During early 2014 the Association turned to the Environment Agency Local Fisheries Team to carry out a survey of No1 Pond at Bestwood to look at fish stocks and possible reasons for the poor returns suffered by some members when fishing this pond. Having looked at the samples of fish present in the pond and taken data samples of things such as water temperature it was found that some species had very low growth rates, this was very likely down to the cold conditions that prevail in Natural Spring fed waters. Fry survival rates have also contributed to the problem and again it was thought this may be caused by low water temperature along with very little marginal vegetation for spawning fish. A common factor in both of these problems was the amount of shade provided by the large amounts of trees and bushes that surround the pond. These trees not only prevent natural light getting to the shallower margins of the pond and preventing the growth of marginal reeds but also slow down the rise in water temperature due large amounts of the pond being in the shade. Members may have noticed that work is ongoing around No1 Pond to remove some of the out of control Willows and carry out work on some of the other trees. This work is being carried out in a properly managed way and is in line with the proposals set out in the Environment Agency Report. It is also hoped that an introduction of Carp around the 2lb mark will be made in the next few weeks to help boost sport. The Association would like to thank the Environment Agency for their invaluable help and also the hard working Bailiffs and Volunteers who are carrying out the work. If you have any comments or questions regarding the work or the survey please contact the Secretary

The Association are pleased to announce the appointment of a Junior Development Officer and qualified angling coach.
Ian Wilks is a fully qualified angling coach who has offered to further the Junior development of the Association.
Coaching sessions have been held during the summer months on various Association waters and have been funded so they are free of charge to both the Junior being taught and to the Association.
In the next few weeks the website will be updated with a new Junior section to bring all the latest news on futher coaching sessions, Junior Matches and any further developments related to Junior angling.
Further information can be obtained from Ian Wilks on 07712 446514