Fishing ban at Grafham dam continues regardless of golf equipment’ efforts to seek out answer with Anglian Water

Anglian Water’s “disproportionate” ban on fishing from the dam at Grafham Water is to proceed regardless of greatest efforts by fly fishing golf equipment and the Angling Belief to overturn the choice.

Anglian Water banned fishing from the dam late final yr following a particularly uncommon incident the place a customer was hooked by an angler’s again solid.

Following a face-to-face assembly at Grafham Water on the 2nd March and regardless of a number of letters from the Angling Belief, the Grafham Water Fly Fishing Affiliation and the Invicta Fly Fishing Membership, Anglian Water have taken the choice to proceed with the ban.

The golf equipment additionally confused their willingness to cooperate in precautions to maintain anglers and walkers a protected distance aside and, together with the Angling Belief, emphasised how essential the dam is to many anglers, significantly these with restricted mobility.

Martin Brocklebank, Membership Captain at Grafham Water Fly Fishers, who has fished at Grafham for a few years, expressed his unhappiness on the closure.

He stated: “Over three years in the past I had a spinal collapse brought on by a terminal bone most cancers known as A number of Myeloma. Because of this, I grew to become fairly motionless and needed to retire on well being grounds. I used to be devastated to say the least. I spent many months in remedy and studying to stroll and usually deal with life generally.

“Angling has at all times been a ardour and after regaining the arrogance to exit fishing I managed to seek out areas that have been appropriate for my incapacity. I’ve stability points so should be on comparatively flat floor. For ease of entry, and my very own security, I are likely to fish the dam when potential. There are only a few different locations on the banks at Grafham Water the place I really feel protected to fish as a consequence of rocks, steep banks, uneven surfaces, and areas of slippery mud that might trigger me to have a critical fall. I’d charge the dam as one of many best locations to catch trout within the UK.

“For me, with my incapacity, the dam affords me ease of entry, a superb floor to stroll on regardless of the slight incline and a spot the place you may be seen. I’m one in every of many anglers who I’d describe as having restricted mobility or disabled that usually use the dam to fish. With the ability to fish the dam has been good for my wellbeing. I handle to get out of the home, go fishing, meet different anglers and enhance my health degree by strolling. I’d typically be there two or thrice per week even when just for a couple of hours.

“I lately attended a gathering between Anglian Water and the native fishing membership. We have been hoping there could be a dialogue and a few type of compromise, however this was not the case sadly. I got here away from the assembly terribly deflated and devastated fairly actually. This resolution will definitely have fairly an impression on my total wellbeing as it would cut back the quantity of fishing I’m able to do at Grafham Water.

“I’ve for the previous few weeks grow to be fairly depressive and misplaced the passion to go fishing. I medicate at evening so getting out early within the morning could be tough for me. The brand new season has opened at Grafham Water. If there have been affordable entry to fish the dam, I’m certain I’d have already solid a line or two.

“I hope that in time Anglian Water will rethink their place and permit anglers and particularly disabled anglers extra entry to the dam.”

Each golf equipment are upset at Anglian Water’s unwillingness to finish the ban however proceed to hunt an inexpensive and proportionate answer going ahead.

Mark Brinkman, Chairman of Grafham Water Fly Fishers stated:

“The present state of affairs at Grafham dam could have a profound impression on lots of our members. Whereas Anglian Water don’t deem the dam appropriate for anglers with restricted mobility, it has in follow offered degree and protected entry and has been fished by numerous anglers with out incident. The dam gives entry to deep water, constant sport by way of the season, and the flexibility to fish with out the necessity for wading or negotiating steep and stoned banks to achieve entry to the water. For a lot of of our members it’s the solely choice for them to fish Grafham.

“The latest change in entry has been caused by one incident of contact with most people. In line with Anglian Water, that is one in every of 4 reported incidents within the final six years. In that point many tons of of hundreds of pedestrians have safely used the trail above the dam with anglers utilizing the dam with out restrictions. We consider that given the extent of danger posed, the motion taken is out of proportion and that different mitigations equivalent to proposed by GWFFA may very well be carried out to retain protected entry for all events. We now have been suggested that full entry will likely be reconsidered when the water degree drops to a degree deemed to be protected. Nevertheless, no timeline has been given on this and if ranges stay excessive then it’s unlikely that we’ll see an enchancment to the present entry.

“In conclusion, we respect that Anglian Water need to work with us to make some enhancements to different areas of the banks the place entry has been misplaced over time; nonetheless, none will exchange the dam which for a lot of of our members stays the one place that they will fish. This can be a nice disappointment as Grafham is without doubt one of the greatest trout fisheries within the UK, however now excludes by this motion a few of its most loyal and lengthy serving clients and overturns the historic entry to the dam which has lasted for over 50 years.”

Allan Sefton, Chair of Invicta Fly Fishing Membership, stated:

“Invicta Fly Fishing Membership was fashioned over 40 years in the past by fly fishing lovers who fell in love with the newly created Grafham and Rutland reservoirs and the world-class trout fishing they supply. Since then, the dam at Grafham Water has been a favorite and productive place to fish from the financial institution. For some, it’s the solely place as a result of they’re unable to wade or scramble down the near-vertical, unstable strengthened banks round the remainder of the lake.

“All Invicta members have been devastated when Anglian Water introduced a ban on fishing from the Grafham dam final November. Invicta labored tirelessly with the Angling Belief to persuade Anglian Water that fly fishing is a mild artwork, any danger is extraordinarily low, and that fly fishers and different guests have co-existed fortunately for half a century. We proposed some further precautions, however these have been rejected out of hand.

“We’re happy Anglian Water have now accepted the danger disappears when the water degree drops. Sadly, we’re nonetheless ready for them to announce this ‘protected’ degree when fishing will likely be permitted once more. General, the entire episode has left a foul style within the mouth and made loyal anglers really feel like second-class clients. We now have not given up and hope that widespread sense will prevail.”

Kris Kent, Campaigns & Advocacy Supervisor on the Angling Belief, stated:

“As increasingly more folks reap the benefits of the advantages that being out within the countryside afford, significantly from being by water, battle is more likely to come up between totally different customers. Organisations, like Anglian Water, have to work with all customers to seek out affordable and proportionate options to keep away from or minimise these conflicts and permit all customers protected entry.

“The Angling Belief will proceed to assist the angling golf equipment at Grafham Water and to induce Anglian Water to revisit their resolution to shut the dam and to work with anglers to discover a higher answer for all customers.”

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