Tunstall Park Fishing lake under threat
Hi guys/gals..
Can anyone shed any light on the rumours and hearsay surrounding the future of Tunstall park LAKE?
I have been bombarded by people telling me that the lake is to be returned to a boating lake. On more than one occasion I have heard that this may involve removing the fish from the lake. In case you were not aware there are around forty mirror and common carp, specimens weighing upto 25lb (monsters) and also ghost and koi in the lake.
We cannot surely allow the removal of these fish form our doorsteps. There are commercial fisheries up and down the country that would be proud to have these specimens in their waters and we should be equally proud to actually have these local for us all to enjoy.
I like many other people take the view that drastic work needs to be done at the lake end of the park (the boat house, the bicycle filled lake bed, and the island needs attention), but this is not the first time that removing the fish has been mentioned.
A few weeks back I witnessed a group of lads attemting to illegally catch fish by foul hooking (casting a huge tripple hook over the fish and then yanking the rod back to pull the huge hooks anywhere into the body or head of the fish). I approached the council workers at the park who informed me that there was nothing they could do as the lake was actually run by Middleport Angling club. The helpfull and angry staff at the park put me straight on the phone to the club and I explained what was happening. The reply I got was 'yes mate thats why we want to net all of the big fish and put them in Westport lake. We have this every year but there is nothing we can do about it'. Well there is! I have fished the lake regularly over six months and never seen one bailif checking rod licences, day tickets or even taking a strole around the water. The council aslo refuse to intervene to protect the welfare of the wildlife lake we have to enjoy.
Its clear that these fish that we should all be trying to protect are not a consideration when talking about the future of the Park lake. Yet a call to the enviroment agency could actually support Middleport angling clubs case for removing the fish.
Is there any assurance that these fish will be kept in the home they have had for some 20years plus to be enjoyed by the locals and visitors to the park.?? Why arent Middleport angling club taking responsabiliyt for the water? Is this because the park lake was something they had to take on in order to get Westport lake onto their books? I personally think so!!
For anyone unaware of these fish on your doorsteps goto the lake on a clear day and stand at the far side on the top of the grass bank and look into the water. You will see groups of fish the likes of which some of you may never have seen in your lifes, patrolling and creating huge clouds as they scurry for food along the bottom. Lets not lose what we are privelidged to have so close by.
Can you please post your opinions here hopfully to convince me I arent the only one bothered or aware of this situation.
Many Thanks
Phil James
p.s Got pictures of a 17lb and two twenty lb carp caught from the lake in a 2 hour session last week but dont know how to upload them on here??? they are posted on my facebook page:- http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=1532898845
Comments
Hiya Phil Great post, I think
Hiya Phil
Great post, I think your spot on to highlight the plight of Tunstall Pool, and I hope you get a lot of backing and people off this site offering you some advice/support and spreading the word.
I can only assume that the pool won't be getting any of the money from the park refurbishments.
I've also tweaked your profile, which allows you to upload images into articles in future.
Hi Phil, yes an interesting
Hi Phil, yes an interesting post there and great pictures, thanks for that. I am all for supporting local facilities such as using the lake for boating, but why sacrifice one facility for another?
My personal view is although reintroducing boating to the lake may be a return to the more traditional function of the lake which would go back to when the park was designed, would it really be of long term benefit?
I think perhaps not.
It would cost considerable amounts of monies to reintroduce and maintain and would possibly not be particularly used in the long term.
However, fishing is a great sport and pastime of many and never seems to fade in and out of fashion. It’s open everyone, of all ages and abilities and I personally, have always found a good chat when talking to anglers at the park.
Fishing has always been a great experience for the young to whom it teaches them respect for the environment as well as patience. It also can create a long established and fulfilling hobby and has a place developing skills. It provides a good source to local business, which relies on the sport to survive.
The rod licence goes towards the support of the waterways and lakes and is, again a valuable source of funds in supporting and promoting projects encompassing the waterways, lakes & ponds.
I remember experiencing the thrill of being taught to fish as a child and still remember the key skills even though I have not fished for years, but it goes to show that it is something thatl children should be introduced to and enjoy, however long it lasts.
I dislike the disrespect that you mention where some people who want to abuse the fishing facility, which in this day age, seems to happen and it saddens me about the lack of enforcement of the lake.
I appreciate that others may differ in opinions of the use of lake, but I for one would hope that the balance for users of the park be it anglers or public alike can be maintained but not at the detriment of either of one or the other and especially for the fish, that clearly flourish and enjoy the use of the lake as there home.
The sun is out and the wind
The sun is out and the wind is low. Today is the ideal time to view the carp in the park..!!!
Have you got your camera
Have you got your camera handy?
As a keen angler i joined
As a keen angler i joined middleport angling just to fish tunstall park but was fed up of clearing kids off hurling bricks and debry into the water and the amount of people fishing it who probly didnt even have a licence let alone a day ticket or pass and on numerouse occasions grown blokes were night fishing for the carp the water suposed to be daytime water only i reported this to the club and basicly they didnt want to no. I also fished it when these carp fishermen had two or three rods covering the hole side of the pool top to bottom seems theres no rules and a lot of selfishness so basically i hope they do net it and move the fish and turn it into a boating lake or better still fill it in. :)
I no for one i wont be wasting my money buying another season ticket if i want to fish i will do what everyone else does and fish it for free !
Good news Steve!!Middleport
Good news Steve!!
Middleport anglers no longer have the water! Only last night I recieved a phonecall from Pittshill angling club to ask me if I will bailiff the water (once the paperwork is sorted) along with a few other bailiffs. The water will be policed daily by the team and hopefully we can turn the park into a much more pleasant place to fish! I cant confirm a take over date or prices at the moment but will do so as soon as things are finalised!.
I too had problems with MAC regarding ppl using treble hooks to foul hook fish on the surface. I was told thet they "arent bothered"... a very poor attitude to have and not fitting for an angling club responsible for the fish and the immediate surroundings.
Any queries please feel free to call me... 07895 603340
Regards]
Phil
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