A little reminder to all members, if you turn up on a water without a valid membership you will be asked to leave, also the toilets still remain closed until further notice.

From 6th April onwards the Head Bailiff will be doing maintenance work at Gribbles Covert Pond. Whilst this work is taking place, the pond will remain open but the far bank will be closed for safety. This work is to rectify the leak on the far bank.

All Club Waters will re open Saturday 13th March.
All social distancing measures must be adhered to. You must stay local. Only one child can accompany a Senior Member for the time being and must fish the same peg.

The Club would like to thank the members who attended the work party  in clearing the pegs at Carol's pond. All pegs are fishable as soon as the restriction levels are lowered and we are given to ok to drive to our waters.

This morning the club released a large stock of 1lb to 1.5lb Barbel into the river Taff as part of this years stocking programme.
These are the last of this year’s commitment of restocking both the Taff and the Ely rivers.

The Club would like to ask for a couple of volunteers to help with a work party on Carol's pond to open up pegs that the reeds have grown over.
11am start and should only take z few hours.
If you can be available and especially if you are happy of the possibility of putting on a dry suit and getting in the margins. Please let me know on 07804 097857. We will be excersising social distancing.

On the 23rd Feb 2021 the club released 8000 prime Roach into the river Ely, spread along both the St Georges and St Fagan’s stretches, also 500 into the top lake at St Fagan’s castle to kick off the roach project again. The club would like to thank Mainstream Fisheries for their support and letting us have far more fish than we paid for.
Thanks to the committee members and Will Millard for their help with the release.
This has been another big investment by the club to restock our rivers as well as still waters.

Well I don’t think I can say anything that would in words cover what we have experienced in 2020, which we all hope there is light at the end of a very long tunnel. Many of us (me included) have had to put up with being stuck at home and just waiting for the right time to get back on the waters.
You will no doubt now be aware that for the first time ever, the Clubs Committee made the decision to reduce the 2021 License fees for everyone, which is a small way of saying thank you to everyone for continuing to support the Club.
Whilst I am on the subject of club Committee, it is worth noting that at the moment the average age of our Committee is 60+, with some of us closer to 70 than 60. It would be good if we could find some , shall we say “Younger” Club members who would like to think about joining the Committee and help us move forward and keep the Club running. If you have been a Club Member for more than 2 years and think you may be interested, then just call me or drop me an email and we can have a chat.
On a positive note, Brian has started repairing the pegs on Treoes where they are needing it and I am sure he will be moving onto the other waters in the New Year. We will need a couple of work parties in the New Year (Obviously COVID Dependant), but these we will advertised on the Web site, so if you can help out, it’s only a few hours on a weekend and it would be very much appreciated.
The Club waters are fishing quite well, but obviously the cold snaps have put some of the fish down, but you still have a great choice of winter fishing on our waters. The Rivers Taff, Ely are renown for the winter grayling fishing, which a float fished maggot will usually get you a few. The Trothy is very overlooked, but in the winter months when the Wye is up, the Trothy will produce good bags of Dace and small Chub. The Wye at Monmouth will produce the odd good size Pike and winter Chub and Barbel can also be targeted.
The Bay end of the Taff and Ely Rivers and the Bay itself will provide Winter Pike and Perch, but you do have to find the fish.
Our still waters are fishing quite well at the moment, Treoes has not only given the usual silver fishing sport, but a few nice Pike and Perch have also been taken, but please remember on this water, there is no lure fishing of any type.
Bishops pond (Groes Faen) has produced a few Pike but again it’s a case of finding where the fish are feeding. Llantrythid does give some excellent silver fishing opportunity and you can have a good day on a pint of maggots and some hemp. Gribbles Covert will provide silver fishing right through the winter months and when we make the call to close the pond to do the rectification works, we will advertise it in both Newsletters and on the Web site.
Barry Ponds have slowed down since we had the cold snap, but there are still good size Carp to Target on Sues Pond along with Winter Pike, whilst Carols Pond does seem to struggle with the Cold weather, but don’t forget there are some nice size Barbel and Carp to target on the warmer days.
Pyscodlin Mawr has also slowed down, but again worth a trip on the warmed winter days.
St y Nyll Top Pond has produces a couple of Pike, but no reports of larger size fish.
Port Talbot Dock is fishing very well for Pike as well as the silver fish, but please remember, we have been asked to ensure that if you do Pike fish this water, please use a minimum of 20lb main line. (You must ring Mr Morgan the day before you want to fish the Dock to book on).
The stocking programme for the river Taff and Ely continues this year, with again a significant release of Chub and Barbel in both rivers scheduled for early 2021.
Well it just leaves me on behalf of the Club to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year to you and your families. Tight Lines for 2021 and thank you for your continued support.

Paul

As per the WAG recent announcement, all club waters will re-open on Monday 9th November 2020.
Obviously we will still be under COVID-19 advice and we ask all our members on Club waters to follow the Rules.

• Where Ever Possible Fish Every Other Peg
• One Senior and One Junior are permitted to share a Peg as long as they are from the same household.
• Toilets will be Re-Opened, but usage is at your own risk. Please ensure you disinfect your hands before and after use. **
• Please Respect Social Distancing at all times.
• If a Club Bailiff requests to see your Club license, please have it available and show your Permit at arms length.
• Please Disinfect your Hands before and after opening and closing the Gates/Locks.

Obviously as this Pandemic progresses, we will keep Members updated of further measures as they arise on the CLUB WEB SITE.
** The Toilet unit in Barry is out of order at the moment and will remain closed.

As we seem to be entering into a second restriction phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Club is trying to ensure that as many Members as possible will have access to our waters for as long as the localised restrictions are in place. We recently contacted area MP’s to get clarification that we can localise our waters, which has been agreed.
At the time of writing this note, it looks imminent that Cardiff will also be under localised restrictions, which if it does come into effect, access to waters will be again reduced.
To ensure as many of you can at least have somewhere to fish, the proposed locations are:

Rhondda Cynon Taff Borough – Bishops Pond,
Bridgend Borough – Treoes Pond
Cardiff – River Taff, River Ely, Cardiff Bay (Should restrictions be imposed on Cardiff)
Neath and Port Talbot – Port Talbot Dock
Vale of Glamorgan – Barry Ponds, Llantrythid, Pyscodlin Mawr, Gribbles Covert, St Y Nyll Top pond
Monmouth – River Wye, River Trothy
  
Please only use your local waters.

The Club would like to confirm current Guest/Children Access to our waters. At this time, there are no Guest Permits being issued for any Club water, which will be in place for the foreseeable future.

The Club would like to thank its Members for their patience in allowing us to prepare the waters in readiness to re-open for fishing after the Welsh Assembly notification last night.
Obviously there will be restrictions put on all of us, but these restrictions are for everyone’s safety and well-being.

The Following Still Waters will open as of Monday 18th May 2020.
·           Treoes Pond
·           Llantrythid – There is still a 6 vehicle restriction on this pond. Please only fish pegs to the left of the Island as you look at the pond from the Car Park.
·           Barry Ponds
·           Gribbles Covert pond
·           Bishops Pond

Pyscodlin Mawr remains Closed for the time being

St y Nyll Top Pond will open 1st June.

Coarse Fishing on Rivers remains as June 16th opening.

Please respect Social Distancing and follow the guidelines published.

You will find a number of pegs have been closed. Please respect these closures.

Any Member found either refusing to abide by or flaunting these rules may face expulsion from the Club.
1. It is the Members responsibility at all times to supply their own Anti - Bacterial materials (i.e. Hand Wipes, Gel) and to ensure that no wipes or Gloves are left on either the bank side or at gates.
2. Please sanitise your hands before and after opening locks and gates. Gloves should be worn whilst opening and closing the locks and hands cleaned after removal of the Gloves. Covid-19 can be transmitted from the Locks and gates.
3. Please ensure you keep all gates locked.
4. Toilet and communal areas are closed until further notice.
5. Members must ensure that they adhere to social distancing rules, keeping a minimum of 2m apart at all times. With some waters, the paths are quite close to the pegs, so please keep to the opposite side of the path as much as possible and no stopping for chats, please go straight to your chosen peg. If at all possible keep to every other peg.
6. The only exception to one person per peg is a Senior and Junior Member may fish the same peg, but must be family members living in the same building, Father/Son, Father/Daughter. 1 x Senior Member, 1 x Junior Member.
7. Any Peg that is Taped or Cordoned off must not be fished.
8. If a still water requires maintenance, the Pond will be closed during this time. Notices will be placed on the gates and the Web Site.
9. If you or a member of your family living in the same building shows symptoms of COVID-19, you must not go fishing until you have been given the all clear.
These Rules are for your and everyone else’s safety and well-being. Any Member found not complying with the above could face expulsion from the Club.
If you are unsure, please either Contact the Club Secretary or the Head Bailiff.

The Club will be following all Government Guidelines in regards to the ongoing Pandemic.
At the time of posting this Notice, the Club will keep all our waters open for members to use, although please be aware that you use the waters at your own risk.

1. The Senior Committee , Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Head Bailiff will continue Monthly Committee meetings on Electronic means and not meeting in person, to ensure we can keep the Club running as best as possible.

2. ALL Club events are cancelled until further notice.

3. Any Members fishing our waters, please respect Social Distancing and keep a minimum of 2m apart from any other Angler. Most of our pegs are well apart, but if possible fish every other peg to extend the distancing. Do not congregate in the Club lean to at Treoes.

4. If you do attend any Club water and approached by a Bailiff or Member who asks for your license, the distancing ruling will be in place and all we ask is you have your license in your pocket and can show your license from a 2m distance.

5. If you do decide to travel, use the closest water to your home.

6. We cannot provide antiseptic wipes for locks or gates so if you do have them, please use them on the locks and gates.

What is happening is nothing that any of us could have predicted or envisaged. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW THE GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES AND KEEP SAFE.

Regards
Paul Addecott
Club Secretary

Given the quickly changing environment and Government response to Covid-19, Angling Cymru strongly advisesagainst smaller indoor gatherings and larger outdoor gatherings.  This applies to all National, Regional and Club/Association meetings which are due to take placein coming weeks. If a meeting is deemed to be urgent then we advise this should take place via telephone or video conferencing.

Angling Cymru advises against group boat trips, as social distancing and frequent handwashingor sanitisation is almost impossible on a boat. For small outdoor gatherings we advise that Government guidance is followed –maintain social distancing, frequent hand washing or sanitisation and asking members to not attend if they are experiencing any symptoms.

This advice applies to all club/association activities, competitions, events, training sessions, group activities or gatherings set to be hosted by or attended by Angling Cymru or their partner National Governing Bodies(Welsh Federation of Coarse Anglers and Welsh Federation of Sea Anglers) affiliated clubs, associationsand members.

We will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and will issue further statements, if necessary,as the situation develops. Please remember that if we don’t all makeeffortsto keep ourselves safe as we can now, then the Government will introduce more draconian measures, as has been seen in other countries.

Angling Cymru Board of Directors

As 2019 comes to a close and most of us are thinking about that piece of Fishing Gear that Santa is going to leave us, I thought it would be an idea to let everyone know that over the past year, the Committee has worked hard to ensure that you will be able to visit any of 10 Still waters on offer to our Members over Christmas. You are no doubt aware that as of the 1st December, Members now have access to Port Talbot Dock, which for those who have not fished this venue, offers some Prolific Silver Fish and Pike Fishing. All you must remember to do before your visit, is to Call Mr Morgan on 07886 301754 the day before your intended visit. This is not to keep an eye on who goes down there, but is a Health and  Safety requirement, so Mr Morgan knows who is on the Venue.

The Club has recently stocked the Rivers Ely and Taff with in excess of 8000 Fish, mainly Barbel and Chub, but also we have been introducing Roach to the Rivers as well. This is a long term commitment by the Club to attempt to enhance the Fishing on our local rivers.
Our Head Bailiff has now built some fishing platforms on our stretch of the Wye at Monmouth as were promised, but please ensure you are careful, as they will be slippery as the Wye has been in flood of late and there will be a layer of silt or mud on the platforms.
Treoes pond has last week received a new stock of Bream, which will further enhance the silver fishing on this venue. We have a Charity Fishing event on Treoes on New Years Eve, which is open to all Club Members, which is a bit of fun and a chance for some of you to test out your new Christmas gear. Entry is £5 per Angler and We will be holding a raffle with some excellent Prizes. If you want to have a go, just call or Text 07804 097857 after 5pm to book a place. The Club has donated a Years License for the lucky Winner.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our Clubs officials for their hard work over the past year and thank you as Members for supporting the Club. I am sure the good news will continue in 2020, with hopefully some excellent News for you in early 2020.
Finally I would on behalf of the Club, like to take this opportunity to wish every Member and their families a Very Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

We have stocked 8000 barbel and chublets all around 4inches into the Taff along with a hundred of the bigger Barbel about a lb each, 750 bream around 12 ounces also put into Treoes.

The Club has also stocked the River Taff with a mixture of 5,000 small 4” chub and barbel. A similar number also went into the River Ely. In addition 100 one pound barbel and 200 half pound barbel went into the Taff. The Club would like to thank NRW for their contribution towards this restocking.

IMPORTANT - ALL MEMBERS MUST READ THE RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THE WATER THEY INTEND TO FISH BEFORE FISHING.

GAC WATERS RISK ASSESSMENT PDF

Following the emergence of what appears to be a sustainable head of pike at Treoes, the committee has decided to permit pike fishing to commence at this venue from 01st October 2019.  As for other venues, fishing will run until 31st March.  Pike fishing will be allowed with up to 2 rods and will be with deadbaits only.  Artificial lure fishing will not be permitted, however you may use sink and draw tactics.  To pike fish, you must use a landing net of minimum 36 inches diameter, wire traces and suitable sized unhooking mats.  You must also be in possession of suitable unhooking equipment - forceps etc.

To assist with our assessment of the viability, all pike catches must be recorded on the club catch return page of our website.
We will review this decision at the end of the fishing period.

Pike in particular are susceptible to poor handling, so please ensure all pike are treated with considerable care when handling and returning them to the water.

You will be aware we have examined the evidence around the river coarse fishing close season and, earlier this year, surveyed anglers’ opinions on retaining, changing or removing the close season. We agreed with England Fisheries Group to consult more widely with the angling community.

We are consulting on three options:

·         Retain the current coarse fish close season on rivers – 15 March to 15 June;
·         Retain a close season, but change the duration – 15 April to 30 June;
·         Remove the close season altogether.

The consultation will be online for 8 weeks from today (14 January) to 11 March 2019. It can be accessed at https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/fisheries/consultation-on-the-review-of-the-close-season. We also have arrangements to receive for email and postal responses.

Well, another year is soon to come to a close and for many of us as it gets to the coldest months, the gear is put away until the warmer weather returns. As usual the Club has invested a large amount of funds this year in maintenance of our still waters, fish stocks and at last we have the materials ready to start upgrading fishing pegs on the Clubs Wye stretch at Monmouth.
Only this week our head Bailiff has released 500 Barbel, 500 Tench and 300 Ide into Carols Pond, Barry, as a stock top up. Let’s hope the Ide do well and offer yet another species you can target throughout the year.
For those of you who will brave the cold weather, Treoes will offer excellent silver fishing as the Juniors recently found out on their Xmas Competition. Llantrythid seems to be fishing very well in the cold weather and Gribbles as always will offer you great winter sport. Pike Anglers can target St Y Nyll Top Pond, Bishops Pond and Sues Pond Barry, which do hold decent size Pike in all of them. I am sure the Carp anglers will get some decent days in the milder days on most of our waters.
So it is good luck to every one of you that venture out this winter and don’t forget the Wye and Trothy can offer excellent winter river fishing, along with Grayling hunting on the Taff.
May I, on behalf of the Club and it’s Committee wish everyone a Great Xmas and New Year.

Paul Addecott (Hon Sec)

Also

New Years Eve Charity Competition.
For all those booked on the New Year’s Eve event, please book in at Treoes Hut at 8am to draw pegs, fish 9am to 2pm. £6 entry and there will be a raffle. If you have any raffle prizes please bring them along. All Club rules apply. No surface fishing for this event please.

First and foremost, the Club would like to thank everyone who supported the 48 Hour Charity Weekend. Although the weather was incredibly hot and in some cases uncomfortable, all the Members who took part in the event kept smiling and we hope, enjoyed the 48 hours.
We are very pleased and extremely grateful to advise that this year, we raised the highest amount ever for our chosen Charity – Y Bont, which stands at the moment at £4750.00.

The Results for the Fishing:

Winner – Josh Bowley  351lb 10oz

Runner Up – Mick Fraser 281lb 8oz

Junior Winner – John Hoare 228lb 2oz

Specimen Fish – Jaydn Rowley 3lb 0oz Perch, 8oz Chub

The total weight that was reported was 2607lb, which included 4 x Carp over 20lbs and a 19lb Grass Carp.

On behalf of my daughter Helen Fincham and myself would like to thank you for thinking of Helen and for Rob Crewes-rees, nominating her for your fundraising cause on new years eve.  

We can’t thank you enough for your support and donation of £456 towards Helens wheel drive wheels which will give her a little bit of independence on her own, as she is unable to manually push the wheelchair herself. 

We are ever so grateful to everyone involved.

Best wishes for the new year 

Firstly, and most importantly, the club would like to wish each and every Member a Merry Christmas and a Peaceful and Happy New Year.
No doubt many of us will be waiting patiently for the big man in red to deliver that item of Fishing Tackle that you have hinted about for the last six months.
Over the past 12 months the Club has managed to keep its membership stable, with this year over 800 members joining, which is not only great for the Club financially, but also it does mean on the whole, members are happy with the way the Committee are running the Club.
We have been actively looking at Land for Sale within our area that would be suitable and within our price range to purchase as a potential new water. As yet, the right piece of land has evaded us, but not for want of going out to look at many potential sites. If any Member knows of, or hears of a possible site or better still a Pond or Lake that is available, please do let us know and we will ensure that your lead is followed up. There is a contact list on the web site.
On New Years Eve, the Club is hosting its annual Charity Competition on Treoes Lake, which is open to all Club Members. There are, at the time of posting this message a couple of pegs available. To book a peg, text message 07804 097857. Book in at 8am, fish 9am to 2pm.
We are this year trying to raise funds to assist a young lady from the Bridgend area to purchase a motorised Wheelchair unit. Entry is £5 per Angler and we will also be running a raffle. If anyone has a Raffle Prize they wish to donate, please either bring them along on the day or give them to any Club Official.

If you do venture out over the Xmas period or during the Winter months, please take extra care as the bank sides will be slippery. It is always safer if you go fishing with a friend at this time of year.

Please remember you can now renew your Club License for 2018/19.

So, to everyone, have a great Festive Season and we hope to see you all on the bank sides in 2018.

Six people fished the 2017 Wye Cup at Monmouth on 29th October.  With reports of barbell showing throughout the summer, all anglers chose to fish for them.  Winner was Richard Turner withy seven barbel for a total weight of 45lb 15oz with Dave Chard runner up with two fish, including a ten pounder for 17lb 13oz.  In all, the potential of our Monmouth water was demonstrated with 11 fish caught and a number of others lost during the day.

Attendees;
Richard Turner
Anto Roberts
Dave Chard
Simon Minty
Owen Lerry
Paul Serpell

Thanks to all who attended, I hope you had a good day (I did!) and hope to see you at the Bryn Hedges Pike Cup in December and at next years' Wye Cup.

NRW proposals for new controls on fishing for salmon and sea trout

After careful consideration of our evidence and wishing to take full account of the views we have received during our engagements with customers and stakeholders, we are now proposing changes to fishing controls to the salmon and sea trout net and rod fisheries.

We would like to make you aware that we have:

Advertised a new Net Limitation Order
Launched a statutory consultation on new byelaws for rod and net fishing

Both processes began on 22 August 17 and runs for 12 weeks.

The proposals include:

Maintaining the same number of net licences in the 13 public salmon and sea trout net fisheries
Making consistent the start and end of the  net fishing seasons:
Shortening the netting season by starting net fisheries no earlier than 1st May
Ending the netting season on the 31st July
Implementing full catch and release fishing on all net and rod fisheries for salmon
Requiring sea trout catch and release in rod fisheries on vulnerable rivers before 1st May
Setting a 60cm maximum size limit for sea trout in rod fisheries
Implementing method restrictions (bait, barbless hooks and trebles) so that released fish have a good chance of survival (Byelaws)

Woman, 21, who thought her neck ache was a result of sleeping in a funny position is left PARALYSED

• Helen Fincham thought she had a heart attack when her arms went numb
• When paramedics arrived they asked her to stand - but she then collapsed
• She has been paralysed ever since but now has regained some movement 
• Doctors diagnosed her with a neurological condition after months of tests

Helen Fincham, 21, from Bridgend, Wales, assumed her discomfort was down to her having slept in a funny position.
However, by midday she was unable to feel her legs. She thought she had suffered a heart attack when her arms went numb and she struggled to breathe.
When paramedics arrived to her home they asked her to stand - but she collapsed and has been unable to move ever since.
Doctors were left baffled but two months of tests discovered she had a rare neurological condition which caused her spinal cord to become inflamed.

In recent years there have been a number of unfortunate incidents between GAC fishing club members and people rowing, or training and supervising rowers, on the River Wye between the Rowing Club at Monmouth and Mally Brook Limit. GAC committee has been contacted to help to try and identify possible reasons for these incidents and seek a solution to avoid similar occurrences in future. These incidents reflect badly on both organisations and must cease.
It appears most problems occur because the rowers are facing away from their direction of travel, often working hard upstream to gain momentum, and moving more rapidly downstream with the current, and have little opportunity to see the fisherman’s line and even less opportunity to take avoiding action. When viewed from the river our members are extremely hard to see due partly to the trees and vegetation and partly to the fisherman’s position some distance away from the river edge.
The Rowing Club are aware that when a baited line has been carefully positioned at some distance from the bank at a known swim, the fisherman cannot simply withdraw his line without losing the benefit of his earlier hard work and is therefore, with good reason, reluctant to do it. Given these circumstances it is clear that both groups need to take on board the limiting factors affecting each group and at times of peak activity endeavour to minimise the possibility of confrontation.
Rowing peak times are 0700 to 0800 weekday mornings and 1400 to 1800 weekday afternoons. Weekend peak times are 0800 to 1200 and 1300 to1500 Saturdays. Sunday 0900 to 1100hrs. Issues of disturbance between anglers and the powered metal training boats have also been discussed with the Rowing Club to reducing confrontation.
Any angler who experiences what is believed to be deliberate fouling of fishing lines must make a record of location, time, and any other relevant factors (suggest a photograph)  and report the incident to the Head Bailiff as soon as possible or any Club official. No form of retaliatory action is acceptable.

P.Addecott (Hon Sec)

The weekend 48 hour Charity Event is done for this year. We have raised so far £3600. £500 We donated to Marie Curie Cancer Care - Holme Towers and £3100 to Y Bont Childrens Centre. Thanks to everyone who supported us over the weekend and very well done to the Juniors, who for the most part, showed us oldies how to catch fish.

The winner was Jenny Collins with 526lb 1oz
Runner up Darren Hatchett with 392lb 10oz
Biggest fish Jeff Wenger with a 19lb Grass Carp

As from December 2017, for the 2018-2019 season and thereafter, GAC permits will carry a photo of the member and a number of the key issued to that member (if any).

In order to set up the database in preparation for this changeover would all members** [see below] please submit a photo. Please do this early. ASAP.

Post a GOOD passport size photo ie full face against a white background [saves ink] with your name, permit number and post code on the back. Eg M.Roberts, 17001, CF14 2AU. This allows me to set up a photo database linked to your ID permit(s) etc. If you don't send one in early You will have to send one with your renewal anyway as NO PERMITS will be issued without ID photos next year. If you leave it  till late especially, until March 2018 or after, this could result in significant delays to your application. Please sort this out early as it is a lot of extra work for me and I would like to get it out of the way early
and spread the workload.
Post your photo to the usual address GAC M.Roberts,
4, Heol Don,
Whitchurch,
Cardiff.
CF14 2AU

Thank you for your cooperation. Mick Roberts   Membership Secretary.

[**Excludes those who have recently submitted a photo [in the last two years or so] for the NFG or BAILIFF cards].