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Can clubs afford NOT to be LOFCA Members? Only 4 meetings a year, all well attended, giving clubs in the Region a chance to discuss and exchange information , including problem solving. I .e . Why reinvent the wheel when you can learn from others experience. Guest speakers are often invited to enable clubs to learn more and talk to experts in their angling field. There is always an Environment Agency (EA) representative on hand to provide the latest information on EA Projects, Work Programmes, Enforcement , Fishery Information, Fish Monitoring & Survey Details and Future plans. Lofca provides an opportunity for member clubs to talk directly to the EA, face to face, easier than phone, letter or email. Make new contacts within the organisation to enable your club to get any support required. Kelvin Allen the recently elected Eastern Region Angling Trust chairman is usually in attendance, yet another advantage should your club require Angling Trust help. The Main focus of this months meeting was to hear from the EA the transitional changes within the EA and Defra that could well effect anglers and angling. Particularly with government/Defra demanding funding cuts. The Water Framework Directive(WFD) could well provide opportunities and funding for the benefit of angling. With the EU driving the legislation, demanding and funding improvements via the WFD A project to improve your clubs water could well be included, this is much more likely if you are aware of the opportunity via LOFCA. One of the aims of the WFD is to improve water quality, pollution “incidents” and fish populations in addition to improving the countryside for all. One such example may be where Eel and fish passes are built on or around barriers like weirs and sluices as the EU seek to arrest the decline of the Eel and improve fish passage. Throughout the year rod licence money is made available or WFD projects come to the fore providing funding for improvements some of which may be requested by clubs. If your club has a project Lofca gives a great opportunity to propose it for EA funding. In the past the EA have expanded and developed ideas from clubs from the barest of plans/ideas /problems, helping to find a solution as well as providing funding. Members were also informed of EA future work programmes and recent fish survey results. In my years as secretary KLAA received many thousands of pounds towards improvements on their rivers and still waters and this has been continued by secretary Ashley.. Kings Lynn AA Projects that have received funding in 2010/11 are To Improve Relief Channel access: Dredging of reedbed and margins to improve fishing access and pegs on Relief Channel. - Denver: 30 pegs downstream from sluice, right bank
- Downham Market: 10 pegs downstream from town bridge, right bank
- Magdelen: 15 pegs right bank, 3 left bank all downstream of bridge
- Stow Bridge: 10 on right bank
Total cost £4,000 This was attempted some years ago but this time the bank profile has been much improved ,which should encourage anglers safely onto the water. Cut Off Channel: (More details elsewhere on the www) NOT OPEN UNTIL 2011/12 SEASON After years of great fishing it is possible that the Cut off Channel fish have migrated into the Relief Channel. This has been substantiated by the improved Hydroacoustic results on the Relief Channel and the fact that recent flood events have meant that the Cut Off doors leading into the Relief Channel have been opened a far greater number of times than they would have during low flows. EA surveys have shown that fish are present at Stoke Ferry, hence the EA decision to expand the fishery to compensate for the deterioration fishing. - This gives Access to an extra 1.6km of fishing (70 pegs) for KLAA members only (No day tickets)
- This section was previously too steep and unsafe but work by both parties have resolved this problem
- Hydroacoustics and special investigations show it to be a fish holding area
- EA funded 100 access steps, which KLAA have installed and 10 fishery information signs.
Total cost £4,300 Middle Level provision of safe platforms in the Mortons Bridge area. - A popular Fishery with an adjacent car park
- Steep banks with limited access which will be improved by work due to begin around March 1st
The work is being carried out by the Middle level engineers Investment EA Investment cost £6,500 Middle Level Installation costs Little Ouse provision of Angling Platforms (More details elsewhere on the www) This work was done earlier in the year funded by the EA on what was a steep bank to some excellent fishing. These platforms have been made from recycled plastic. Further details can be found on the KLAA Web site. Total Funding £3,000 OTHER LOCAL PROJECTS River Nar Improvements. - New focus on river
- Partnership strategy between, Environment Agency, Natural England, Inland Drainage Board, land owners.
- Driven by the Water Framework Directive and Public service agreements. To improve the status of the River.
Relief Channel Tail Sluice Eel Pass: Changes are in process, help improve your Angling by being part of the future and joining LOFFCA Further Details from Secretary Richard Hiom <
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>; Mike Grief LOFCA, RFERAC 14.02.11 |
