Association Waters Closures & Updates

12th November 2024 - Birch Lake Closed

Due to low oxygen levels Birch Lake is shut until further notice.

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7th October 2024 - Stour Lake Reopened

After close assessment Stour Lake is reopened.
 

1st October 2024 - Biomass Reduction on Stonar Lake

As you may remember back in May/June 2024 Stonar lake was shut. This was due to a large percentage of fish being caught had bacterial infections present alongside the carp spawning around the lake. Fish were caught and sent off to the EA labs at Brampton for an emergency health check. The results of the test showed that there was no disease or viral infection present and the fish were given a clean bill of health.
For the past few years it has been bought to the clubs attention during the AGM that the biomass in stoner has hit critical mass, this is predominantly down to the numbers of bream and carp present. The result of this is stunted growth rates of all species due to over competition for food, the bacterial wounds found on a large number of the stock and reduction of natural food for the food chain. We have made the decision to reduce the biomass in the form of bream and smaller carp. The purpose of this project is to improve the general health of the fishery, with increased growth and health of all species and replenish the natural food stocks that reside in this incredibly unique water. An average size of all species has been documented giving us an accurate data set to measure against in the years to follow. We have made contact with one of the countries tier 1 fish breeders and dealers who will purchase the excess stock.

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30th September 2024 - Various Updates

There has been a huge amount of work on Stour Lake this summer & the work is ongoing. The lake will remain shut until dissolved oxygen levels have stabilised following the algal bloom.

Fordwich lake has a Siltex delivery due on October 11th with application to follow once the lake temp has dropped below 12 degrees centigrade. Roach, Carp, tench, bream, eels and perch have been observed in numbers around the lake.

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The river bank between the toilet at Fordwich and the trout pool will remain closed until next season. This will allow the ground to settle and the seed to take. Alterations to swims are also to be made to allow ease of access. 

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30th September 2024 - Pike fishing

The river will be open to pike fishing on 1st October. 

The lakes will be open to pike fishing on 1st November.

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17th September 2024 - Gate entrance to Pump House lake

The gate to Pump House lake has been reinstated and uses your members key.
This must be locked after use.

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9th September 2024 - Riverbank at Fordwich closed

Due to work being carried out the riverbank at Fordwich, between the toilet and the trout pool, will be closed until further notice. All other sections remain open.

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12th August 2024 - No keepnets on Stonar

Until further notice, keepnets cannot be used on Stonar.

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15th July 2024 - Stour Lake Closed

Stour lake is shut until further notice.

This is due to an algal bloom on the lake. We have pumps and aeration running when required to help maintain enough oxygen for the fish. Water quality samples and Dissolved oxygen tests are being carried out daily to ensure the safety of the stock. 

 

5th July 2024 - Stonar Lake Open

The lake was reopened at 8am Friday 5th July.

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2nd July 2024 - Birch Lake Open

The lake was reopened after spawning had finished.

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7th October 2022 - Fordwich Lake Update

We have been fairly busy over the last month, just a brief update on a few of the things we have been up to:
We have de-silted and re-battered one of the stock ponds in readiness for any stock. More work is still required to be done, such as removal of encroaching trees and liming. Many thanks to Steven Heckley for operating the 360.
We have raised the river bank on low points at the rear of Stour Lake and The Trout Pool which will hopefully alleviate some flooding which has been responsible for much of the nitrates and other nasties entering the complex. Many thanks to Keith Heckley for operating the 360.
Fordwich Lake is still being constantly monitored for D02, PH, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates and hardness. The all important ecology is also being monitored by Jon Glaiser; a more suitable person you would be hard pushed to find.
Silt samples have been taken thanks to the diving skills of Stuart Fagg. These have been assessed by AJS and they have given the green light for the suitability of Siltex application.
Arrangement of Siltex (aquatic chalk) for 21st October. This is no mean task and thanks to Ashley for getting his head around the logistics and liaising with AJS. Crossed fingers all will go swimmingly, not just the delivery, but the application too which will be a huge undertaking.
We will very shortly have risk assessments for both the Siltex application and the tree work necessary on Fordwich (thanks Paul Mercer). To start with teams doing tree work will be guided and instructed by Ashley Towner and all teams will have at least one ticketed operator.
We have been in talks with fishery consultants AJS and Ken Crow, with Ken due to visit shortly and give an in-depth report.