SOUTHDOWN A.A. STILL WATER FISHERIES

23rd October 2022 - Water Closed

Curls Farm, Ripe.

150 metres west of the centre of Ripe village, turn right into a lane heading north west, signposted Laughton. The Fishery is on the right hand side with entry via double farm gates secured by chain and combination padlock, leading to two large barns. Parking in designated area against the hedge adjacent to the lane.

Able bodied members must walk to the lake following the track around the field edge.

Subject to due authority and provided ground conditions are suitable, disabled members are permitted to drive down to the water, via the gate to the left of the barns, which is again secured by a chain and combination padlock. Disabled parking at dam end of lake only. No parking behind swims.

Lock combinations are changed every year, the main gate numbers being shown on the annual membership booklet, with the disabled access advised to qualifying individual members. All gates must be re-secured after entry or exit.

Fishing from one hour before sun rise to one hour after sunset. No Night Fishing.

No keepnets or sacks other than in Association sanctioned competitions.

Unhooking mats must be used when carp fishing. Nut baits are prohibited.

A public footpath runs alongside the lake, be mindful and considerate of members of the public or horse riders who may pass from time to time.

15th October 2022

Curl’s Farm Fish Deaths and Temporary Closure

We held a working party on Saturday the 1st October when a large number of dead fish were removed from the water and subsequently buried on site.

It was a very unpleasant, difficult and sad task to undertake.

Thanks are due to the following members and helpers, some supplying equipment, who did a great job in difficult circumstances to support the club.

Peter Gabbitas, Stephen Izzard, Richard Bendall, Keith Lawrence & Dave Farley.

We now need to assess the next steps, beginning with a consultation with the landowners / land agents and possibly a fisheries consultant.

The fishery needs a lot of bankside clearance work and possibly restocking.

These tasks will take some time and it is unlikely that the water will be

re-opened until Summer 2023 at the very earliest.

In the interim, the water will remain closed to all members.

There will be a further update when we have more news.

28th September 2022

Curls Farm Fish Deaths and Temporary Closure

We have periodically been monitoring the lake since the fish deaths were first reported, the last visit being on the 22nd September. Thankfully we have had cooler weather with some rain recently, there were no signs of fish “gasping”

at the surface and some signs of fish movement.

There remain a number of dead fish dispersed around the lake that still need

to be removed, so we have a Working Party planned for this coming Saturday

the 1st October, for the morning only, commencing at 8am, to remove the remaining dead fish and have also arranged for a boat and a pit to be dug

in which to bury the dead fish.

Meet up in the car park by the barn and subject to the ground conditions we may then drive down to the lake.

Any members able to help, please come along. Physical lifting will be required

and you should bring and wear appropriate footwear (wellies, waders etc.), waterproof clothing and protective gloves. A sturdy landing net and handle that

you don't mind using would also be useful, so bring this along too.

If you are able to attend, please let us know, preferably by email to: southdownanglingassociation@clubmate.co.uk,

so that we have an idea of numbers participating.

The water will still remain closed for the time being, but we would hope to re-open as soon as possible once all the dead fish have been removed

and there are no signs of further problems.

Further updates will be issued in due course. Many thanks in anticipation

12th September 2022

Curls Farm Water Closure

Following the hot and dry weather in July and August with water levels falling, although we have had some most welcome rain, often in the form of thunderstorms, we have now seen quite a number of recent fish deaths at this water, mainly the carp being affected with the surviving fish are also showing signs of distress.

The Environment Agency has been informed and have investigated, suggesting that the fish have succumbed to a sudden crash in the dissolved oxygen levels, caused by a sudden fall in the air pressure associated with the thunderstorms, which can often be quite localised in nature.

We are not alone in this as there has been a number of similar incidents recently.

Unfortunately, there is little that can be done to alleviate the situation, the lake  being too shallow for effective aeration, we just hope that it doesn’t get any worse.

In view of the above, we have decided to temporarily close the water to members with immediate effect.

We will be monitoring the situation and re-open for fishing as soon as

it is safe to do so.