Maldon Angling Society

We are looking for a member to organise some senior matches over the coming season and beyond.  If you are interested in this voluntary unpaid position please contact an existing committee member who can then put your name forward at the next meeting.

The following rule changes were agreed at the 4th Apr committee meeting:

Fish care rule 5.15:  No carp to be kept in keepnets except in society matches.  All other fish up to 12 inches in length may be retained in a keepnet.  It is recommended that all other fish over 12 inches in length be weighed and returned immediately.  No fish to be kept in captivity for longer than 6 hours.  Any fish showing signs of distress must be released upon demand of a Society bailiff.  The Society recommends that members be in possession of a fish care product e.g. Klinik.  Keepnets may be banned temporarily on individual Society waters subject to local conditions.  This rule does not apply to Society rivers.

Matches rule 9.3:  Fish up to 12 inches in length, including carp, caught during Society matches can be retained in carp friendly keepnets.  All fish over 12 inches in length must be weighed and returned immediately.  Rulers will be issued to all competitors to avoid confusion.  In silver fish only matches all carp over 12 inches in length will count as 1lb.

At the January committee meeting it was unanimously agreed to lift the ban on keepnets with immediate effect until 31st March.  The keepnet ban had been introduced as early as possible following notification of a local outbreak of KHV (Koi Herpesvirus) however the water temperature has now dropped to well below the minimum danger level for transmitting KHV of 16 degrees so the ban has been lifted and will be reviewed at the 4th Apr committee meeting.

Having received this question from a member I thought it worth sharing his points and my response with our other members who visit this website:

Dear Paul,  further to your post regarding keepnets, surely landing nets should also be dipped ? Will the bailiffing team have the resources to monitor that every member  no matter when they are fishing adheres to this rule ? As for matches the match secretary can ensure compliance. Could I please have your comments.  Regards Jack Morley.

Hi Jack,  thank you for your email.  A lot of thought went into this decision at the committee meeting to ensure that our final decision was practical and made with the welfare of our valuable fish stocks at the heart of it.  The original proposal was for a complete keepnet ban but as that would have meant cancelling most of the remaining matches, or moving them all to the canal, the compromise solution of dipping in Virkon S was proposed and accepted. 

Keepnets are a non-essential angling item to the ordinary member (ie not fishing in a match), unlike landing nets which are compulsory (rule 6.8 refers).  Keepnets are also much larger than landing nets, have fish in contact with them for up to 5 hours at a time rather than a few minutes, and take much longer to dry out thoroughly.  As a result keepnets are seen as a higher risk in the transferal of KHV.

If you can dip your landing nets before each match as well then that will be much appreciated.  The cost and practicality of having a net dip at every venue was discussed but as Virkon S is only effective for 1-3 days max depending upon conditions this was ruled out as being high maintenance / low effectiveness / next to impossible to bailiff as you state above. 

The best form of protection against waterborne fish diseases continues to be thoroughly drying nets in direct sunlight – a difficult proposition at this time of the year! 

All the best for the remainder of the season.  Kind Regards - Paul.

The Maldon concessionary match at Little London Reservoir on 12th December 2017 has been cancelled due to bad weather conditions.  The Christmas match will now be in January date to be decided – Keith.

Nigel Barnes is holding an open pike match at Totham Pit on Sunday 26th November and everyone, not just members are welcome.  Totham Pit has been fishing well for pike lately (see gallery) so if you have always fancied giving Totham Pit a go for pike this is your chance.  To book your place please contact Nigel on 07711 972099

Julie Stuart with a clonking pike landed from the shallows at Totham Pit.