Plough Angling Club Minutes

Meeting: 19^th May 2026

In Attendance and Apologies

Present: L Teale; J Blackwell; J Rolf; C Judkins; B Sutton; D Dance; T Warncken; A Earl; J Pike; D Whaley

Apologies:  N Ponting

Minutes:  L Teale

Actions from Previous Meeting

• The Crayfish trapping licence for Plough Pond has been renewed with the Environment Agency. The new licence is valid for 3 years from 1^st June 2026. Crayfish trapping resumed on 1^st May (7 trapped to date).
• The canal venues have been booked for 2027 matches. One of our Members has agreed to investigate the possibility of match fishing the Oxford Canal (at The Rock of Gibraltar) as an additional winter venue.
• The Work Party on 9^th May completed all actions outstanding (removed submerged barriers; coiled the cormorant tapes; mowed the grass). Thank you to all who attended.
• Members are allowed to lightly rake swims at the Pond if weed proves to be a problem for fishing. Please do not leave any weed you have removed on the cut grass as it is unsightly and makes croquet impossible.
• Please take care close to the boat shed to avoid the falling branch. This and the trees at Pegs 15 and 19 will require the services of a contractor (Toby) to remove.

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 21 June 2026, sailing from Weymouth.
• There were outings on 26 April and 17 May. Photos from both trips have been posted on the Club’s WhatsApp Group. On 17 May, numerous good size mackerel were caught off Lulworth Cove, enough for bait and taking home. Fishing whilst anchored off an inshore wreck produced large Tope and an Undulate Ray. Fishing at Kimmeridge Bay produced 100+ Bream for the 9 anglers, with Chris catching 23 of them. The boat skipper noticed seagull activity close by, so attention was switched to spinning for Bass, with each angler taking a fish home.
• The sea dates for next year are likely to be arranged for midweek, rather than weekend.
• Contact Chris Judkins if you would like to be involved in the Sea Fishing Group.

Match Secretary’s Report

• No matches have been fished since the last meeting.
• The next match is the Ron Foster Memorial. This match will be fished at Plough Pond on Sunday 24^th May. The draw will take place at 07:00, fish 08:00 – 13:00.
• A match is scheduled for 31^st May 2026 at a new venue for the Club: Priory Farm Lake, Lyneham, Chipping Norton. The draw will take place at 09:00, fish 10:00 – 15:00 (now a 5 hour match). There will be no Peg fee for this match. We are guests of Coldstone AC.
• A date for the Team Match against Wantage & Grove AC has been agreed between the Match Secretaries of both Clubs. The match could be fished on Sunday 21^st June 2026 if a venue can be mutually agreed.
• If you would like to fish any of the matches, then please book in with Danny. He will not be chasing you in future. If Pegs are limited and you haven’t booked in, then you might be disappointed.

Treasurer’s Report

• Refer to printed minutes.

Secretary’s Report

• Plough Pond Water Testing:

Water quality testing was carried out on 13^th May. Nitrite; Phosphate and Ammonia were all below detectable limits. Nitrate levels was 10 ppm at pH 8.0. Dissolved oxygen measured between 102.1 (Peg 1) and 135.9% (Peg 13). The water is clear and nutrient rich. Water temperature was between 11.1 (Peg 1) and 11.6^oC (Peg 10). The submerged pond plants are growing as last year, hopefully taking up nitrate and providing fish cover.

• Water Quality Monitoring Network (WQMN):

Water quality testing on The Thames at Newbridge was carried out on 18^th May. Phosphate was measured at 0.36 ppm, above the reportable level (0.3 ppm) and nitrate was at 2ppm. Our Fisheries Manager at the Environment Agency was emailed with these results.

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 ordered and fitted to the walkway. The approximate cost is £93.00.
• Newbridge: Nick intends to discuss parking arrangements with the landowner and chase their invoice for the upcoming season.

Chairman’s Report

• Work Parties: Thanks to all who attended the Work Party at Plough Pond on Saturday 9^th May. The final batch of pre-planted coir rolls was installed around the island and along the margins between Pegs 3 to 5. This concludes our current Fisheries Improvement Project with the Environment Agency and a final report has been submitted to Stuart Manwaring, Fisheries Technical Specialist, at the EA.
• Development Plan – Next Phase: Work will now begin on planning the next phase of the development of Plough Pond. This will include:
  • Removal of trees and unwanted vegetation from the perimeter of the Pond
  • Limiting leaf debris from entering the Pond
  • Agitation of silt deposits.
• Predation:  2 cormorants were sighted during the recent Work Party at the Pond. A single otter was seen on 28^th April by the wildlife camera. No evidence of fish kills has been found. Club Members are encouraged to carry out regular patrols of the Pond and report signs of predation.
• Catch Reports: Could members please report catches at Plough Pond to the Chairman?
• WhatsApp Group: A WhatsApp group has been created for the Club. This will enable quicker and more efficient communication regarding catches, match updates, and any other matters of interest. If you would like to join, please contact the Chairman at the number shown on your permit.

New Actions

• Send information to members about swim depths at Plough Pond.

The meeting ended at 21:05pm.

The next monthly meeting will take place at the RBL Sports & Social Club in Hanney at 19:30 on Tuesday 16^th June 2026. All welcome.