Author: Shane Lovell
Tony Rixon’s Day Out
Thursday, 14 January 2021
Still lockdown fishing
Decided to pay Huntstrete another visit today, especially as its exactly 5 miles door to door. I normally stick to bridge pool, as most of the matches are fished on here, but i fancied a change today so drove on down to withy pool, i could see that peg 54 was empty so i loaded the trolly up in the rain and wandered down to the peg, its a nice peg to fish as there is an island in front at only 11 mtrs, and its the shallowest peg on the lake, only 5 ft, generally you only need to fish 7mtrs, which is just past the deepest part of the swim. Just by kindering a few casters in it hasnt in the past taken to long to start catching, but today was different, took ages to get a bite, then after catching a fish, the next one would take ages to get, i tried going a bit further across into slightly shallower water, but the results were the same , only odd fish.
I had fed a meat line over towards the corner of the island, i did give it several goes but never had a tremor there . I was intending to pack up at 3 so at 12.30 i wandered back to the van and got a bag of groundbait which i had mixed about 5 days before, it didnt smell to good, and the spores growing on it didnt instil me to much confidence, but who knows, it may be a covid cure, I made another rig to fish 13 mtrs to the right, where it was about 12 inches deeper, i cupped in a ball with some caster and dead reds, gave the meat rig another go, but ten minutes later i was going over the 13 mtr line.
It was like a light switch going on, bites straight away from small skimmers with the best about 12oz, and some roach aswell.
I also started introducing some groundbait on the 7mtr line , and that line came to life aswell, so i definitely made a mistake by not feeding crumb from the start, live and learn. So i had a good last 90 minutes with skimmers and chunky roach, so slow start and really enjoyable end, plus on the doorstep, well nearly. Good fishing for a small outlay, and lovely surroundings, so get down to premier angling in keynsham to pick up a BAA licence and a few day tickets.
ANNOUNCEMENT TO BAA MEMBERS
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT TO MEMBERS- REOPENING OF BAA FISHERIES DURING LOCKDOWN
The Angling Trust has successfully negotiated with the relevant authorities with regards to allowing local angling during lockdown.
Hunstrete will be unavailable until Saturday due to the lock having been reconfigured to a a new out of hours code which cannot be changed right now.
PLEASE remember we are in lockdown and adhere to social distancing and travelling restrictions.
Stay safe and be sensible.
BAA COMMITTEE
BATHAMPTON AA WATERS – River Avon Downstream from Claverton
BATHAMPTON AA WATERS – River Avon downstream from Claverton
>>>
>>> The Association wishes to point out that : –
>>> 1. The information in the 2020 membership card relating to fishing the river downstream from Claverton is incorrect and
>>> 2. The 2021 membership card omits any reference to such fishing and this also is incorrect.
>>> 3. The actual stretch of river available to members is accessed by using the rail underpass and heading downstream about 50 metres. The BAA stretch commences there and will be signposted at start and finish.
>>> 4. Travelling from Bath to Claverton, parking is available off the A36, just prior to the layby before Claverton and entry is via a number padlocked gate. From there the path leads to the Canal bridge and to the underpass.
>>>
>>> The Association apologises for any misrepresentation which members will appreciate was entirely unintentional.
By way of explanation the error arose due to confusion between the Association’s original agreement with British Rail in about 1980 and the new and different agreement with Network Rail which superseded it in approximately 2001.
18/12/20 tree work to be carried out at Hunstrete
To all Bathampton AA members, next Friday will you please be aware Tree Works will be taking place on and under the Sweet Chestnut on your right just inside the complex, this are will be under the control of movement of vehicles etc by BAA Committee Staff, so please adhere to their instructions of navigation around this area.
P Morris
Chub caught Claverton
Stuart Hale 5lb 3oz Chub
Lydes farm information
Lydes farm will be open but due to golf not allowed we are unsure of opening and closing times so we can’t be held responsible.
COVID-19 rules so we can fish
Having now examined the government’s new Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations the Angling Trust is pleased to be able to offer some initial guidance and interpretation to anglers and fishery providers. Our formal guidelines will be published following further consultation with colleagues at Sport England and DCMS once Parliament has debated the regulations today and passed them into law.
Overall the Angling Trust is pleased that ministers have recognised the value of allowing angling and some other forms of outdoor recreation to continue through the forthcoming lockdown period. However, the new rules are more complicated than we had hoped and anglers should be fully aware of what we can and can’t do in the next 28 days.
How to Fish
The regulations are clear and you can only leave home to fish with members of your own household, your support bubble or with one other individual. The Rule of Six is now effectively the Rule of Two for most of us. The tightening of the rules on ‘gatherings’ means that match fishing or any other organised fishing event is prohibited by law during lockdown. However, competitive fishing will be able to resume once there is a return to the three tier system of restrictions.
On this basis we can announce that all Angling Trust competitions are suspended for the period covering 5th November – 2nd December 2020.
Where to Fish
Angling is deemed a permissible form of ‘outdoor recreation’, and a lawful reason to leave home. It can take place, without time limits, within the provision allowing people “to visit a public outdoor space for the purposes of open air recreation”.
A ‘public outdoor space’ is defined as an ‘outdoor place to which the public have, or are permitted, access (whether on payment or otherwise).’ We believe this clearly includes riverbanks, towpaths, beaches and stillwaters that can either be accessed freely or on the payment of a day ticket or subscription levied by the owner or leased to a publicly available fishing association. The government clearly intends for people to be able to take their outdoor exercise and recreation in the form of angling and these regulations allow this to occur.
Fisheries are not on the published list of businesses that the government has ordered to close and there is no reason that they should do so providing that they operate in accordance with the rules
It does not permit club outings or organised amateur sporting activities of any sort. All indoor or social facilities in any way connected with a fishing venue must close or refer to the relevant Government guidance. Fishing tackle shops, whether onsite or not, can only operate a ‘click and collect’ service.
Travelling to fish
Whilst the government have chosen not to write their travel guidance into law we are urging anglers to respect the advice which states that it is permissible to travel in order to:
“to spend time or exercise outdoors – this should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel to do so if necessary (for example, to access an open space)”
Put simply, you can travel to go fishing but long journeys should be avoided ‘wherever possible’. Sea anglers should focus on their local beaches and fishing marks and freshwater anglers should not be travelling hundreds of miles in search of fishing during lockdown. It is up to the individual to apply common sense and act within the spirit of the government’s guidance. You absolutely cannot leave home to fish if you have Coronavirus symptoms or are self-isolating.
How long to fish
There are no limits on the time that can be spent on outdoor recreation which means that anglers are able to continue fishing into and through the hours of darkness providing the other rules are observed.
Fishery Management
Essential fishery management work, which clearly cannot be undertaken from home, can continue as can any necessary, socially distanced working parties fall within the provisions for ‘voluntary work’. Appropriate risk assessments must be in place and numbers should sensibly managed.
Summary
This is going to be an extremely difficult period for everybody and as anglers we must recognise that we are fortunate that our chosen form of recreation can continue even though there are restrictions on what we can do. The Angling Trust made the case for fishing based on the health and wellbeing benefits that angling offers coupled with the importance of reducing pressure on other open spaces by allowing us to continue to safely enjoy the social isolation and peace that fishing brings. It is incumbent on us all to continue to act responsibly and to fish safely, fish locally and respect the Rule of Two.
Thursday 22/10/20 – Bathampton AA – Over 55’s and Short Walks
Friday, 23 October 2020
Thursday 22/10/2020 - Bathampton AA - Over 55's and Short Walks - Bridge Pool
Had my usual walk around a flat calm Bridge Pool which which has been windless for some time which lead to think it wise to switch on the aeration. The water had once again gone clear. There seemed to be plenty of small Ronnie's topping on the bottom pegs which might be a way to pick up today especially if they are the only fish to feed. The trees and shrubs are starting to show their autumn glory - pictured. However, without any sunshine it was to feel a bit nipply.A good turn out with 24 fishing. Dave picked my peg 25. This peg under Colin Golding leadership was one of regulars to go in and did produce some good Carp weight from the margins, but subsequently got left out because it was back in a bay and possibly affected peg 26 which nowadays is left out. For company I had Paul Barnfield on peg 24 and Tony Rixon on peg 27, so I knew I would be outgunned on the pole, so set up the waggler.
Whilst shotting up the waggler I cast out and once the waggler reached 12-o-clock a Seagull flew from behind me and into my line and as bad luck would have it the hook half hitched around it's leg and with some help from Tony (only after he videoed it) and Paul Clayton managed to land it and unhitch it. Luckily it flew off uninjured. If I was a seafarer I would consider this an unlucky omen!
With the water so clear I didn't think the Carp would come in to the margin, but still set up a 4x12 Speedy set to 3 1/2 foot to fish worm or a bunch of maggots. As per usual I set up the Ronnie rig and a 4 x16 Winter Titan to fish top-set plus three barrels which took me to full depth and level with Paul's platform!
I fed the margin with a pot of Micro, the Ronnie line with GB laced with caster and the longer line with two balls of GB laced with caster. I also pulted some LR's to the middle of the bowl.
I have a quick look on the Ronnie line with single caster which produced nothing, so out on the long line and missed a bite then foul hooked a Carp which was soon lost. After this I had a few micro Ronnie's, Skimmers and Perch whilst Paul Was bagging on decent Skimmers fishing 13 metres using worm over micro and chopped worm. I refed the line and re-tried the Ronnie rig and had a few Ronnie's but was getting plenty of shy touches which I knew was due to the diameter of the line being a bit heavy but I was reluctant to change incase I hooked a Carp. The two GB lines produced very little so spent the most of the match on the waggler catching the odd Skimmer to 12 oz and Ronnie's to 3 oz on singe LR. I kept trying the margin with either maggot of worm and did have two 12 oz Perch, with 30 minutes to go had a liner followed by the float going under and foul hooked a decent Carp which again was soon lost, stayed in the margin to the end and had one more liner which didn't develop.
No Carp, with my Silvers weighing 8 lb 6 oz which amazingly got me last in the Silvers payout by default, thanks to the waggler I think.
The match and the Silvers was won by Tony Rixon (pictured below with his both his net of Silvers and Carp) with 47 lb 13 oz from peg 27 which is the peg he practiced on a few days before! See his blog for further details.
Paul Barnfield was second in the Silvers just behind Tony with 18 lb 8 oz, but did lose a top-set which a small F1 pulled out due to loose fitting section.
Back to the Compton with the usual suspects and still managed to self isolate in the garden.
Result:
1. Tony Rixon 47-13-0 peg 27
2. Mark Tanner 34-03-0 peg 19
3. John Smith 33-08-0 peg 17
4. Paul Barnfield 18-08-0 peg 24
5. Rob Baker 14-14-0 peg 14
Silvers:
1. Tony Rixon 19-04-0 peg 27
2. Paul Banfield 18-08-0 peg 24
3. Kev Winstone 14-10-0 peg 3
4. Alan Smith 14-06-0 peg 30
5. Mike Nicholls 8-06-0 peg 25
Weigh Sheets:
