Branch Newsletter 2008

Dear Member,

My first year as Chairman of the Branch is nearly over and I think that I have got away quite lightly. In no small part due to the support, guidance and experience of the other members of the Branch Committee.

Following the pattern of previous years, the Branch continued to participate in various events with the aim of encouraging new members into the sport.

This year, for the first time, we participated in the Plumpton College Open Day in May. Unfortunately, the weather was very unhelpful and our usual Show activities took second place to keeping the tent on the ground and trying to prevent the rest of the show-kit from blowing away.

We were also at the Michelham Priory Game & Country Fair again this year. The weather was cooler and less settled and visitor numbers were lower but the 2 days were well worthwhile.

Tom. mentioned in the Newsletter last year that discussions were continuing with the South of England Agricultural Society in connection with our attendance at their shows and, as a result, we were at the Autumn Show and Game Fair in October. Unfortunately, Angling Organizations and Traders were not well represented, however, our stand was consistently busy and we recruited a number of new members. Following this, the Branch Committee has decided that we will participate at both the South of England Summer and Autumn Shows next year.

We hosted the annual “friendly competition” with the East Sussex Flydressers Guild at Yewtree this year. It was breezy and the fishing was not easy but we just managed to edge the Flydressers into second place.

The programme for this year is enclosed with this newsletter and we would be delighted to see you at any of the events on offer. I can assure you that you will enjoy yourselves thoroughly.

Colin Godmans

If you haven’t been before, why not take advantage of our two days at Colin Godmans. This year they will be on the 19^th. of April 2008 and the 11^th. of October 2008. Well worth a visit.

Web Site

Please try to get into the habit of visiting the Branch website at www.east-sussex-sta.org.uk when you can to keep up to date with Branch and Cinder Hill information. It would also be valuable if you could pass on information to any members you know do not have Internet access.

Trouting Syndicate

The Syndicate has had a better year than the last and both Cinder Hill and Piplye have received, approximately, similar numbers of visits from members.

The pattern of the weather this year has been completely different from the last years and we had quite heavy rainfall without the sustained high temperatures of the previous year. The fishing season seemed to start well and this continued into July. August was, as expected, rather flat and for some reason catches did not pick up, as had been hoped, in September and October.

This year we did not suffer the weed overgrowth at Cinder Hill but one of the lakes at Piplye was affected. In spite of the heroic efforts of volunteer work parties we were unable to control it but it did not prevent some nice fish being taken from the affected lake. We planned not to stock in August as we had expected higher ambient temperatures. Stocking was greatly increased during September and October, unfortunately, with only moderate results.

We have organized regular water testing during the forthcoming season so that we will have some hard evidence to assist future decision-making.

Lastly, but very importantly, may I earnestly request all syndicate members to get involved in some of the working parties this year. We rely on volunteers to help with the maintenance work around the lakes thereby keeping down Syndicate costs so that the maximum amount of our resources can go to providing more and better fish. It can be quite enjoyable and is a good way to get to know some of the other syndicate members. Send back the slip or contact Brian Raw (01444 456704).

May I also remind everyone that no work must be undertaken at either of our two sites other than as part of an organized working party and that there must always be two or more people present.

River Teise

Please don’t forget the exchange arrangement that the Cinder Hill Syndicate have with the River Teise Anglers and Owners Association (TAOA), it is not far away and provides interesting challenges in a river environment. Contact Robert Nathan (01825 769320) in advance to arrange a day permit.

Fly Fishing Instructors

Don’t forget that the Branch is lucky enough to have several qualified instructors in our membership who will be only too pleased to help you with any casting problems and improve your technique. 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 any of the Branch Officers listed on the programme; they will be pleased to put you in touch.

Water Resources Report 2007

After several years of water shortage, we have just had the wettest summer in the UK as a whole since 1956. Aquifers filled and river flows remained robust. In fact flows were rather too robust at times giving problems of high turbidity at our Cinder Hill and Piplye fisheries, possibly with some loss of stock down to the lower lakes of the system.

However, in general it has been a good year for fish and fishing and also for the ecology of the River Ouse and its tributaries. One exception has been a massive and prolonged escape of raw sewage to the Bevern Stream at Barcombe. As this may be the subject of legal action I cannot comment further.

In the last newsletter I made reference to the situation re. flows, abstraction and the welfare of the sea trout at Barcombe Mills. I later

learnt that my observations upset, (indeed the term used was “incensed”) the management of South East Water. It is not in my nature to upset people and as this is apparently the case I apologise. However, I did say that S.E.Water had managed their reserves well over the difficult summer of 2006.

By the very nature of things hot dry summers increase demand by the public at the very time when resources are stretched. There is then pressure on the local managers to keep production up to the maximum. Coupled with this at Barcombe Mills is the nature of the abstraction licence. One of the terms of this licence is that a Mean Residual Flow (MRF) is set to ensure that the flow of the river does not fall below an acceptable limit. The problem is that this MRF is measured over a 24 hour period. This means that in theory, the flow could cease completely for a time provided that at some point during the period enough water is let through to compensate. It would be much better for habitat welfare if the MRF had to be maintained continuously, thereby protecting the river’s environment at all times. It is unlikely that the terms of the abstraction consent will be changed in the short term, but with implementation of the Water Framework Directive, this could become a possibility in the future.

In the context of fishing resources, after about 45 years of almost continuous use as a trout fly fishery, Barcombe Reservoir is now closed and I understand that there is no likelihood of it reopening. I am told that it is something to do with “Health & Safety”; indeed a sign of the times.

“Sam” St.Pierre – Water Resources Officer – East Sussex Branch.”

Acknowledgements

Particular thanks are due to everyone who has provided assistance at the various events throughout the year. Without these volunteers the Branch would cease to function.

Sincere thanks must also go to our Show sponsors, Caffyns and Hardy Grey for their invaluable support during the year.

Finally, my personal thanks to everyone who has helped me to get through my first year as chairman.

With very best wishes to you all and to your families for 2008.

Tight lines,

Rod. Yuill

Branch Chairman

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CINDER HILL & PIPLYE TROUTING SYNDICATE

2007 Season Newsletter

Dear Members,

My third report for stocking our fishers is brief and to the point as lack of time prevents a more prosaic form.

There were nineteen separate stocking visits to both locations.

Stocking began in early February and continued on average at two‑weekly intervals until July. Members may recall that above average rainfall gave us floods and coloured water, and stocks were cancelled for a while to allow this to subside. There was no stocking until the end of August.

The original programme was maintained through September and October, and because of an agreed extension to the season, the final deliveries were made in early November.

The total number of fish released was about 3,450 with approximately 2,000+ at Cinder Hill and 1400+ at Piplye. The total expenditure exceeded the original budget by about 10‑12½%.

Fish sizes varied from about 1¼ to ½Ibs. at the bottom end with a small percentage of fish at the 5lbs+ size at the top.

Comments have been received from a few members who have either caught small fish or no fish at all. While I have every sympathy with such feelings, all I can say is that there have been plenty of fish to catch, and some big ones too.

The stocking plan for 2008 is broadly similar to last year. The programme has in fact already started. The average size has been increased to a minimum of 1½lbs (please don't complain if you catch a one pounder ‑ there are some left from last year and fresh fish do lose condition and weight when first released).

Any constructive comments always gratefully received. Tight lines for the coming season.

Fishily,

Peter Neave

08.02.08

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