04:47PM, Tuesday 27 November 2018
To start proceedings this week, I was delighted to hear from Martin Moore of the Loddon Fisheries and Conservation Consultative (LFCC) bringing me up to speed on the latest developments from the group that represents all local fishery interests
Loddon Fisheries and Conservation Consultative news
Just in case you are not aware, the LFCC was formed in 2007 and is a voluntary group made up of individuals, clubs, businesses and other organisations. Its aim is to represent and coordinate interests in fisheries, angling and conservation in the Loddon catchment, with the main objectives of: representing fisheries, angling and conservation interests; working with others to protect and improve for future generations stillwaters, rivers and canal in the Loddon catchment and increasing awareness of fisheries, angling and conservation through collection and sharing of best practice information.
Martin told me that the EA have recently carried out a further stocking of 1,000 18-month-old barbel into the rivers Blackwater and Loddon, along with some crucian carp to Swallowfield Angling Club’s Decoy Pond. The barbel stocking followed the recent capture of one of the 20 barbel that were introduced into the Loddon at Swallowfield in 2015. This fish has grown from roughly 10oz to just over 2lb and was caught just a few metres from where it was stocked. Good news indeed for local barbel anglers.
The LFCC is also pleased to report that they have been assisting the EA and Blackwater Valley Partnership in efforts to control floating pennywort at four locations around Yateley and to stop it becoming established in the Blackwater.
Floating pennywort is native to North and South America and parts of Africa and is an invasive alien plant in the UK, where it causes a range of problems including changing the availability of oxygen in the water, threatening fish and invertebrates, choking drainage systems and crowding our native water plants.
Local anglers familiar with the Thames around Sonning and the Foudry Brook in Reading will be well aware of the harm that this plant can cause. If you think that you have seen it, please report sightings to the EA on 0800 80 70 60 (24hour hotline).
Trout prospects
For local trout heads, Jonno Randall at the Sportfish Game Fishing Centre has told me that Haywards Farm Lake continued to fish well last week with over 120 fish caught with the best fish a 7lb rainbow caught (and released) on a black buzzer by venue regular Simon Mann.
The majority of fish caught were taken on damsels, blobs, and leech patterns, even daddies were fooling fish this late in the year. The rod average for the week was a good 3.7 with the average weight 2lb 14oz but now it’s starting to turn cold it’s likely a lot of the better fish will start showing.
Jonno also went on to say that if you are planning on boat fishing it is advisable to bring a seat cushion with you as there is no onsite warming facility! If it proves too cold to fish, fly tying is a great winter hobby and now is the perfect time to prepare your fly boxes. The team at the Game Fishing Centre is always available to offer advice and guidance as well as a wealth of material and can also provide fly tying lessons for those who want to improve their skills.
Any anglers wishing to report catches may contact me at ian@bigfishtrail.com
Editor's Picks
Most read
Top Articles
Police evacuated six properties over concerns with chemicals found at a home in James Close.
Elizabeth Line trains are running on a reduced timetable today between Paddington and Maidenhead.
Great Western Railways (GWR) has advised that emergency services have reported a person spotted around the railway infrastructure.