Middlesbrough Angling Club – March Roundup. Club news, notices, points of interest & information for members discussed at our March meeting (held Mon 25th March 2024).
- PD PORTS – FUNDING FOR MARSKE RESERVOIR – As mentioned in previous updates the club committee is committed to prioritising major work at Marske Reservoir this year – This work to make pegs safer and more accessible for members will require a substantial financial outlay and many sources of funding are being explored – The committee was delighted to receive £1000 of funding from PD Ports – One of the UK’s major port groups who operate at Teesport – a massive thank you to PD Ports and those involved on behalf of members and committee for their generosity and investment in the club.
- MARSKE RESERVOIR SPRING CHAMPS – The first MAC stillwater competition of the year – The Marske Reservoir Spring Champs Competition – takes place on Sunday 21st April. Members are advised the reservoir grounds and car park will be closed to non-participants from midnight – 5PM on the match date. NO EXCEPTIONS – We have once again had a great response and the match is a sell-out – Thanks again to for the great support! Due to the limited car parking space members wishing to fish after the match are kindly asked not to arrive before 5PM. FULL DETAILS – https://bit.ly/492AksV
- HUTTON RUDBY PONDS – The ongoing wet weather has held up various planned work – work party dates and times will be communicated via the members Facebook page when the weather improves – The club has not yet received the Environment Agency report from the netting earlier in the year – This years Hutton Rudby Monday Matches will commence on the 29th April (Pond 1) – Book on with Dale at Anglers Choice (01642) 899 288 from 9AM on Monday 22nd April. FULL DETAILS – https://bit.ly/3Porte6
- MAC NWL RESERVOIR MASTERS 2024 – We have had a great response to sell-out this new natural venue series at Lockwood Beck – supported by Northumbrian water / Waterside parks – With the first round taking place on Sunday 28th April it promises to be a fantastic and interesting competition to take the inaugural title – Competitors are reminded – full entry MUST be paid no later than 12TH APRIL to confirm your place. FULL DETAILS – https://bit.ly/3x0sXoU
- Prior to the Lockwood Beck series David Atkins is arranging a knock-up on Sunday 14th April at the venue – Meet 7.30am / draw 8am – Names down at Anglers Choice or give Dave a shout *reservoir open as normal for pleasure anglers.
- RON THOMPSON 2 DAY MEMORIAL FESTIVAL 2024 – This years 2 day competition to celebrate the memory and service to Middlesbrough Angling Club of the late, great Ron Thompson will take place on Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th May at Hutton Rudby Ponds and Marske Reservoir – Members wishing to participate in what is always a highly competitive match fished in a great spirit and a great tribute to Ron, can book on with Dale at Anglers Choice (01642) 899 288 from 9AM on Monday 15th April.
- MARSKE RESERVOIR – Once again several members have volunteered their time for Work Party dates at the res lead by Fisheries Officer Mike Breckon – Work to fill in pot holes on the access road and levelling off at the entrance, caused by the persistent wet weather, has been carried out as well as continued work tidying pegs and general maintenance – Thanks and appreciation on behalf of the committee and members. Mike will post further work party dates and times via the members Facebook page.
- FISH CARE RECOMMENDATION – Following a point raised at the last meeting regarding suitable unhooking mats, Fisheries Officers have made the recommendation that when members are taking fish away from the water for unhooking and photographing, cradles / high sided unhooking mats are encouraged. Fish care should always be the priority and it is all too easy for a fish of any size to end up on the ground causing damage to itself if it is left unsupported on a standard mat.
- UNATTENDED RODS – Again, a point raised with fish care in mind, also if you leave a rod unattended you might find yourself a few quid out of pocket having to replace it. As stated in the club rule book: ‘Fish only from the stations provided’ ‘An angler may only fish from one station at a time. No baited rods to be left unattended’.
- FISH CARE SOCIAL – With the above points in mind – and that we have a wealth of experienced anglers keen to pass on their experience – the club hopes to run some social fish-in events (when the weather warms up)! – based around handling fish and fish care best practice but also looking at various rigs, baits, methods and techniques, Q&A’s – Details will be posted on the MAC Website and Members Facebook Group.
- MARSKE NIGHT SYNDICATE – The Membership Secretary and Committee are in agreement that changes need to be made to the way the night syndicate waiting list is administered – The current committee are keen to adopt a more transparent and efficient process – Any agreed changes will be published on the club website and members Facebook group.
- RIVERS CLOSE SEASON / OPERATION CLAMPDOWN – Members are reminded that while the clubs stillwater venues remain open for fishing, the coarse fish close season is in force on our river venues (15th March – 15th June inclusive). During this time the Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officers & Police with support from Angling Trust Volunteer Bailiffs will be taking part in the annual close season joint Operation Clampdown – Targeting illegal fishing on rivers during the close season – and also checking rod fishing licences on stillwaters – Members must have the appropriate rod fishing licence as well as up to date membership to fish the clubs stillwaters – Don’t get caught out – Check to make sure your licence is still valid.
- Rod fishing licences can be purchased online here: https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence (Children under 13 do not need a licence & Licences for children aged between 13 – 16 are free but you will still need to register for a junior licence)
- If you see any incidents of illegal fishing or suspicious activity, you can report it to the Environment Agency 24-hour incident number on 0800 80 70 60
- RIVER WORK PARTY DATES – As mentioned in a previous post on the MAC Members Facebook Group, Jeff Herbert, Club Chairman & Rivers Fishery Officer has been running some work party dates on the clubs stretches of running water – helping to make sure we have safe, fishable pegs and clear signage and access when the river season kicks off on June 16th – Working with Jeff, who has vast knowledge of the Tees & Swale, is also a great way to learn more about our stretches of river to put more fish in the net! Members wishing to get involved please get in touch with Jeff who’s number you will find in your 2024 Rule Book. *Work party Scheduled for 9th April on River Swale cancelled due to high water.
- M.A.C. APPOINTED WATER KEEPERS – Club Fisheries Officers are working with the club committee to bring on-board several club appointed water keepers who will be given club accredited identification in order to carry out club membership card checks and ensure club rules are adhered to on both still & running water.
- Keep the catch reports and catch pictures coming on the M.A.C. Private members Facebook group – Always use a suitable unhooking mat / cradle
- This months pic – Jack Laskey with a 17lb+ Carp Caught at Marske Reservoir – A lovely looking specimen. Well done Jack.
Tight Lines! M.A.C. Committee.
