ianevetts - Cromford Fly Fishers Club

POACHING INCIDENT April 6 2025

*POACHING INCIDENT*

This afternoon our bailiff Mr Griffiths encountered a group of poachers on our waters.

The details available are limited but we are aware he was assaulted and his mobile phone was damaged.

The matter is now in the hands of Derbyshire Police.

Luckily on this occasion it appears the actual assault resulted in minimal injuries but nevertheless this is a shocking and frightening incident of what can occur when encountering such individuals.

Members of Cromford Fly Fishers safety is the top priority.

To remind members here are the full details of what you should do:

1. DO NOT approach the Poachers

2. DO NOT engage in conversation with the Poachers

3. DO NOT challenge the Poachers

4. DO NOT contact the Police directly (much quicker via Keith Griffiths)

The reasons for this are for your personal safety plus the longer they are left undisturbed the more time there is for the Bailiff/Police to catch them red-handed.

YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY CONTACT OUR BAILIFF KEITH GRIFFITHS WHO HAS A DIRECT LINE TO THE WILDLIFE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND HE WILL DEAL WITH THE INCIDENT – KEITH LIVES ONLY 10 MINUTES FROM THE RIVER

KEITH’S MOBILE IS 07950 156060

ALL MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE THIS IN THEIR PHONE!!!

When reporting poachers to Keith please try to give him the following information:

1. Where are they poaching? (What3Words is a good app to have on your phone)

2. What time did you see them?

3. How many of them? Descriptions if possible.

4. Did you witness them actually fishing and catching fish – or did you just see them walking near the river with intent?

5. If you saw them getting in/out of a car the make, model and registration would be really good.

Lodge Address:

Piscatoribus Sanctum

The Lodge

Mill Road

Cromford

DE4 3RQ

Lodge Location:

OS Grid Ref 430027, 357158

What3Words sniff.houseboat.mascot

Other useful location postcodes or what3words references:

Cromford Meadow DE4 3RQ

High Peak Junction DE4 5AA

Holmesford Meadow DE4 5HJ

What3words:

The Lodge car park: plotted.broth.dock

High Peak Junction Car park : tower.pass.spouse

The Wharf Shed: edicts.vanished.dispensed

Homesford Meadow car park : zoom.slug.narrates

by ianevetts

Stretch closed - Severn Trent installing new bridge

Severn Trent are installing a new bridge on our waters, for access to the sewage works at High Peak junction.

Please see below an aerial picture of the area which we as a club are closing with immediate effect as of today 30/3/2025 to ensure the safety of our members during the bridge installation (highlighted in yellow).

To confirm this is from the locked gate upstream of the bridge to the foot bridge, inclusive of both banks.

We will let you know when the work has been completed

by ianevetts

Club WhatsApp Group

A new, private to CFFC, WhatsApp group, has been set up.

Members can join if they would like, it is not mandatory.

Please note that if you do join the group your name and mobile number will be visible to other members.

To join the group you can click on the link below or scan the QR code above using your mobile device (phone or tablet) and a committee member will approve your entry to make sure it is only club members.

Any issues or questions please contact Martin Bush via the CFFC email: cromfordflyfishersclub@gmail.com

https://chat.whatsapp.com/EQudl6olm1JETvZCQ8ofAf

by ianevetts

REMINDER: No Fishing

The coarse close season ends on March 14, the trout season begins on March 18 so no fishing on club waters between those dates.

by ianevetts

2025 AGM - SUNDAY MARCH 2, South Wingfield Social Club 2.00pm

Cromford FlyFishers Club 151st Annual General Meeting will take place on SUNDAY MARCH 2 at South Wingfield Social Club, 43 High Road, South Wingfield, DE55 7LX

what3words https://w3w.co/basket.define.deranged.

There will be a buffet available for members from 2.00 and the AGM will start at 2.30, finishing at 5.00pm

Attendees will be able to collect a copy of the 150th Anniversary book and an anniversary CFFC Cap before the start of the event.

Please click to download the following documents

PARKING AT CROMFORD MEADOWS - CAMERAS NOW IN ACTION

From Chairman Stephen Taylor:

A recent concern has been the unannounced installation of cameras to monitor the public car park at Cromford Meadows.

I am assured that our members will not be charged for passing through the car park, be that on to our own land by the lodge, accessing the car park by the rugby club or exercising our rights of access to the river via the field.

If, after making such a transit you receive a penalty notice from Total Parking Solutions who have the rights to the car park, please do not pay it and let me know immediately.

Our lawyers are primed to fight any such notices

IF YOU DO RECEIVE A PENALTY NOTICE PLEASE EMAIL THE CHAIRMAN, STEPHEN TAYLOR

sjtleawood@gmail.com

*The Committee advises members not to park in the car park controlled by TPS or you will be responsible for payment for parking there*

by ianevetts

2025 MEMBERSHIP FEES

2025 Membership Fees

Renewal subscriptions are due on 1 January and should be paid 15 January.

This enables us to invite new members on a timely basis and invite them to the March AGM.

We would prefer it you could do this by BACS to

CROMFORD FLY FISHERS

Sort code 54-21-51

Account number 79191681

If you really cannot pay by BACS please forward a cheque to our treasurer Phil Thompson, 52 Wyaston Road, Ashbourne, Derbys DE6 1TX

The full subscription is £230 for next year, (£50 for juniors).

If you do not intend to renew please let us know as soon as possible so that we can release a place to someone on our waiting list.

by ianevetts

Fly Tying Masterclass - Ashford Village Hall Jan. 25

From Area 8 Grayling Society (Brian Clark)

Dear All

Once again I have arranged 2 Fly Tying Masterclasses at the Ashford in the Water Village Hall.

The first will be held on Saturday 25th of January 2025 commencing at 10.00 and be led by Bob Lomax.

Bob's topic for this year will be Nymphs.

As usual there will be tea, coffee, biscuits all day and a hot lunch.

The day will be limited to 15 people and the cost will be £36.00.

Payment can be made by cheque ( Grayling Society Area 8 or bacs (sort code;77-74-17 acc; 69690060)

Please email Brian asap with your intention to attend and your method of payment.

Brian Clark

yorkshire_pudd@hotmail.com

by ianevetts

Update from last committee meeting Tues. Oct. 15 2024

* Next years AGM will take place on 2nd March 2025 at the South Wingfield Social Club. Look out for more details to follow nearer the time.

* As mentioned at last year's AGM, Keith Griffiths and his organisation Protecting Club Fishing Water and Wildlife (PCFWW), have taken over all official bailiff duties on our water. To date he has disturbed, disrupted or taken action on over 20 people fishing or accessing our waters without authority. Indeed some will find themselves in court in the very near future. You may encounter Keith on the bank, whilst he does not know all members he does have a list but it would be really useful if you had some sort of proof of membership and your rod licence to hand.
* It is worth reminding that all members are effectively bailiffs and are entitled to challenge any behaviour or occasion that they may feel is suspicious or not in accordance with club rules or etiquette.
* Would all members please ensure you are aware of the procedure when encountering poachers, this can be found here - briefly if you spot suspicious activity please give Keith a call on 07950 156060, he has a direct line to the police.

* Jonathan Park, our catch returns man, asks that catch returns are completed in all cases after fishing. He hasn't received as many as he expected. It is important, along with other activity, for us to continually and consistently assess the quality of our water. Catch returns are required for grayling too in winter and there is a section for any rogue rainbows.

* Whilst a canoe going through our river is annoying especially as they shouldn't be there, please do not take an aggressive approach, remind them that they have no right to paddle but do not engage in an argument. It is possible you may be recorded and we do not want such behaviour to be used against us, no matter how frustrating it is.

* It is likely some committee members will be stepping down next year. We really do need new members and we need to have to have a larger committee. It is actually good fun, provides an opportunity to give something back to what is a great club at fantastic value. It also provides an opportunity to shape and influence the club's future. Anyone interested please contact any committee member or chair.

by ianevetts

150th Anniversary showing of 'Angling Today' TV programme - grayling fishing on Cromford Meadows 1972

150th Anniversary showing of Angling Today TV programme filmed on Cromford Meadows in 1972
I mention this programme in the book which a lot of you picked up on Sat. Oct. 5th, so now seemed a good time to post it.
This episode of Angling Today was first shown on ATV (now ITV) in the winter of 1972.
Terry Thomas - not the film actor, but a TV personality fisherman, narrates.
The film shows members of Cromford Fly Fishers Club -
Ken Clower,
Tom Saville - who celebrated his 100th birthday in September this year -
and Alf Stone, his brother-in-law, centre-pin fishing for grayling on Cromford Meadows.

The programme is 30 mins long and split into 2 chunks as the file is otherwise very big.

John Pass bought the copyright of this programme years ago. This copyright is now owned by his widow, Clarice Pass.
She has kindly allowed this to be shared with everyone in the Club - and The Grayling Society - as part of the 150th celebrations.

by ianevetts