The clocks have gone back an hour and the temperature has dropped back a bit, but at the moment it doesn't feel like winter quite yet. We have had a bit of rain and with more on the way, but we need continuous rain for the next few months to make any headway to cure the effects of this summer's drought. The Abbey is steadily rising to its full level now that pumping has stopped, and Cox Lake is starting to rise, but at the moment Alresford Lake is struggling. Catches have slowed up a bit due to the cooler weather as is to be expected , but Tench are still making appearances. Bream catches continue to be good for the individual angler but not so hot for the match anglers.

Work parties continue in earnest through the winter months with Wednesday morning sessions at the Orchard Complex and Thursday mornings at Alresford Lake. Please spare a few hours when you can, as without the maintenance on the lakes there will be no clear access to swims etc.

As has been mentioned, the clocks have altered and the nights start to draw in and for some of our members this becomes a lonely time of year. The loss of transport can lead to the inability to get out for a few hours fishing and a chance to catch up with aquaintances. We are a club and we all have a resposibility to one another, so if you know of someone who can't get to the lakes due to transport issues or would welcome a chat, please make the offer. You will both benefit from this act of kindness.

Unfortunately, we have to announce the death of Graham Osbourne who had been a long and committed member of AAA and an ardent float fisherman. Graham went into hospital and sadly died unexpectedly of Pneumonia. For all of you that knew Graham either from Paxmans or through the club, his funeral will take place on Friday 20th November at 12:15 hrs at Colchester Crematorium for you to say your goodbyes and to pay your last respects.

October's matches were fished in a mixture of weathers, with high winds effecting their final venues. The month started and ended with an OAP match and the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the Autumn matches filled in between. The change in temperature affected the Autumn 2 match, with all anglers struggling and only 4 F1's being caught during the match. Paul Barrell came out on top with a catch of 16lb 3oz made up of Bream and Skimmers . The venue of the Autumn 3 match had to be changed from the Abbey Lake to Bramley Lake due to expected high winds. Despite the sheltered aspects of the lake, some anglers still struggled with the strong winds. John Popkin won this match with a weight of 22lb 13oz. The overall winner was Bob Johnson with 25 points beating Adrian Loughton who had 23. The OAP matches were won by John Popkin with a Bream and Skimmer bag of 16lb 3oz and Steve Baynton won the last one of the month with a catch of Skimmers and F1's to bag 35lb 15oz. This current season will be the last of the OAP matches organised by Adrian Loughton. If they are to continue next year, a new organiser will be needed. A well deserved "thank you" goes out to Adrian for all his time and energy put in, over the past seasons.

The Vauxhall Estate that was left in the top car park at Alresford Lake has now gone hopefully never to return. The Police were contacted along with the landowner prior to it leaving.

Now that the air and water temperaures have dropped, fishing for Pike will commence on the 15th of this month through to 15th March. Dead baits and lures only, no livebaiting. The barbless and micro-barb rules still apply. An unhooking mat and a large landing net are also required before you commence fishing, and no "gags" to be used to unhook a fish. Despite their predatory appearance, Pike do not survive well due to heavy handling. Pike, depending on the weather, spawn from February through to early April. The males reaching sexual maturity after 2 years and females after 4. The females live on to be bigger fish, so Pike over 10lb will almost certainly be female. They are not a long lived fish, with 18 years being a long lived specimen, although in the exact conditions they have been known to reach 25 years.

November has always been a month of clear night skies and frosty mornings, and the hope of a big Roach or Perch. Whether this winter will supply all the right conditions will be in the lap of the gods.

Looking back in time and how the masses were entertained, on 2nd November 1936 the BBC started with 100 TV sets in use. Compare that to 16th November 1724 when the Highwayman Jack Shepard was hanged in front of an audience of 200,000. The TV won in the end though, because you don't have to go out in the cold to be entertained.

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

Tight Lines