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Dave Crookes Fishery at Hunstrete Arial Shot

Bathampton Angling Association Announcement 19/10/24

Hunstrete update 19/10/24

Hi all
A few photos of Bridge Pool looking good today.
Water levels have shot up in the past few weeks, to almost full now.
The EA are visiting in the next few weeks to complete water checks, and will also discuss fish stocking options with us.
I’ll update when we know anything else to add. That’s all info i have so far.

Clearly there needs to be a massive thank you to all the people that have contributed to get Bridge looking like this. A very small group of people have done an awful lot of work. It felt like a never ending task at times, but seeing it in the sun today made it worthwhile. Can’t wait to see it full of people catching fish.

We can also now start working on Main very soon, so anyone at a loose end on a Saturday, shout and check we’re going to be there. The more help we get, the quicker we get through it.

Craig Bastin has had people starting to help clear Main lake on Wednesday’s if anyone wants to help but can’t make weekends. Get in touch to see who’s going to be there.
Thanks to all who have been helping on Wednesday’s so far, it is teally appreciated.

 

Hunstrete Update – Saturday 4th April.

There hasn’t been much to report from recent weeks, but I’ll update as much as we know to date. Please see previous updates for detail, rather than repeating it again.

We have been waiting for another report from the EA following a visit a few weeks ago to sample water again, this may take a bit longer, so we are progressing with works to the lakes whilst we wait, based on the information we already have.

Main Lake
We’ve explained what has happened and conversations held with specialists in previous updates.

We have been advised to clear the overhanging trees to let as much light and wind across the lake as possible. We also need to drop the levels of the lake, remove as much leaf matter and old silt as possible, bake the lakebed in the sun, lime it, reed line as much as we can, let the lake refill slowly and then let the water stand. Water levels have already been dropped around 3ft and still dropping. Tree work is ongoing but is restricted whilst we are mindful of birds nesting.

We anticipate the amount of work required unfortunately means Main Lake is going to remain closed for the rest of this year.

Bridge Pool
We advised that Bridge also had a lower impact bloom. There were fish losses but not to the extent of Main Lake from a percentage of stock point of view. We are netting the lake in the next few weeks and will have an idea of the stocks left, allowing us to understand how we proceed. I’ll update when we know the results of the netting.

We need to consider the nitrate issues are the same as Main, causing the bloom severity. We have already opened light to the lake and improved wind flow from the Withy end, this work will continue. We need to deal with as much silt and leaf matter as we can, then either lime or chalk the lake before restocking.

We are doing all we can to get this lake open as soon as we can. Once we know the work required, we will be able to give an idea of timescales.

I will keep the updates coming as soon as I have more information.

 

Hunstrete Update – Sunday 31st March.
We have now received the second part of the EA sample report from the original Main Lake testing. I STRESS, THESE ARE RESULTS FROM THE MAIN LAKE TESTING QUITE A FEW WEEKS AGO!.
The results confirm no virus was found, also confirmed by CEFAS. The key part of the report extracted below.

Results of histopathological examinations confirmed severe gill pathology, consistent with an environmental cause or water quality issue, with the changes seen being highly characteristic of exposure to environmental challenge. This is in line with the multi-species nature of the mortality and suspected algal influence on losses and/or bloom die-back.

In addition, we have unfortunately now had a Diatom Bloom in Bridge Pool, as suspected when a few fish were lost over the last few weeks. Oxygen levels have now dropped to near normal levels suggesting it’s now passed. Colour also looked good yesterday. We need to see the impact, which at the moment appears to be far less significant than Main, but we have had losses. I can’t advise numbers, they have not been recorded in the sane way, but it is far less. Clearly a netting will be required to understand stocking needs once we have the lakes under control.
To try to understand what is happening we requested EA attend site as it was occuring and they have taken further samples, but on site conversations giving similar results to those above.

With results from the reports from the EA, their testing, together with daily testing of our own, it is believed there is an issue with flows entering the site. A previously unknown drain into the lake has been uncovered whilst we have started action, with flows giving unusual water quality readings. We are not experts so the EA will be on site this week with a team of scientists to test all incoming flows. We will clearly show them this.
We’ll report more when known.

I apologise in advance for switching off comments. I have included everything we know at this time and have nothing to answer in questions.
Hopefully I might have more information next weekend after meeting the EA.

Thanks

Withy Pool will open again on Wednesday 27th March.
Bridge Pool remains closed whilst we wait for water test results from a visit this week from the EA.

Thanks

Hunstrete Weekly Update – 16th March.
Not a lot I can add this week.
We are still waiting for the second set of results from both EA and CEFAS. We’ll chase these next week and pass on any additional results. Lake colours are looking better and water quality reading looked much better.
We are seeing elevated O2 levels in Bridge though, suggesting a mild algae bloom. We’ve lost a few fish since this all started, but nothing like Main lake. I think the numbers are around 30 F1s and the same for bream. This isn’t unusual for this time of year though, and this is a very small percentage of the total stock numbers, so we are hoping that it’s just the normal annual occurance. We are monitoring it very closely.

A quick thank you to those that came out to help today, a lot of good work was achieved. Your help is really needed as we’ve got a lot to do.
If anyone wants to come and give a hand, just turn up on a Saturday morning, we are there pretty much every week. Not Easter weekend though. We are usually there around 8am.
You don’t need any particular skills or tools, just a pair of willing hands is a great help.

Tim

Hunstrete Weekly Update – 9th March 24.
I’ve received verbal feedback this week from CEFAS from the samples they took. The FIRST set of results confirm the same as the EA Results. The diatom bloom was the cause of our issues, with no signs of disease in any of the fish, and no other underlying issues or cause. We must wait for final results from CEFAS as there are still a few tests that must be confirmed before getting written confirmation, however it is there opinion it is unlikely these tests will find anything else.
The advice given by CEFAS now aligns with the advice we have been given by all specialists and experts involved.
The diatom bloom was a result of a set of lake and weather conditions that allowed the bloom to occur.
To reduce future risk as much as we can, we must restrict as much leaf litter entering the lakes as possible, this means lake edge trees must be cut back. We must also increase the amount of light and wind on the lake as we can, again cutting trees back will help this.
We will need to plant the lake with reeds around the margin, recommended to be as much of the margin as possible, as the reeds will reduce nitrate levels in the lake. More pads will not help, too many pads reduces saturation if oxygen. What we have is enough at this stage.
We will need to look to remove silt and old rotting leaf mulch as possible if we can, plus chalk (Siltex) the lake. This will reduce the nitrate levels and improve lake bed quality.
Obviously a lot of work to be done, which has already started.
As soon as we have confirmation of all results, we’ll update again.
As confirmed before, until we have all results, Bridge and Withy will stay closed, this is the responsible thing to do. We are close though so hopefully we are not far away now.

I would just like to thank those that have given a lot of time over the past month or so. It has been extremely emotional and bloody hard work. The same crew turn up week after week, whatever the weather, and stuff gets done to get us closer to getting a new chapter started. Thanks also to Steve Long for your time this week. Really appreciate discussing your same experiences and knowledge.
Thank you.

Hunstrete weekly update – Saturday 2nd March.
As we’ve promised, we will share as much information as possible when we get it… prepare for a long message….
Below I’ve copied the FIRST set of results back from the EA. We expect more from the EA and other results from CEFAS, which we’ll share once received. Until we have received more information, as explained in previous weeks, we feel keeping Bridge and Withy closed is the responsible thing to do. As soon as we have full confirmation we have nothing onsite to spread, these will be opened. Things are looking hopeful this won’t be long.
The results, information from the EA inspectors and support from specialist advisors confirm the most significant factor for the bloom was the excessive leaf matter on the lake bed, aggravated by specific weather, temperatures, etc. We must reduce trees overhanging the lake, try to remove as much debris and old silt in the lake as possible and plant reeds around the margin to help absorb the high levels of nitrates on the water that feed these blooms.
Work continued on this at the work party today, as it has been for many many weekends already.
If anyone wants to help, private message me and we’ll keep you up to date on working dates. The more help we get, particularly anyone with applicable skills, the more we achieve.

EA Results (a copy of their words, warts and all):

As it stands, the only plausible cause is a diatom bloom, but we’re still awaiting further results from the fish health team and the water samples that we sent off for GCMS testing.
In general, preliminary lab findings support the environmental nature of this mortality which was characterised by large-scale, mixed species losses, absence of any consistent disease signs, fish aggregating at water inlets and severe and varied non-specific gill pathologies. There has not been any suspicion of serious disease throughout the event. Virology testing has now been completed with results returning negative for SVC, CEV and KHV.

The carp and bream examined were generally in good condition externally, but all exhibited significant gill pathologies. These included pronounced hyperplasia, excess mucus, sloughing, congestion, pin-point haemorrhage and detritus with underlying filament loss. These changes were severe, non-specific and typical of significant environmental factors.

A number of other minor pathological changes (mouth damage, mechanical fin damage, internal adhesions) and parasite infections (ectocommensal ciliates, Argulus foliaceaus, Ergasilus sieboldi, Paraergasilus longidigitus and Atractolytocestus spp.) were recorded but considered of little direct significance to the mortality. The novel ectoparasite Argulus mongolianus was also detected within this sample. This parasite has previously been confirmed from this site.

As reported previously, algal sampling did not reveal any significant clear-cut results but indicated the potential for previous algal influence (primarily die-back) that could be a contributory factor in the gill damage observed (particularly with carp and bream being benthic).

Scales were taken from a sub-sample of 17 fish including roach, carp, common bream and perch. The carp all showed good initial growth with the older carp showing very reduced growth in latter years. Many of the roach also showed very poor growth in the last year. Conversely the bream and perch showed relatively steady and consistent growth.

Histology samples are currently being processed we will provide further insights into the extent and characteristics of organ pathology very soon. It is considered likely that these additional diagnostic tests will support the above observations, but we will keep you informed of any results or new findings asap. Bacteriology results are also ongoing, although initial observations from our lab examinations and subsequent bacteria culture have not flagged any significant growth at this stage.

Thanks
Tim

Hunstrete Weekly Update. Sat 24th Feb.
Not much to add to last week’s post this week.
Unfortunately we have needed to remove more fish this week, however it is felt they have been dead for some time. This includes a mix of silvers, carp and a few more pike.
EA and CEFAS have taken fish samples, advising it will be around 2 weeks for results, so no more info here yet.
As my last post, until we have results, and know why we have lost fish, we will keep the complex closed. We believe this is the responsible thing to do.
As soon as we have more information, I’ll update you all.

Just a quick note of thanks to all the bailiffs and committee who visit daily to check the lakes and meet officials.Weekly Update.
It’s my intention to try to update weekly on what’s happening at Hunstrete, even if that’s just to confirm there is no news.
We will share everything we believe we know, this will only be facts and not assumptions or guesswork. There will be nothing held back.
We are working with several specialists and what can easily be agreed are subject experts, along side the EA and CEFAS.
Can I respectfully ask that Bailiffs and Committee members are not contacted directly as they will only know as much as we tell everyone. As you can imagine, some have been inundated with messages and this is as distressing as dealing with the issues themselves. Please remember, these volunteers have given an extraordinary amount of blood, sweat and tears to make Hunstrete what it is. These are not just fish, these are a life’s work for some.

Since our last post, the EA have returned results on the latest water samples taken from incoming water sources, the lakes themselves and water outflow. ALL samples pass quality tests and show no levels to be concerned about.
The EA now plan to take a number of fish for testing, CEFAS will also complete testing. This is good as this will hopefully identify what is affecting the fish and will help us plan next steps with their advice. We will update on test results when known.

We are still unfortunately finding lost fish, including carp, a small number of pike, bream and roach, although we cannot tell whether they are new losses or from a few weeks ago. We suspect a mix.

We can confirm that Bridge Pool and Withy are not suggesting they are affected at this stage. Apart from the first 2 fish from Bridge in our original post, no others have been removed to my knowledge. This suggests whatever is happening is contained to Main Lake. Hopefully this continues to be the case.
We plan to keep all lakes closed this week whilst we wait for EA and CEFAS results, we feel this is the responsibile thing to do. We hope to review this through the week and will then consider Bridge and Withy further when we have more info.

That’s everything we know so far, I will update again next week.

Thanks
Tim

Bathampton Angling Association Announcement

Following a second meeting with the EA Today (Monday), we now have information we are able to share.

Hunstrete Main Lake has been a victim of a significant Diatom Bloom (brown algae), caused we understand from a series of cold and mild weather systems around a month ago.

The short freeze followed by mild weather encourages a Diatom Bloom to occur and spread throughout the lake when the ice thaws. The Diatoms attach themselves to the fish, including their gills.

Unfortunately around 25 of the older, and sadly many of Hunstrete’s most historical carp including Blush, Jaffa, Withy Fully and Lumpy, have succumbed to the bloom, alongside many bream and the smaller roach. We would stress that not all fish are affected.

 

We understand this will be upsetting and frustrating for many members, as it is for the hard working teams that have cared for and looked after these fish for many many years. Do not forget this is a hobby for many and a life’s work and dedication for others.

This was something that couldn’t have been foreseen and there is nothing we could have done to have reduced the effects once it occurred. Diatoms are permanently in the water and cannot be removed, we can only hope the blooms that occur are mild and do not affect the fish.

 

Other lakes are closed as a precautionary measure to reduce stress on the fish. There is only 1 spring that feeds all lakes, we have no evidence yet that the bloom occurred in either of the other lakes. Only 2 small fish have been lost in Bridge pool, which could have occurred for other reasons.

 

Please be respectful and supporting to the whole of Bathampton Angling Association and our members whilst we unravel what this now means. We are working with the best fishery experts in the country to plan how we best recover and restock the lake.

One chapter closing has been forced on us, we now need to start planning the next one. We will certainly be very grateful for your help and support as this happens.

 

We will endeavour to report weekly, where additional information becomes available.

 

On behalf of the BAA Committee.

Hunstrete Main lake update

Main Lake Update.
Work on Main Lake has been progressing, as originally planned (see previous posts explaining what and why we are doing what we are doing).
Most of the trees that could drop leaves directly into the lake have been cleared, we still have some smaller bushes and trees up to 2″ to clear on the footpath side (as required to comply with requirements of our Dam Inspector, on behalf of the EA guidlines), but things have progressed well.
Anyone visiting the lake will know we have dropped the level by 3ft to give us access into the lake. 3ft is the most we are allowed to remove, under instruction from the Dam Inspector.
We have removed some weed from the lake, however there is so much we are using the services of a weed boat in a few weeks time. This will remove as much as possible, including a good amount of the roots. It’s impossible to eradicate the weed, its going to be an ongoing task next year, but this big push will help us considerably.

At this point I would like to acknowledge Mark, one of our committee members, who has very kindly donated the funds for the hiring of the weed boat. When we have so much to achieve, acts like this are an amazing help. Thank you Mark!

We will continue to drag a weed/silt rake through the deeper margins around the bowl end of the lake to remove as much leaf matter as possible.
We need to re-concrete in front of the dam wall whilst water levels are down, another Dam Inspection requirement.
Once all dam, weed and tree work is done, we can let the lake refill.

The great news is we have ordered the first batch of carp. 42 VS Fisheries C6 carp, between 21lb and 25lb are due in January. Additional carp will be purchased, we will advise what when they are ordered.

As ever, we are extremely grateful to a small number of people who have made this possible. A core of less than 12 people give up most Saturdays and Wednesdays to complete this work. Without them we wouldn’t have achieved so much. A thank you doesn’t go nearly far enough!

I will update again when we have more to add.

Thanks
Tim

NEWTON PARK CLOSE FOR SPAWNING FROM 15TH JUNE 2025.

NEWTON PARK CLOSE FOR SPAWNING FROM 15TH JUNE 2025.

Morning All (@everyone)
As reported by a member yesterday, the carp are spawning heavily at Newton Park.
We need to close Newton Park only from the end of today, Saturday 14th June until further notice. Hunstrete Lakes remain open.
Anyone who has a ticket from tomorrow onwards for Newton Park, please let Mike Jnr Turner know and he’ll organise a refund.
Thanks, Tim

Sad news R I P Stuart Knee

R I P Stuart Knee. The committee heard the sad news recently. Stuart was elected to the committee in 1978 he became Head Bailiff about 1984 to 2024. Stuart was heavily involved with all the projects the club took on. Reinforcing the main-lake dam wall at Hunstrete, creating the first Withy Pool, the restoration of Newton Park lake, the creation of the first Bridge Pool and building the Hunstrete Complex as it is today. Plus swim clearing on the river. Stuart’s health had been declining slowly over the past several years and became less active around the fisheries but still managed the bailiffs. Tight lines Stu.

AGM Monday 9th June 2025

Notice is given for the Bathampton Angling Association, Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2025.
Monday 9th June 2025, 7pm start

Location – Keynsham Royal British Legion.
8 Charlton Road, Keynsham, Bristol. BS31 2AZ.

Should members wish to raise a proposal at the AGM, this must be issued in writing to the Chairman, giving 28 days notice of the AGM. Proposals received within 28 days of the AGM will not be actioned.
Please email proposals to philmorris1944@gmail.com, copied to timcooper965@gmail.com (General Secretary).

Please note. Proposals raised are discussed during the AGM and will be carried to the following Committee meeting for further consideration. No results of any proposal will occur during the AGM.

There are currently no proposals raised by the committee for this AGM.

Bathampton Angling Association Logo

Hunstrete update and netting

A huge thank you to Andrew and team who spent the day with us today.
AE Fisheries have given us great support for many years and particularly over the past year whilst we deal with our issues. We have listened to advice and are grateful for great feedback today.
Please see the video below that was taken during the day.

A big thanks to Bailiffs and Committee who took the day off to be here as well to help

We now need to let the fish settle for at least a month, whilst feeding the lakes, then we'll be able to open.
As soon as we have a date I'll post again.

Click on link below for video

Committee Announcements

Monday 10th February 2025 Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)

  1. We would like to notify all current members of an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) for the Bathampton Angling Association to review and approve changes required to the Constitution to reflect allowing a rolling 12 month membership from the point of purchasing a new membership through Clubmate, where the existing constitution states memberships run from January 1st to December 31st each year. Plus other general changes made to reflect the online purchase of memberships and day tickets, instead of shop purchases. No other points are raised for discussion.

The meeting will be held on Monday 10th February 2025 at Keynsham Royal British Legion, starting promptly at 7pm.

The EGM is only open to current full members of BAA, where memberships are registered on Clubmate. Please note, joining Clubmate is not a membership to BAA until fees have been paid.

Checks for current membership may be made prior to allowing entry to the meeting.

Happy New Year 2025

Just wanted to wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year from all at BAA.
We are all hoping that 2025 will be a much better year and we can start getting some normality back.

We would like to give a HUGE thank you to all of you that have helped us this year. We wouldn’t have got where we are without you. We have achieved a huge amount but still have a lot to do.
Bridge Pool now has fish stocked, with another delivery of fish now expected mid-January (date unknown), where we will be adding more Tench and Ide. I’ll update everyone when we have more detail.
We are now concentrating on Main Lake, any help on Saturday’s or Wednesday’s would be really appreciated. The more help we get, the quicker we get the work done and we can plan fish stocking.

Just a reminder we are now active on Clubmate and have good numbers joining, plus we have been able to get others active memberships where needed.
Please remember you will need an active membership and buy day tickets to fish from tomorrow, 1st January 25, or purchase river and canal day tickets as needed.

Hope to see you on the banks this year.
Thanks, Tim

Bridge Pool stocking

After a lot of hard work this year, and the amazing work done by a small team of dedicated people, we had a significant milestone today….
1000 Crucian Carp, 500 Tench and 250 Rudd were stocked into Bridge Pool. All 18 months old, of varying sizes, as can be seen in the photos. Plenty of space to grow for a short while.

This is an initial stocking, supplied by the EA Agency from their Calverton Fish Farm. These fish are supplied, funded by revenue from rod licences.
More fish will follow, once these have had time to settle. We will confirm when these will be stocked, and when we can open the lake in the New Year.

Thanks again to all those who have helped us get to this point, it wouldn’t have been possible without you!!

Tim