Website statement
A few general facts about the year 2024/25.
Memberships. Numbers declined again during 2024 although not so drastically as in previous years.
The ongoing flooding issues at Grange and on the rivers plus the cost of living are largely to blame
With particular regard to Grange we acknowledge that because of the serious floodings, the virus in 2023 and uncertainty about other things such as site security no new carp have been stocked since February 2023 and this has also impacted on the quality of the fishing That said even some of the top commercials where stocking density is 3000lbs per acre have also seen anglers getting no bites etc.
New carp are scheduled for this autumn and next Spring.
We are still committed to making the task of online memberships easier . Big changes are required to our website
Waters We remain committed to increasing our portfolio of
waters.
Last year we were invited to take on a couple of meadows
on the Trent at Sawley. So far we have been unable to
secure any worthwhile parking although members have fished
the small meadow immediately downstream of the road bridge.
Other sections of the Trent and, possibly, a new stillwater are currently under review .
New agreements with the Canal & River Trust covering both the Erewash and Cranfleet Canal (including the pontoon at Cranfleet Lock) are currently being reviewed
This is slow progress due to the ongoing dispute with the CRT and Erewash Borough Council re proposed plans which will seriously impact on our fishing rights along the Erewash Canal
Lock Island at Kegworth. Fallen trees have been a problem but progress is likely now. Parking remains a problem
R Soar Kegworth -Tree removal in the downstream meadow will be carried out in April.
The Canals and Kegworth bring us some very useful match booking income
Grange Pond consumes so much time for myself and the
Officers .
Of course the serious flooding really only began in mid-2022.
As we know it has cost us over 200 fishing days since then.
Since the beginning of 2023 we have been working tirelessly to
try and engage with the Environment Agency re a variety of
works necessary to reduce the flooding problem but to no avail.
However last year I was invited to meet with two very senior
EA Officers who straightaway acknowledged that the Agency
could and should have done much more to help us. Permission
to commence works immediately on the culvert, the
undergrowth outside of the otter fence and de-silting the land
drain along the northern boundary was granted.
Of late we believe the EA have also removed the embankment beyond the Golden Brook which was forcing floodwater on to our site and STW have recently altered the bunding around their works on the Riding school field which was also impacting on our site.
Pike Some members had complained about the number of pike in Grange and whilst there was no real proof that pike numbers were overly high we made a promise to organise a removal. So at the end of February we brought in a specialist contractor at a cost of £800. Only 9 pike were brought up after 4 hours so it begs the question about numbers. One redeeming feature though was that 5 pregnant females were removed
I have been especially disappointed that all this work was never communicated to members via our various platforms including Facebook. I am also disappointed when I hear members say there are very few carp in Grange. Those who attended the pike removal however know otherwise.
Going forward better communication is absolutely key and plans are in place to achieve this
Funding I continue to monitor funding opportunities. Indeed I
submitted an application at the end of January in respect of work
at Grange to better future -proof it against flooding
Finally it is essential that the Society finds a Water Management/Fisheries Officer to better co-ordinate issues around our waters and manage our brilliant team of Bailiffs and to unburden the Secretary
David Kent BEM