AUGUST LAKES REPORT

Hello game fishers

I am sure everyone has realised that this summer is on record as the hottest since 1976 and this has made our fishing activity extremely difficult. In contrast to last year where early season rainfall ensured lake levels remained high at Winterbourne Zelston the hot weather has had a devastating effect and the levels are close to their lowest on record. As a result, I have to report that WZ must remain closed until further notice and we must all pray, do a rain dance, seed the clouds, whatever ideas you might want to suggest, to restore its levels.

That’s the bad news – the good news is that whilst the levels have been so low we have been able to carry out improvements to the west bank and also provide three new standing areas around the lake. Essentially this has meant the dismantling of the old bank walls and the reinstatement of the bank using gabian walls. These are stitched together cages of Portland stone.

This has all taken place principally because the club has received confirmation that monies applied for last May have been approved by the EA. This news came through in July quite out of the blue and afforded us the opportunity which we have grasped with multiple hands. Mike our chairman has taken the bull by the horns and driven the project forward with great alacrity and with Merv providing the skills with his machines we have been able to achieve completion in remarkable time. Also, Bob, Brian, Greg, Jon, Andrii, and Stu have all provided amazing help in providing us all with a major improvement to WZ which will be a great investment for the club.

Rawlsbury

The situation at Rawlsbury is becoming serious but the lakes are just fishable. Cowleaze is very weedy and probably too difficult and Chapmans is at its lowest level for many years.

As you can imagine there has been few fishing at Rawlsbury this month, all have reported low fish activity but have been successful with most catching on their two fish ticket.

Both catch and release lakes Viners and Sandys have reasonable levels of water and if you do cast a line, please return your fish with as much care as possible.

Best wishes

Paul.