Email sent to Paul Robinson (Parks and Countryside)

Paul

Thank you for coming over this morning and bringing Gary. Glad you liked the area.

To summarise what we discussed.

• Signage: Please find attached copies of notices sent by West Yorks Police. It would be great if these could go on the info boards at the access points.
  
• Litter: Bins not a likely option but Gary to send one of his team to the pond regularly to deal with litter. I have his direct number if there's a big problem.
  
• Pond maintenance. BTLAC lease the pond as a fishery and it is getting increasingly difficult to fish due to massive lily beds and silting problems on the dam wall. I'm not sure who we would need to speak to but would happy to meet up with someone to discuss possible solutions.
  
• Fish stocks. In 1993 during the building of Cookridge Hall Golf Course there was a major problem with clay silt being washed into the pond. The Environment Agency netted the water to save a lot of the stock. Due to issues with transfer of disease it was deemed that Golden Acre park lake was the "same water" and the fish were moved there on a temporary basis while Paul's Pond recovered. They only managed to net about 50% of the fish and current stock is from the remaining fish breeding. When the agency was approached to net Golden Acre to recover the fish they declined for various, and no doubt fiscal, reasons. BTLAC would dearly love to have the chance to get these fish back into their home water and could supervise the transfer of fish if we were granted appropriate permissions to fish Golden Acre over a pre agreed and strictly limited period.

I look forward to hearing from you when you return from Edinburgh (hope you have a great time).

Regards

Chris Parkin

Police Update

On friday evening i got two PCSO's to go around the pond about 10.00-1030pm
ish - they spoke with one man who had a permitt and there were no other
issues.

This evening (Monday) myself and Nikki went to the pond around 17.30hrs. We
spoke with three males. One had a permit, the other two were, as we thought,
spectating. We walked all the way around the pond and found abandoned
fishing gear. The two other males then came over to us and said it was
theirs and that they didnt have a permit. Their names were taken and they
were asked to leave. One of the males did have a regular fishing permit
just not a Pauls pond one but he said he would get one. Obviuously if i
see these males again there and they dont have a permit i can now escalate
it further.

New signs from the Neighbourhood Policing team

What do you think???

Saturday Suppliment

No poachers this week ! Nobody fishing it at all in fact. Andy cleared loads of litter and logs on Saturday afternoon.
I've got a meeting with Paul Ribinson (Parks and Countryside technical officer) at the pond at 9am Wednesday to discuss signs, litter and getting some maintenance at the pond. Feel free to join us if you are around.

Saturday Suppliment

A 9.30 walk revealed 10 teenage kids on the island having a party. None of them were any harm but had fires going and told me they'd been going there for ages. The centre of the island has been cleared and there are 2 tree houses on it.
They have been carrying a big inflatable across the golf course to get there!
Can't say I'd have done any different when I was 18. But...
Told them to stop the fires and clear up their litter but carry on for the evening if they could stand the rain.
Could be a money spinner. Secluded island, totally private, accessed by a private boat, no motor vehicles, treetop views, superb fishing..Mustique or Paul's Pond?

How to join the blog.

Email your name and email address to chrisparkin65@btinternet.com. I'll then send you an invitation to join and you can start posting yourselves.

Sat Update

Not much except the litter. Nobody doing much with the carp fanatics not reporting any monsters to the bank.

And lots of these coming out at the moment 3-4lb average.

12 1/2lb 1hour 40 mins 3lb line! (6 years ago)

More Poachers

Caught 2 blokes making their way to the pond via Esporta. Stopped them and asked for their tickets and took a load of abuse and threats. Contacted the Police on their non-emergency number and met up with them later at the pond (poachers had gone by then).
Really good to see they are taking the problems at the pond seriously. I'll add the number to the Blog so you can call them if you have any trouble up there.

Poachers and litter

Contrary to earlier report there were 3 blokes with Shimano tackle spotted leaving the pond on Saturday night. They left behind 3 crates of beer cans and other litter and which filled a large bin bag.
They also had a fire which spread to one of the trees. If anyone is near the pond on Saturday evening please keep an eye on things and let me know on 07951 22 15 15. I'll try and get up late evening but work and kids may prevent it happening.

Welcome to the BTLAC Blog for Paul's Pond

Week ending 12/6/11. No poachers. New signs put up around the pond. Someone overnighted on Saturday and left a fire burning and loads of cans (hope it wasn't one of ours). Catches: Tench to 4lb and Perch on red maggot to Christie.

After a storm