Maldon Angling Society

I have been reminded (after a new member got stuck in the mud at New Hall) to resurrect this Mudwatch post:

Extreme caution (6) (unless you own a 4WD vehicle):

Brick Kiln Pond – the car park is churned up.  We will forgive you for parking outside the gate under these circumstances.
Little Park 1 & 2 – the track is good but in regular use by farm vehicles.  There is now a new key padlock on the white gates.  The grass car park can get very slippery.
New Hall – the access track is good but please do not drive beyond the water works entrance as the car park is extremely muddy and you will probably get stuck.
Slough House West – the car park in the farm yard is churned up and treacherous.
Whitehouse Farm – re-opened 1st Feb – Water level very high.  Pages Lane is firm but pot-holed (work in progress to repair).  The side track is muddy but the car park is OK if you can get that far.  Please do not try and drive beyond the car park as this is all churned up:

The banks at Whitehouse Farm are now slippery as well following extensive works to clear the undergrowth around the lake:

Good/Fair (11):

Beckingham Hall – fine if you park just inside the gate on the right but increasingly iffy the further up the slope you go.
Bog Grove – the track has now been repaired and the car park resurfaced so as long as you keep off the grassy bits all will be OK.  Bark chippings have been applied to some of the paths and swims but please proceed to your swim with extra caution as the sloping banks are made of clay and can be very slippery underfoot.
Heron Hall – firm track and car park but fairly tight for turning round.  The small layby opposite the gate is flooded again.
Little London – the access is firm but uphill, the car park has been resurfaced.  Turning round can be a bit tight.
Howells – the track is firm although the car park can get a bit churned up due to regular use.
Railway Pond – parking on the tarmac spur road.  Water level high.
River Blackwater (Station Road) – the entrance to the car park has been improved with hardcore and the car park is much firmer than it looks.  Under no circumstances park outside of the car park and especially not in front of the entrance to the horses field!
Rook Hall 1,2 & 3 – re-opened 1st Feb – solid car park just inside the gate on the right.  Please do not drive on the grass.  Water levels high.
Slough House Farm – the car park is sound but there is a large puddle just outside the gate.  Please do not drive up the side of the car park.  The padlock has been changed to a combination lock to hopefully make it easier to get in and out.
Totham Pit – well established hard standing, no problems here.

The car park and track at Bog Grove have now been resurfaced/repaired.

Members should note that Bog Grove will be closed this Sunday until tree felling has been completed.  There are four potentially dangerous trees being removed including the tree in the water just in front of the car park which makes fishing pegs 1 and 25 awkward.

A recent visit to Bog Grove showed that the front bank and both ends are quite dangerous with leaves covering thick mud and the only way down is the water. So be warned and beware. The car park is boggy on the green stuff so please park on the hard areas.  K.Leverett – concessionary match secretary.

It’s usually a bit colder at Bog Grove by now.

Bog Grove was closed for safety reasons on Friday 9th October so that a large tree could be removed by experts prior to the autumn winds arriving and putting anglers at risk.  We are pleased to report that the operation went smoothly.

Now you see it, now you don’t.

This Sunday 7th June the third senior match of the season will be fished at Bog Grove.  The draw is at 8.30am with fishing from 10am to 3pm.  This is a team event so the whole lake will be closed until 4pm.

The first match of the season was also at Bog Grove on Sun 26th April and was won by Russell Samuels with 43lbs 15ozs (10 carp plus a few roach ), 2nd Steve Root 30lbs 12ozs 8drms, 3rd Mark Boulton 25lbs 2ozs 8drms.