COLONY LAKES NEWSLETTER SPRING 2014

Post date: Jun 06, 2014 6:30:47 PM

Greetings all ….at the time of writing we are still suffering with wet weather, but compared to the rest of the country our problems are quite minimal. The lagoon is the only lake flooded and will be pumped as soon as it shows signs of water levels dropping. Even so anglers have been very innovative in finding ways to continue fishing, producing probably the best fish catches for many years.

Those of you who have visited the lakes this year will be aware the next phase of the building work has started. The work is divided into two parts. The main hub…which is the part which concerns us the most as it relates to the buildings nearest the res and lagoon. The furthest development is not so intrusive as it relates to the older buildings north of the old farm house.

The main hub…work schedule

Demolition Feb. 24th--!4th March.

Piling pre new buildings 24th April—9th May…This was the part i have been most concerned about. I am assured that the newest style piling equipment is being used which is not noisy as per the old equipment so often seen about. A lot depends upon the ground being worked upon. So far I have been assured that noise disturbance will be minimal. We hope!!

The following phase is really important to us as I hope it will help solve the flooding problems of the lagoon.. Two large tanks are to be buried underground. One is to be situated under what will be the new public car park behind the old buildings. .The other tank will be situated under our car park. Whilst this work is in progress our car park will be relocated to park along the harris fencing opposite the res, or through the double gates combination **** and park to the harris fencing along the approach road to the lagoon.. once completed the public will access their new parking area from the country park, not from our side.

Landscaping and new footpaths will start and finish by June….the whole site will be finished by the end of year. The final site will consist of a mountain bike shop, a few offices and a cafeteria ( Sorry Steve not licensed!! ). Again the public will access the buildings from the country park side. Our road will be for anglers and café staff only. The whole site will be well landscaped. We will even have grassy banks and trees around our car park!! Anybody wanting a final map of the completed site please email me or ask me at the lakes. But looking through my window at the weather we are getting, I cannot believe this new development is going to be as busy as the council think….Still what is another seven million quid on mountain biking.?….what else could it be spent on?…a few sand bags maybe?....the odd sea wall!…dredge a ditch or two…..course not ! ….a mountain biking track is far more useful!!!!!

FISHING

When the weather tempted people out, the pigs fished well. Not as busy as previous years but lots of people blamed the weather plus having to work too much to pay these massive heating and electric bills…..The siltex worked quite well in the little pigs which produced good numbers of carp to ten pounds for the float fishermen early season. The weed which has now taken a serious annual hold on the little piggery, was illegally introduced by an inconsiderate member. For the second year this weed ruined any chance of fishing this highly productive little water from July onwards. A few well-meaning members volunteered to clear it with rakes, a noble effort chaps but not that easy!!...But fear not! I still have a drop of Mike Browns secret formulae which I am assured will not only decimate all weeds known to man but rumour has it the steaming formula is strong enough to revitalise a carp anglers underpants after a full weeks fishing! …..so fingers crossed no more weed in the little pigs.

As always with the reservoir there are winners and losers. Some had an incredible year (Ed) whilst others had their worst year ever. The float fishing was good with some excellent tench showing even during the really hot spell. Anybody wanting hints on how to catch tench on the res ask Del…if he is not on the res with his float rod he can be contacted in his office located in the Ship pub old Leigh. Although at the moment it seems incredible to think we actually had a summer.

The lagoon is just always popular, anybody hoping for a yellow ticket to carp fish should re-join as a blue plus member and include their interest in writing, and pray it stops raining!

MEMBERSHIP

Those not re-joining (and I don’t want to lose anybody) must stop fishing by the end of March, those staying on have until the end of April to pay….no money?….wife run off (yippee) taken cheque book?…as always, happy to accept two post-dated cheques .Don’t lose your fishing because of no money…..give me a ring!

COST

Old Gits ticket (of pensionable age )….£55.00

Junior ticket ………………………………………. £70.00

Blue ticket……………………………………………..£85.00

Blue plus ticket…(night fishing res)………£145.00

Yellow permit …lifebelt included…………..£185.00

Payable by the end of April please. Or risk the re-joining fee.

To renew concessionary ticket send subs and permit plus one SAE .. All other tickets please send subs and two stamped addressed envelopes. A receipt will be sent. This will be your permit until two work parties’ completed. Then your permit will be returned or can be collected on the day of second work party.

All cheques made payable to Essex Leisure fisheries please

WORK PARTY DATES…..This is where everyone runs for cover….Junior and adult members….concessionary member exempt except for me that has to do them all!!

Every member asked to do two work parties or pay £20 fine…….9 am –1 pm

....…April 13th & 27th..May 11th &25th June 8th & 22nd ..

If planning a fishing trip during this period you are welcome to check which lake we are working on……would hate to make anyone feel guilty!!

CLOSURES

Pigs…closed April 22nd----May 18th inc……lagoon having been rested when flooded will only close if fish show obvious signs of spawning…..Reservoir will close when fish show signs of spawning. Usually late May for four weeks.

Hopefully some of you lucky people have received this by email…..I assume the rest of you aren’t still living in caves…so if you have an email addy and not given it to me just put it on a piece of paper with your renewal or send it to me electronically…..ckempessexleisurefisheries@btinternet.com……as soon as I have enough punters we can start a regular newsletter…..

MOANS

A few people are regularly using three rods ….anyone caught this year will lose their permit for one month.

The farm has been on to me. When checked some anglers are not carrying their permits.. Please have these available I will be asking to see them…You paid for them…..flaunt them!!

Thanks to everyone that helped through the year..the bailiffs and everyone behind the scenes…Jason Watts and his never ending array of very impressive mowers.

End of March I’m off to Scotland again to try and catch the elusive Salmon ….although increased net pressure doesn’t encourage optimism….but the company is good…..That doesn’t mean it’s a good time to dig out that third rod…..I have eyes and ears everywhere!!!!!

See you on the bank…..and hopefully at the work parties.

Cliff.