Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 5862 Location: Somerset. UK
Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2021 11:04 am Post subject: Bristol Water Reservoirs 2021
Well who could have predicted the events that enfolded during 2020? It seemed that no sooner had the season opened than we were hit with the worst pandemic for 100 years which caused the reservoirs to completely close again just a couple of weeks later. However when the lakes eventually reopened on 13th May most anglers enjoyed their best ever season on the lakes in terms of both quality and quantity which continued until the end of the normal season and beyond due the extension until the 31st December.
John Harris, Alan Dymock and Ranger team deserve a lot of credit for keeping the ship steady during such unprecedented times and while we are certainly not out of the woods yet with Covid 19, I believe it will be vitally important that we do all we can to support fly fishing for trout on the lakes next season while the parent company Bristol Water PLC looks for a suitable partner to manage the fishing in future. To keep up with the latest developments you can now renew or join the Bristol Reservoirs Fly Fishers Association online here (an additional £1 admin fee may apply)
As usual you will find links below that should tell you all you need to know when planning to fish on the Bristol reservoirs this year. I will update information on permit fees when they are announced and I've missed anything let me know.
Tips to help you get the best from the Bristol reservoirs .. NEW! Bank fishing at Chew!
Excellent advice on how to get the best from boat fishing on the lakes from John Horsey, Martin Cottis and Simon Kidd.
More from the 'Earl of Monkton' and friends ...
Useful local websites ...
I've also included the usual links to local businesses and organisations that will be of interest to anyone who fishes the lakes. If I have missed any or if the links are out of date, let me know and I'll amend the list accordingly
Bristol Reservoirs Fly Fishers Association website : one of the longest established and most popular fly fishing clubs in the country. Check the site for updates on discussions with Bristol Water and much more. If you are not already a member, please join to ensure anglers have a say in the future of trout fishing on the lakes. Membership £10, concessions £5, juniors free.
NEW! You can now join onlinehere (an additional £1 admin fee may apply)
https://www.brffa.com/
Bristol Reservoirs Fly Fishers Association : Facebook page : for details of fly tying evenings, tackle auctions, competition results and much more
https://www.facebook.com/BRFFA
Bristol Branch of the Fly Dressers Guild : Learn how to tie your own flies in the company of like minded fly fishers/fly tiers. All levels of flytier welcome.
For more details please contact arkle (John Horsfall) by PM (personal message) via this forum.
Completefisher Forum Facebook
Many of you will know that Completefisher now has a complementary group on Facebook for those who prefer to consume their social media this way. https://www.facebook.com/groups/completefisher/
Facebook has the advantage of allowing content including video clips to be uploaded quickly and easily in 'real time'. If you prefer to post fishing reports from the Bristol reservoirs on facebook, then please remember to copy them on this thread as well so that those who do not use Facebook can read them too!
Tightlines in 2021!
Alan _________________ Member of ...
The Angling Trust
BRFFA
B.A.S.S.
Pike Fly Fishing Association
If you see me on the bank, say hello!
Last edited by Allrounder on Mon Mar 01, 2021 12:26 pm; edited 3 times in total
Hello forum members and others who I know lurk behind the screen .
Just to let everyone know that I am no longer working for the Lakeside Services Department. I thought it best to put a post out, to save the questioning and PMs to those who I have had regular contact with both on here and out at the lakes, Blagdon particularly.
Things have not worked out for me as I'd expected, and those who know me better will know some of the struggles endured over the last 7 years. I will say this choice was made before the recent news that B.W were going to try and outsource the fishing. I am however, happy to have a new position with the company in a new and hopefully developing team within grounds maintenance.
Thanks everyone for your support over the years, and patience during some testing times! All fingers crossed the outsourcing goes ahead and the fishing can continue and the fishery/fish farm gets the management and backing needed to be be run effectively for future generations.
Tight lines for 2021, I hope to be on the bank a bit more than last year!
Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 5862 Location: Somerset. UK
Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2021 9:34 pm Post subject:
I think I speak for everyone on here when I say you will be sorely missed on the jetties, Laurence (Trout) . Best luck in your future role.
Latest news on the trout fishing situation at Bristol Water, as reported in the 'Catch Reports' section of this months Trout and Salmon magazine by regular contributor and BRFFA Secretary Martin Cottis ...
So, to the future of Bristol Water Fisheries. The Bristol Reservoir Fly Fishers Association chairman and I were asked to attend a meeting at Bristol Water headquarters on Thursday December 3 in order for two of the directors to set out their plans for the future. The chief financial officer (Rod Matthews) had done a serious audit and discovered that the fisheries were making too much of a loss to carry on with.
The director in charge of leisure at the company, Ben Newby, has therefore looked to operate the fisheries based on a different model . He informed Richard and I that South West Water had removed the fishing from core business and that fishing in the south west was now operated on the basis of a trust. He thought that something like that should be looked into for the fishing on our lakes , but he was open to any other ideas.
Basically he was of the opinion that a group coming in that had a genuine interest in fishing should be able to run at a profit. He was keen for the club to put out feelers and see if there was any expertise that could be drawn upon. He reassured us that the board were fully committed to maintaining fishing on the lakes and that next year fishing would continue as usual. But he also hoped that interested groups might be found and be able to set up everything for the start of the 2021 season.
Already several parties have contacted us and club members have shown initiative in seeking alternative ways of running the fishery.
Watch this space
Martin Cottis
So after a few months of gloom at last some hopeful news. I'm sure lots of anglers will indeed 'watch this space' for more developments with fingers crossed!
Alan _________________ Member of ...
The Angling Trust
BRFFA
B.A.S.S.
Pike Fly Fishing Association
I think I speak for everyone on here when I say you will be sorely missed on the jetties, Laurence (Trout) . Best luck in your future role.
Latest news on the trout fishing situation at Bristol Water, as reported in the 'Catch Reports' section of this months Trout and Salmon magazine by regular contributor and BRFFA Secretary Martin Cottis ...
So, to the future of Bristol Water Fisheries. The Bristol Reservoir Fly Fishers Association chairman and I were asked to attend a meeting at Bristol Water headquarters on Thursday December 3 in order for two of the directors to set out their plans for the future. The chief financial officer (Rod Matthews) had done a serious audit and discovered that the fisheries were making too much of a loss to carry on with.
The director in charge of leisure at the company, Ben Newby, has therefore looked to operate the fisheries based on a different model . He informed Richard and I that South West Water had removed the fishing from core business and that fishing in the south west was now operated on the basis of a trust. He thought that something like that should be looked into for the fishing on our lakes , but he was open to any other ideas.
Basically he was of the opinion that a group coming in that had a genuine interest in fishing should be able to run at a profit. He was keen for the club to put out feelers and see if there was any expertise that could be drawn upon. He reassured us that the board were fully committed to maintaining fishing on the lakes and that next year fishing would continue as usual. But he also hoped that interested groups might be found and be able to set up everything for the start of the 2021 season.
Already several parties have contacted us and club members have shown initiative in seeking alternative ways of running the fishery.
Watch this space
Martin Cottis
So after a few months of gloom at last some hopeful news. I'm sure lots of anglers will indeed 'watch this space' for more developments with fingers crossed!
Alan
All the best Trout(Laurence).Lets hope something positive happens over the next year.Fingers crossed.Steve
With the most recent government announcement it is with great sadness that we are announcing that February pike fishing will not be offered this season. We will monitor government guidance should things change but for now, only October and November pike fishing dates will be released for general sale next week. Please see HERE for further details on our pike fishing offering.
Bird Watching:
Bird watching in permit only areas will not be permitted during the lockdown period. All access gates to permit only areas have been secured and hide access will be closed.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused. Current government guidance can be found below.
BW Lakeside team
Lets hope vaccine roll out goes well
Here's AT statement:
Angling Trust
3tSponsoruiinehd ·
STATEMENT FROM THE ANGLING TRUST ON THE NATIONAL LOCKDOWN RULES IN ENGLAND
The regulations have now been published and confirm this evening’s message from the Cabinet Office that the Government have taken the decision that fishing will not be permitted during this national lockdown period. Whilst this is disappointing news I would ask anglers, fisheries and clubs to respect these rules and the reason they have been put in place; to help save lives and support the NHS.
Individuals should not go fishing from midnight tonight (5th Jan) and clubs and fisheries should close their waters to anglers. We will be publishing more detailed guidance on specific areas like bailiffing and fishery maintenance once the Government regulations have been published.
Over past few weeks we have been in communication with the Government at the highest possible level. We have presented a strong case on how fishing could continue safely during the third national lockdown. We have explained that fishing benefits physical health and mental wellbeing and that it is regularly the only form of activity individuals undertake. You can read our representations to Cabinet Ministers here -
https://anglingtrust.net/.../Angling-and-outdoor...
My team and I have consistently presented the arguments ahead of the changing government guidelines, which have allowed fishing to remain permitted continuously since the first national lockdown was lifted in May. We have been successful when other sports have not as all anglers will know.
However, with 60,000 new infections announced today the Government have taken the decision that leaving home for recreation or leisure, including all forms of recreational fishing, should be prohibited in England during this third national lockdown period.
I thank you for your support and for being a credit to our sport. As members, you can rest assured that the Angling Trust will continue to represent our sport at the highest level and will present proposals for the resumption of angling when it is safe and sensible to do so. We will come through this period of national crisis. We will fish again, but until then, please, stay safe.
Jamie Cook - CEO Angling Trust
The Government have now formally responded to the representations made by the Angling Trust. We have promoted the huge benefits of fishing on individual health and wellbeing and have been able to present a case to which the Government have listened. On this basis I am pleased to announce that fishing will be permitted during the third national lockdown.
The Head of Sports Participation at DCMS confirmed the following;
“fishing is allowed as exercise so long as participants adhere to the rules on staying local, gathering limits, social distancing and limiting the time spent outdoorsâ€
This has also been confirmed by DEFRA;
“Cabinet Office have now officially confirmed that angling / fishing (incl. sea fishing off private boats, water sports) can be considered exercise and are hence permitted.â€
We have worked extremely hard to reach this position and we as anglers have a duty to abide by the strict conditions under which fishing is once again permitted. With infection rates and death tolls rising we must stick to the Government’s rules and ensure that angling remains part of the solution and does not cause problems.
Please bear in mind these key points which will be reflected in the new Angling Trust guidelines which we will publish shortly:
- This is a strictly limited resumption of LOCAL fishing and very different to how we have been allowed to operate since May
- We are in a National Lockdown and this must be respected. The law requires a ‘reasonable excuse’ to leave your home or penalties will apply.
- The government has recognised that fishing can be seen as exercise, which is expressly permitted under the lockdown rules, although outdoor recreation is not.
- Organised sporting gatherings are prohibited so no match fishing.
- The exercise is limited to once a day so no overnight fishing whatsoever.
- To remain within the law you should follow the government’s guidance, and only fish locally within the district where you live. If you have no local fishing available then you will have to take your daily exercise in other ways.
We are once again able to enjoy the sport we love at a time when many others can not and we must ensure that every angler adheres to the rules.
I would ask all anglers who are not members to join the Angling Trust and give us your support. We have worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome and that is only possible thanks to the support of our new and existing members. I would ask all anglers who value their ability to go fishing to make the same commitment as your fellow anglers have and join the Angling Trust. We are stronger together!
Membership - Angling Trust https://anglingtrust.net/membership/
Stay safe and very best fishes
Jamie Cook
CEO – Angling Trust
Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 5862 Location: Somerset. UK
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2021 7:59 pm Post subject:
tenet wrote:
- To remain within the law you should follow the government’s guidance, and only fish locally within the district where you live. If you have no local fishing available then you will have to take your daily exercise in other ways.[/i]
Nice one, Doug (and the Angling Trust of course)
This is a tighter definition than before, but I think avoiding a precise definition of 'local' is deliberate, as putting a figure on it (ie local means a 1 mile radius from your home) would just throw up more questions. Just a case of using commonsense really and being able to justify your decision to fish that particular venue if challenged.
Think I'll wait a while until the figures start to improve. I want to be around when Chew opens.
Alan _________________ Member of ...
The Angling Trust
BRFFA
B.A.S.S.
Pike Fly Fishing Association
This is the definition of Local from the Government website. It was on there before Lockdown 3
You must not leave your home unless you have a reasonable excuse (for example, for work or education purposes). If you need to travel you should stay local – meaning avoiding travelling outside of your village, town or the part of a city where you live – and look to reduce the number of journeys you make overall. The list of reasons you can leave your home and area include, but are not limited to:
BW statement:
We are aware of the updated government guidance surrounding angling during this lockdown period. Our position remains the same as announced on Tuesday, February pike fishing remains suspended.
For now we have decided to postpone the release of pike fishing tickets next week. The planned release of October and November pike fishing permits will now stand as Friday 15th January at 7pm. Ticket provider to be confirmed closer to the time. We aim to update customers next week.
Please keep an eye on our website and Facebook pages for now. Wishing all of our customers a safe and enjoyable weekend.
This definition of "local" is the awkward bit. I have working Springers that need to be taken out. In the last major lockdown I adopted the following:
There is a byway track about 120 metres from my house and I walked the dogs there early in the morning - 6.30 or thereabouts when I could be fairly sure of not meeting anyone else. For the afternoon walk, I decided upon a 5km radius from the house as being a reasonably local distance to travel. There are about 8 walks of varying distances, again where I would be unlikely to meet other people. The track near to my house became too heavily used in the afternoons and early evenings to be safe as it is not very wide and getting a decent separation space with other people was difficult.
I have reverted to this process in this current lockdown, although I have to go a bit later in the morning as it is too dark at 6.30 to go tramping along a rough track under a fair amount of tree cover.
As far as fishing goes, I will wait until after I have had my jab before venturing forth again. Roll on mid-Feb.
Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 5862 Location: Somerset. UK
Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2021 12:42 pm Post subject:
This hour long podcast uploaded yesterday (21st January) by Ceri Jones featuring John Horsey is well worth a listen.
They cover a lot of ground including their international match fishing debut and how he got into writing for Trout Fisherman magazine, pike in Chew and Blagdon etc but of particular interest is how he first became involved with Bristol Water and got into guiding before he gives his take on the decision to outsource the fishing on the reservoirs.
The whole podast is just over an hour long and it is well worth listening to it all, although if you are only interested in his thoughts on the current situation, they start at around 50 minute in.
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