Maldon Angling Society

Keepnets are still completely banned on all of our stillwaters as the unexpectedly hot summer by British standards is predicted to continue for at least the next couple of weeks.  This ban is due to reduced oxygen levels in the margins brought on by the continued hot weather.  We have been monitoring dissolved oxygen levels in the margins with our oxygen meter over the last few weeks and levels have continued to drop forcing the committee to act now to protect the welfare of our valuable fish stocks.  This decision will be reviewed again at the September committee meeting.  The ban includes matches but excludes our river sections where the flowing water helps maintain a higher level of dissolved oxygen.

Our oxygen meter has been well used in the last few months.

This is the notice that you will see at the entrance to our stillwaters.

26^th June 2018  rod loss at Slough House Farm.  Rob Rowbotham  fishing  concessionary match this week at Slough House Farm lake had his carp rod and reel pulled

in, several attempts to retrieve the tackle failed.  Anybody finding the said tackle can ring Rob on 07941675833.  Thank you – Keith.

The Tom Martin memorial match will be fished at Totham Pit on Saturday 2nd June - 8.30am draw fishing 10.00am until 3pm.  There will be two teams, one team of bailiffs and one team of committee or members.  If you would like to fish please contact Keith on 01621 929234 or 07836 327843.  Many thanks.

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.

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.