ACTION PLANS – Brief summary of issues to ensure success
a) ENSURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT OFFICIALS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE THE ASSOCIATION OR SOCIETY – Have regular meetings at regular times. Commitment of officials, bailiffs, coaches etc. is essential.
b) GAIN SUPPORT FROM THE PROFESSIONALS WHEN YOU NEED IT
Always join professional bodies that can help with your problems. Obviously they cannot solve all your operational problems but establish contacts, who you can contact in cases of emergency. Sometimes money may be available to improve your fisheries or encourage juniors to become involved in angling.
Ensure that you have adequate contacts with Angling Trust staff to get the best support for your Association/Society (e.g. for bailiffs courses, local competitions, for coaching advice, for COVID-19 advice, etc.).
Institute of Fisheries Managements ( for members who wish to develop their management and professional skills to help your Society or Association). Provide financial support to interested members where you can. Encourage involvement for all interested members
Environment Agency (for advice on fish transfers between different waters, management of predators, and general club management issues.) sometimes money may be available to Associations for fishery improvements.
fish stock assessments.
Management Consultants (for Ad hoc work – check costs and scope) Can be over expensive
c) ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES, FINANCES AND INSURANCE
Ensure you have the necessary planning consent and approval for any changes and ensure that your plans and estimates of income and expenditure are checked for accuracy. Ensure you have adequate insurance and that it is up to date. Seek legal advice when you need it..Seek accurate costs for the work that you may need
Appoint someone to act as Fishery Manager and a Fishery support team to maintain the angling stations, inflows, outflows, fish mortality records, predation issues, site cleanliness issues, etc. The Fishery Manager should be on the committee and report on any issues of Fishery concern. Provide training and costs for training where it is needed and in liaison with the Treasurer the costs of fishery improvements.
c) WATER QUALITY.
Ensure you have, or have access to, the right meters, etc. for water quality measurement; ensure that you can calibrate the meters without difficulty or arrange for qualified assistance if it is needed. (Oxygen meter, ammonia meter, suspended solids meter,salt monitoring meters, or ammonia strips, etc.). Sometimes working with other clubs than eliminate the need to have your own meters for all measurements and can prove cost effective. Have contacts who can help with meter calibration if necessary. For some measurements that need be taken only occasionally, rather than on a frequent basis (e.g.ammonia levels, silt levels, etc); you may be able to liaise with the Environment Agency or other Associations to assist in taking such measurements.
d)FISH STOCKS
Create systems for the monitoring your fish stock levels (e.g monitoring match weights, checking fish condition, etc.). Ensure they are accurate and reported to the committee. Netting operations when needed.
e) PREDATION
Liaise with your members and local neighbour’s around the fishery to report and to monitor any visits to the fishery by cormorant or other non native bird species; or mammals that are likely to feed on fish stocks
f) DISEASE
Have basic monitoring and recording systems for fish mortality.
Liaise with professional support if fish mortality increases significantly.
g) COACHING OF JUNIOR ANGLERS
Encourage your committee and members to set up or support a junior section and to attend coaching courses and competitions organised by the Angling Trust. You will need coaches for different levels, introductory, intermediary, junior championship levels.
h)POACHING
Ensure your premises are protected, when apprpropriate. Ensure ongoing training for bailiffs. Liaise with the Angling Trust on the voluntary bailiff training scheme if you are a member of the Angling Trust.
I)LOOK AFTER YOUR MEMBERS
Always remember your members are your funding source and usually your support. They must have confidence in your actions and must be consulted on all important issues. No matter how professional the management of your Association, seek their views on major changes. Make sure that your actions are supported by your members at their meeting and AGM.