The Environment
Most freshwater anglers will tell you they go fishing not just to catch fish but because they also appreciate a natural environment and enjoy the diverse wildlife that water seems to attract.
We are fortunate to have such a wonderful variety of waters for our members to fish, from a large Estate Lake in the National Trust’s Petworth Park where not only can you see the magnificent fallow deer at close quarters but also an abundance of bird life.
We also have quiet secluded rural ponds and stretches of river where if you are quiet and fortunate enough a beautiful kingfisher may settle on your rod to use as a perch in it’s quest for a meal of small fish, an event like this is not a rarity on some of our waters.
All natural environments are sensitive to disturbance by anglers so we ask our members to keep that disturbance to a minimum. We expect our members to respect the environment, do nothing that will have an adverse effect on both the wildlife and the enjoyment of fellow anglers. Please do not fish where you are likely to lose items of terminal tackle or line as these can be fatal to wildlife. Please choose a swim more suited to your own capabilities.
We expect our members to ensure they take all of their litter home with them and also any that a more inconsiderate person may have left behind. Failure to do so is not just against the principles of our club, it could put wildlife and livestock at risk and could also jeopardise the good relations we have built up with our landlords over many years. Litter and litter louts are not welcome in our Club and will not be tolerated.
– Dr David Bellamy.
Anglers are indeed instrumental in safeguarding the quality of our waterways and the wildlife that inhabit them. Our members are provided with the necessary Emergency contact numbers within their Club Handbook should they spot anything amiss whilst visiting our waters. The club belongs to the Angling Trust and asks that members consider taking out individual membership. The Angling Trust exists to represent you and protect angling. The more anglers who join, the louder their voice becomes. By becoming a member, you fund their work to promote angling and its future, to fight for better fish stocks in both the marine and freshwater environment and to campaign against threats to angling. You can learn more about the Angling Trust and its work HERE
For those of you interested in birds please click HERE for a report of a survey conducted by the Sussex Ornithological Society into the birdlife throughout the Rother Valley.