Majors Lakes NewsLetterQuarter One 2013 (In conjunction with Country Sports)

WELCOME BACKBy the time you receive this edition of our newsletter Spring will almost be upon us and most of you will have been visiting the lake on a regular basis. None the less Country Sports, our bailiffs and I would like to wish you all, although belated, a Very Happy New Year and tight lines for the remainder of 2013.I am sure we are all hoping that 2013 will be a little dryer than last year. I think the excessive rains; the worst known in England for more than 100 years and for around 6o years in Kent, did very little to encourage any of us to the bank at times. For those that may have forgotten just what it was like, I have added a couple of photo’s to remind you.

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^Above is the overflow working

to its fullest and to the right, the

road between the main Large >Lake and the Fly Lake

Despite the poor weather there were lots of fish caught in 2012, happily resulting in three new lake records, with the anglers happily reporting and verifying their catches by sending photographs. There was a big Common coming in at 23 lb 8 oz caught by Jeremy Thorpe and a Crucian weighing in at 2 lb 8 oz caught by Mark Whyatt both followed by a 6lb 3oz Chub and a 7lb 1oz Bream caught by Lyndon Vinten (see Country Sports web site for a photo of Lyndon’s Chub).I am sure we were all hoping that 2013 is going to turn out to be a much drier year with regards to the weather, but with the snow and rain we have already experienced in January and February one can only live in hope.But in saying that, I am sure we will all be at the lake whenever the weather permits, trying to break the records set last year, and if we are not trying to break any records, “let’s just visit the lake and have a great days fishing”.

We would like to reiterate the request that you ensure your nets have been completely dried after visiting other fisheries and before commencing fishing at Majors Lakes and Wallend Fisheries to ensure that any possibility of virus contamination cannot and will not happen.We would also ask that all members read and adhere to the club rules, a copy of which is supplied with your membership card when it is returned to you on renewal. By doing this and by ensuring that you are fishing within the rules, we will prevent any embarrassing situations arriving between a member and our club bailiffs. The content of our newsletter is compiled by myself, along with the help of a few members that make regular contributions throughout the year, but I am sure that there are things that you as a member may like to see happen, or not happen as the case may be, or you may be harbouring some discontentment, possibly just something that you may wish to make known. Whatever it is, neither the club nor Country Sports will be made aware of what it is unless you email me or call/email Keely at the office or inform one of our bailiffs. The contact emails are majorslakes@hotmail.co.uk or keely@swattwood.com . The old hotmail account will no longer be running.

TROUT FROM THE FLY LAKEWe are all aware that when the rains are heavy as they were in 2012 the Fly

lake has a tendency to overflow in to the main lake, taking a lot of the trout from the Fly Lake with the overflow and depositing them in to the main lake.We would therefore ask that any angler catching any trout in the main lake that they do not put them to the main lake but return them to the Fly Lake immediately. Your assistance in doing this is greatly appreciated.

EA LICENCESMembers should be aware that Mark, Steven and Colin our club bailiffs will be

making concerted efforts throughout the forthcoming year to check that not only all members are carrying their membership cards, but they are also in possession of a full and current EA licence. If you do not have or cannot produce your EA licence when asked, you may be required to stop fishing immediately and leave the lake, and will be required to prove that you have a full licence before fishing Majors Lakes again.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL MEMBERSYou will see on occasions some members using keep nets outside of

the designated fishing matches. This is something that we are doing in association with The Environment Agency.

The members that will be using their nets have been specifically chosen and have been asked to do so by our club management.

Those selected members will then be reporting their catches back to me, our bailiffs and Country Sports giving as much detailed information as possible regarding those netted catches. The information gathered will then be collated and used at meetings between The Environment Agency, Country Sports and myself.

This collated information will be further used by The Environment Agency to ensure that we are taking all necessary steps to maintain our stocks to the highest level, and to ensure that we have all the necessary fish welfare requirements in place.

It will also tell us if we have the correct stocks of specific species, offering a fair balance, and if we have the correct amounts of fish.

We should then be able to further gather an overall picture of whether or not more fish stock needs to be added and will assist in assessing what other courses of action The Environment Agency consider may possibly need to be taken.

The Environment Agency will also assist in ascertaining whether we have in place all that is needed to protect our stocks against predators such as Cormorants etc.

There is a strong possibility that we may have the lake netted by The Environment Agency and the information gathering mentioned above, is all part and parcel of what they need to make an informed decision.

One of the questions, amongst many that is often asked is, “why does the fishing at Majors turn on and off so easily throughout the winter months”

Well we are hoping that by taking the steps outlined we are securing the longevity of Majors Lakes and by working with The Environment Agency we will find some of the answers to some of those questions.

We would ask that you please be patient and bear with us as this is all to the benefit of the club and its members and its fish stocks.

Should there be any questions you may have relating to this matter, may I ask that you please contact me at majorslakes@hotmail.co.uk or call me on 07824 380274. Or call or speak to one of our bailiffs.

We cannot stress enough, that this is NOT a change in the club rules. The use of nets is a temporary arrangement only, it is only in

place to gather information for The Environment Agency and Country Sports.

NOT A BAD START TO 2013

Member Micky Pettengell found it very worthwhile venturing out to the lake on New Year’s Day, and I must

say I have to agree when you consider all three fish pictured below were caught in a very short space of time fishing from Peg 7 using a method feeder and corn on a hair rig, casting to the middle of the lake. Maybe this is

a good sign for the year ahead

The pair of Chub pictured right were caught by one of our bailiffs Colin Chapman, who managed to land both fish within minutes of one another.Both fish were caught from Peg No8 on 4th of January; the larger of the two (4lb 4oz) was caught on maggot whilst fishing the pole, whilst the second and smaller (3lb 7 oz) of the two fell to a pellet on the feeder

Both of the Roach pictured right, were only two of the 116 roach caught in total by member Peter Curd, during two visits to Majors lakes in January. Peter visited the lake twice in one week, once on a Thursday and then the following Sunday. All fish fell to casters on the pole.

Pictured left is the carp Anthony Ford took on Sunday 9th February whilst fishing a waggler from Peg No 21 using a single red maggot? Tony fished around 4 feet away from the bank towards the drain*If you have photos of your recent catches, simply email them to me along with as much information as possible to majorslakes@hotmail.co.uk and I will do my best to include them in one of our newsletters.

CHARITY FISHING EVENT I am sure we all know of somebody, be it a friend or family member

that has been tragically taken from us by cancer. We as a club tragically lost two of our club members to this illness in 2012.

So we are contemplating holding an evening fishing match in aid of one of the Cancer charities, the first charity event we have held, the first of what we hope will become be a regular event in our club calendar.

The match will take place in the evening of Sunday 23rd June, directly after the June Work Party.

Pegs will be picked at 3pm with the match being fished between 4pm and 9pm.

We are hoping this match will be supported by our members including some that do not attend our regular monthly matches, remembering that the more members who fish the match, the more money our chosen Cancer charity will receive.

Entry will be £10.00 per angler, with all proceeds going to the chosen charity. The winner of the match will receive a special winners’ cup as a memento of the event.

We are opening this match to members and non members alike, so if you have a friend that you think would like to participate, please bring them along. But remember we only have a total of 24 pegs

Due to the limited amount of pegs available, we are asking that interested anglers contact our match organiser Steven Redding on 07966 291779 to book their place. This way Steven can monitor those available pegs.

We hope you will agree is a very worthy cause, so please come along and give it your support.

Should you not wish to, or not be able to fish this very special match, but feel that you would still very much like to make a donation, you can do so by contacting Steven Redding who will arrange to collect your donation from you.

As I have previously mentioned it is our aim to support a different charity each year, so if you have a particular charity in mind that you consider worthy of our support, please offer your suggestions to Steven.

CHARITY EVENT UPDATEPlace bookings are already coming in and as it stands at the time of this newsletter going out, there are now only 13 pegs remaining. Our bailiffs are not taking up their places at this time and will only do so if places are available after all requests to fish the match are in from members.

2013 QUARTER ONE MATCH RESULTS

MATCH WINNER FOR JANUARY 2013MATCH CANCELLED

DUE TO BAD WEATHER

MATCH WINNER FOR FEBRUARY 2013 1st PLACE. Peter Curd WEIGHT. 12lb 3oz

2nd PLACE. Steven Redding WEIGHT. 3lb 14 oz

MATCH WINNER FOR MARCH 2013 1st PLACE. Colin Chapman WEIGHT. 4lb 50z

2nd PLACE. Peter Curd WEIGHT. 2lb 8oz

2nd PLACE. Richard Jones WEIGHT. 2lb 8oz

2013 MATCH RESULTS

ANGLERS POINTS POINTS POINTS POINTS POINTS POINTS TOTAL ADJUSTED

NAME,DATE AND MATCH 1MATCH

2MATCH

3MATC

H 4MATC

H 5MATC

H 6POINT

SPOSITIONS

MATCH POINTS 20.01.1317.02.1

317.03.1

3 2013

1 PETER CURDCANCELLE

D 20 18 38 1

2 COLIN CHAPMANCANCELLE

D 17 20 37 2

3 RICHARD JONESCANCELLE

D 16 18 34 3

4 ALLAN WITHERSCANCELLE

D 16 16 32 4

5 MARK WHYATTCANCELLE

D 16 14 30 5

6 STEVEN REDDINGCANCELLE

D 18 10 28 6

7 MIKE ANDREWS SNRCANCELLE

D 16 12 28 6

8 MIKE ANDREWS JNRCANCELLE

D 16 11 27 7

9 IAN BEDFORDCANCELLE

D 16 10 26 810 MICKY PETTENGEL CANCELLE 16 10 26 8

D

11 IVAN NOAKESCANCELLE

D 16 10 26 8

12 ANTONY FORDCANCELLE

D 16 0 16 9

13 DEREK SHIELDSCANCELLE

D 16 0 16 9

14 MARK SMITHCANCELLE

D 0 15 15 10

15 JOHN OSMERCANCELLE

D 0 14 14 11

16 STEVE TAYLORCANCELLE

D 0 10 10 1217 0 18 0 19 0 20 0 21 0 22 0 23 0 24 0

MATCH DATES FOR 2013

January 20th Match at Majors July 14th

Family Fun Day

February 17th Match at Majors July 21st Match at Majors

March 3rd Work Party August 18 th Match at Wallend

March 17th Match at Majors September 15th Match at Majors

April 14th Match at Majors (Silverfish Only) September 29th Work Party

May 12th Match at Majors (Float Rod Only) October 13th Match at Majors

June 9th Match at Majors November 10th Match at Majors

June 23 rd Work Party (Plus charity match) December 1 st Work Party

December 8th Match at Majors (Secret Santa Match) Charity Event- Sunday 23rd June pegs at 3pm, match 4pm till 9pm -Entry to be booked @ £10.00 per angler

SOME MORE, HOPEFULLY USEFULL KNOTS

PALOMAR KNOTThis knot is easy to tie, exceptionally strong, and very popular with bass fishing pros for tying on jigs and worm hooks. It's somewhat awkward to tie when using lures with treble hooks, but it is the recommended knot for braided lines.1- Double about four inches of line and pass the loop through the eye. 2- Let the lure or hook hang loose and tie and overhand knot in the doubled line. Avoid twisting the line and don't over tighten. 3- Pull the loop of line far enough to pass it over the lure or hook. Make sure the loop passes completely over this attachment. 4- To tighten, pull the tag end while holding the standing line. Clip the tag end.

Step 1 Step 2

Step 3 Step 4

IMPROVED CLINCHThis knot is very easy to tie, which is the main reason it's so popular for connecting monofilament to terminal tackle. It's most effective on lines under 20-pound test.1- Pass the line through the eye of the hook, swivel, or lure. Double back and make five turns around the standing line.2- Holding the coils in place, thread the tag end of the first loop above the eye, then through the big loop.3- Hold the tag end and standing line while pulling up the coils. Make sure the coils are in a spiral, not overlapping each other. Slide against the eye.4- Clip the tag end.

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

TWO-TURN CLINCHThis knot has been around since the turn of the century. It's stronger than the Improved Clinch and almost as easy to tie.1- Pass the line through the eye of the hook, swivel, or lure two times to form a small double loop. 2- Finish the loop between your thumb and forefinger, and make five turns around the standing line. Insert the tag end through the double loop. 3- Hold the tag end and standing line while pulling up the coils. Make sure the coils are in a spiral, not overlapping each other. Slide against the eye.4- Clip the tag end.

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

NON-SLIP MONO-LOOPThis knot is an exceptionally strong loop when tied correctly. But be sure to use the right number of turns (as determined by the line's strength rating--see Step 2), and tighten your knot very carefully.1- This is one of the few knots where you begin the knot before you insert the line in the hook's eye. Make a simple overhand knot. Bring the tag end through the eye and back through the overhand knot. You must return the tag end through the overhand knot the same way you entered it (see illustration).2- Make the recommended number of turns with the tag end around the standing line.

Pound Test Turns6 to 8lb. 78 to 12lb. 515 to 40lb. 450 to 60lb. 360+lb. 2

3- Return the tag end through the overhand knot the same way you exited the knot (see illustration).4- Draw on the tag end until the knot forms together. Then pull on the standing line to close the knot well. Finally, pull on both the tag end and standing line to assure the connection is as tight aspossible.Sizing the Loop The size of the loop is determined by three factors:A- The smaller the overhand knot, the smaller the loop. For small loops, try to make the overhand knot no more than 3/16 inch in diameter (about the size of a large split shot.B- Once the tag end has been inserted through the hook eye and back through the overhand knot, hold the overhand knot lightly, and pull on the tag end. This will carry the overhand knot down near the hook eye.C- When finally closing the knot, pull out as much slack as possible between the tag end and standing line.

Step 1 Step 2

Step 3 Step 4

UNI-KNOTThis knot is strong, reliable, and easy to tie, the Uni-Knot is an excellent knot for securing line to terminal tackle. It's also the foundation of the entire Uni-Knot system. Note that the Uni-Knot can be left as a loop or tightened down so it's snug to the hook eye(see Steps 4 and 5).1- Run at least six inches of line through the eye of the hook, swivel, or lure, and fold to make two parallel lines. Bring the tag end of the line back in a circle toward the hook or lure.2- Make six turns with the tag end around the double line and through the circle.3- Hold the double line at the point where it passes through the eye, and pull the tag end to snug up the turns.4- To create a loop connection: Adjust the loop size by sliding the knot up or down the standing line. Then pull the tag end with pliers to maximize tightness.5- To create a snug knot: Pull the standing line to slide the knot up against the eye. Then continue pulling until the knot is tight.6- Trim the tag end flush with the closest coil on the knot.

Step 1 Step 2

Step 3 Step 4

UNI-KNOT to Join Two Lines1- Overlap about 12 inches of the ends of two lines. Form a Uni-Knot circle with the tag end of line "A."2- Wrap line "A" five times to form a Uni-Knot around line "B." Snug the knot by gently pulling on both ends of line "A" with enough tension to close the wraps, but not so tight that it actually grips line "B."3- Form a new Uni-Knot circle with the tag end of line "B" and wrap line "B" five times to form a Uni-Knot around line "A." (Use only four turns for 60-, 80-, or 100-pound-test monofilament.)4- Gently pull line "B" with one hand and line "A" with the other to slide the two Uni-Knots together until they jam--then pull tight. Then tighten the wraps around the standing lines by firmly pulling the tag ends of each Uni-Knot.5- Snip the tag ends.

Step 1 Step 2

Step 3 Step 4

UNI-KNOT to Snell a Hook1- Thread six inches of line through the eye of the hook.2- Hold the line against the hook's shank, and form a Uni-Knot circle.3- Make five to seven turns through the loop and around the standing line and hook's shank.4- Tighten by pulling the standing line in one direction and the tag end in the other.

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

Float StopThe float fisherman uses a running float for casting and general handiness, and stops the float from running up the line by using the Float Stop. It has the advantage that the stops moves readily over the rod guides, but grips the monofilament line so tightly that it will not slide over the line.

1- It should be made with about 6 inches of line, usually the same diameter as the line itself.2- Take 2 turns (3 if necessary) around the main line at the chosen point.3- Bring both ends around to form a Surgeon's Knot (see above).4- Tighten into shape bringing the coils close together.

Hangman Knot1- Pass a 6 inch loop of line through the eye.2- Bring the end back on itself, passing it under the doubled part.3- Make five loops over the doubled part.4- The formed knot is worked into shape.5- The knot is sent down the line, against the eye of the hook or swivel.

CLUB EMAIL ADDRESS AND MY BLUNDERJust to reiterate and correct the information I had sent to you all by email in January. The

correct email for the newsletter is still majorslakes@hotmail.co.uk

May we please ask again, that any member that has an email address, they let Keely at Country Sports know?It is a far simpler and faster way of keeping in touch with our members than by mail. It also allows us to keep our costs down.If you have a friend that can host emails for you, let me have their address. If you, for personal reasons do not wish us to have your private email address, then why not open a hotmail account purely to accept emails from our club, they are free and simple to set up.We also have a few email addresses that are being rejected...If you have supplied us with your address...Do we have the current address or is it your OLD address.

Membership Fees 1st May 2013 until 30th April 2014 (per season or part remaining)

MAJOR’S LAKES MEMBERSHIP WALLEND CARP FISHERY

Adult Coarse Fishing -£85.00 Adult Dry Fly-Fishing -£85.00 Day Dry Fly -Fishing & Coarse Fishing Catch and release only) -£130.00 Junior (under 16) -£40.00 Day Joint (2 adults same address) -£150.00 24 Hour Night Fishing Joint -£210.00 24 Hour Night Fishing -£130.00 Full Entitlement -£150.00 OAP Membership (over 65’s) - discount of £20 off any membership

Please note that membership starts on the 1st May so if you join after this date prices will be on a pro-rata basis.

ONE OFF JOINING FEE £10.00 PER PERSON

PLEASE MAKE CHEQUES PAYABLE TO: S W ATTWOOD FIELDSPORTS

PLEASE CALL 01795 880349 TO MAKE A CREDIT CARD PAYMENT

If you are a member of Majors Lakes and you wish to bring a guest to fish, please complete a guest day ticket that is available to download on the applications page. Please take your day ticket with you when you visit Majors Lakes and one of the bailiffs will validate your ticket and collect your fee for the day.

Day trial ticket fees are:- Adults £10.00 per day Adult and £5.00 per day Juniors.

IMPORTANT- FOR ALL MEMBERS OVER 65 YEARS OF AGE

AS YOU WILL SEE ON THE NEW PRICE LIST, COUNTRY SPORTS HAVE NOW AGREED A VERY GENEROUS DISCOUNT OF £20.00 PER YEAR TO ALL ANGLERS OVER THE AGE OF 65 ON RENEWAL OF THEIR MEMBERSHIP. FOR EXAMPLE THIS NOW MAKES YOUR RENEWAL JUST £65.00 FOR A DAY MEMBERSHIP

Adult Free Membership when you join Majors Lakes

Specimen Lake & Dykes please add £20.00 to your membership.

(PLUS £10.00 JOINING FEE FOR NEW MEMBERS). I HOPE YOU WILL AGREE WITH ME THAT THIS MAKES MAJORS LAKES EXCEPTIONAL VALUE.

WALLEND FISHERY- IN SHEERNESS

DAY MEMBERSHIPS (Dawn - Dusk) 24HR MEMBERSHIPS

Main Lake - £80

Main, Specimen & Dykes - £100

Child (up to 16 years old)

CHILDREN ARE PRICED AT HALF THE ADULT RATE AND MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT

ONE OFF JOINING FEE £10.00 PER PERSON TOTAL: £………………………………

PLEASE MAKE CHEQUES PAYABLE TO: S W ATTWOOD FIELDSPORTS

PLEASE CALL 01795 880349 TO MAKE A CREDIT/DEBIT CARD PAYMENT

Remember that as a Major’s Lake member you are entitled to fish the main lake at Wallend (Not the specimen lake). The cost of this is included in your Major’s Lake membership. This lake does have a very good head of Roach and Rudd, along with Carp and Tench. When we hold our summer match here, we are always surprised by

Main Lake - £120

Main, Specimen & Dykes - £150

Child (up to 16 years old)

the weights some anglers manage. Give it a go; you may be pleasantly surprised by the days catch.

Majors Lake’s members may fish the Specimen Lake and Dykes at Wallend for an additional £20.00 per year. The same membership rules apply to both lakes. If you have a day only membership at Major’s Lakes then you only have day membership at Wallend. If you would like to night fish at Wallend, then you must have night fishing entitlement at Major’s Lakes too.

Majors Lakes coarse fish – an occasional series featuring the species found in the lake. (Written by John Osmer)

BARBEL (Barbus Barbus).

British record: 21 lb 1 oz

Largest Majors specimen caught to date: 3lb 8oz

Its latin name derives from the word barba meaning beard. This is a reference to the two pairs of barbules either side of its mouth. (You can tell a small barbel from a large gudgeon by counting the barbules).

We normally think of the barbel as being a river fish; think Wye and Trent etc. They are increasingly being introduced to still and slow flowing waters such as Majors Lakes where they thrive. It is a shoaling bottom feeder. Ledgering is the obvious method to use when targetting the barbel. It is most frequently caught in the summer and early autumn when night fishing can be most productive. Maggots, worm and luncheon meat are all baits worth a try. The classic method is to fish cubes of luncheon meat ledgered on a hair rig.

The barbel is a powerful fighting fish and as such is often exhausted by the time it is beaten. Rather like the trout it is important to return it to the water as quickly as possible and release it after a period of recovery.

CORMORANTS

We have had lots of sightings in 2012 of Cormorants visiting Majors Lakes. This can be devastating to our fish stocks.

We would ask that all members be vigilant and any sightings of cormorants be immediately reported to one of the bailiffs listed below.

Steven Redding :- 07966 291770 or Mark Whyatt :- 07939 57332

FACEBOOK Please don’t forget to visit our Facebook page at Majors Lakes Angling Syndicate. We would really like our members to add their photos to our page. Any problems in doing so please contact Keely at the Country Sports office by either emailing her at keely@swattwood.com or by telephoning Keely on 01795 880349

MAJORS LAKES CLOTHING

Sizes available are as follows in our green club colours.

XS=36” S=38” M=40” L=42-44” XL=46” 2XL=48” 3XL=50-52” 4XL=54”.

Heavy Duty Polo Shirts    £12.60 + vat Classic Zip Micro Fleece  £20.00 + vat Zipped Hoody  (Olive)  £25.00 + vat Please note the postage is extra and will vary due to order size.There is no minimum order but the smaller the order the more postage

and packaging will be.If you would like to order any of the item

Please contact Mark Whyatt (Bailiff) on 07939 573323Or Holly Whyatt on 07415 890887

SUPPORT OUR MEMBERS

Member Holly Whyatt has now taken some very large steps, in that she has now left the comfort of a salon and embarked on a solo career as a mobile hairdresser.

Any member wishing to avail themselves of Holly’s hairdressing services are invited to contact her on 07415 – 890887.She looks forward to receiving your calls. Members and non members are welcome.

IN MEMORIUM-RICHARD HAYWOODIt is with deep regret that I have to end our first newsletter of 2013 by notifying members of the sad passing of member Richard Haywood, who passed away at the end of 2012. The following tribute are the words of Richards partner Jackie.

In Loving Memory of Richard Haywood...

(Dick to those who knew him well.)

Dick was so thankful that he became a member of Country Sports. He was thrilled when he met up with an old friend, Clive, who works on New Hook Farm. He loved to visit the office and chat with Keely and Jess and always left feeling in "higher spirits"..............

Dick and his long term partner, Jackie joined Country Sports nearly three years ago, so that they could indulge their pastime of shooting and fishing. Dick felt that this was his quality time with Jackie and it helped him with his fight against Cancer.

Dick also loved it when stepson Trevor used to fish alongside him. He found comfort in having his family members around him enjoying the sports, as he did.

When Dick's health and mobility became problematic, he insisted that he and Jackie still go out as many times as they could each week. If he did not have the strength to shoot, he would watch Jackie who would always be nearby listening to his instructions; or they would go fishing and he always insisted Jackie sat either with him, or at the next peg. Needless to say Jackie got very little fishing done herself.

Most of you who fished Majors Lake, will remember Dick for sitting at peg no. 2, and having Jackie cook a healthy snack, like bacon or sausages and the smell wafting across the pond.

As time went by, Dick had difficulty in steadying himself on the bank side, which resulted in him having to fish from the disabled peg....... And did he grumble....... All because he wanted to feel, well enough to be able to fish from all of the other pegs.

Despite his moans and groans Dick was always grateful and looked forward to chatting with everyone especially all the Bailiffs, Steve in particular. They all had many tales to tells, "Especially the one that got away".

Thank you to everyone for making the last few years more bearable for Dick.