BILLERICAY & DISTRICT
ANGLING CLUB
Serving anglers in Essex for 63 years
Serving anglers in Essex for 63 years
Guest tickets are now available at Field & Swan Lakes, Shalford lakes, Hicks Farm and Thoby Wood, as well as Asheldham, Southminster and Straits Mill. Two day guest tickets (6 a.m. 1st day until 10 p..m. 2nd day) are available at Southminster and Asheldham, where night fishing is allowed. The cost is £18.
In addition to the national river close season all BDAC still waters will be closed from 1st through to 30th April inclusive
2021/22 memberships will be closing to NEW members after Friday 26th February 2021. We will accept on-line applications up to that date as long as they are covered by Internet banking payments. The Club's Committee may review the acceptance of new members later in the year, after 2020/21 members have been given the opportunity to renew their memberships, following the posting of renewal forms by the end of February.
At the end of February, 2020/21 members will receive a newsletter and renewal application form for the year commencing 1st April 2021. If any member has moved since last year, they should advise the Club as soon as possible by emailing bdacmembers@gmail.com with their new address.
The Government have now formally responded to the representations made by the Angling Trust. We have promoted the huge benefits of fishing on individual health and wellbeing and have been able to present a case to which the Government have listened. On this basis I am pleased to announce that fishing will be permitted during the third national lockdown in England.
The Head of Sports Participation at DCMS confirmed the following;
“fishing is allowed as exercise so long as participants adhere to the rules on staying local, gathering limits, social distancing and limiting the time spent outdoors”
This has also been confirmed by DEFRA;
“Cabinet Office have now officially confirmed that angling / fishing (incl. sea fishing off private boats, water sports) can be considered exercise and are hence permitted.”
We have worked extremely hard to reach this position and we as anglers have a duty to abide by the strict conditions under which fishing is once again permitted. With infection rates and death tolls rising we must stick to the Government’s rules and ensure that angling remains part of the solution and does not cause problems.
Please bear in mind these key points which will be reflected in the new Angling Trust guidelines which we will publish shortly:
- This is a strictly limited resumption of LOCAL fishing and very different to how we have been allowed to operate since May
- We are in a National Lockdown and this must be respected. The law requires a ‘reasonable excuse’ to leave your home or penalties will apply.
- The government has recognised that fishing can be seen as exercise, which is expressly permitted under the lockdown rules, although outdoor recreation is not.
- Organised sporting gatherings are prohibited so no match fishing.
- The exercise is limited to once a day so no overnight fishing whatsoever.
- To remain within the law you should follow the government’s guidance, and only fish locally within the district where you live. If you have no local fishing available then you will have to take your daily exercise in other ways.
We are once again able to enjoy the sport we love at a time when many others can not and we must ensure that every angler adheres to the rules.
I would ask all anglers who are not members to join the Angling Trust and give us your support. We have worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome and that is only possible thanks to the support of our new and existing members. I would ask all anglers who value their ability to go fishing to make the same commitment as your fellow anglers have and join the Angling Trust. We are stronger together!
Membership - Angling Trust https://anglingtrust.net/membership/
Stay safe and very best fishes
Jamie Cook
CEO – Angling Trust
I got a call Friday midday that the fish being supplied by the EA paid for from the rod licence money were on their way to Asheldham, There was around 1200 fish a mix of tench and crucians.
Shaun Mahoney
In view of the usual winter conditions, members’ cars should not enter the field for the rest of this season. The ONLY parking area for members is now the car park at the top right of the road to the industrial units. Parking in any lay-by along this road (as mentioned in the handbook) is no longer allowed, particularly the long lay-by opposite the first units, which is required for an articulated lorry several times a week, delivering to the reclamation unit.
As from 1st July 2020 "A SUITABLE UNHOOKING MAT WITH SIDES OR A CRADLE & A MINIMUM 42” LANDING NET MUST BE USED."
Good to see new members trying out the clubs river Wid stretch at Skeggs Farm Writtle. The new season began warm and bright - despite the low summer water levels fish were still caught. Chub/chublets being the main target with dace roach and the odd perch putting in an appearance. My contribution was half a dozen fish from the weir pool this chub of around 2 lbs being the best. NB- something BIG was on for a short while but my 2.5 lb hook link with size 18 double red maggot feeder fished rig proved no match in stopping its lunge for the far banks willow roots. Next time I will try beefing up the end rig as this pool is 8’ + deep, who knows what lies beneath? Large carp and a golden orfe have been rumoured! I will also take a hat as it proved a real suntrap.
Date for diary - I have provisionally booked the next work party for Sunday 1st November 2020 - by which time Covid 19 may not be such an issue. Please forward your details, via text & nearer the time, should you be able to join me.
Many thanks in advance & to bailiff Barry - who managed a few good dace to worm from the downstream swims.
Regards Peter Yates – Fishery Officer
Night tickets for Barleylands and Laundry Lake have now sold out. 19 March 2021.
Here's some photo's of the netting of Falklands lake yesterday 1,000+ roach and skimmer have gone into Asheldham and 1.000+ into Thoby Wood .
As of 1st November members with night permits for Barleylands and/or Laundry Lake may fish with 3 rods at these fisheries until 31st March 2020 providing they are in possesion of an Environment Agency 3 rod licence.
BDAC members can now park in the car park / industrial units at Skeggs farm (NOT the farm yard) this gated site is open weekdays between 6.00am and 10.30pm and at weekends can be accessed via a release button.
BDAC has joined the consortium of clubs that can fish this venue and requires a member to sit on the consorium committee to represent the club. Anyone interested should email the Club Secretary ( secretary@bdac.co.uk)
The club has managed to secure the fishing on on the River Chelmer and Maldon Canal along with Maldon, Chelmsford and Colchester fishing club maps will be posted after the next committee meeting. BDAC rules apply plus the rules for the fishery listed below:
1. Close season applies 15th March to 15th June inclusive.
2. Anglers must not dig swims into bank.
3. No fish to be kept in captivity for longer than 6 hours and any fish showing signs of distress should be returned immediately.
4. Where a match is advertised, the stretch of water will be closed for fishing from both banks for 2 hours before and 1 hour after the match.
5. The use of live fish baits is not permitted.
6. Anglers fishing for carp and pike must use an unhooking mat.
7. Carp sacks are not to be used and carp over 5lbs will not be retained by any method, except during officially booked matches.
8. No fishing within 30 metres of any lock, nor within 15 metres of any bridge, weir, wharf, landing stage, permanent mooring or other navigational structure.
9. No fishing on that part of the waterway just above Daisy Meadow Car Park and Heybridge basin.
10. No fishing between Paper Mill road bridge and the upstream end of the towpath moorings at Paper Mill.
11. No fishing on that part of the waterway adjacent to Treasure Island at Little Baddow.
12. No fishing on that part of the waterway adjacent to the South Bank between Hall Bridge Heybridge and Heybridge basin.
13. No angler is to be inconsiderate or abusive towards other users of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation.
Please use the official BDAC car park and lock the gate after use.
Following some issues with dogs causing problems on the fishery, in future "DOGS MUST BE KEPT ON A LEAD AT ALL TIMES"
NO VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED ON THE FIELD AT HICKS FARM, ALL VEHICLES MUST BE PARKED IN THE CAR PARKS PROVIDED. ANY MEMBER WHO IGNORES THIS VENUE RULE WILL BE SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
We are looking for Fishery officers to look after our Field and Swan lakes also our Old Island and Long Lakes. Please do not ring the number in the handbook or website as Colin Bell is no longer the fishery officer.
Anyone interested or requires more information please ring 07522 096393
THROUGH MISUSE, WHEN NIGHT FISHING A MAXIMUM SESSION OF 72 HOURS (or less) AND NO RETURN TO THE FISHERY FOR 48 HOURS.
We have received a complaint from the Willowmere and Chasewater Angling Club, who have a lake in the Writtle area, not too far from our water, Willow Mere. Members of BDAC are not following the directions in our handbook, but have googled Willow Mere and found the lake of Willowmere and Chasewater A.C. They have accordingly been ejected by the farmer. Please check the directions in the club handbook.
Numbers were a bit down this year possibly due to the weather. We were met with cold winds and heavy rain at the start but this didn't put the fish off as Jay had a jack first cast. The rain soon cleared to leave bright calm conditions. Not ideal but the pike were on the munch with more fish caught than last year. Everyone had a fish or two albeit mostly jacks and it looked like David Wilson would be taking the trophy thanks to the biggest fish of the session at 8lb 14oz. However last years winner Dave Twitchett managed a late fish of 8lb 8oz to add to his tally and retain his title! Herring mackerel smelt and roach all worked plus one on a lure. Once again a very enjoyable friendly match with a few quid raised for charity. Ken Brown.
The car park gate is to be kept locked at all times particularly at weekends. Please lock the car park gate when you enter and leave the fishery, to ensure only club members have access. Please read the venue rules.
Members are reminded of Byelaw 11 "Except where indicated in the Club handbook, all cars must be parked in the official car park where one is provided and all gates to fisheries to be locked after entry and exit. Under no circumstances may cars be parked on roads adjacent to fisheries."
In order to comply with the recently introduced General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679 which is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union, BDAC has published its Privacy Policy (see below).
Under the terms of GDPR, the club has been required to choose a lawful basis for holding personal data. In our case, we have chosen the basis of legitimate interests. This has a minimal privacy impact, such as contacting a member about their annual renewal.
The non fishery managers at Lee Valley Regional Park have decided to introduce car parking charges at a number of sites across the park in order to generate additional revenue. This is partly due to local authority councillors sitting on the management board deciding to reduce the amount their authorities have to payto run the park. under the act of parliament that set up the park in the 1960s.
Charges will be made using an ANPR camera installation in the two authority car parks (Fishers Green and Hooks Marsh) but not the anglers car parks behind the anglers padlocked gate at Stubbins Hall Lane.
Fishers Green
Hooks Marsh
With the exception of official BDAC matches (see handbook) keepnets are banned on all fisheries until further notice, due to a KHV outbreak in Essex. Please ensure landing nets, stink bags, carp mats, weigh slings etc are dried in sunlight before bringing them to club waters.
Leaving gates open WILL lose Club waters, and anyone found leaving or entering fisheries without locking our gates WILL face serious disciplinary action from the Committee.
With 9 matches in the season, these matches are held at good venues and are very enjoyable, details of which will be shown on the fixture list in your 2019/20 handbook. Sadly in recent times the number of members attending these matches has dwindled and the Committee would like to advertise these events to all Female members to attend either at the Ladies Matches or with your Partner at the Mixed Pairs Matches.
To book a place at these Matches, details of which are all shown on the 2019/20 fixture list in your handbook, or for any queries please call Nick Mitchell on 07970 606558
Attendance to these matches would be greatly appreciated and would help save the events from cancellation
Saturday 15 May 2021 at Hicks farm
Wednesday 23 June 2021 at Thoby Wood
Saturday 15 May 2021 at Hicks Farm
Saturday 5 June 2021 at Parsonage Farm
Saturday 5 June 2021 at Parsonage Farm
BDAC Privacy Policy