Plough Angling Club Minutes

Meeting: 17^th February 2026

In Attendance and Apologies

Present: L Teale; J Blackwell; D Dance; T Warncken; J Rolf; N Ponting; J Pike; R Stone; C Judkins; B Sutton; V D’Souza

Apologies:

Minutes:  L Teale

Actions from Previous Meeting

• The Secretary will contact our Fisheries Technical Specialist at the Environment Agency to confirm our interest in receiving fish for Plough Pond. In addition, he will provide an update on the Fisheries Improvement project at Plough Pond.
• Members are advised to avoid fishing the Platform swims at Plough Pond in the next few months as they are slippery. This will be addressed in the spring. The mould will be removed and the platforms re-painted with non-slip paint.
• A solution to the slippery footbridge at Plough Pond has been identified by our Vice Chairman and is detailed in his report below.
• General Rule 11 (Keepnets) – AGM Proposal 9.3

The consensus from those present at the AGM was that this proposal needed further clarification and consultation before acceptance.

The wording will be:

For Match Fishing, anglers must use three keepnets. For Pleasure Fishing, keepnets are optional. However, if keepnets are used, the following rules must be adhered to for fish welfare:

Keepnet 1:    Small silver fish under 2lb,

Keepnet 2:    Large silver fish of 2lb and over,

Keepnet 3:    Small carp under 8lb. A carp-safe keepnet must be used.

• General Rule 12 (Landing Nets) – AGM Discussion 10.1

All anglers must carry an appropriate Landing Net at all times.

A Landing Net of at least 24” must be used when landing carp. Smaller Landing Nets may be used for silver fish and other small species, provided the net is large enough to land the fish safely.

Anglers must use a Landing Net suitable for the size and species of fish being caught to ensure fish welfare at all times.

Club Welfare Officer’s Report

• Our Club Welfare Officer is Richard Stone (mob. 07551 031857; rstone0311@yahoo.com.)
• The Club’s welfare policy is available on our website (www.ploughangling.org.uk/safeguarding/)
• No issues were reported this past month.

Sea Secretary’s Report

• The next sea date is 26 April 2026, sailing from Weymouth.
• Contact Chris Judkins if you would like to be involved in the Sea Fishing Group.

Match Secretary’s Report

• One match has been fished since the last meeting. Full results are published on our website.
• The Christmas Shield match was postponed again because The Thames was in flood.
• The second leg of the Nick Ponting Canal Trophy was fished on the Hungerford Canal (Church stretch) on Sunday 25^th January, with 7 Members and 1 Guest attending. The match was won by our Guest Paul Wilson with 11lb 8oz. In second place was Nick Ponting with 6lb 8oz. In third place was Jim Pike with 5lb 0oz. In total, 6 perch between 1lb 12oz and 2lb 1oz were caught, with the largest caught by Danny Dance. Paul’s winning net comprised 95% perch.
• The next match is the NPT 3 trophy on the Hungerford Canal (Lower Dunmill stretch) on Sunday 22^nd February. The draw will take place at 08:00, fish 09:00 – 14:00.
• The Ron Foster Memorial match at Newbridge on 1^st Match is doubtful, as the Thames is still in flood. This match could be switched to Plough Pond and fished sometime in April.
• Three dates have been shared with Wantage & Grove AC for the Team Match: 10^th May; 21^st June and 12^th July. It is hoped that we will be able to fish at least one Team Match this season. We are awaiting a response.
• The Match Fund currently stands at £200. The new trophy for Largest Fish caught was shown at the meeting.

Treasurer’s Report

• Refer to printed minutes.

Vice Chairman’s Report

• Plough Pond: A solution to the slippery footbridge has been identified. Non-slip strips, L1.2m x W5cm x H3mm, will be fitted to the walkway. The approximate cost is £93.00.
• Newbridge: The pedestrian gate remains locked, following sheep worrying by dogs in Field 1. Our Secretary will contact Adam to discuss car parking in preparation for the new season.

Chairman’s Report

Plough Pond Update:

• Feeding has now been suspended as the water temperature is low (currently 7^oC). The Pond opened for fishing on 2^nd February 2026. The Pond will be CLOSED at the Landowner’s request, on 26^th to 28^th February 2026, inclusive.

Predation:

• No cormorants have been seen during recent patrols. Several otter sightings have been recorded on the wildlife camera located alongside the stream. At present, there is no evidence of fish kills in or around the Pond.

Stocking:

• Priory Fisheries have been contacted to check availability for 2027 stocking at Plough Pond.

Work Parties:

• A Work Party will take place on Friday 6^th March at 09:00 to install the first batch of Coir Rolls around the island at Plough Pond. Any help would be appreciated. The Coir Rolls will be delivered on 4^th March and a small team will receive the delivery and carry out some preliminary work in preparation for the Work Pary on Friday 6^th March. The website will show Work Parties and a call for volunteers.

New Actions

• The Crayfish trapping licence expires on 31^st May 2026. The Secretary will apply for a new one.
• The inflatable dingy donated by a Club Member will be checked and moved to Plough Pond.
• An online reporting tool is available from Hydroscape Group for reporting cormorant and wildlife sightings: Hydroscape Reporting Hub

The meeting ended at 21:10pm.

The next monthly meeting (and a second chance to renew your permit in person) will take place at the RBL Sports & Social Club in Hanney at 19:30 on Tuesday 17^th March 2026. All welcome.