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Dorchester Fishing Club - Annual Report 2004
It
has been reported in the Dorset Evening Echo that DEFRA are at last
looking into agricultural pollution in the River Frome. They claim that
agricultural pollution is one of the major threats to the River and it’s
diversity of plants and animals. One can see this every winter at Lower
Bockhampton, as the floodwater pours silt from the maize field into the
river. DEFRA will be asking farmers, environmental groups, industry and
other groups about their proposed measures to combat these problem.
In
stark contrast, the farmer on the Upper Water will be pruning more of the
right hand bank side vegetation, in partnership with the Dorset Wildlife
Trust, as part of the Countryside stewardship scheme.
Non-angling
groups have been working along the River Frome this summer. The British
Trust volunteers have been clearing Himalayan balsam from behind Loders
Garage. The battle to control this unwelcome riverside plant will go on
for another five years. Jenny Penney (Frome Valley Development officer)
will, no doubt be looking for volunteers next year. Anyone who would like
to get involved please call her on 01305 268731 or email j.penney@dorsetcc.gov.uk
During
September, the bridge at Lower Bockhampton was repaired. To gain access to
the bridge, the council had to reduce the flow on the Lower Water by a
third. If any Member has any concerns or witnessed any stress to fish on
the Lower Water during this period, please can they contact the Honorary
Secretary ASAP.
The
Club has been granted a two-year licence to control cormorants. This is
excellent news and the Managing Committee would like to thank Dr Keith
Lancaster for all his correspondence with DEFRA.
The wet summer and the extra weed growth kept the water levels up during the season. We enjoyed some good hatches of grannom; unfortunately, the river was un-fishable during best of these! Mayfly season was first-rate with abundance of fly and plenty of good fish were caught. However there was a noticeable lack of fly after this and hopefully the return of the ranunculus will encourage more fly in seasons to come.
The Managing Committee
Keepers Corner
Mother Nature has thrown everything at us this year, giving you all some
interesting, if not challenging fishing conditions, and for me challenging
growing conditions, in a few days time I can hang up the strimmers and put
the mower away for a while. I might have to use a little more round up
next season!
We
actually did some weed cutting this year, for a change, the result of
fewer floods last winter, the flash floods we have had in August and
September has washed most of the remaining weed out into Poole Harbour so
the winter Grayling fishing should get off to a good start.
The
E.A. consent has already come through for this winters Hatchery box and
the eggs have been ordered from Hooke Springs fish farm (I now run three
Hatchery boxes on the Frome for different Syndicates).
I
had another budget from the Center of Ecology and Hydrology for gravel
washing and we have been busy all over the Frome this autumn, hopefully
helping the Trout and Salmon spawning areas, only time will tell, remember
if you take a fish for supper try to take one with blue dots.
The
willow that we have planted over the years is now in need of a little
trimming, this will take part during the winter, if one or two beats look
a little bare, do not panic it will grow back (eight feet by early
summer).
Thanks
to John Grindle and Dr Keith Lancaster we have another Cormorant licence
for this winter.
Looks
like another busy winter, certainly was another busy summer, but as always
great fun (even the strimming) I might set aside a day or two to try for
another Tarpon after Christmas.
John E Aplin
