Let's have a bit of Chwarae Teg, boys

OK

Now there are more of us getting down there, over the last two/three weekends, the bailiffs and Russ have noticed a number of things happening that we'd like to nip in the bud now, before they become serious issues. We've also had a few complaints from members. No names, no packdrill. Please read and digest..............

Namely:

1. SWIMS

We've noticed that fag butts, used tea bags, little bits of line, bottle tops etc, are being left on the swims. We all put a lot of work into the work parties and bark chipping the swims to getting them looking nice. PLEASE, take ALL your rubbish with you, because if we all left tea bags/fag butts on the swims, they'd soon be very messy.

2. BAITING UP & ETIQUETTE

It's been noticed that a number of anglers are baiting up at the end of a session. Nothing wrong with that in itself, BUT, please don't do it if there's someone fishing close to the swim you are vacating. On other waters, it would be a real no-no, and on Tardebigge, it's no different. If there's no one fishing next to you/close by, then there's no problem. It's basic angling etiquette.

3. THE BACK ENTRANCE/EXIT WHICH WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO USE

It's been noticed that the old exit, via the gully and through the car park by the house, has been used (trampled grass etc), and we've had a complaint from the guy in the house. Russ has asked me to put this one on as a warning to whoever's doing it (if indeed, it is one of us lot). If any of our members are caught using that exit, they will be banned. No second chances. No corners of tickets snipped. Straight off. No refund.

4. DRIVING DOWN GRIMLEY/WALNUT LANES

Again - Russ has asked me to put this one on......Russ has had two separate complaints from horse riders and a parent with two kids, about cars going down Grimley Lane, at fair old speed, and not slowing down for horses/kids in the road. It probably isn't one of our lot, with this one, but we don't want any grief, so common sense down the lanes please chaps.

5. CAR PARK PASSES

Again - one from Russ - can everyone display their green car park passes in their windscreens, when parking in the car park please? Russ had Waterways call twice this week (as they've been up to fix the lock), asking if they needed to leave the gate open/unlocked, because there were cars in the car park, without passes in (i.e. Waterways thought the cars may be members of the public who had parked there, because the gate was effectively unlocked for a while, as the lock wasn't working). We know who's cars are whose. Waterways don't.

6. DOGS & NOISE

We all love the pooches, but, any members who bring their dogs, which cause a nuisance/lots of noise, will be asked to leave the dog at home. We go up there to fish in peace, not to have dogs barking for ages. I would be pretty pissed off, if I was fishing in the edge, next to someone who's dog is barking continuously.


7. FISHCARE

We want the standard of fishcare to improve. Can all members have all the equipment they need to net, weigh, wet, and photograph fish ready - BEFORE - chucking the rods out please? We don't want to see members scrabbling around for scales/camera/weigh sling/water etc, whilst a fish is on the matt unattended. Have this all ready, including a small bucket/container of lake water next to your unhooking mat please, prior to popping the rods out.

We want to SEE unhooking mats ready for use (not folded up, tucked way), weigh slings on the unhooking mats ready for use. scales and camera close to hand, not in bags underneath your beadchair, water next to your unhooking mat ready for use. We all have the fish's wellbeing at heart, so the least time out of the water, the better. The fish are getting bigger and more valiable to us all (not that small ones aren't valuable, of course).

Sorry to come across as a bit of a wanker on this, but, we all go fishing to relax, enjoy, and hopefully get a bend in the rod, not to get wound up, because of other members' behaviour. We also need to ensure that the fish are cared for, and put back without any long periods out of the water.

If you've any questions, give Russ, John, Jim, Davvy or me a shout, or speak to one of us on the bank.

Ta

Keith (little Hitler !!)

BTW, "chwarae teg" means "fair play" in Welsh.

hi keith
you missed one off
BOAT USE
Twice this weekend me and russ saw two different people go into someone else's swim and take the boat that was in there when there were two more boats three swims down and not near any one,people spend alot of time getting the swim and baits as they want them,dont just take the nearest boat cause you carnt be arsed to walk abit further.And if you use a boat to take your gear over and dont intend to use it again move it down a swim or two if possible so the next bloke can take it without recking your hard work.

jason

Hi Jase

Yep. I agree with that.

Keith

very fair points and im up for it fellas, it all hinges on common sence and fishing etiquette

I presume ,rightly, or wrongly, that every member knows that the long term plan for the lake is to have a dedicated boat for every swim which requires one. To this end, i am in talks with various bodies with regards to the purchase of ALL the required craft and will update you all when i know more.

All points fair enough. I'm usually guilty of not having the car park pass on show. I'll make sure its on display from now on

some very good points there Keith i no i did pre bait a swim the other day when id packed away if i pissed anyone off then im sorry because it was not my intention....if like me you only like to use one of the boats to get across the lake then the person who used it last please make sure that it is not in your swim...