CHICHESTER & DISTRICT ANGLING SOCIETY

  Newsletter for Winter 2026

Dear Members,

Welcome to the Autumn newsletter with what is hopefully useful information for new and existing members alike as we continue the 2026/7 season at CDAS.
With an exceptional hot and very dry Summer there have been some extra challenges in maintaining good water quality and oxygen levels. The Committee have purchased two new style aerators which have sensors attached which register water oxygen and automatically turn themselves on when levels get too low. If these purchases prove successful after a period of testing, then further aerators will be acquired as existing units come to the end of their working life. This will eventually mean that all aerators across the site will turn themselves on when oxygen levels drop too low rather than having to rely on timers and will give the club a more reliable and consistent way of running our aerators when they are needed.

AGM 2027
Some members like to know the date of the AGM well in advance and I can confirm that the 2027 AGM will take place at The Fishbourne Centre on the evening of Friday 26th February 2027. Further details will be issued along with the agenda nearer the time but if you would like to be very organized then this is the date for your diaries.

New Fish Stocks
Many of you will undoubtedly be pleased to hear that the Committee have agreed to purchase a further 30 C6 fish for delivery in the coming months. These fish will be added to the lakes according to the instructions of the Fishery Manager, but it is most likely that they will be split evenly between Quarry, Whyke and Churchyard Lakes when they arrive. On delivery, each fish will be photographed in the usual way, and it is hoped they will arrive before the AGM so that a slideshow can be organized to show all attendees what the new stockings look like.

Pike Teach-In
Due to the success of this event last year, it has been decided to undertake 6 teach-in sessions this year to enable as many members as possible to find a date on which they can attend. These teach-ins will be conducted by our Committee Member Steve Jones with assistance from Mr and Mrs Luffman along with previous attendees and the available dates are 4th, 17th and 25th October 2026. There will be one teach-in on the morning and afternoon of these dates with a maximum of 8 attendees per session. Please register your interest in the event you wish to attend by emailing Steve to piketeach24@gmail.com. Early registration should ensure that you are able to attend your first choice of dates.

Quarry Lake A27 Bank Repair Works
Some of our longest standing members may remember that well over 20 years ago some major works were undertaken to strengthen the entire length of the A27 bank of Quarry Lake. It has recently become clear that some areas are now showing degradation and breaking down of the Mypex membrane used during those works. It has therefore been decided to employ the services of an Excavation Company who will not only address the long-term integrity of that area of the complex but also reduce the ground levels so that when reinstated, the swims along that bank will be much improved and allow for safer delivery of fish back into the water after capture. It is inevitable that there will be some disruption to fishing when these works commence hopefully later this year but the long-term benefits for our anglers will hopefully justify the small period of upheaval.

Important general Information
Sadly, after several years with very few misdemeanors, this season has seen several members already being booked for the same offence of leaving baited hooks unattended in swims. This puts our wildlife at risk, as hungry birds and animals will always be looking for an opportunistic meal. Whether you are making a quick visit to the toilet block or going for a chat with a fellow angler, you must remove all bait from your hooks for the duration of your absence from your swim on each and every occasion that you vacate it.

The Committee have discussed this situation in detail and have agreed that henceforth there will be a standard structure of minimum sanctions for this particular offence of a 12-week suspension followed by a 12-month probationary period during which any further misdemeanors will result in much stronger sanctions being handed out. The Committee do not enjoy having to hand out sanctions to its members but your Membership Book clearly sets out the rules and Bylaws that the Committee are charged in ensuring are adhered to and any member choosing to disregard these directives can expect to receive a sanction commensurate with the severity of their misdemeanor.

CDAS are fortunate to have a very strong and active bailiffing team comprising of Gary Woolmore our Bailiff Co-Ordinator who is ably assisted by Steve Jones, Gary Pratt, Roger Seacombe, Stephen Hill and most recently joining the team, Rob White. Our bailiffs work hard to not only check that members are fishing responsibly and following the rules and bylaws but also to impart information and advice so please treat them with respect but do feel free to ask any questions you may have and they will always endeavour to be of assistance.

It has come to the attention of the Committee that a few anglers have been found using unsuitable roll up unhooking cradles such as those manufactured by ESP and OMC. These cradles do not provide sufficient protection for our fish and should not be used on any of our lakes. If you are in any doubt about the suitability of the unhooking cradle you are currently using, then please do ask one of our bailiffs for guidance.

The Society has again been granted a license to dispatch a certain number of cormorants who are often a nuisance around the complex. This new license takes effect in September, and members are therefore forewarned that there will be occasions when designated persons named on the license will be on site to shoot some of these birds. All due care and attention will be given to ensure this activity has the minimum impact on anyone fishing but members should not be alarmed if they do hear shots fired.

With the decision made last year to cease production of paper copies of newsletters etc. it really is essential that our members now either use the group Facebook Page or visit the CDAS website on a regular basis to keep abreast of anything that is happening on the complex at a given time and its cause and effect on your angling. The notice boards on site are updated regularly but sometimes decisions need to be made quickly and the Facebook page is really the very best way to see in real time, exactly what is happening and where and when so why not Come and join the Chichester & District Angling Society Facebook group!

If you’re a CDAS member and already have a Facebook account, joining is quick and easy. Simply follow the joining process on our website and click the Facebook link.
If you have an issue, please message CDAS.comm or text 07502112293.
If you’re a CDAS member who doesn’t use Facebook, but you have a close family member, wife/husband/partner or spouse who does, they can join the group on your behalf. They must clearly state that they are joining on behalf of a CDAS member and follow the normal joining procedure, using your membership book as evidence.

They will also need to send a message to CDAS.comm or 07502112293 confirming their relationship to you and that they are joining on your behalf. This arrangement has been agreed by the committee recently but please note that it is limited to close family members/partners.

👍 So, if you haven’t joined yet, why not join today? It’s a great way to keep updated with no need to post yourself.
🎣 CDAS Facebook – keeping our members informed as quickly as possible

Kind regards
Carole Baker – Secretary and Treasurer