Latest News Updates
Current 2018/19 Permits expire on March 31st and are no longer available to purchase.
New Full Season Memberships and Renewals for 2019/20 are available here NOW.
For those few who still wish to buy memberships in person or in cash, the
office will be open on Friday 22nd and Friday 29th March 2019 only, from 6-7pm
NAA NEWSLETTER 2019
Letter from our Secretary:
Firstly, I would like to thank the whole Management Committee for their hard work and dedication over the past year. Committee work can sometimes be onerous and time consuming, so we need to recognise that the contributions made by the Management Committee and also all those other volunteers who attend working parties and the like, sustain the fabric of the Association and without them we would soon have nothing. As ever the case | extend an invitation to any of you who wish to be part of building the Association’s future to step forward and help whenever you can.
Generally speaking we have met the challenges presented in 2018 and continued to make progress. | admit we don’t always “get it right” as some of the discussions on the members Facebook page have shown (for example regarding communications and Petty Pool), but we do try to be the best that we can be.
After seemingly years of fighting floods and poor weather, last summer turned out to be one of those glorious times that seem to happen too infrequently. The fishing responded accordingly. Taking one example, namely the River Weaver, never in recent memory has the River performed so well. Fish stocks are amazing despite the cormorants, and all bodes well for the future. The pike anglers amongst us are having a fine time as the River also continues to provide an increasing specimen population. We have however recognised that some waters do need a helping hand with regard to fish stocks and we have again stocked Petty Pool and also Vale Royal Pool. We will continue to look at fish stocks and add where we can in the coming year.
One of the big talking points of 2018 has again been the re-emergence of otters across the county and the drive to protect waters with Otter fencing. The costs relating to these specialised fences are significant as they have a particular design and need to be installed in an exact manner in order to be effective. The Management Committee approved funding to build an otter fence at Billinge Green and it was hoped to commence this build in late summer. However, we applied for a grant from the Angling Trust and one of the conditions of the application was that no work could start until the grant was approved. This effectively delayed the start of the project and, as it turns out, we also didn’t get the grant!! Anyway, we are now free to press ahead with this work and a meeting was held with contractors just before Xmas to confirm costs and timescales. Unfortunately though, the contractors then declined to take up the work and we are currently in the process of re-tendering the building of the tence...
We are continuing to work with Warrington Anglers and Budworth Sailing Club to develop a management strategy for the mere that benefits all parties and includes sharing the angling available from the sailing jetties. | had hoped this work would have reached a conclusion last summer, but the issue is now with the Sailing Club and agreeing a date for a meeting.
On the positive side we have now agreed the take up of all waters from Davenham AC and all of these waters are now open to Association members. We also managed to complete a schedule of maintenance and improve the path on the Dredger bank of the River Weaver.
There is always more to do and no doubt the lessons learned from building the otter fence on Billinge will be put to good use on other waters too, with perhaps Eyre’s pit the next in line. It is our intention to use all the additional resources we have requested over the past couple of years to protect and improve our fisheries and hopefully you will see the benefits of this on the bank. We are also moving away from key-operated locks on gates to combination locks.
Finally, best wishes to everyone for 2019 and let's hope it’s as successful as 2018!
Firstly, I would like to thank the whole Management Committee for their hard work and dedication over the past year. Committee work can sometimes be onerous and time consuming, so we need to recognise that the contributions made by the Management Committee and also all those other volunteers who attend working parties and the like, sustain the fabric of the Association and without them we would soon have nothing. As ever the case | extend an invitation to any of you who wish to be part of building the Association’s future to step forward and help whenever you can.
Generally speaking we have met the challenges presented in 2018 and continued to make progress. | admit we don’t always “get it right” as some of the discussions on the members Facebook page have shown (for example regarding communications and Petty Pool), but we do try to be the best that we can be.
After seemingly years of fighting floods and poor weather, last summer turned out to be one of those glorious times that seem to happen too infrequently. The fishing responded accordingly. Taking one example, namely the River Weaver, never in recent memory has the River performed so well. Fish stocks are amazing despite the cormorants, and all bodes well for the future. The pike anglers amongst us are having a fine time as the River also continues to provide an increasing specimen population. We have however recognised that some waters do need a helping hand with regard to fish stocks and we have again stocked Petty Pool and also Vale Royal Pool. We will continue to look at fish stocks and add where we can in the coming year.
One of the big talking points of 2018 has again been the re-emergence of otters across the county and the drive to protect waters with Otter fencing. The costs relating to these specialised fences are significant as they have a particular design and need to be installed in an exact manner in order to be effective. The Management Committee approved funding to build an otter fence at Billinge Green and it was hoped to commence this build in late summer. However, we applied for a grant from the Angling Trust and one of the conditions of the application was that no work could start until the grant was approved. This effectively delayed the start of the project and, as it turns out, we also didn’t get the grant!! Anyway, we are now free to press ahead with this work and a meeting was held with contractors just before Xmas to confirm costs and timescales. Unfortunately though, the contractors then declined to take up the work and we are currently in the process of re-tendering the building of the tence...
We are continuing to work with Warrington Anglers and Budworth Sailing Club to develop a management strategy for the mere that benefits all parties and includes sharing the angling available from the sailing jetties. | had hoped this work would have reached a conclusion last summer, but the issue is now with the Sailing Club and agreeing a date for a meeting.
On the positive side we have now agreed the take up of all waters from Davenham AC and all of these waters are now open to Association members. We also managed to complete a schedule of maintenance and improve the path on the Dredger bank of the River Weaver.
There is always more to do and no doubt the lessons learned from building the otter fence on Billinge will be put to good use on other waters too, with perhaps Eyre’s pit the next in line. It is our intention to use all the additional resources we have requested over the past couple of years to protect and improve our fisheries and hopefully you will see the benefits of this on the bank. We are also moving away from key-operated locks on gates to combination locks.
Finally, best wishes to everyone for 2019 and let's hope it’s as successful as 2018!
Important Notice to Social Media Users!
Would members please note that we are imposing A COMPLETE BAN on all social media reports featuring Petty Pool. Whilst we appreciate that members like to share their successes, unfortunately this publicity has attracted some unwelcome visitors and must be discouraged. Petty Pool is a particularly sensitive water which we are lucky to have access to. Please respect our rules regarding this location and remind yourself of them here...
2019/20 Membership
Want to fish our waters? You just need to buy a 2019/20 permit - we no longer charge a joining fee. We also offer a range of discounts for juniors (free membership for under 12's), teenagers, senior citizens and couples/partners. Current prices and information on how to join Northwich Anglers Association can be found on the membership page. All membership categories can now be purchased online as well as at our office (62 Station Road, Northwich CW9 5RB). Senior and Junior permits can also be bought at Vale Royal Angling, Dave's of Middlewich.