Welcome to Knowle Anglers
Good sporting fish south of Bristol. Brown and Rainbow trout fishing on both still waters and rivers. Three lakes and a reservoir fly only. Five miles of river fishing on the Yeo, Wellow and Chew. (Upper Chew and the Wellow are both fly only)
We allow a 1 fish limit at Ackers, Publow and Taylor's Lake.
We allow a 2 fish limit at Chew Magna Reservoir, Upper Chew, Lower Chew and the Yeo.
We also now allow 2 flies (Dries, nymphs or wet flies only) on a cast at Ackers, Publow and Taylor's Lake.
Stocking for 2006 was 5,034 mixed trout (Browns - Rainbows).
Stocking for 2007 was 4,500 mixed trout (Browns - Rainbows).
Stocking for 2008 was 4,900 mixed trout (Browns - Rainbows).
New members always welcome and guided walks are provided to help you find the best fishing locations. We are now accepting applications for the 2009 season so either renew your membership or get your application in soon to avoid disappointment. (Please remember that last year we had over 30 people on our waiting list).
Membership Fees 2009
Under 65 - £100
Over 65 - £67
Junior - £27
There is a £5 joining fee for new members.
For an application form contact: -
Mr Keith Caddick, 41 Eastwood Crescent, Brislington, Bristol BS4 4SR
Current News
02/7/09 - KAA Competition
The second competition took place on the 28th June. 19 members signed in and helped create a friendly atmosphere. The weather was, at last, helpful to the competitors. Overcast skies and a gentle breeze had many rubbing their hands in anticipation. As usual this competition presented anglers with a problem or two. The extensive weed growth at some pegs made them almost unfishable and large rafts of floating weed added to the frustration of some. Those members who were lucky in the draw for pegs found the fish in an accommodating mood. Most members landed fish and they were in excellent condition.
Results:
1st - Steve Feddery - 4lb 0oz
2nd Equal - Chris Elms and Doug Reeves - 3lb 14oz
6/6/09 - Rule Reminder (Yet again!)
It is immensely frustrating to have to use the website to constantly remind some members about the rules in place at our venues. It is much better to report news about the flora and fauna as well as the fishing.
The farmer at Taylor's farm is very disappointed that he has cut barbed hooks from line that was wrapped around the fence surrounding the lake. If that wasn't enough, he then went and caught a fish which had a barbed hook in its lip. Another member blatantly entered that he had taken 2 fish, again the farmer pointed this out. The club gains nothing, but stands to lose everything if we upset our riparian owners. The rules are posted at the venues, reiterated on the website and in the Newsletters, whilst each member received them in their joining pack. I am struggling to come up with another reasonable way of informing members of the rules.
By far, the biggest expenditure KAA makes each year is the fish that are stocked. They are becoming increasingly more expensive year on year. These fish are a valuable asset and should be treated as such. Their welfare should be the prime consideration of all members of KAA. Barbless hooks at the small lakes, and de-barbed hooks when practicing catch and realease on CMR, are rules designed to lessen the stress on our fish. If anyone looks at some of the other fly fishing clubs in the area then you will find a plethora of rules and regulations that we do not have in KAA, not to mention more expensive membership. For example, one club has restrictions on how many visits a member can make to certain venues during the year, as well as catch limits.
Hopefully, KAA isn't viewed as a much cheaper version of the £30+ a day put and take any method fishery where every fish caught has to be dispatched. It is disappointing if some members think it is. The club did not come into existance some 86 years ago to be that. I joined KAA because I wanted to be in a club where the friendly, sporting and ethical side of fly fishing was alive and kicking, and on the whole that is what I have found. I had a whole host of different options to choose from if I didn't want that. The rules that exist are there to help engender the sporting and ethical aspects of our sport. To run the club as a collection of put and take fisheries would involve a ten fold rise in membership fees and that is clearly not viable.
As members of KAA we are all ambassadors of the club and help form the impressions people have of the club, good or bad. Those members who seem intent on disregarding the club rules at all costs only serve to jeopardise the club when leases come up for renewal.
I must add that the vast majority of members give a positive impression of the club, but, as is the case in many aspects of our lives, a small minority can undo the good work of the majority.
5/6/09 - Tufted Ducks
It has been reported that a pair of Tufted Ducks flew onto Taylor's Lake, liked it so much and have started nest building.
2/6/09 - Floating Line only
Due to an appeal by a large number of members, it has been decided that Publow, Ackers and Taylor's Lake will be Floating Line only venues with immediate effect. This rule does not apply to CMR.
2/6/09 - Taylor's Lake
Those of you that have fished Taylor's Lake since the opening on Sunday, have enjoyed the fishing. It has been very easy to catch and some members have made hay while the sun has shone. It is with this in mind that I appeal to all members to fish sensibly. It doesn't prove anything to catch and release fish after fish for several hours. Why not catch a few fish and then move to another venue where the fishing may need more thought. In the temperatures we are currently experiencing the fish will be even more exhausted when netted, and their release needs even more care and attention. As this is one of our BARBLESS hooks only venue, it shouldn't be beyond members to acquire a quick release tool which will negate the need to take the fish out of the water. Already one member has been told to remove a lure from his tippet. He fished a lure even though the rules are posted on the returns box.
Members are reminded that the committee and bailiffs will be carrying out inspections of the club's venues. Any member found to be breaking any of the club rules risks suspension or even expulsion from KAA.
30/5/09 - Reminder of rules for Ackers, Publow and Taylor's Lake
From tomorrow (31/5/09) members are reminded that the following rules will be in place at Ackers, Publow and Taylor's Lake:
- Each member is allowed to take 1 fish only (catch and release permitted)
- Blue trout must be returned (Taylor's Lake only)
- FLOATING line only
- BARBLESS hooks only – maximum hook size 10
- Point Fly and one dropper (Dry fly, nymphs or wet flies only) allowed
- NO LURES allowed
- Please sign in prior to fishing and complete details at end of fishing (nil returns are required)
- Members shall produce for inspection all fish in their possession and permit the inspection of any fishing bag, creel or tackle in use upon request by a member or bailiff of KAA, who shall first produce their own membership card or other authority.
- Please park sensibly
- Please shut all gates behind you!
The rules will be posted in all returns boxes
The committee thanks members in anticipation of their support
24/5/09 - KAA Competition
The first competition of the year took place on the club's waters this morning. 18 members signed in and helped make it an enjoyable morning. The weather gods were not on our side, as bright sunshine and high temperatures were always going to make the fishing difficult. Allied to this was the lower than normal water level in the reservoir. 17 fish in total were landed but, alas, none of the larger specimens could be tempted. The results: -
1st - Roger King - 2lb 11oz
2nd - Mike Lavender - 2lb 10oz
3rd equal - Dave Paul and Bob Beatson - 2lb 8oz
Many thanks to all who took part and helped make it an enjoyable occasion.
The next competition takes place on Sunday 28th June.
23/5/09 - Club Rules
It is disappointing to have to report that a few members are not following KAA rules. A member was parked in front of the gate at CMR blocking both, entrance and exit. When it was suggested, by an older member, that it was better to park inside of the fence the response was unsavoury and unnecessary. Remember that we lease CMR from Bristol Water and they must have 24 hour access. Members have reported seeing a couple of members using sinking lines and lures at Ackers stating that it was OK because that was the rule. The rules for Ackers reverted back to normal some 4 months ago when we regained the lease. This was posted on the website and put in the newsletter. It is the duty of all members to aquaint themselves with the rules. They are printed on the membership tab and each new member is sent a copy in their joining pack. The rules are also regularly restated on the website and in the newsletters.
We are all members of a fishing club that exists to uphold the ethos of the fly fishing fraternity, namely a sporting and friendly spirit. We all have an interest in common and when we meet each other at one of the venues the 'ICE' is already broken. I have never met a member, at any venue, who hasn't been pleasant and sociable. So it is doubly disappointing when we hear of these incidents.
16/5/09 - 1 fish limit for Ackers, Publow and Taylor's Lake
After careful scrutiny of the returns sheets from Ackers and Publow it is clearly evident that far more fish are being dispatched than in recent years. The fishing pressure at these two venues means that within a very short time a considerable number of the stocked fish are removed. The obvious effect of this is less sport for others. It has therefore been decided that from 31st May 2009 there will be a 1 fish limit in place at Ackers, Publow and Taylor's Lake. This is a return to the ruling of two years ago. The 1 fish limit only applies to these three venues. CMR, Upper Chew, Lower Chew and Yeo will retain the 2 fish limit.
A reminder of the rules in place at Ackers, Publow and Taylor's lake: -
1. I fish to be taken then catch and release (de-BARBED or BARBLESS hooks only)
2. Maximum hook size 10
3. Point Fly and 1 dropper (Dry Fly, nymphs or wet flies only)
4. No Lures
16/5/09 - Upper Chew
After a recent scare where members found some dead coarse fish, The EA have carried out a series of water quality tests and have given the Upper Chew a clean bill of health.
4/5/09 - New Photos added
A few new pictures have been added to the members gallery. They are views of the new stretch of the River Wellow and a photo of the recently caught 8lb Rainbow.
4/5/09 - Bailiffs needed
The club requires extra bailiffs to assist in regularly patrolling our venues and help to look after our assets (fish). Any member who feels that they can be available to help the club then please contact Keith Caddick. Keith will give you all of the necessary details and rewards. It is only by all members helping the club that we can keep the subscription costs down, and maintain the excellent fishing we all enjoy.
4/5/09 - Poaching
The poaching on our waters seems to have moved up a gear, and is at a level which is causing great concern. A member reported that a number of people were float fishing off the dam wall at CMR over the weekend. Keith endeavoured to get a bailiff to visit the venue. Most of our lakes and rivers are suffering from a continual onslaught by these unscrupulous people, who are using a variety of methods to get our fish. They are stealing £1000's worth of fish from us all. Needless to say, this will cause the club two major problems: -
1. A regular, very sizeable bill to replace the stolen fish and keep pace with the poaching.
2. Acquiring these extra fish at short notice.
This problem is occurring nationwide and is regularly reported in the national press as well as the many fishing journals. The powers that be are aware of the problem and the destruction it causes to the waterways. It is also true to say that, in this current climate, the problem is not at the top of their 'Things to do list'.
All we can do as Rod Licence holders and paying members of the club is to keep reporting any incidents of poaching to the EA Hotline - 0800 80 70 60, and Keith Caddick. Any descriptions of people or vehicles along with registration numbers would be of help.
16/4/09 - KAA cloth badges
After receiving requests from a very large number of members, cloth badges were ordered and have now arrived.
The badge is the same as the one shown except '1923 - 2003' has been replaced with 'Founded 1923'. They are perfect for waistcoats, hats and shirts. The badges can be purchased from Keith Caddick at £3.50 each.
Keith also has the following items for sale: -
KAA caps - £5.00 each
KAA enamel badges - £2.00 each
12/4/09 - Upper Chew (Fishing prohibited in the Orchard field)
As announced at the Rod Draw evening, the lease has been signed for the Upper Chew. There is a change, which without agreement, would not have enabled us to renew the lease. The change prevents us from fishing the orchard field directly below Coley Bridge. There are signs posted at both entrances to make members aware.