| Dear GWFFA Member, Will Kirstein, Grafham Water Park Manger brought to my attention an incident yesterday morning (1st April), where a season ticket key holder had unlocked the entry gate to the Marlow car park and left it unlocked and unsecured. This resulted in 2 cars who did not have keys being locked in as the exit gate was locked, and another car seriously damaged by the gate swinging in the wind. To compound the problem the gate has been unlocked and unsecured again today! It is the anglers responsibility to always lock the gate behind them if they open it. If we do not observe this simple procedure then the likelihood is that the locks will be changed and we will only have access to the car parks at the same time as the normal opening time. Can I please request that all key holders if you unlock the gate, you lock it behind you. Also if you see anyone else not observing this please remind them of their responsibilities or lock it yourself. Thanks for your support with this which will ensure we continue to have early access to the parks. Mark Brinkman GWFFA Chairman |
Grafham opens for trout fishing on 1st April
Following the Prime minister’s ‘road map’ announcement, we can confirm that we are going to open Rutland, Grafham, Pitsford and Ravensthorpe waters for Fly fishing for Trout from bank and boat from the 1st of April. Boat fishing will be for either single anglers or two anglers, but not three anglers sharing until further notice.
Based on the ‘road map’ the fishing lodges will be unable to open until April the 12th at the earliest, so all boats booked between the 1st of April and the 11th of April will need to be pre-paid at the point of booking, the same as how we operated for much of last season. However as we are currently busy in the process of renewing our 2020 customer’s season tickets, we are currently suspending taking any bookings for boats between these dates as we would like to complete the process of renewing our season ticket holders first, we estimate this process will be completed by March the 14th. If you are a 2020 season ticket holder and have not been contacted yet, please be patient.
Another batch of 2,500 rainbows being stocked into the harbour on Monday 15 March. Several fish in the 3lb & 4lb category. Tight lines!
Therefore we will open the phone lines on all waters for April 1st-11th bookings from Monday the 15th of March and we will take full payment at the point of booking for any boats booked between these dates. Any existing boats booked in for these dates will be honoured and the customer will be contacted for payment from the 15th of March. In the meantime, if you would like to book a boat beyond April the 11th please email fishing@anglianwater.co.uk. Once the phonelines are open please ring the lodge direct you wish to book the boat at, with the exception of Ravensthorpe, their boats will need to be booked through Pitsford fishing lodge until the water opens on the 1st of April.
*As there is some flexibility within the roadmap, if the shop opening is delayed we may have to re-evaluate some of these dates*
Anyone who was not a 2020 season ticket holder, but would like to purchase a season ticket, or has questions about purchasing one please email the retail manager at natkins2@Anglianwater.co.uk
We are hoping you are looking forwards to the start of what should be a fantastic season, tight lines.
Car parking If you have purchased a day ticket over the phone, you will need to validate it, either by going to the Visitor centre in Marlow car park, or by calling the Fishing Lodge 01480 810531.
Join GWFFA now for just £17
If you are not yet a member, you can join now for just £17 (£22 for family membership) which will give you membership for all of 2021. Please e mail the secretary (jbatter100@gmail.com) for an application form.
Regular eNewsletters & updates
Organised boat & bank competitions
Programme of winter evening meetings by Zoom virtual media (all members welcome)
Free entry to monthly “Big Fish” prizes
Insurance on club events
GRAFHAM WATER WORK PARTIES/SUSPENDED FOLLOWING NEW GOVERNMENT LOCKDOWN GUIDELINES
In conjunction with Anglian Water, members of GWFFA have completed a series of working parties designed to improve bank access around the water (see image below).
It is proposed that work parties will continue into the New Year with the following dates “pencilled in”, subject to weather. Social distancing applies and nobody should travel from one tier to another.
| Mon 4th Jan | Mon 18th Jan | Mon 1st Feb | Mon 15th Feb | Mon 1st Mar |
Anyone attending 4 work parties will receive an Anglian Water boat voucher. Please confirm your attendance to Mark Brinkman (07484 659549) or by e mail to mark.brinkman@btinternet.com and meet at the fishing lodge at 10 am.
GWFFA & Invicta members hard at work at Grafham.
The outstanding quality of Grafham rainbows
Member John Vincent with a 4lb 12.4oz rainbow caught from the dam on Tuesday 7 July 2020
Welcome to our new committee member Mark Brookbanks, here displaying a fine Rutland brown trout
The late Dave Barker, holding his record 13lb 13oz record Grafham rainbow, which is now on display in the cafeteria at the fishing lodge. A replica is displayed in the shop below the cafe.
Rainbow Trout
A 5:06 Rainbow trout caught on the 13th March 2020, about 50 yards from G buoy on a white snake with some floro orange maribu tied into the head, fished on a DI5 line retrieved in short slow pulls. I was fishing with a non-member on the day, Dave Aylett. I showed Tom the ranger the fish when we got in that evening, but weighed it on the boat after capture.
GWFFA AGM Tuesday 3 March
A reminder to all paid up members that the Annual General Meeting will take place on Tuesday 3rd March, commencing sharp at 19.30, followed by the screening of the film “CHALK” which explores fishing for wild brown trout in chalk streams unique to the UK.
All members will have received by now notice of the AGM, an agenda, plus a copy of last year’s AGM, by e mail. The chairman’s, treasurer’s and club captains’s reports will be presented on the night.
The committee look forward to welcoming you all on the night.