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Dear Member,
We anglers, as a
breed, are normally an optimistic lot; it comes with the territory.
However, this is the third year in succession where I have recorded in
this newsletter, a season greatly influenced by “unusual” climate
phenomena. The extended summer yet again, adversely affected fishing
but this year the back-end has also proven very difficult. The usual
suspects were manifest; high water temperatures, lack of rain, reduced
fish activity, continued pressure on water resources. Threat of
drought became the norm and climate change is fast being accepted by
even the most sceptical. Long- term sustainability of our sport
becomes increasingly doubtful. Is it time we broke from tradition and
turned our fishing season on its head? An October opening with an
April finish comes to mind but even that may prove equally untenable
if (or should it be when), the predicted extremities of weather come
to pass.
On the brighter
side, the Branch continues to participate in various events and to
encourage new members into the sport. Although we did not stage a
presence at either of the South of England Shows (discussions on our
future attendance continue with the South of England Agricultural
Society) our 2 days at Michelham Priory Game & Country Fair were a
huge success as was our presence at the Children’s Activity Day at
Ardingly showground.
We also managed
to participate in a couple of “friendly competitions” with our Branch
teams holding their own against our friends in the West Sussex Branch
and the Flydressers Guild.
This year’s
programme is associated with this newsletter and if you can spare some
time, please come and join in the various events on offer. I can
assure you that you will enjoy yourselves thoroughly.
For regular news
updates throughout the year visit the Branch website at
www.east-sussex-sta.org.uk.
Trouting
Syndicate
The Syndicate
goes from strength to strength and with the acquisition of the 3
additional ponds at Piplye, the number of Branch members now enjoying
the delightful settings of the Syndicate waters, has expanded to 120.
Unfortunately, the fishing did not fare as well as could have been
expected, for the reasons already discussed.
We experienced
some vigorous weed growth (mainly Canadian Pond Weed) in two of the
lakes, brought about by high temperatures and almost uninterrupted
sunshine. Despite the best efforts of our working parties to manage
the weed, we had to admit defeat. Slow feeder stream flows and high
water temperatures also reduced water quality, prompting us to
postpone some stockings. Understandably, that decision was not
entirely popular by those who wanted to catch fish, particularly since
the front-end of the season had been so good. The alternative,
however, was to keep to the scheduled stocking programme, and risk
high fish mortality. We felt that such an option was unacceptable and
indeed irresponsible, from a fish welfare point of view. We have
sought expert advice from the professionals, and hopefully this
ongoing advice and discussion will help improve matters for the coming
seasons. In the meantime, if you can spare some of your time, come
along to the working parties (dates are in the programme) and help us
with the upkeep of the lakes. In view of the problems encountered, we
are extremely grateful to the Ashdown Land and General Company for
agreeing to an extension of the season at the Piplye Lakes.
Water
Resources
“The trend towards hot dry summers and
relatively dry winters seems to continue. This is not conducive to
good fishing or the ecology of our rivers and lakes generally. We
avoided the Argulus infestation at Cinder Hill this year, but the
changing climate has now presented us with a severe weed problem on
the top lake and also the middle pond at Piplye.
Fishing in the summer months again
ground to a halt due to high temperatures and dried up springs. This
was not peculiar to our waters but was a universal problem throughout
the country. I fear that we will have to accept this state of affairs
in the future if the climatic trend continues and indeed if it does
the situation will probably get worse.
South East Water managed their resources
well this year, but rather at the expense of the lower Ouse.
Relentless abstraction at Barcombe Mills, right up to the permitted
limit, resulted in only the Minimum Residual Flow (MRF) over the weirs
for most of the time. This flow is calculated over a 24 hour period,
so at times it can drop well below the MRF rate of 2 megalitres/second.
The Company has owned up to exceeding the abstraction limit on one
occasion, but I suspect it may have taken place more often than that.
Very low flows had an adverse impact on the Ouse sea trout, with many
mortalities reported. On August 18th, the Environment
Agency had to rescue 24 fish from the Mills pool and transfer them to
deeper water above the weir.
Low flows and high temperatures have
also affected local streams, with some drying back and others impacted
by lack of effluent dilution. The Sussex Ouse Conservation Society has
continued to monitor water quality and biological status in the
catchment. The results of our investigations can be seen on our web
site
www.sussex-ouse.org.uk
I am sorry this report is again somewhat
dour, but we cannot hide from reality. I just hope we have a wet
winter and a cool wet summer next year, but I am not holding my
breath.
“Sam” St.Pierre – Water Resources
Officer – East Sussex Branch.”
Fly Fishing
Instructors
You may be
unaware that the Branch now boasts from within its membership, a
number of qualified instructors who will be only too pleased to help
with your casting techniques and iron-out those annoying “mistakes”.
Their names and contact details are listed on our website at
www.east-sussex-sta.org.uk. If you don’t have access to Internet,
contact the Branch Officers listed on the programme; they will be
pleased to put you in touch.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to
everyone who has provided assistance at various events throughout the
year. Without their volunteering their services, the Branch would
cease to function. Thanks also go to our Show sponsors, Caffyns &
Sportfish.
And let’s not
forget those few who through their efforts ensure that the Fishing
Syndicate continues to thrive. I think the following from Terry
Tullett speaks volumes: “This is my first year of trout fishing and I
have been overwhelmed by the amount of assistance I have been given by
everyone I have met at Cinder Hill and Piplye, especially Brian Raw
and Alan Purnell.”
Again, if you
would like to help, please contact us as per the Branch programme.
Committee
Changes
After a
“temporary” stint of 25 years, Roger Osbon has stepped-down as Branch
Treasurer. During that period Roger has witnessed a number of
changes but has kept the Branch finances, including those of Cinder
Hill, in excellent shape. His input to Branch affairs generally has
also been invaluable and we thank him sincerely for all of his
sterling efforts. We welcome Robert Nathan as the new Treasurer.
Robert has, for a number of years, been a stalwart on the Committee
and we wish him well in his new role.
And finally….having
served as Branch Chairman for the past 5 years, I have decided that it
is time to hand over the reins. I am very pleased to welcome Rod
Yuill as my successor. Rod was introduced to fly fishing by “Sam” St
Pierre who has been a good friend of Rod since he qualified as a
dentist in 1968. Although Rod admits to being relatively new to the
sport, I am confident that he will be an asset as Chairman of the
Branch. I am sure you will give Rod your full support in driving the
Branch forward.
Thank you to
everyone who has helped and guided me throughout my Chairmanship. I
have thoroughly enjoyed my term of office and I hope that I have in
some small way helped the Branch continue to flourish. Thank you.
My best wishes
to you and your families for 2007 and tight lines.
Yours sincerely,
Tom Todd
Chairman
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