Meeting: Annual Anglers Meeting
Date: Wednesday 30th November
Time: 10:00am
Location: Grafham Fishing Lodge
Attendees: Jake Williams, Catherine Keating, Emma Devereaux, Will Kirstein, Angela Tarry, Andy Ainscough, Neil Atkins, Peter Hartley, Paul Steven, Gary How, Mel Parrott, Don Moore, Christopher Faulkner, Mark Brinkman, Grant Gibson, Chris McLeod, Allan Sefton, John Batter, John Wadham, Neil Armstrong, Ray Storer
AGENDA
Introduction
PH gave a brief rundown of meetings throughout the year, most of which centered around the concerning rise of fish prices.
Matters arising from minutes of last meeting
None
Overview of the 2022 season
No. of trout stocked:
- Rutland 71,000
- Grafham 38,000
- Pitsford 23,050
- Ravensthorpe 7,300
Rod Averages:
- Rutland 5.04
- Grafham 4.1
- Pitsford 5.7
- Ravensthorpe 4.7
2022 overview
- 2022 as expected this year has been more challenging off the back of an excellent year post covid (2021) - availability of travel or activities post covid giving greater choice to consumer.
- Increase Year on Year of Sporting Permits across all waters.
- More competitions reducing kill limits.
- Predator, spinning for trout and course angling continue to grow.
- Game fishing remains the majority fishing type at our Parks.
UK Inflation & Fish Price Increases
- Discussed the situation with clubs and individuals at recent meetings and open house events to gain anglers views and opinions.
- 26% increase in the cost of rainbow and brown trout from our farmers.
- AW (Anglian Water) committed 10 year purchasing agreements with four trout farms. Agreements currently being finalised.
2023 Permit & Boat Prices
- All boat hire at Rutland, Grafham & Pitsford will be held at 2022 prices.
- 10% increase on 8 fish, 4 fish and Sporting permits at Rutland, Grafham and Pitsford.
- Ravensthorpe trout permit prices will be held at 2022 prices (Ravensthorpe has always been a high price ticket)
- 7-10% increase on season ticket prices – structure to change slightly
- The same quantity of trout will be stocked at all waters but the size of most of the fish will reduce from 900g to 750g to absorb a proportion of the fish price increases. Our stocking policy will be available on our website shortly.
2023 Predator Permit & Boat Prices
- Predator day and season tickets will increase by 12%.
- Spinning for trout will remain at Pitsford Water in July and August only.
- A new carp syndicate to be trialled alongside the trout fishery at Ravensthorpe.
- A no kill on browns rule to be introduced on all waters all season to sustain fish stocks. Browns will still be stocked in their current numbers.
- New season ticket holder offers to include 1 x 20% retail voucher and 1 x beginner guest ticket instead of 2 x free breakfasts.
What’s New
- Season Ticket Structure
- Gold (limit of 500 8x fish/day) £1200.00
- Silver (limit of 180 8x fish/day) £800.00
- Bronze (limit of 65 fish 4x fish/day) £710.00
- Sporting (limit of 25 fish 1x fish/day) £620.00
- Starter (limit to 65 fish) £360.00
- New online boat and day permit system to be available Spring 2023
Dates for your diary 2023
- Fisheries Open Day – 11th February at Rutland Water - please all come along to speak to staff and see booking system. Anglers can find out about the year ahead and understand our stocking policy. They can also discuss any other fishery related matters.
- New Season Open Days 2023
- Rutland: 10th March
- Grafham: 3rd March
- Pitsford: 25th February
- Ravensthorpe: 24th February
Questions/comments
- Q. Will catch returns be included on the new online system?
A. Yes, you will be able to login and upload catch return, comments, and pictures etc. Day ticket customers will receive a reminder email to complete a catch return a day or so after fishing.
- Q. Ravensthorpe Carp Fishing – will there be restrictions in the distance these anglers can cast? A. Restrictions will be put in place as not to interfere with current fishing. Carp anglers will likely mainly fish at night.
- Q. Anglers with no access to online - how will they be able to pay with the new online system? A. Anglers will still call to book a boat and pay in advance over the phone, the member of staff will add their booking to the online system.
- Q. Large numbers of boats for competitions – how will this work with the booking system?
A. Competition boats will still be booked by calling or popping into the shop. These will not all have to be paid for upfront but there will be a cut off for cancellation/confirmation of total boats and a deposit will be required.
- Q. Some smaller fish have been put in the waters; how can you control this going forward?
A. We do send fish back to suppliers if small fish are delivered, checks are made upon arrival. There is an ongoing commitment to put correct size fish in the waters. It has been a difficult year for fisheries to get their fish up to size. However, conversely, we have also received oversized fish throughout the year. There is an underlying risk with reducing numbers of fish farms being capable of suppling the numbers of fish we require, that we become more exposed to environmental factors affecting fish quality.
- Q. Will online retail be available
A. The online project is complex, retail is part of the programme but will not be available until later in 2023. The boat booking system will come first will be functional from May.
- Q. How does the new 20% discount for season ticket holders work?
A. This is a one-time use voucher, but the 10% discount remains in place for all retail purchases. Discount offers can’t be used in conjunction with other offers.
- Q. Stocking issues with fish farmers, is there benefit for early season stocking?
A. Problems with people over catching at the beginning of the year. It benefits the angler to balance the fish levels throughout the season.
- Comment - Excellent fish quality, and good stocking policy.
- Q. From an angler point of view there is scope for marketing to improve?
A. Up to date relevant information should come out of the new catch return online system. We are looking at ways of reaching new anglers from further afield via social media and influencers.
- Q. How may Carp anglers will be in a fishing syndicate?
A. Numbers expected to be around 30 with an estimated 2-4 on the water at any one time.
Grafham Dam
- Restrictions on fishing from the dam remain in place without changes to the decisions made at the beginning of 2022. Fishing access is currently unrestricted until the water level reaches the line marked on the dam face at which point the controls detailed and discussed with anglers will return.
Catch and release in competitions
- AW support C&R and will continue to work closely with fishing clubs and competition organiser's to ensure anglers practice responsible fish handling; however the scale of change from Catch & Kill to Catch and Release across the fishing community is personal choice and we continue to provide for both options while a market exists.
Brown Trout
- In order to preserve stocks and support a quality head of specimen fish we have moved to make Brown Trout no kill on all our waters at all times of year. We know these fish overwinter well and grow to good sizes on our lakes and they make a fantastic trophy species. Anglers targeting the browns should fish barbless and not remove fish from the water when unhooking. Any fish that do not survive must be handed to fishery staff. Browns are no longer considered part of a bag in Competition’s
Stocking policy 2023
- A detailed policy will be published don’t the AW website shortly
Site situations, maintenance, retail, and catering
- Major improvements have been made at Rutland in terms of catering, a special thanks for Sally Benton from the anglers
- Excellent maintenance work has happened on the banks at Grafham and Rutland
- Great to see more staff till trained at Grafham Lodge
- Grafham catering has had a difficult year due to resourcing challenges however these are now largely resolved, and we look forward to a positive season ahead.
Predator anglers, boat equipment. Grafham Water
- AW will continue to provide drogues and nets as part of their bio security policies, all anglers are required to use the equipment provided by AW and should practice stringent ‘Check, Clean, Dry’ protocols before and after fishing our waters.
Tuition, club matters and involvement
- High interest in tuition, courses have been well attended
AOB
- None