to let it go. Can I please ask for volunteers to help next season? You are welcome to contact me on the details below or Arfon Williams on 01492 514527.
Please note that we also have to undertake work on our Llyn Syberi and Hafod, as well as our river beats. The stilllwaters are managed by Ken and Sylvia Oliver and the rivers by me. We would also be grateful to receive offers of help throughout the season.
I am pleased to announce that, thanks to the hard work of Ken and Sylvia Oliver, the Club has been successful in obtaining a grant of £16,000 towards improvements to Llyn Syberi. It is hoped that work will commence at the beginning of February, weather permitting, and offers of help would be gratefully appreciated. We particularly need help with cutting branches and clearing the outlet to improve water flow through the lake. Please contact Ken Oliver 07826 853012, if you can spare some time to help with this work. The lake has been recently stocked with chubb and barbel and it has been fishing very well this season.
I am sorry to announce that Bill Wilkes has found it necessary to stand down from the Committee due to failing health. For those that don’t know Bill was elected to the Committee in 1975, just months after the Club was founded, and he has devoted over 37 years of his life in the service of the Club. Fortunately, he has offered to help us compile a history of the Club for publication on the website. Can I ask any long-standing Members who wish to contribute to this piece of work to contact me directly with information or anecdotes about the Club?
I am pleased to announce that the Club has extended its portfolio of waters by taking five rods on the Bala waters, and an additional beat on the River Clwyd and two adjacent lakes.
The Bala waters offer river fishing on the rivers Dee, Llafar, Llew and Tryweryn, as well as Bala Lake itself. In addition there is a jewel of a lake in the mountains about 12 miles outside Bala. This is called Llyn Cwmprysor and it holds a good head of wild brown trout. Due to the elevation, approximately 1,800 ft the fish readily take the dry fly, but you have to keep alert as they are quick to reject the artificial fly. Booking for the Bala waters is through Ken (07826853012) and Sylvia Oliver (07909441071) or leave a message on 01492 879533 and they are also managing the bookings for the Betws-y-Coed waters and Hafod.
The new beat on the Clwyd is immediately down stream for our Lleweni beat and I have been fortunate to have an opportunity to fish it towards the end of last season. It is slightly faster flowing than our existing beat and it can be waded for its full length in summer low water conditions. It has some deep pools for migratory fish and some lovely tree shaded stretches that are home to some good wild brown trout. I will be undertaking some work to improve fishing at the start of the season as this beat has not been fished for many years. This beat also comes with two lakes, one is a coarse lake and the other is a trout lake. The trout lake holds some wild brown trout and this will be supplemented by a stocking of small rainbow trout. The lake is fly only and Members may take one fish, however, we would prefer people to exercise restraint until the lake becomes established. Locations and access arrangements will be provided in an updated rule book.
Unfortunately the subscriptions have been increased for the 2012 season to £90 senior membership and £80 for senior citizens/disabled. The junior rates remain unchanged. This is the first increase for a few years and it necessary due to increases in stocking costs and water rentals. Though I am sure you will agree that it offers remarkable value for money, especially when you take into account the rods available on our associate waters.
The Club has offered up a lot for the 2012 Wild Trout Trust auction. This is for two weeks fishing on our wild trout waters and any proceeds will be used to support the work of the Trust.
Despite frequent requests we have not received much in the way of updates for our website. Please can you forward any photographs or articles for the Club website? The website is an important tool for recruiting members and we need to keep it up to date.
Regards,
Paul Hughes, Chairman BGA
Ps. If you receive this email by post and have access to an email address, please notify Ken Oliver and he will put you on the electronic mailing list. This will save the Club money and Ken time.
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Competitors for the interclub fishing competition
between BGA and HFF 2011
held at Lyn Diwuanedd
The winner was BGA Chairman Paul Hughes,
seen below, looking a bit damp, but happy,
with the Bill Wilkes Shield
BGA NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 2011
AGM 2011
The forthcoming AGM is to be held at the Farmers Arms, Waen at 7-30 pm on Thursday 3 March 2011. If any member wishes to stand for office as a Committee Member, or nominate any other person for office, then a written nomination must be sent to the Club Secretary at least one week prior to the AGM. If you are nominating another person, then that person must consent to his or her name being put forward for consideration by the membership. Please note that, as in previous years, sandwiches will be provided free of charge to those attending the AGM. Please make every effort to attend as it is an important function of running a democratic club. Bill Wilkes the Membership Secretary will be on hand to accept membership renewals on the night and Alan Smith the Treasurer will be more than happy to process the subscriptions . Allan Cuthbert has kindly agreed to attend our AGM to discuss the Riverwatch initiative, so it would be nice if we had a good turnout to support this guest speaker.
Club Website
Jon Tobin has made an excellent job of developing and running the Club website. For the website to be effective it must be regularly updated with interesting and relevant articles. The following email address, bgamember@aol.com , was set up for members to send articles, photographs and comments to. Unfortunately members seemed reluctant to submit articles in 2010 and I would urge members to send in articles in 2011, otherwise the website is in danger of becoming stale. Please note that the website is an important tool for recruiting members and prospective members like to read about fishing success and see photographs of fish.
Federation of Clwyd Angling Clubs
The BGA has continued to play an active role in the Federation of Clwyd Angling Clubs. The aim of the Federation is to collectively serve to protect and enhance the game fishing interests of the member Clubs. The Federation is currently in negotiations with the Environment Agency over possible bylaw changes that will affect the Clwyd and Conwy catchments.
Club Waters - Rivers
The Lleweni beat on the Clwyd fished very well in 2010 with 70 brown trout to 1lbs. However, recognition must go to Martin Jenkins for two fine salmon caught during the trial extension period.
A lot of work has been undertaken clearing Himalayan Balsam from the river banks and removing over hanging branches to improve access for fly fishing. It is requested that members spend a little time clearing Himalayan Balsam each time they fish a river beat.
Club Waters - Lakes
Llyn Diwaunned experienced very low angling pressure in 2010 and this is a shame as it is a fine water. We have agreed to hold an inter-club competition with Hoylake Flyfishers next season. The date has yet to be agreed, however, it is likely to be between the middle of May and the middle of July. All members are positively encouraged to participate and details will be posted on the Club website and on future newsletters.
Tai Lake
Following concerns about poor catch returns the Committee has agreed an increased stocking policy for next year. However, members should realise that this is not a commercial fishery and the Club can’t afford to stock the lake on a weekly basis to ensure that there is always an influx of fresh fish to catch.
As with previous seasons there will be a series working parties to manage the Canadian pond weed. Details will be posted on the website and on future news letters.
Hafod Pools
Hafod pools have fished consistently well throughout the season and members are encouraged to give them a try. Please note that these pools are the only Club water that must be pre-booked as they are only suitable for four anglers and parking is limited. Please refer to Club rule/map book for details.
Llyn Syberi
Llyn Syberi has proved a popular venue in 2010 and it has generated a lot of income through day ticket sales. The Club is currently submitting a funding bid to to the Environment Agency for the provision of additional fishing platforms.
Can you please notify Ken Oliver whether or not you are attending the AGM. Tel: 01492 879533 or 07826853012 or email kenoli_2000@yahoo.co.uk.
TAI LAKE COMPETITION
Tai Lake Fishing Competition 31 July 2010
(See Photos on Club Comp Photos Page)
The competition was well attended with 10 anglers in total, who braved the weather conditions to take part in what proved to be a very close run thing. The powers that be above decided to actually let us have some good weather for the contest itself and it stayed like that until just after we presented the prizes and the trophy!!
Ced McGrath from Hoylake Flyfishers proved victorious with 2 nice fish caught on a very difficult peg due to the wind. Giles Pepperell came 2nd, Will Connelly 3rd and Mark Hazlewood 4th all with one fish apiece. Henry presented the prizes and remarked at our perserverence in such weather. I would like to thank the winners as well as Alan Smith, Dave Ruddick, Jim Shingles and Stan from Hoylake for also attending and making it a good day and a big thank you to John Lewin for his work on the preparation and his adjudicating on the day. Hopefully we can repeat it soon!!!!"
regards
Ken
Photos from the June Weeding Party at Tai Lake
Thanks to everyone who assisted, and fishermen who have raked out weed since.
Please contact Ken on 01492 879533 (answer phone) or 07826853012 if you can help at the next weeding party
RIVER FLYFISHING TUTORIAL
On Monday 24 May Derek Turner, AAPGAI, held a river flyfishing tutorial on the Club’s Gypsy Lane beat on the River Elwy. The Members who turned up were treated to a highly informative session that covered:
· Tackle choice – Rod, reel, line, leader and fly selection
· The quarry – Brown trout, sea trout and salmon
· Rivercraft and identifying lies/holding areas
· Casting techniques – Roll casting and various speycasting techniques
· Flyfishing methods – Upstream and downstream wet, dry and nymph
· Fly presentation and ‘mending’ techniques
Derek is a very experienced fisherman and accomplished flyfishing coach, and those who attended learned many hints and tips that will no doubt stand them in good stead throughout their flyfishing life.
The next flyfishing tutorial will be held on Tai Lake on Monday 14 June and there is no charge to paid up Members of the BGA.
For further information on Derek’s courses please visit his website on www.learntoflycast.co.uk or contact Derek on castafly@live.co.uk
Members are permitted to take a maximum of 1 fish per day in total from the Club’s river beats and Llyn Diwaunedd, however, more and more anglers are practicing ‘catch and release’ to preserve valuable fish stocks for future generations. The following tables give a length to weight conversion, which can be used to estimate the weights of returned fish.
Sea trout and brown trout
|
Inches
|
lb
|
Inches
|
lb
|
Inches
|
lb
|
|
9
|
5.4oz
|
17
|
2lb 2oz
|
25
|
6lb 11oz
|
|
10
|
7.3oz
|
18
|
2lb 9oz
|
26
|
7lb 8oz
|
|
11
|
9.7oz
|
19
|
3lb
|
27
|
8lb 6oz
|
|
12
|
12.5oz
|
20
|
3lb 7oz
|
28
|
9lb 5oz
|
|
13
|
1lb
|
21
|
4lb
|
29
|
10lb 5oz
|
|
14
|
1lb 4oz
|
22
|
4lb 9oz
|
30
|
11lb 6oz
|
|
15
|
1lb 8oz
|
23
|
5lb 4oz
|
31
|
12lb 9oz
|
|
16
|
1lb 13oz
|
24
|
5lb 15oz
|
32
|
13lb 12oz
|
Salmon
|
Inches
|
lb
|
Inches
|
lb
|
Inches
|
lb
|
|
20
|
3lb 2oz
|
30
|
10lb 11oz
|
40
|
24lb 3oz
|
|
22
|
4lb 3oz
|
32
|
12lb 6oz
|
42
|
27lb 3oz
|
|
24
|
5lb 13oz
|
34
|
15lb 3oz
|
44
|
30lb 5oz
|
|
26
|
7lb 6oz
|
36
|
18lb 3oz
|
46
|
33lb 5oz
|
|
28
|
9lb
|
38
|
21lb 3oz
|
48
|
36lb 5oz
|
The following tips will help to minimise the stress to fish that are to be returned:
· Use barbless or debarbed hooks at all times
· Minimise the time spent playing fish
· Wet your hands before touching fish
· Carry forceps or disgorger to remove hooks
· Do not remove the fish from the water and release it as quickly as possible
· Support the fish in the water until sufficiently recovered
Paul Hughes
Chairman
contact
committee@gameanglers.co.uk
|
