News

​At a recent committee meeting the decision was made to close Captains pool for a period of at least 2 weeks once the fish start spawning, maybe longer if the need arises. This is to avoid the fish getting over stressed during this difficult period of their year. All members will be contacted by email or text when the time comes.

The club wishes to restore Captains pool back to the premium fishery it was not to many years ago. To this end we will be adding a small number of new stock towards the end of 2025 and 2026 in an attempt to mix up the genetic strain. It has become apparent from netting results that while the fish go through the spawning motions​ each year, no younger fish are coming through so we need to add a new gene to the pool.​

​

All members are advised that the river Wye upstream stretch at Ballingham is booked for a contest on Sunday 26th October 2025. The lower end (Sheepwash) is available for individual fishing

​

Please be advised that there is to be no overnight fishing on the river Wye stretches at the Golden Mile and Sheepwash. As far as I'm aware at the moment an hour or so into dark is okay

​

​

​

15th July 2024

As you may be aware Tony Mobley who is one of the founder members of Phoenix angling club and also President and Chairman passed away suddenly on the 15th June this year.

In a moving ceremony at the retreat at the downstream end of the Golden mile on the river Wye, A place he loved so much as both an angler and ghillie, Tony's ashes were scattered from the boat mid river by close friend, Max Taylor and present ghillie Richard watched on by wife Irene and over 100 family and friends who came some considerable distances to pay their last respects  to a man considered by many to be a true gentleman.

Following on from the ceremony a wake was held at the Moon pub in Mordiford which was packed to the rafters in Tony's memory.

The owner of the golden mile and Tony's former employer, before Tony finally retired 4 years ago, said a few words including how they had become good friends over the years enjoying Salmon fishing trips to Scotland on several occasions and in particular a very recent trip where all 3 members of the party had caught 2 Salmon each, a feat that Tony was particularly proud of.

A collection was made  and over £700 was raised in aid of the river Wye restoration fund.

Phoenix angling club will miss Tony greatly for both his enthusiasm when things needed doing and his wealth of knowledge which is irreplaceable.

 

26 May 2024

On the 2nd May thanks to another generous grant from the fisheries improvement programme funded by your rod license payment, 20 3 metre long coir rolls planted with a variety of aquatic plants were placed at various places along the dam and then covered over with some black plastic meshing to prevent the ducks and geese from eating the young plants. We hope that these will soon take hold and improve the outlook of the lake for everyone who goes to the pool.  ( see gallery page)

The fish seemed to like them as within a week they were spawning under them which is a good sign

​

5th February 2024

The dead and dangerous trees at Captains pool have now been dealt with thanks to a grant of over £3000 from the fisheries improvement programme which is funded by your rod license money. The work was carried out on the 25th January and now when the wind blows you shouldn't have to worry about big pieces of timber dropping on you. Our thanks to the Environment agency for approving the funding and ARBSERV arboricultural services for carrying out the work. There are some videos and photos on the gallery page.

On the 1st February a netting was carried out at Captains pool by AJS fisheries with the aim of removing large quantities of skimmer bream, small roach and small carp.

This was extremely successful with a large number of skimmer bream removed up to about a pound, Small carp were also removed up to around 7 pounds but the good news is that there are plenty of large carp up to well over 20lbs still there.

The surprise was where have all the small roach disappeared too. Possibly been eaten by the goosanders that have been visiting recently especially when the rivers are high or just hiding under the banks.

the club has been advised to start supplementary feeding of the fish during winter probably with maize and this will commence soon. Don't be shy when baiting up as we want these fish to pile on the weight now.

It is anticipated that the procedure will be repeated over the next couple of years and the club will be pursuing another grant from the fisheries improvement fund to further improve the fishery.

​

​

​

29th November 2023

Pleased to announce the arrival of the long awaited stocking at Holders pool of 500 Tench, 500 Crucians and 1000 Rudd.

Massive thanks to the Staff at the Environment Agency's Calverton fish farm, the Environment Agency Shrewsbury area office and  E.A. fisheries officers, Laura Bullock and Harry Ballard  and also to Jim Seymour who initially raised the request and fish farmer & delivery driver James 'Rab' Rabjohns.

The fish are around 18 months old at this time and we were impressed by the size of the fish, much bigger than expected, and in fantastic condition. There should be some fantastic days ahead for this fishery. Photos and video's on the gallery soon.

If you fish there please treat the fish with the utmost care. Please resist the temptation to use a keepnet as it does the fish no good especially when the weather gets warmer. This is advice, not a rule but good anglers will know this.

Do not be tempted to remove fish, or add any, under pain of instant expulsion.

 

4th August 2023

Today information was received from a member that some fish were seen looking distressed and lethargic yesterday. Secretary immediately went to the pool along with Environment agency fisheries officer to assess the situation and see if there was any action that could be taken.

At the time several members were fishing the pool and catching fish. The EA officer examined the fish we witnessed being caught to see if there was any signs of any viral infections. It was pleasing to report that the fish were healthy and no signs of infectious diseases were evident. We walked the fishery length several times and found no evidence of any distressed, or dead, fish on this day. 

Despite there being no evident problem the incident was reported to the Environment agency incident hotline in case there are any further incidents and action needs to be taken by them to save the fish.

Although there appears to be no problem at this time members should report any signs of numbers of fish in distress to the secretary as soon as possible.

It is becoming increasingly evident that there are now to many fish for the fishery to support and the sad reality is that unless the committee takes action there is likely to be an inevitable crash. I will keep you posted.

​

19th July 2023

A word of warning

Yesterday, 18th July, I received word that KHV (koi herpesvirus) has been  detected

in a water not to far away from Captains pool.

This is a deadly disease particularly in common carp, including mirror carp.

With this in mind please ensure that all nets and weigh slings are bone dry, preferably air dried in the sun or even better disinfected BEFORE going fishing.

With immediate effect keep nets and carp sacks are banned and should not be taken on the water.

Signs will be placed on the gates and notice boards as soon as possible.

​

​

8th May 2023

Recently a few members have asked about taking their children to the pools.

Phoenix angling club  likes to encourage young people to participate in being outdoors and to this end we offer the facility to allow members children, or grandchildren, to accompany them to the pools  subject to the following conditions.

​

Phoenix AC cannot accept any responsibility for any accident or injury, however caused, to your child whilst on club pools.

​

a)   They should inform the secretary, chairman or treasurer by email or text message that they wish to take there child along with them, giving a date.

b)  Children under 12 years of age must be under constant supervision in the same peg as the member who is fishing and not roaming around elsewhere. They may fish with one rod only, maybe float fishing, to learn the craft but under adult supervision only.

c)   Children over 12 years of age and under 18 years of age who do not fish may accompany an adult member and should remain in the same peg as the fishing member. They may apply for a non fishing membership if attending regularly.  (free)

d)    Children over the age of 12 and under 18 years of age who wish to fish must apply for a Junior membership ticket and they are subject to the same rules as full members.  Junior members are not permitted to supervise younger siblings.

e)     Children and junior members are not permitted on the river sections due to the steep banks.

 

5th April 2023

Not even Easter yet and already litter is being left. This must have been during the last couple of days. This is becoming an ever increasing problem that must be stamped out. 

Rest assured that if you are found to have left any litter you will be expelled from the club immediately.

There is no justifiable excuse that you can offer for leaving litter.

 

​

​

​

Please note that from the 1st January 2023 the cost of guest tickets is to increase.

Captains pool will be £12.50 per day

Holders pool, Lenchford & Ballingham will be £7.50 per day

Guest tickets are available, in advance, by email or in person from the secretary, chairman or treasurer. Payment should be made in cash or direct into club bank account, the same one you pay your membership subscription into.

A couple of days notice would be appreciated when possible.

Please note guests MUST be accompanied by the member purchasing the guests ticket.

​