Rossett and Gresford Flyfishers Club Newsletter Autumn 2018

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1 Chairman s Note Rossett and Gresford Flyfishers Club Newsletter Autumn 2018 Dear Members, May I introduce you to our 6th electronic newsletter. Unfortunately, it is with great sadness that I must report the sudden death of Ray Brierley, whom you will all know from his committee role of sending out the newsletter via and post. He passed away on Sunday 29 th July after a very short illness. On behalf of the Club we have sent our deepest sympathies to his widow and children. This season seems to have been one of two halves, a very wet start, followed by long, very dry and hot periods, that gave low levels in the river, down to the lowest point of 0.18 at Pont y Capel (doesn t go lower) where it stayed for some weeks. The upside was that fish were there if you knew where to look. For new members, especially those with little or no previous river fishing experience, the season has been particularly difficult, and we urge anyone new to the river to take advantage of the opportunities that the club offers to learn more about the river and fishing it. Again this year I had the pleasure of accompanying several new and not so new members on the river, as they were struggling in these difficult conditions and wished for some help. This is a free service the Club provides by several committee members. If any member would like help in the future just contact us by the Ask the Committee link or the us tab on the Club website. My best day this year was in July, when comments were suggesting that fish were uncatchable in these conditions! In 4 hours I caught and released 29 fish, no monsters but plenty of action and it was from 1pm to 5pm, the hottest part of the day. At the end of July I had my 1 st couple of fish to the dry fly (at last)! Unlike some members, I do not prospect with the dry or even a duo if I do not see fish rising, so unfortunatly most of my fishing on the Alyn is with Nymphs. Special Offer from the Club and Meadow fishery. Please see the Club discount section at the end of this letter. Membership Secretary Our Membership Secretary is Les Jervis and can be contacted at: rgfcmembership@gmail.com Telephone: Address: - 38 Village Road Heswall CH60 0DZ

2 (please note, post code must be used as there are several Village Roads on the Wirral) Club Fly Fishing Competition This year we held our 2 nd Club competition at Meadow fishery. A good day was had with everyone catching. It did rain during the day, but it did not dampen the spirits. All those who attended thought it a good event and would like it repeated in Sunday Working Party The Bank team are a very small group, who try to keep access open along and down to the river. They have been hampered this year by a restriction on cutting the path from Rossett Weir to Kingfisher Meadow inside the fenced area from the end of May. This restriction was lifted in early July. As the team is so small and the work very demanding a decision was made to employ a contractor to mow a path through as far as the Straight Cut. Unless more members help with this work this will be a financial burden that the Club will have to live with in the future. As the team is now so small we have had to cancel some Sundays due to lack of numbers (one person working is not safe on the river). No one is expected to come every Sunday, but an occasional visit is appreciated, and you may learn a bit more about the river even the secret hot spots! River and habitat management is the goal of the Club, so our fish can thrive, not just the big ones but a self-sustaining full range of wild fish that make each visit a pleasure. Most Working Party members are getting on a bit but want to see the river handed over to the next generation of fly fishers in the best possible condition, putting back some of the pleasure they have had over the years. Secretary s report There are reports that Chinese Mitten Crabs have been found on the lower Alyn. If anyone comes across one, please let me know immediately (Tel or markpierce382@btinternet.com). If you see a crab in freshwater it will be a Chinese Mitten Crab as they are the only one found in freshwater. If you want any help in identifying invasive species, please get in touch or visit the Non-Native Species Section on our website ( Please keep an eye open for mink, goosanders and cormorants and let the club know about sightings on the forum or via the us tab on the website. Getting an accurate picture of how many of these pests are fishing in the river is difficult. The more reports we have, the better. If you are fortunate you may also see otters, kingfishers, dippers etc. These are NOT pests, but we would still like to know about sightings to get a better picture of biodiversity on the river Day Tickets For many years the club has looked at the option of issuing day tickets, but it proved too difficult to manage without a local outlet. In 2015 the Wye and Usk Foundation made an offer to clubs to manage their Day Tickets. The day tickets would be booked on line and an sent to the club to let them know who and when someone would be on the club s water. We started issuing day tickets in The first year we sold 3, the second 5, last year we sold 7

3 and this last season we sold 8. The feedback from visiting anglers has generally been good and we are starting to get returning anglers. Fishing Reports The numbers of reports coming in is less each year, my reports are always posted on our website, normally within 12 hours of a visit. If we ever had a serious fish kill / pollution incident, without evidence of the health of our fish stocks the Club would not be able to claim for the numbers needed to replenish the river. Please think about this and submit at least an annual report. We do electrofishing, but this cannot give the sort of data we need to fully assess fish stocks. Catch records are recognised as being far and away the best way of doing this. Please forward any reports via the club web site or to Eddie Wilkinson at: - e.j.wilkinson@hotmail.co.uk The Club Web Site and Forum. is the url for the club s web site. is the url for the club s forum. The Web Site and Forum. Web Site - Forum - In the spring newsletter I wrote a short description of what you could find on our club web site. Now that you have had a season in which to digest it I would like to ask your opinion. How can we improve it? What should be added to make it more relevant or useful? The use of the Daily Catch Return has dropped away over the last few years. Is this a facility that is not really required? The process of registering is a bit clunky is that why few anglers make use of it? Please would you pass your views to - steve_sunley@hotmail.com Twitter Account At the last meeting of the committee it was decided that a Twitter account in the club s name might help to attract new members and Day Ticket visitors. The account has been live since July and currently has 16 followers. This is not a large number but none of the followers are current members, so they are all potential members or Day Ticket purchasers. To date the main activity has been the re tweeting of other tweets but we are now able to tweet photos of the Sunday bank working party on a regular basis plus any other interesting information such as photos of fish caught. Hopefully the number of followers will continue to rise and the account will attract new members.

4 Fly Tying Corner The flytying classes will start again in October, dates will be posted on the website. There is a maximum of 12 places available. The cost remains the same at 5 per session. Tying kits are available for those who would like to give it a go. All levels catered for. The 1 st fly to be tied this season will be the (mk29) PTN this is my go to fly for the Alyn Dressing Hook - Kamasan B175 size 14 Bead - White or brass coloured tungsten 2.4mm Tail - 3 Cock de Leon fibres or Pheasant tail fibres Rib - Fine gold wire Body Pheasant tail fibres or pale fur (mine is dog hair) Collar Micro straggle UV fritz, black or green Head hackle Spun CDC fibres, natural Thorax cover Mirage tinsel, tag left folded back

5 Rossett Club Shirts etc. Your name can be added to a wide range of items Club Logo Long Sleeved Shirt Polo Shirt If you ask, they can do hoodies, short sleeve shirts, tee-shirts, etc. Costs (approx.) Long sleeve shirt 18 + Embroidery 5 + name 3 Polo 8 + Embroidery 5 + name 3 The company is Headmasters at Market Street, New Mills. High Peaks. Derbyshire. SK22 4AE Tel You will need to give your size and requirements, quote my name (Eddie Wilkinson) and the Club. It normally takes a week to 10 days. They can be picked up or posted (at cost). Please note The Club does not make any money from this service. Club Discount Meadow Fishery at Mickle Trafford provide a discount to any member who shows their membership card (John is a member of our club and is always pleased to see fellow members).

6 Over the Closed Season the Club has arranged a number of FREE 3 hour catch and release tickets for you, just to keep your hand in. They need to be booked in advance with Meadow Fishery and you will need to show your Club membership card on the day (no card, no free fishing). Please do not expect this offer by just turning up! If you wish to extend your 3 hours or catch and keep some fish, you will need to pay the extra cost incurred. This offer is for a maximum of two visits per member. Orvis at Tarporley is now another place that members can get a discount on production of their membership card. Officers and Committee Members Howard Stevens, Eddie Wilkinson, Mark Pierce, Geoff Noakes, Steve Sunley Les Jervis, Mavis Wilkinson, Dave Meadows, Gary Shawcross, Kon Wiecko,