Some of you will be aware of rumours circulating via social media concerning problems at Steeple Langford. These may seem alarming and therefore this communication has been sent in the interest of openness and transparency as the club committee and staff tries to get to grips with the problems without being able to do much practically other than to contain the situation until the current restrictions are lifted.
About 8 weeks ago we suffered another algal bloom brought on by the unseasonal warm weather (for the second year in succession) and significant fish losses have occurred over the last 4 weeks. The club had planned to carry out extensive application of Barley Straw to help deter such an event but this has not been possible due to the severe flooding from the river Wyle in February/March and subsequently by the current movement restrictions which seem set to continue for some time yet. The fish stock remain lethargic as they start to come out of the lower activity levels throughout the winter and this has made them easier prey for the local Otter population which, due to the lack of footfall around the water, has been more active on the water.
It is not possible at present to fully define the numbers of fish lost and the rate of loss as the keepers are only able to do essential work at the lake which currently means removal of dead fish and essential maintenance. The losses have, sadly, been significant and, so far, 47 bream, 42 carp, 12 pike, 10 tench and some silver fish. Though not on the scale of Petersfinger last spring (more on the subject of Petersfinger below) the losses are obviously significant. Unfortunately, it is not possible to inform you when this might end or what the final level of losses will be but that will be the subject of a further update in the future as events unfold.
The installation of new aeration equipment to improve the water quality at Petersfinger could not be implemented in the spring due, initially, to the severe flooding and subsequently the COVID 19 restrictions that remain in place. Currently it is not possible to predict when the equipment might now be available or when we may be able to organise work parties to carry out the installation and therefore the fishery will remain closed until conditions are right.
SADAC is going through an unprecedented sequence of events that have conspired to produce major problems at the fisheries at a time when we are unable to do anything practical to resolve the problems. The committee and keepers across the entire club are devastated by the current situation and are doing as much as possible to prepare for better times that will eventually arrive. We will certainly require practical help to rapidly implement the recovery plans as soon as we can get back to the waterside.
In the meantime we would ask you to remain patient and supportive of SADAC at a time when the club is under severe pressure to deal with these issues as well as the significantly lower rate of renewals throughout the membership due to the uncertainty that surrounds the next season.
Bob Badham
Vice Chair (Coarse)
