TYDD GOTE AC: 10,000 healthy new fish at North Level Drain

Looking at figures, even from the really big associations, they show that considerable numbers of anglers have left clubs and chosen to fish stillwaters and in particular commercial fisheries.

Many of these fisheries are heavily stocked, have easy access and parking and these days some even have cafe’s and tackle shops on site. With so many quality fisheries now open in this area its no suprise to see club memberships slowly decreasing. Peterborough DAA have worked wonders attracting barbel anglers to its waters and also have the fantastic Ferry Meadows to rely on.

But for other clubs its been difficult times even for long established clubs that control rivers and in our area and Fenland Drains.

Some clubs have moved with the times and one of those is without doubt Tydd Gote Angling Club. They have managed to get good parking along some of the clubs waters making it much easier to get to the pegs. Many pegs have been refurbished to a good standard too.

A few weeks ago with the help of the Environment Agency they started fish surveys and electro fishing to determine fish stocks and indeed now have an ongoing fish stocking programme. Many club officials have spent a lot of time and trouble looking to improve everything to do with the club and only last week Dave Williams went over to Rookery Waters after getting permission to remove fish from the fishery and after tests introduce them into the North Level Drain.

Fishery owners James and Claire German and fishery manager Alex Bates kindly offered Tydd Gote AC 10,000 fish from one of their lakes. Before that could happen though the fish had to be health checked to be placed in a different water body.

Dave said “I am very pleased to tell all our members that I have received the email that all fish were in wonderful condition with no parasites or problems found at all, so members, 10,000 fish made up of Rudd and perch will be stocked in Tydd Gote waters in the coming weeks.

“We as a club would like to thank all involved at Rookery Waters, their lakes are second to none, the site has a wonderful cafe and a tackle shop that is without doubt becoming one of the best in East Anglia” .

lready the Tydd Gote waters are responding, in the mid week open on the North Level, despite ice and a bitterly cold wind on the water some cracking sport saw anglers rewarded for their efforts. Top rod was Paul Spriggs with a fine 19lb 12oz net of roach, then came John Taylor with 12lb 6oz and Mick Asker on 10lb 7oz.