Godalming Angling Society Latest News

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Godalming Angling Society

Marsh Farm, Johnsons, Busbridge & Broadwater Fisheries
 

Landing Nets and Keepnets
Following the recent outbreaks of KHV in the surrounding area and to protect our fishery, new rules regarding keepnets and landing-nets have been approved by G.A.S. General Committee.
We do not have KHV and we want to keep it that way

Day ticket anglers may NOT use Keepnets at Marsh Farm

All day ticket anglers must obtain a day ticket from the on-site shop Apollo before commencing fishing.
When visiting anglers purchase their day-ticket, they must show their landing-net head to the Apollo shop staff

If approved as DRY, then they may use it, and fish to normal closing time.
If the net is not considered as dry enough, then they must use a landing-net head supplied by the shop.
A £10 deposit will be required for the landing net head, which will be refunded only upon its return. The shop will open at 7.30a.m. and close at 5.30 p.m. daily.
Landing-net heads must be returned during these hours, and hence the angler having returned the net head can no longer continue to fish that day
Landing net heads

G.A.S. Members may use their own landing nets - 
but they must be DRY

£10 deposit will be charged per shop issued landing-net head to day ticket anglers. (see above) 
This will include all non-G.A.S. Matches.
A limited number of free landing nets will be available for use of juniors only
Keepnets
G.A.S. Members only are allowed to use the Marsh Farm keepnets if they wish to. The nets are to be logged out by the shop and signed for, collected and returned within shop opening hours 7.30a.m. –5.30p.m.
(There is a 4 hour limit on fish held in keepnets. See General Byelaw 22C)
Anglers may NOT use keepnets ( Members or Guests ) on the following waters, Johnsons, Busbridge, & Broadwater. ( except in G.A.S. authorised listed matches )
Matches

All
matches are to use GAS landing nets and keepnets

Other than for G.A.S. & Apollo matches, a £50 deposit will be required against all nets being returned

Posted 22-03-2013
Tina Taylor, (well know catcher of all the big fish on GAS and other waters) has broken the club record with a stunning Barbel of 13lbs 10oz shortly before the end of the river season.
Congratulations Tina.

 


Young Reuben bags the Clubs biggest common!
His father tells the story

It had been a slow day and Reuben had persuaded me to purchase some bright pink pop-ups to try, as recommended by Ben, in the Apollo shop on site.
After casting the rig out about 35 yards,he was all set to let me "look after his rod" whilst he strolled down the bank and had a chat to some of the other anglers.
Three steps away from the rod and the bite alarm screams. There was one big splash and he came running back to take the rod and play the fish.
Once we got it to the bank it was known locally as "Double Sided", this carp is not often taken, much less during the daytime. This is believed to be the largest common carp on Godalming waters.
The catch was witnessed by Richard Stevens of Godalming Angling Society and myself.
Rory from Apollo shop verified the weight and the fish, also, as he had caught the same fish 5 days previously!
Reuben has only been fishing for just over a year and this is his first king carp.. He has certainly set the bar high.

Some details about the catch:

  • Species : Common Carp
  • Weight :31.5 Lbs
  • Venue : Swim 21 Johnson Enton Lake at Marsh Farm Fisheries, part of the Godalming Angling club waters.
  • Date of Capture : 12th May 2012 (@ approximately 15.00)
  • Method of bait : Ledgering with Size 10 Hair Rig presenting a bright pink "Clockwork Orange" Popup
Junior Fish For Fun match result:

This Saturday 18th August saw 7 juniors fish the Richardson match between 10 & 12 midday whilst another 25+ preferred to stay on Hill Pond
practising their skills.

Conditions were not ideal in full sun and the temperature closing in on 30C. However, there were good catches for all despite
the weather and the results were as follows:

1st Daniel Norris 3lbs 7oz on peg 1
2nd Spencer Parrot 3lbs 5oz on peg 2
3rd Brandon Brown 2lbs 13oz on peg 9
4th Jack Harman-Reffold 2lbs 6oz on peg 4
5th Rees Brown 2lbs 5oz on peg 11
6th Dan de Caestecker 1lbs 11oz on peg 5
7th Lewis Parrot 1lbs 6oz on peg 10

Well done to all the boys and we look forward to seeing you all again on the 1st September for the Multi Species competition starting at Broadwater Lake


This is one Junior Record that will take some beating. Congratulations!

Angler's Mail Magazine (17th April) as one of the Top 50 National Fishery Clubs to join in 2012!


Broadwater Work Parties Begin
We had the first work-party of the year at Broadwater on Sunday 15th April 2012, much good work was achieved by all that turned up for the morning.
Only one reported mishap, with Sara in helping with the Crayfish-traps managing to trap herself by reaching into one of the traps ! After a little concern, and much laughter,
we released her from her new bracelet !!  ( see pic )  
Mike


Quality Fish stocked into Bramley Park Lake 

140lb of Roach and 100lb of Bream were released into Bramley Lake on Sunday 8th April 2012. The Bream being of a size that should avoid cormorant predation, see attached pictures.
My thanks to Dave Barnard and Richard McGuinn for man-handling the bins of fish ( & water ) from weighing across to the lake.
  Mike.


Roach and Perch stocked into Richardson Lake at Marsh Farm

On Saturday 31st March 2012 approximately 300 pounds of fish were released into Richardson Lake at Marsh Farm, comprising of small Roach and Perch. This stocking amounted to well over a 1,000 fish with some Roach to 6 ounces, see the attached pics.
   Mike

 
 

"The Big One", Fishing Show at Farnborough 

As those of you that attended the Show at Farnborough last weekend will know, we were represented on Stand No.49.
This extremely popular annual event drew huge numbers of anglers from all around the UK.
Our thanks to Bill Harris for his efforts in organising our entry to the show, for all of his work in setting up on the Friday, full time attendance over the two show days, then dismantling the equipment and transporting back to base.
Many thanks Bill.

Thanks also go to Dave Woolgar who was on stand duty for the two full days ( Sat & Sun ), to Peter Dawson for his part in the organisation plus stand duty on the Saturday, and to Debs Wiltshire for her support throughout the busy Saturday. Finally, my thanks to my Granddaughter, Chloe, and to Bill's Granddaughter, Jordan, for their art-work in designing the superb Display Panels for our Stand.
Mike.


Roger Howe had a couple of good chub sessions with a 05.4.0 caught on a single red maggot and 20 hook from the "Doctors swim" in upper common
Also a 04.2.0 from Broadford Bridge a few days later.

5.4.0 Chub from Doctors Swim 04.2.0 Chub from Broadford Bridge

New local radio fishing programme.

Starting on the 18th January, weds nights at 9-11pm I (Russ Evans) will be having my own angling radio show on a local community station called Ridge Radio
www.ridgeradio.co.uk it will be called The Obsessed Angler show it will go out on the Internet worldwide and I am looking for angling news and content to talk about in the shows over the weeks. I am sure you will have some news regarding Godalming AS, like catches and reports etc so by all means email me with the news and I can add into chat :-).


13-Jan-2012
The Pretty one and Pinch Scale put in an appearance.

Last weekend both fish were on the bank weighing in at 33lbs 9oz and 29lbs 3oz.
for more details contact the Lead Bailiff Graham Wilson.


More Chub in Marsh Farm 

On a bitterly cold Monday 19th December we took delivery of some superb Chub for the Marsh Farm lakes.
Before they arrived we had the most difficult of jobs, to net and remove the small carp from Johnsons Stock-pond,with the surface totally covered by a significant layer of ice ! The carp being required as the exchange for the Chub.
Anyway, Alan and Ben determined that netting beneath this ice layer was possible, and with assistance from Ian they succeeded. I managed to stay dry on the bank ! These three guys worked in extremely cold water, and Ian even selected a pair of waders with a hole in !!
They managed a good haul of Carp and Hybrids, which were transferred to the Chub suppliers tanks for transfer to Lincolnshire. We then took possession of some prime Chub, weighing between 2lb and 3lb.8oz., which have been released into Richardson and Harris Lakes.
All credit to Alan Millington and Ben Carter for working in these conditions, and my thanks to both Ian and Gareth for their considerable help on the day.
  Mike.


It's official - WE (Godalming AS) AND APOLLO ARE THE BEST!
Reproduced by kind permission of the Angler's Mail


Broadwater Carp Population Survey 2011
In order that we may determine the numbers, size range, and health of the carp in Broadwater Lake,we enlisted the services of Sparsholt College to net and then provide a report on the carp population.
On Wednesday 30th November, Sparsholt Tutor, Neil Crooks, and a team of 13 Students arrived at Broadwater ;
then supported by our G.A.S. support crew commenced netting. Only one sweep of their 200 metre net was necessary to catch sufficient carp for the days work.This work comprised of weighing, measuring, and pan-jetting ( small dye mark ) every carp netted.
The details of a total of 451 carp were recorded ; a total weight of over 2 tons. Hard work in cold conditions !As time ran out we released the fish that remained in the net un-checked.
The following Wednesday the netting operation was repeated, this time with two Tutors, Neil & Dan, with 25 students.
Conditions were awful, with low temperature and a very strong cold biting wind ; as such the fish were harder to find.
A total of 70 carp for nearly 800 pounds weight were netted and details recorded.
The data from both days will now be assessed by Neil, with a report issued early in the new year.
Alan Millington and I wish to thank those G.A.S. stalwarts that turned out and worked so hard, getting wet and cold.
So thanks Geoff, Bill, Ross, Kevin, Big Dave, Patrick, Lee, Derek, Gareth, and Dave. With particular thanks to our BW Bailiffs, Dave & Gary, not only for their work on these days, but also for all of their time and effort in assisting Alan in the preparation work ( in and out of the lake ).
Finally, and most importantly thanks to my wife, Lin, for all of the catering. Serving lunches of hot pasties and beans, and keeping the urn on for hot drinks throughout both days. Then to Rosie & Chloe for helping her on the first day.

2-Recording-Staions-in-Operation

Big-Mirror-Measured

Catch-Enclosed

Further-Tuition

Net-Laid

Pretty-Carp

Rosie-informs-that-Lunch-is-ready

Sparsholt-Lads


New Club Record Carp
The clubs largest known carp the "Big Frame" was caught on Sunday & independently weighed & photographed for me.
It weighed 36lb:14oz and I caught it from Busbridge on Sunday the 4th December 2011.
Tony said "I still cant believe I caught it - what an amazing fish from such a fabulous water!!"
Congratulations Tony - Christmas has come early for you.


click on fish for large view


A bridge too far?
 
I decided to try out having a scaffold bridge across to one of the islands on a temporary basis. This was to help my team get easier access rather than boating back and forth several times a day lugging equipment both ways. It has certainly been a great improvement for us; so easy to get things across and pop back for anything extra that we need. We will discuss the way forward at a forthcoming mtg. Now that that island has been "pruned" we are back to boating to and from the remaining islands - more "exciting" but not so secure!
 
Pictures below show the work in constructing the bridge by members Gary & Phil plus their scaffolding team. Many thanks G & P!


Dear Andrew/ staff at Apollo angling centre. 

Just wanted to thank you for your hospitality and interest shown in my daughter who was dead made up when catching her first Crucian carp today on a £10 fishing pole that the angling trust gave her at a fish for free event. As I tried to explain to her, it's not all about the fancy gear.
Thanks for your tips about toffee 4mm pellets, ironically the fish came to a single red maggot on a 1lb hook link in peg two.
Marsh farm is a fantastic fishery, so clean and well run.
Look forward to stepping it up some more on the Crucian and Tench front in the future.

Best regards,

Neal Long


Bernard Miles. GAS Membership Secretary.

For those of you who do not already know, sadly Bernard died at home on the 14th May 2011. He was 82. He had been ill for several years with extreme breathing difficulties (COPD) meaning he was increasingly dependent upon oxygen in daily life, but despite this he still managed to deal with the membership applications and queries for the Society up until late April. In the last year or so he was also diagnosed with a brain tumour for which he had undergone surgery twice earlier this year.

As he died during the GAS membership renewal period prompt decisions needed to be made and Dora, his wife, who has been undertaking more and more of the membership duties herself in recent years was keen not to allow this to affect the membership renewal procedure. As Bernard (my father in law) became the Membership Secretary at the same time I was appointed Treasurer the memberships have become a family affair with the Harris and Miles families and particularly my wife Bernice, all helping out. Dora and the family felt that it would possibly lead to confusion about the membership procedure this year to publish this on the GAS website at the time. 

It is largely thanks to Dora that the memberships continued to be dealt with this year without undue delay. It was her decision that she would continue to deal with the applications this year as she and Bernard had done for the last 18 years. We all should be extremely grateful to her for what she has done this year and for the way that even while she was having to nurse Bernard at home she was still dealing with the membership applications and the enquiries that go with it. 

Bernard started as GAS membership secretary at a time when we had a very limited database of members and no records at all of our junior membership. He created the first junior databases and developed the senior membership database from a simple list of names and addresses. 

Bernard’s name must be one of the best known amongst the GAS 1600 or so members and it is touching to hear so many kind words about him from the members when they have been told of his passing. 

When Bernard was a younger and fitter man he was also a keen friend of Alf Johnson being a regular on Society nettings as our safety man and also putting his electrical skills to good use for the Society in the FMC and in undertaking maintenance and wiring. 

In recognition of Bernard’s work for the Society he was awarded the Thomas De La Rue Shield “For outstanding contribution to the Society” - not once - but twice and was recently made a Life Vice President of the Society. 

A huge number of GAS members joined many other friends from the local bowling and walking groups that Bernard and Dora were involved with for many years to show their respects at an absolutely packed Guildford Crematorium. This underlined the important part that Bernard played, not just for GAS, but also within other fields. We will all miss him enormously. 

Graham Harris -  GAS Hon Treasurer. (Bernard’s Son in Law)

Note
The GAS Gen Committee has recently appointed Geoff Fisher as the new GAS Membership Secretary to supersede Bernard but as Dora is happy to remain as the first point of contact it is fine to continue to send application forms to her at 7 Blackburn Way and call Dora 01483 423205 with membership queries as you have done for the last 18years.

Bernard was perhaps too obliging in allowing people to call at his home to pay for and pick up their membership books. Whilst Dora is continuing to be the first person to call for membership issues please do not call at her home to do anything other than to put applications through the letterbox. She is under strict instructions that memberships are no longer available on demand. 

We can still however turn around membership applications within a few days and inside 12 hours in cases of particular need by making the memberships available for collection at Apollo at Marsh Farm. With a little forethought there should not be any need for visits to Blackburn Way other than to post things through the letterbox, so please try to help on this.


Broadwater to close for 2 days in November and December
A population survey is being carried out for us by Sparsholt College on Wednesdays 30th November and 7th December. The lake will be closed to angling on both these days. Notices will also be posted around the lake and the bailiffs will make a point of advising members in the lead up to these days. A team from GAS has already been put together so we are not looking for any further assistance on the days.


Ally Wood caught this beauty from Broadwater on the 11/08/2011 it weighed 15lbs 8oz it wasn't the biggest fish of the day but most certainly the prettiest looking


2011 Junior Multi Species Charity Challenge.

This is the 9th time we have run this event which was fished by 16 children at our three regular venues of Broadwater (9 - 11am), Busbridge (11.30 - 1.30) and Marsh Farm from 2pm to 4pm. The weather was very kind to us again this year being pleasantly warm and dry all day.
Everyone caught fish but it was harder this year than last.
The competition awards each child with one point per species per venue so once they have had a perch at Busbridge they don't want another until they are at Marsh Farm.

Hot favourites this year were brothers Alex & Oliver who were seen researching venues a few days before and sorting out their tactics! Their efforts paid off as they came in a comfortable first with an impressive 31 points. Well done guys!
In second place were Charlotte & Emily 29points, 3rd Harriet & Ben 23 taking 3rd place by superior sponsorship monies from 4th placed Tom & Bradley. 5th Charley-Jane & Anna 22points, 6th Brandon & Reece 21 points, 7th India & Matt 16 points and 8th Hatdon & Daniel 13 points.
The most sponsorship trophy was won this year running by Charlie-Jane with a tremendous £141. The children (with lots of help from mums & dads raised a superb total of £516.50 which as always goes towards our School Charity in The Gambia.
A BIG thank you to all the coaches and helpers who along with the children made it a day to remember. Lots of burgers and sausages consumed at the end which was the final BBQ of the year for the Junior Fish For Fun team who will all now spend the next few months recovering before we start all over again next year.
 

Saturday Fishing For Fun - Still a hot favourite!  

Numbers again this year have been excellent with a total of 305 children fishing with us across the summer.
They (plus mums, dads and helpers) managed to consume 672 roll 480 burgers 200 sausages, 54 onions, 5 bottles of ketchup, 3 brown sauce and 1 mustard! Donations were £316.97.
 
The top attendence was 63 children and the lowest was 43.
 
As always a big big thank you to all the coaches and helpers who give up their time every Saturday.
 

Finally it is a farewell to Graham & Bernice (Chief cooks and bottle washers) who are "retiring" after several years FFF service. Thanks so much to you both you'll be sorely missed and hard to replace too!


"Roger bags a record snotty!"
Roger Howe landed a 5lbs 6oz bream from Marsh Farm after dark. It was witnessed and weighed by David Wood & Derek Marshall.
Congratulations Roger. The bream stocking of a few years ago has proven to be a good intro and with steady (healthy) growth rates too.


Godalming teams of four 2011

 This years Teams of Four  starts in October

Venues and dates below.

If you wish to enter a team please contact Roger Howe on Mob 07530379671.

Maximum 12 teams

Sun 2nd Oct        Harris Lake.

Sun 16th Oct      R Wey Lower common / Firs.

Sun 30th Oct      Richardson Lake.

Sun 13th Nov     Basi Ash Wharf / Heathvale.

Sun 27th Nov     Basi Fox & Hounds / Glen Rd.

Sun 11th Dec     Wey Nav White Hart.



Sat 20th August saw the Division 2 National Championships on the Basingstoke Canal Godalming entered two teams with very different results. 

 Godalming Midweekers captained by Dave Woolgar finished 10th with285 points gaining promotion to Division 1.

 Well done to the team Dave Woolgar, Deb Wiltshire, Phil Morris, Clare Hollis, Richard Mc Guinn, Kieth Jefferies, Bill Harris, Mark Cane,Ken Cardwell and Jim Findlay.

 Godalming AS finished 40th after a very poor draw however Colin Underwood did finish 9th overall with a weight of 3.950 kg, receiving a winners medal.


Marsh Farm & Johnsons are closed on Tuesday 19th July from 5pm until 10pm for urgent maintenance works.
All anglers MUST leave these venues by 5pm.
 


New Busbridge Record Tench.
Ben Holt caught a tench of 9lbs 2oz on 26th May 2011 at Busbridge. Witnessed by Oscar Owen.
Photo passed around at committee meeting Wed 1st June


 


Big Grassie caught at Bramley:
 
I thought you may be interested in the Grass Carp I caught at Bramley on Thursday 28th April. I was fishing the far bank as a work party was rebuilding the near bank and I wanted to get away from the noise. I was aiming for the Bream and Tench on a waggler using small cubes of luncheon meat when the float lifted then sailed away. I struck and the clutch on the reel payed out and just kept going. I thought I was into a good tench as I have fished here ever since the club gained access and the larger Tench have some fight in them. I was somewhat shocked to see the beast as I brought it towards the bank, bearing in mind I was using 4lb line and a 16 hook. Lots of scary moments as the fish headed towards the submerged oak tree branches to my left and the fish refuges mid water. 30 minutes later it was on the bank. The clutch on my reel was warm to the touch and the line had stretchd and become spring like. I could not weigh it as I was not set up to sling a 3'6" fish. In the photo you can see my foot which in the trainer is 11 1/2" inches. I would be interested in your guestimate of the weight. The fish was in beautiful condition and was back in the water within 5 minutes. First session of the year and will be hard to beat. Perhaps sledge hammers and diggers are conducive to big fish feeding!


Ade lands a monster Tench @ 9lbs 3oz. Wed 27th April 2011 on Johnsons
Click to Enlarge


TROUT INTO JOHNSONS LAKE ON APRIL 22nd 2011

In an attempt to reduce the vast numbers of fry produced by the ever successful spawning in this lake every spring and summer,
we have introduced a number of 'predators'.
As other species would create their own problems ; such as pike eating our larger specimen fish, and perch
multiplying to generate even more fry, we have selected Trout as a safe and inexpensive option.
 

290 Brown Trout weighing between 1lb.4oz. and 2lb.4oz were released into the lake today ( see pics below ).
 
Important
: In the event that you hook and land any of these trout, please release immediately, preferably unhooking
the trout in the water avoiding undue contact in a landing-net. On no account must these fish be retained in nets.



Posted 23-04-2011

Ross bags a couple of PB's from Broadwater & Johnsons
(in his own words)
I could see silt being kicked up no more than a couple of inches of my bank I kept feeing small bits of boilies then I lowered my bait . once in I was told it was split tail . happy days . mister Harmen's son helped with the weighing sorry mate forgot Ya name


Posted 21-04-2011
4lbs 2oz Crucian at Johnsons Lake

Big Crucian from Johnson’s caught by that lucky lady Tina. Weighed on different sets of scales and well witnessed.
Scale count 33 – so a genuine Crucian.

Special short session at Johnsons
I thought that I would let you know of my last evenings (11/4/2011) fishing trip to Johnsons for the Tench & Crucians only a quick 3 hour session, I had already had 4 Tench up 7lb 04oz and 3 Crucian up to 3lb, then what happened next, well quite breath taking really, even for me! I landed a 26lb 04oz common carp Open-mouth smileon 8lb mainline, 6lb hook link, size 10 barbless hook, 1lb 3/4 tc rods and 2 grains of sweet corn, what a fantastic fight and 25 minutes later, it was being weighed and photographed ( Photo's to follow, once my brother in-law has e-mailed them to me)  What makes this capture a little bit special more than any thing else (besides the light tackle being used) is the swim that I was fishing, The Pin, with all those tree snags on the far bank, and yes it nearly made them 3 to 4 times, in open water it is possible to land fish of that size, but you still need skill and a bit of luck ! any way I thought it might be of interest for the news page.
Regards
Mick ( Flappers )


BROADWATER TO REMAIN OPEN ALL YEAR WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
Today's AGM (Saturday 9th April 2011) the motion to keep Broadwater open all year round was passed by a massive majority.
When Work Parties are undertaken, the swims affected will be roped off whilst the remainder of the lake stays open.
 
Changes to Closed dates for both Busbridge and Johnsons will be detailed in the new permit as they do not come into effect until season 2012


Tale of Two Bridges by David Wood  (as printed in Angling Magazine in 1981)

Click here to read


NEW CRUCIAN RECORD AT JOHNSONS
Monday 28th March a
4lbs 8oz Crucian landed at Johnsons by Brian Calicott and witnessed by two other members.
At approximately 2.30pm whilst fishing sweetcorn and a feeder on the Railway Bank, Brian hooked into this monster of a crucian eclipsing the club all waters record by 2oz.

It is obviously an "Old warrior" and will certainly weigh in a fair bit heavier in the next few weeks. This amazing catch follows on from Ian Morleys equally impressive 4lbs 3oz crucian some ten days earlier. We have no doubt that the British record will fall to a Johnsons Crucian (source of the Marsh Farm stocking) in the very near future.

Congratulations to both Brian and Ian.
 


IMPORTANT NOTICE TO DAY TICKETERS RE 29TH & 30TH APRIL 2011
Marsh Farm Richardson & Harris Lakes are
both closed for a two day match on Friday 29th & Saturday 30th April 2011 from 8am - 4pm both days.
Only Hill Pond will be open on these two days.

MEMBERS CAN OF COURSE FISH AT ANY OF OUR OTHER WATERS ON THESE TWO DATES APART FROM BUSBRIDGE WHICH IS BEING "RESTED" UNDER OUR CLOSED SEASON


Nettings on 12th March 2011
Three netting operations were carried out on Saturday morning, thanks to our usual volunteers turning out,
plus Ben Carter's crew of two down from Lincolnshire. The operations were organised primarily to remove the carp
from Hill Pond at Marsh Farm and from the Stockpond at Johnsons.
In addition we were asked by our neighbour, Mr.Grant, if we could remove some carp from his water, Little Enton.
For this work Mr.Grant allowed us to remove Roach to stock into Busbridge.
 

Hill Pond
We removed a total of 107 Carp from this pond, plus 6 Bream that were returned to Richardsons Lake.
 

Johnsons Stockpond
A total of 202 Carp were netted from the stockpond, together with 38 small Tench weighing less than a pound apiece.
 

Little Enton ( Mr. Grant's Lake )
22 Carp were removed together with approximately 2,000 small Roach.
 

Busbridge Lake
Approximately 2,000 small Roach were released into this lake, courtesy of Mr.Grant.
 
The carp have been taken by Ben Carter's crew, with the agreed value to be 'paid' by the supply of selected stock fish.
My thanks to all those guys for turning up to help on yet another Saturday, the third in the last four !
Alan Millington and I much appreciate your support, as without you this work could not be done.

Mike Holcombe


Monster Crucian caught from Johnsons.
Saturday night 12th March 2011 at 11pm Ian Morley landed this excellent specimen which he weighed in at 4lbs 3oz.
It was caught on quiver tip maggot feeder with 2 red and 1 white on the hook.
As most members know Johnsons holds an even bigger head of monster Crucians than Marsh Farm but is only available to members to fish.
Many of us are convinced that the next British record will come from Johnsons.


 


Netting of Barnett Pond, Shamley Green. 

On Saturday 19th February a G.A.S. netting party went to Barnett Pond at the request of Shamley Green Angling Society
to remove the small fish from their 'over-stocked' water. We suffered a cold wet morning for this exercise, but managed to
remove over 250 small Roach and Perch.

Alan Millington and I thank those hardy anglers who turned up, assisting with the preparation ( cleaning boat and inflating tyres ),
loading up the gear, then hauling the nets in horrible conditions, and finally hanging the wet 80 and 100 metre nets in the Barn.
Thank you to Ade O., Clive L., Dave M., Dave P., Derek M., John D., Lee D., Mark, and Ross.

All of these small fish were safely released into our Bramley Park Lake. 
Mike.


BROADWATER BARLEY BAGS COMING OUT!
 
Friday 25th February the barley bags will be removed from Broadwater.
 
THERE WILL BE TWO MEN IN THE WATER ROWING A SMALL BOAT OUT TO THE ISLAND.
THEY WILL BE WORKING AROUND THE ISLAND MOST OF THE MORNING SO PLEASE BE PATIENT.
THE BROADWATER BAILIFFS WILL BE TELLING MEMBERS ABOUT THIS AS THEY DO THEIR ROUNDS THIS WEEK AND NEXT.
 


Bream for Busbridge and Bramley Park Lakes - February 2011 

Quality Bream were released into both Busbridge Lake and Bramley Park Lake on Monday evening ( Feb 7th ).
They had a high average weight of 2.5lb., in an attempt to minimise predation from pike and cormorant.
With approx 80 going into Busbridge, and about 70 into Bramley.

Our supplier delivered the fish in the evening following a days netting, and our thanks to Alan Millington who had

to open up the fishery gates and oversee the releases after 8pm that day


 

More Barbel into Eashing : 

The EA supplied us with a further consignment of small Barbel today ; these having been bred at their Calverton facility.
Fisheries Officer, Ade Bicknell, was once again the man who delivered them, having driven down from Calverton this morning.
We released the eighty Barbel into the main river at Eashing, all of which swam away strongly into their new home.

Mike  --  26th January 2011


Xmas match rearranged.
 
Xmas match will now be fished on Sunday 20th February on the river at Salgasson, Upper Common and Lower Common Meadows and Firs Bridge. Draw will be at 8.30 am in The Leathern Bottle Fish 10 -3pm. Contact Dave Woolgar.


AGM date is Saturday 9th April 2011 at Broadwater School start 10am prompt.


Club Secretary given coveted local award for services to Godalming Angling Society.
Malcolm Richardson, club Secretary for well over 30 years had his hard work and dedication recognised recently at the Annual Sports Awards ceremony.
Congratulations Malcolm.


New British record Albino Carp?
Brian Eades had this magnificent specimen on his unhooking mat and claimed it came in at 40lbs on the nose!
No one from the British records committee was available to comment on whether it is a new record but Brian didn't care.
Details of his catch by the captor:
I had to share the news of my latest session with you, taken mid morning in dreadful conditions it has quite simply blown me away.
Caught from in front of the conifers using trigga ice, it's not one of the known biggies but at 40 lbs I'm well chuffed.
It just goes to show what's possible if you make the effort.
Blanking is not always certain..............unless you stay indoors.
 
Best fishes,     Brian

 

MATCH BOOKINGS  ..  Dec 2010 

Unfortunately Roger Howe has been unwell for a while and been in the Royal Surrey Hospital for a few days.
He is now being transferred to St.Georges Hospital, Tooting for further tests and treatment.
We all wish him well and a speedy recovery.
 

Dave Woolgar has kindly volunteered to manage the Matches during Roger's absence ( don't forget Xmas Match is next week ) 

So for Match Bookings please call Dave on 07958557402


Posted 08-12-2010

Notice of Work at Broadwater Lake 

Waverley Borough Council have instructed a Contractor to commence work on the reconstruction of the "Dam Spillway". This being commonly referred to as the lake outlet, where the water then flows thro' a culvert under the main road ( A3100 )
The spillway requires urgent attention as there are major leaks around and beneath it, causing significant lake water loss.
Initial works will probably commence on Thursday 9th December ; this is likely to be setting up a "compound" in the car-park, and closure of the footpath / bridge over the existing spillway.
There will be some small inconvenience to anglers during this work, with a loss of car parking area, a loss of some of the road-bank swims, and maybe the need to walk a bit further.
But please bear with it, as this is essential work for the security of the lake.
The lake is at present unfishable of course, due to the thick "lid" of ice covering it ! 

Mike Holcombe


Posted 03-12-2010
SALGASSON RAMBLINGS

Variously described as challenging, devoid of fish, underrated and occasionally prolific, this picturesque wooded stretch of the River Wey, immediately upstream of Godalming Town is the only stretch of the river owned by Godalming Angling Society together with adjoining land, and the network of streams forming the northwestern reaches of Hell Ditch.
I have fished Salgasson and Hell Ditch for over 50 years and needless to say, these decades have produced many memorable visits worthy of anecdotes!
As boys we fished Hell Ditch with tank aerial rods, mostly legering with small pieces of strip lead pinched direct to the line (we didn’t know about running leads in those days and couldn’t afford much in the way of tackle anyway). Nevertheless, we did catch fish, mostly perch, roach and dace, with the occasional bream, tench and jack pike, and most of the small pools on Hell Ditch we named “The Perch Pool” and “The Tench Pool” etc.
Our forays as teenagers onto the main river sometimes involved roving from Eashing all the way through to Salgasson, usually float fishing minnow in all the slacks and eddies, and catches of half a dozen or so perch was the norm.
One of my rare match sessions involved minnows. The permit at the time, rather than ignoring the subject, actually stated that minnows could be used as bait in matches, but no one took advantage of this privilege! When I booked in at the start of the match, equipped with my bucket of minnows, objections were raised, but reference to the match rules confirmed that my approach, if novel, was legitimate. The question was raised about the potential for me to put the minnows in the keep net and include them in my match haul, which I countered by saying that I would have to be desperate to resort to weighing in minnows. In the event I managed to catch a few small to medium perch, and was placed 4th. Illicitly including the bait minnows would not have improved my placing even had I been minded to do so.
I fished another match at Salgasson in almost flood conditions with fast, coloured flow. Most competitors float fished, but I used legered lobworm on old cane rod and managed to bank 3 reasonable chub and some dace to finish 2nd. Rather magnanimously, one of the old fishermen, rather miffed that someone who uses old tackle and rarely match fishes, should be in the frame, said “Oh well I suppose Mickey Mouse tactics can work sometimes in poor conditions”.
The only other match I fished at Salgasson was the first Memorial Match for Ray Tansley who sadly died in his mid-twenties. I was there to honour his memory, not to win prizes, so I did not enter the pool, much to the disdain of the organiser. I managed quite a reasonable haul and had the second largest weight. When the results were announced after the weigh-in, my catch was ignored. My mild protestation was countered with the statement that as I wasn’t “in the money”, I didn’t figure in the results. My retort that surely a fishing match was a contest to catch the biggest weight of fish. This resulted in smirks of incredulity, and a begrudging acknowledgment that I had caught the second largest basket of fish. Happy days.
So, my three matches over some 30 years at Salgasson have each provided amusing elements. If I fish another match there in the next few years, I will expect some sort of complication or controversy – Perhaps it’s just me…!

The river meanders back and forth under the lee of Westbrook Hill, bordering the public footpath for a distance and this straight is affectionately known as “Cyanide Alley”, as it is generally thought to be extremely unproductive. Ironically, a recent match was won from here with 3 chub for 10lbs! The “Sand Bar” is another favourite spot for chub, as is “The Bamboos”. “The Cabbages” (dense underwater lilies) is the haunt of good mirror and common carp. “The Bathing Place” takes its name from its history of being used as a two-sided fresh water Swimming Pool for Charterhouse School. It is in a 90-degree bend at the top of the stretch and hidden in the undergrowth, there used to be (and maybe still is) the frame of the diving springboard.
This part of Salgasson is an area where we targeted carp specifically back in the 1980’s and 90’s, sometimes landing 3 or 4 fish up to 12lbs or so. Barbel have occasionally been caught here, and did show up when electro fishing took place. Talking of which, many years ago, it was thought there were too many pike in the stretch, and Fishery Management conducted an electro fishing exercise by boat from Salgasson up to Eashing. Remarkably few pike were found, but one fish of 15lbs or so was netted in Salgasson and placed in the holding tank on board the boat. No more esox were encountered, and upon reaching the Eashing Meadow straight, the up ‘til now docile pike became agitated and leapt from the tank straight over the side of the boat back into the river! The exercise, instead of being “pike removal”, was hastily re-named “pike re-location”.
Other interesting captures include a 6lb grass carp, roach/bream hybrids, tench and strongly rumoured catfish. Recent capture of 2 small eels was something of a surprise, although one member on hearing about this said he wasn’t surprised, and would have expected a lot more to be caught because he had heard that all eels migrate to Salgasson to spawn!
In recent years, the angler is unlikely to spend an afternoon/evening session on Salgasson without the chance of seeing that alien predator, the mink. Many years ago, fishing the Peper Harow Road end of the stretch in early season, soon after starting to fish, it became apparent that there was a mink’s holt under the bank close to the downstream peg my pal was fishing. To cut a long story short, over the course of the next four or five hours, a mink, obviously preoccupied with finding food for its young, hunted upstream, and passed through my swim, firstly with a rabbit in its month, and a few minutes later carrying an adult moorhen. After a lull of an hour or so, the mink passed by with a chub (1lb) in its mouth. Its final foray resulted in the mink passing through carefully carrying in its month, what looked like a moorhen’s egg. I think that if we’d seen this in a BBC2 wildlife documentary, we’d have thought it must have taken weeks to film the sequence. We had witnessed it in a matter of hours – a clear illustration of the mayhem and devastation these uninvited guests can cause on our waters. If only we could educate mink to predate solely on signal grayfish, we could kill two birds with one stone, as it were.
Talking of birds, one of the joys of fishing, particularly on a wooded stretch like Salgasson, is the diversity of wildlife that gives so much pleasure in addition to the joy of “The Angle”. Roe deer are frequently seen here, the dawn chorus is almost deafening in June, and the turquoise flash of the Kingfisher is a joy to behold. The call of the Buzzard and its inspiring soaring over the valley is a common sight to the Salgasson fisherman.
Finally, here are some statistics of recent visits to the stretch. A mild October afternoon, with the river fining down and slightly coloured, found me fishing near the Bamboos, light link legering crust (1/3 oz bomb, 3 inch link, 2 foot tail, size 10 barbless hook, 1970’s Hardy fibreglass light Avon rod). Result – 14 roach to ¾ lb, I mirror carp of 9/12, 2 chub (3/4 and 3/14). Almost non-stop activity, with a bite of some sort on every cast!.

Late November this year I fished at the very top end on a cold afternoon with NE wind, and intermittent showers. Same rod as before, but I used a mini feeder with gentles on a size 12 barbless hook. This approach produced a knock on every cast bar one, and I landed 16 roach to ½ lb, 5 dace, 1 perch and 3 big gugeon.
Salgasson can be hard fishing and over the years I have struggled on many occasions, but it can be rewarding and after half a century, casting a line upon its gentle waters, it still has a certain allure and charm.

T N P Tonkin


Posted 03-11-2010
Trunley is fishing well - report from Clive Cousins.

At the risk of encouraging loads of people to fish what is normally a very peaceful spot, I thought you’d like to know that I’ve recently had a couple of nice chub from Trunley Heath, including one of just over 4lb (rather poor picture attached). Earlier in the summer it seemed to be full of dace, with the odd brown trout for good measure. Lots of snags though!


Posted 01-11-2010
New stocking takes place at Johnsons.

This years selected introduction of a new strain of carp for Johnsons went in this Saturday afternoon (October 30th 2010). They are 4 year year old VS (Viv Shear) specially bred fish for both pattern and growth rates with expected top weights in excess of 40lbs in a few years time. The fish were hand picked by us as were last years introduction. These new fish weighed between 7 and 11 lbs.
 

VSF Johnson's stocking 2010.xls


Posted 12-09-2010
2010 Junior Multi Species Charity Challenge.
Click here for details



Posted 28-07-2010

Open day a great success.

Saturday 17th July 200.
The weather was excellent and the preparations proved to be excellent too as the regulars plus a few new faces all pulled together to create a great event.
Everyone who wanted to "have a go" was given a 30 minute slot of fishing with a qualified coach and they all caught fish! There was a casting competition on the big filed along with fly casting coaching.
A great favourite on the day was the Pond Dipping - it is amazing how many different creepy crawlies we have in our lakes! There were rig tying and elasticating demos. We had demos on pole fishing, waggler fishing feeder fishing and guided tours around Marsh Farm. This was all topped off with the obligatory BBQ.
 
Copied below is the summary of the facts and figures which make great reading.

All,
Just to let you know that now Bernice has had a chance to process, collate and file all the forms from the open day she has reported :-
99 juniors mentioned on consent forms and 60 adults signed the consent forms (under the direction of Marion and Bernice)  therefore around 160 visitors minimum can be accounted for plus those from Chase who did not book in.

So if you consider that quite a lot of the juniors had more than one parent or family member with them and there were people there who did not take part in the coaching it is likely there were between 180 - 200 visitors at least.

We got through 96 burgers, 96 sausages, 12 very large onions (kindly chopped by my lovely assistant Dave Carter),144 baps (cut and filled by Eilleeen and Dora), 2 punnets of strawberries, 2off blueberries, 2off raspberries and 1off tomatoes.

We signed up 1 senior member 13 new juniors in the Pavilion and  Apollo estimated they did 3-4 as well. I showed 2 more Seniors around MFarm and Johnsons who said they were amazed at what we had to offer and would definately be joining.

The feed back from the visitors was very complimentary with many saying they were keen to return next week for the FFF.

So well done and thanks to Peter, Andrew, Coaches, Demonstrators and all who took part. A great day all round.

Graham Harris.
Chief Cook. 

Posted 21-07-2010
£3K match series Fish to Win click here for more details


Posted 24-06-2010
Broad
water Anglers can purchase their Guest Tickets, from 16th July, from R & V Newsagents on Meadrow, Godalming. For 'non-locals', the shop is on the main road that passes Broadwater Lake, on the same side, going towards Godalming. Just before the first roundabout, next door to the Wey Inn, with limited parking in front of the shop.

R & V will also renew Junior Permits, and sell our River and Bramley Lake Guest Tickets
 

Posted 24-06-2010
Bramley far bank strimming
The far bank was due to be given a serious strim this Friday (25th June 2010) but unfortunately it has to be deferred until next Friday. The nearside bank is easily accessible should you want to fish there



Posted 03-06-2010

Bill bags Record monster Crucian!

Late afternoon (Tuesday 1st June 2010) Bill Rushmer landed a new PB and Lake record Crucian weighing in at 4lbs 6oz.
Pictures to follow on catch Report page as soon as possible. He caught the magnificent specimen on paste in the margin of peg 7 on Harris Lake. 
The Crucians have yet to spawn and there may just be a larger one lurking nearby.

 

 

Posted 26-05-2010

'
Sports for all'


Organised by SPORTGODALMING , Promoting Local Sport.
on Sunday 23rd May 2010  at Broadwater Park. 

Where GAS had a small stand with posters and Brochures, together with Apollo exhibiting equipment plus a casting competition.

Steve-Performing

GAS-Pitch

Ready-&-Waiting

Casting-Tuition


Two more join The Mermaid Club! 
Regular work party volunteers John and Colin had a slight mishap with the boat on Busbridge this Saturday whilst clearing swims from the water side. Colin didn't see any fish on the move whilst he was swimming under water & nor did John. Apparently the water is still rather cold and this could be the reason they both thought. An attempt to recover the section of ladder they left on the lake bed will be made shortly.
 
Other members of the elete "Mermaids Club" include Barrie Stephens (various qualifications but mainly at Marsh Farm), Steve Clutterbuck (Busbridge) and Graham Wilson.


Posted 04-03-2010
2010 AGM is on Saturday 10th April.

Venue Broadwater School, Summers Road, Farncombe. Notification will be posted out shortly and will include your renewal application form.
 
Closed Season dates for our waters are as follows: 
Bramley - Open all year. 
Broadwater - Closed May 1st - June 15 inclusive. 
Busbridge - Closed March 15 - April 30th inclusive. 
Johnsons - Closed May 1st to June 15th inclusive.
Marsh Farm - Open all year. 
River Wey - Closed 15th March to 15th June inclusive.


Posted 10-02-2010
River at Eashing tree damage.
 
Thanks to Adie I was made aware of trees down at Easing and following two days of visits that stretch is in a far better state now. There were trees across paths in a number of places and a lot willows in a bad way hanging across paths just waiting to fall. Most of these have been dealt with as far as Miltons Wood and the resulting logs and brash cleared well back from the path. There are a couple of large willow clumps just past the "Cattle drink" swim that need work by a climber fairly quickly and I will be arranging that in the next week or so.
I took a number of "Before" snaps whilst down there and will take some "After" pictures when I next take a walk down there.
If you are fishing down that far and see anything I have missed please give me a call. I will be sorting out the dead & overhanging trees at The Stag Pool shortly too.


Posted 25-01-2010
Lost glasses found a year later!

Last spring a member on a work party in the Marsh Farm Open Barn lost his glasses whilst filling bags with barley straw. Amazingly the Treasurers wife spotted them this weekend in a barley bag at Busbridge! If they are yours please ring Graham Harris on 01483 424796 to arrange collection.


All Waters take a battering
 
The heavy snow and ice have taken their toll on all our waters causing some severe tree damage as some of my earlier reports with photos have shown. I have been out most days clearing paths of fallen trees and felling dangerous ones in an attempt to make things as safe as possible but there is still a lot to do and no doubt dangerous trees still to be discovered. 
Lead Bailiff (Will)  has walked round Johnsons and informs me that it got away fairly unscathed and he and Ian dealt with a couple of small trees there. I'll carry out a second walk round to see if anything else has appeared now that the snow and ice have gone from the ground at least. 
Busbridge took a real hammering and whilst paths are now on the whole cleared for access it requires a lot of tidying & trees removed from the lake once the 3" thick ice melts to release them. Logs need moving to Bob's woodpile and smaller branches etc need burning up. For those of you who do not know Bob Wakeling he is the 85 years young woodsman that harvests the hazel each year at Busbridge which helps improve the light levels there. The general tidying up will be carried out by the A-Z's from mid March onwards on the club work parties whilst any urgent works will be dealt with by my regular team. In short we will have to wait a couple of months before we carry out a full tidying up there.
 
Busbridge fences were also hit by a few of the trees that came down - again see earlier pics. Our regular fencing guys came out yesterday to assess the work and hopefully they will be able to repair the affected sections next week. 
Salgasson was hit hard too as advised to me by Bailiff Peter Gains. Yesterday (Thursday 21st Jan) Alex & I spent a few hours clearing fallen trees from the paths and dragging them from the river. Several hanging branches and small leaning trees were also taken down for safety reasons as this footpath is in regular use. I have asked Peter to let me know of any more that need work. We also now have a tree survey carried out by Ian Baldwin for Salgasson and it has identified a large number of trees in urgent need of work. We will start on them as soon as possible. 
I have yet to get to Bramley but I am hopeful that the pre Christmas works there will have pre-empted the weather.
 
Marsh Farm has escaped mainly due to the few trees there but the guttering round the barns has been battered and we will start repair works shortly. 
I've had no reports back regarding Broadwater but as that is owned by Waverley BC, responsibility for tree works and public safety falls to them. 
I will take a walk through Eashing some time next week to see if we have any problems there. 
In the meantime if you find any problems please ring me with the details. I need to have an accurate location such as "one swim above the cattle drink at Eashing" for example please. Not "There's a tree down in Eashing". Ideally, I need an idea of its height, its girth, is it lying flat on the ground or hung up in another tree etc. Your help will be appreciated. Please be patient whilst we work through the problems.
 
Many thanks,
Andrew Mackenzie. (Mobile 07952 429071)


Beautiful Busbridge in the snow. Wednesday 13th January 2010
 


Busbridge takes a battering
 
The heavy snows have brought down many trees in and around Busbridge Lake in the last few days. The worst actually blocked the whole of Tuesley Lane stopping all but the most determined of walkers who climbed over to continue on their way. That tree clump was cleared over two days and the final clear up will take place once the snow has gone. The fence needs repairing too.
 
Along the public footpath several trees came down including a large oak that fell from outside the lake grounds smashing into the fence and blocking the pathway. Andrew & Alex braved the snows of Wednesday 13th Jan and an hour or two later had successfully cut and cleared the offender making the footpath passable again. Many of the branches are now lying inside the lake grounds and will be cleared once the weather and access improves. A fence repair is needed here and will be looked at in the next week or so subject to weather.

 A check inside the lake grounds showed a number of trees down mainly on the right hand side blocking both top and bottom paths. Progress round the lake was fairly slow as the virgin snow was at least a foot deep and carrying the chainsaws etc was hard going. Two trees have fallen into or currently because of the ice I should say onto the lake! I am hoping to get them off the ice on Friday before they sink; another has fallen down the bank but is in a safe position away from swims and need not be removed. Those blocking the paths have been cut through allowing access and will be cleared up once the weather improves. Many trees have suffered broken branches and a safety check is being undertaken this Friday. Members are asked to take great care and to report any dangerous trees at any of our waters.


Posted 08-01-10
Trees block Tuesley Lane

Tuesdays heavy snow proved too much for one clump of trees just inside the front boundary of Busbridge Lake. It toppled across the fence and totally blocked the lane. It was spotted by Graham Harris whilst walking his wife into work at Milford Hospital. Graham contacted Andrew and the two of them walked all the gear there and proceeded to clear a way through.
Pictures below show the clump from each side. To get an idea of the size of the offender look at the fence which is 6ft high.
 


Posted 06-01-2010
Pictures taken by Graham Harris of Marsh Farm and Johnson's on the 3rd Jan 2010


Roy's latest Bramley update
I went to Bramley lake on Sunday 15th November and caught around the 15- 18 lb of Roach, Gudgeon, and Perch, plus a bonus 3 pound Tench which gave a very good account of it's self. All the fish were caught using double red maggot on a size 18 hook to 4lb line straight through on the waggler.


Introduction of a new strain of carp to Johnson’s
A decision was taken during the early part of this year to try and improve the strain of carp in Johnson’s. After very careful checking, including very stringent health checks, it was decided to purchase fish from VS Fisheries Limited. The VS Fisheries strain have a high growth rate with fish of just 8 years old reaching weights of 30lb plus. They are also very distinctive because of their beautiful variation scale patterns.
On the 29th October a strain of carp from VS Fisheries were introduced into into Johnson’s.A total of 12 fish were introduced with a weight spread of 13 to 15.5lb. These fish are classed as type C5 – which means they are 5 years old.

Photographic records were taken of each fish introduced.

Picture 1 above shows one of the fish that was introduced. The weight of this specimen is 13lb 4 ozs

Picture  2 above shows the opposite flank of the same fish.

This introduction is first part of an annual stocking of C5 grade specimens. A further
4 stockings are planned.
It is very important that as much information as possible is fed back to the FMC group and Johnson’s bailiffs regarding the weights and condition of these new fish.
Therefore, if you catch one please make a complete record with weight  and photographs and give this information to FMC or the Johnson’s bailiffs.
For further information please check the VS Fisheries website at -
www.vsfisheries.co.uk

Dated 07/11/09


Posted 29-10-09
New sluice constructed on Marsh Farm.
 
Construction of a new sluice to enable us to control the water coming from the borehole has been undertaken over the last couple of weeks. It involved digging out the base and the bank sides, installing shuttering, tying it in, internal metal reinforcing rods and a scaffolding platform to allow tipping the concrete from. 
On Tuesday morning the Mix a Mate lorry weighing in at a mere 44 tons turned up and kept off the grass! The 2.5 cm of concrete was moved little by little by power barrow to the site and then tipped into a wheelbarrow taken across the scaffold platform and tipped carefully into the shuttering below. Weighing in at 1 ton when loaded the power barrow was too heavy to run across the platform and too long to be able to turn and tip. Fortunately we had a fit young man to do the heavy work - thanks Alex. 
Down in the ditch was a concrete splattered Barrie happily tamping it all down and finally some two hours later trowelling it off to a smooth finish. Each wing of the sluice now holds something like 3.5 tons of concrete encased around the reinforcing rods installed a few days earlier.  Later that afternoon, the scaffold planks were removed, pressure washer cleaned courtesy of Kevins machine, then returned to Gary who very kindly provided all the scaffolding free of charge.  
By Wednesday morning the concrete was solid, helped no doubt by a very mild night. Next week we will removed all the shuttering and be able to view the new sluice in all its glory! My thanks go to Barrie, Peter, Bob & Alex for helping achieve this new sluice.
 
Andrew Mackenzie.
Still Water Fishery Maintenance Manager.
 


A young Nick Barrass (sorry Nick I couldn't resist it!) landed a cracker of a Pike from Busbridge a few years ago now. The question is, has anyone bettered it recently?


OUCH - WHO'S A LUCKY LAD THEN!?
 
Yesterday morning there was potentially a fatal prang at Marsh Farm. A braking car apparently locked up and resulted in it cutting diagonally across the entrance and ploughing into the close board fencing. 
Lucky? - well yes very lucky as he just missed hitting the container and even more lucky; having wiped out the gas main behind the fence, causing the gas to escape at full velocity it did not ignite and he managed to reverse out of the fence and back onto the driveway without a scratch.
Bob Pickett was quickly on the scene to help organise the Gas repair men, the fire service, police and stopping of the traffic. A great job Bob for which we all thank you. 
We (Godalming AS) have no idea where the fault (if any) lay but would ask all Members, Visitors and Guests to exit very carefully, especially when turning right. The most important thing is that no one was hurt. 
 


New sluice for borehole.
 
We are well under way with the shuttering construction for the new sluice at the end of The Wildlife Pond. Final support work prior to filling with concrete will take place over the next few days. My thanks go to Barrie Stephens, Andy Alderton and Bob Pickett for all their hard work. Gary is about to run some scaffold across the ditch for us to make pouring the concrete into the shuttering that much easier.
 
All being well the new sluice will be ready to be tested at the same time as the borehole test pumping takes place.



Bramley fishing well. Friday 11th October 2009.
Just in from Roy:

Hi again Bramley fishing extremely well I had around 15- 20pound of roach and gudgeon plus to big crucians and losing three big tench well i just hope it stays like this for a while another trip is planned for next week only one other angler on the lake and he did not arrive until 1.00 o clock. All fish are falling to red maggot fished on the waggler at around 25-30 yards out in about two or three feet of water if people want to know how to fish it. Also a lot of small Perch 2-6ounces being caught.
Bramley fishing well. Friday 3rd October 2009.

Just in from Roy:

Hi Andrew nice to be able to contact you on web
just a quick note that I fished at Bramley on Friday 2nd October and there were two cormorants that scared off, however I had a really good day taking approximately 35lb of roach and Gudgeon ,also three Crucian to two and a half pounds and losing two bream around four pound at the net. So next time someone says to me when I ask howls Bramley fishing and they reply really bad I would suggest anglers should go and find out for themselves like I did, a truly brilliant day.

There's an author among us! 
Kevin Grozier (brother of Dave who runs the butchers at Milford) has written a book about his passion for two rivers and the launch is due shortly with a book signing not too far from here. If you would like to know a bit more about the rivers (not the Wey) and the book signing then go to the Links page and click on his link.
 
The pictures are of catches from the Coloneel grounds in the late 70's and a Broadwater road bank carp around 1964. 
 

 The 1st Polemania qualifier at Marsh Farm was a sell out last Saturday. Whilst it "fished hard" on the day it proved to be a very popular venue and has already been booked up again for next year. A lot of the "big names" in match circles were present and from a club standpoint it was great to see them all comply very happily with our rules and in particular that regarding dry nets.
 
The match was won from one of the least fancied pegs; peg 17 on Richardsons Lake. Having been told that he'd drawn badly the angler decided to stick it out for the odd bonus big fish and promptly landed three rogue carp plus some bits for 27lbs and first place!
 
GAS members faired well with the best performance coming from Perry Grey in 4th place


Is this Johnsons prettiest fish?
 

 

 

   

Passing of a friend. Farewell John.

 

 

Sadly, a great friend and stalwart of the club Johnny Milligan passed away at midnight on Friday 21st August 2009 in bed at home. John had been diagnosed with cancer just a couple of weeks earlier. Johns funeral will be held at Guildford Crematorium on Friday 4th September 2009 @ 1pm. John asked that there be no flowers but would appreciate donations to either Witley Surgery or Macmillan Cancer Fund.
 
John was a great character, larger than life, with a wicked sense of humour and a twinkle in his eye. Always ready to come along and dig out stock ponds, trenches and ditches for us whilst Stanley (his little Jack Russell) spent the days rabbiting close by.
 
In the last 12 months alone he enlarged the Johnsons stock pond, cleared and deepened the Wildlife Pond on Marsh Farm, helped repair swims, levelled areas of the car parks and dug trial pits for the 4th lake amongst other tasks. We always had a lot of fun working with John and most times something "eventful" would occur all of which will no doubt be recounted over the occasional coffee in the shop or beer at the pub for many years to come.
 
The road at Marsh Farm we named after him will have to make way for the 4th lake - perhaps we should name it "Milligans Lake" in recognition of all he has done for the club?
 
The picture of John was taken earlier this year at the clubs presentation evening where he was awarded this trophy in recognition of an accumulation of unusual achievements whilst driving various diggers for us!
 
Fridays wont ever be quite the same without John.