One thing that can be said about this country is that the weather is never boring. The past few weeks have had virtually all the seasons in one short spell. Frosty nights up to high day time temperatures and nights with the windows wide open to get a bit of air circulating, back to everything battened down to stop the wind and rain blasting in the rooms. Fishing has been a bit challenging also, in knowing what extra gear to take: extra clothes for the cold, fluids for the heat, plus hat and shelter, down to brollies and bivvys due to the rain. The latter sitting out to dry in garages after watery sessions. We all pack everything in our bags to cover every eventuality regarding fishing, but tend to forget hats and drinks when the weather is excessive. Heat exhaustion is a very unpleasant condition to endure, brought on by dehydration. Sunburn and the ongoing effects can be prevented by the use of high factor sunscreen. Don't have your day spoilt by the effects of the sun.

We are now at the start of the new season 2026/2027 and welcome to our new members. To all who have rejoined and have trust in us as a club and committee, "thank you" we are trying our best to get things right. Obviously, there is a new gate code which is displayed on the Clubmate website and we would ask that this number does not become common knowledge. We all pay for the priviledge of fishing our lakes so don't allow people to fish for free. Please give new members any help they need and point them in the right direction for parking, the use of tackle and to leave the swims neat and tidy..

The matches last month were the Westlake 1, Norrington, Chinery and the 4 Float Challenge. The first of the Westlake series was fished on Bramley Lake and was won by John Popkin with a weight of 24lb 13oz .With Roach and Rudd having other things on their mind at this time of year, it made it hard going for some pegs. The Norrington match was again fished on Bramley and again proved hard going for some with Adrian Loughton taking 1st place with 14lb 8oz. The Chinery match was fished on Cox lake with Nick Austin having a winning weight of 108lb 6oz and the final match of the month was the 4 Float Challenge. This was a match fished on Bramley with the pegs divided into 6 sections with sectional winners and one overall winner, this being John Popkin with a weight of 21lb 11oz.

This month's matches are :- OAP at Alresford Lake, Westlake 2 at Worcester Lake, Sweepstake at Bramley Lake and Westlake 3 at Worcester Lake. Please watch out for gate notices regarding changes to any of these events.

Water quality is an important part of any water for the welfare of the fish therein. The Oxygen,Nitrate and Nitrite levels in the club's waters are checked and have been found to be at the correct levels. The weed that has accumulated on the bottom of Cox lake has been cleared around the swims and a "thank you" to all those that took part in dragging the swims. This will be an ongoing task for the moment but the evidence of water insect life is on the increase, which is a positive.

All of the lakes fish have gone through a period of spawning, in some cases brought on by the hot weather. It is still possible that some species may have another session and we ask that you leave whatever section of water that is selected alone for them to carry on. The results of stocking have started to show in a positive way with Tench around the 3lb mark and Carp of 4lb coming out of Alresford Lake. Bream catches from this lake continue to be good. The level in the Abbey has dropped due to irrigation but does not pose a problem at present and is quickly replaced once spraying has stopped.

The rain that has shown itself over the last few days will have a beneficial effect on water levels. One, by adding to the lakes content and two, by not needing to water crops so much. Thereby keeping the water table at a better level.

On the subject of water, there as a been a flurry of deaths by drowning over the last few weeks around the country. Please discourage anyone from swimming in our lakes even if it means calling the Police to get them evicted. The water temperature at the bottom of some of our lakes does not rise much above 5 deg C and someone who jumps in will hit this section and the cold will shock them into gasping and drawing in water. There has been a lot of promotion in the past for "rough swimming" as a healthy exercise. The Angling Trust have approached the Environment Agency and Parliament to have designated areas that do not conflict with fish spawning and other wildlife areas, and are deemed "safe"but there always those who choose to ignore signs. With the school holidays approaching, please be vigilant for persons misusing our lakes.

With all that is going on in the world, find a place by lake ,set up , cast out and let the only worry be that you have the right bait.

As always, stay safe, look after one anotherand enjoy your fishing.

Tight Lines