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Post by gusgreaves on Nov 18, 2006 0:42:25 GMT
I noticed there were no entries in the section and I am quite surprised, I really thought it would have been one of the most used. Anyway, there is no doubt that the growing number of members in North Yorks and the North East think Catterick is excellent value for money and keep coming back year after year.
So what do you think? Should Leeds try to sell Catterick and risk loosing 700-members, or should they invest more to bring it up to commercial status.
Please lets have your views.
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Post by frim on Nov 18, 2006 12:00:10 GMT
a good commercial desperately needed for the society, but you have to invest to get it to woodlands- sessay standards,day ticket turnover is the only way to self fund a fishery, but it has to be good to get bums on seats. Lets not kid anyone that catterick is responsible for 700 north east members [ coz it aint ] Go on any open match this winter and a quarter of the field are geordies.(always has been- always will be.)
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Post by paulwp0 on Nov 18, 2006 21:34:48 GMT
a quailty commercial is a must in my opinion for the society, i know there not every one`s cup of tea, its taking the skill out of fishing in my opinion(old school), but its what anglers want these days,but why in catterick, why not speculate to accumulate and upgrade with one of the local waters i.e meanwood, sandwath, like it says on the book its a leeds club not a geordie club.
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Post by gusgreaves on Nov 19, 2006 14:02:04 GMT
While I agree not all the books sold in the North East are just for Catterick but on the other hand I would think the average attendance on Leeds ASA matches is about 40 so half of that is just twenty. Even if you multiply that by the amount of Leeds ASA matches per week it would not match the amount sold just for Catterick or anywhere near it.
Catterick has shown a healthy profit year on year and the society will be well on track to getting back its initial investment there. Its all very well saying get a fishery nearer to Leeds but you would have to pay someone to run it 24/7 and at Leeds ASA yearbook prices you could never afford to do it. It would be a good idea to have a day ticket only water but you would never get the delegates to agree to that one.
Kind Regards, Gus
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Post by Charlyfarly on Nov 20, 2006 16:14:06 GMT
During the past 3 months I have walked all of the Leeds coarse- fishing waters with the exception of the Aire and Calder. On my travels I have had interesting conversations with many anglers some of whom have expressed their views very forcefully in language too ripe to include on here. My observations are: 1) Leeds has lost some fine stretches in the last decade - Why? 2) Of all the many clubs (Bradford No 1, Bradford City, York, WRAC, Middlesbrough etc), whose waters I have wandered Leeds is, by a million miles, the most neglected and poorly signposted - not just absence of signs (limit signs are almost non-existant) but scruffy, battered signs, rotted off posts and signs propped up against the nearest hedge- than any other club. Some pegs are inaccessable wildernesses and many stiles have disintegrated or vanished. 3) The 'Book' is inaccurate and sparse on information for the new member and, although I haven't seen a set of maps, comments I received have been less than complimentary - worse than its biggest rival -whose book I have seen and it is not very good. 4) Leeds ADSA is haemorraging members at an ever-increasing rate - 300+ last year was a figure mentioned. It is not possible to sustain an extensive 'Book' with annual rents in excess of £40,000 if these figures are anywhere near accurate. It is not only Catterick which will be at risk!!!
I have taken a large number of photographs of both good, bad and absolutely awful on Leeds stretches. I have also prepared a map of each stretch (28) based on my own needs and my observations which I can make available to any who want a decent map showing large scale directions, parking, access, Leed's notices, limit signs etc. There are eight stretches where I have no idea where the upstream and downstream limits are - Easedike upstream, Kexby up and down, Sutton up and down, Stamford Bridge parking and access, Lower Dunsforth up and down and Nun Monkton-Nidd upstream, Tadcaster sewage works- Oxton, and Moor Monkton Downstream (is it the water tower?). I sent a copy of these sections to the Society secretary last Monday asking for clarification and for a set of maps so that I can confirm what I have found 'on the ground'. I await the reply. Once I have this I am optimistic that things will only get better as the fishing is excellent. I would hope that the Society will find the maps useful for members but being in colour they may be more expensive should it decide to publish them. To come back to Catterick - It is described on this web site as a parkland site. 1) The entrance gate looks like it has been rammed and is bent. 2) It has a hand painted sign attached. 3) The yellow Leed's sign has been hammered on top of an original sign with rotten chipboard between. 4) The large Catterick Lakes sign has had the NO removed re dogs - and I saw eight dog walkers on one visit. 5) The entry to the Lakes section has scruffy notices. 6) The Piece-de-Resistance must be the two portaloos. They are absolutely digraceful - unbelievably disgusting. Somebody is to be congratulated on the tree planting and clearing of litter (very little has been evident on my visits) but there is a very large pile of full black plastic bin-liners which gives a poor impression. The potential to create something worthwhile is enormous but will need substantial investment as has been made with the caravan park on the opposite bank of the river. I am not a still- water fisherman but on my rare visits to these in this area many have a tackle shop, cafe, inviting entrances, excellent parking, immaculate pegs, caravan sites etc - what does Catterick Lakes have to offer to compete with them? I can see some private organisation turning Catterick into a fantastic venue for the pleasure angler - is this what Leeds wants for itself? It is an ambitious leap but the rewards could be great ( losses also if it was not well researched). Members need to appreciate what they still have as once it is lost it will be lost for ever as more and more ambitious clubs buy up Leeds waters. Cheers TB
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Post by stanfish on Nov 20, 2006 19:47:27 GMT
hi Charley,thought i would reply to this one,no1 the gate,GUS THINKS ITS THE GIPSY'S, the same ones that broke into the container that we have on the site,the same ones that came back after it was reported to the police and set fire to Gus,s old car that he used to collect the rubbish in ,the same ones that came with there dogs to go badger baiting,until Gus threatened them, they tried to knock the gate down by reversing a lorry into them ,so well done Charley for spotting 2 of the faults you noticed ,spot on.as you must have noticed Leeds is under new management, hence the web site, so I hope we can now talk to some of our members who use the site and use it in a way to provide a better service for our members, there are things that I could not discuss on the site , but plans are ongoing for catterick first, and then some waters closer to Leeds. As catterick is the nearest thing to a commercial we have it seemed prudent to start there, but it takes time to do these thing when there is a fall in membership and next to no money to do them. becoming president at this time seems to be like been given the helm of the titanic half way across the Atlantic,equally difficult to alter course, but we all know what happened to the titanic so we have started to alter course,you only have to miss an iceberg by 10 yards to miss it , so bare with us don't lose faith, ask to join the G/P committee as a watcher and help steer the great ship in a safer direction. I would like to thank you for taking the time to do the maps I cant wait to see them on the site , so i thank you for all our members ,Stan ..p/s i hope that answers the other 4 ,
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Post by gusgreaves on Nov 20, 2006 19:48:30 GMT
Well, well things are hotting up thanks for your honesty and blunt comments BT, I can assure you I will take them on board with regard to Catterick however, I cannot make any promises for the rest. As a member of Leeds ASA a few years ago your comments would have landed you in front of the KGB/G.P Committee and a possible fine and warning to your future conduct. With all due respects to the members of that committee who are all volunteers, the committee is outdated and largely dysfunctional. A better system would be to have two people with time to spare and a pick-up and in a year they could have all the necessary work done on all the Leeds venues.
Your comments regarding Catterick are well founded and although it is private land there is an element within the local population that refuse to accept this fact. The vandalism from these people has been an ongoing problem for the last eight years and they will attack any sign that seeks to bar them from the land. However six years ago this fishery was an overgown wilderness with no access and only half a dozen fisherble pegs. The improvements were done by my wife and I and our friends with no help from Leeds.
With regard to the Porto-loo's they were until this year cleaned daily and supplied with washing facilities, soap, towels and loo roll. But because of the constant vandalism to them, the cost of repairs and the disgusting state users left them in, to my discredit I just gave up. As for the bin bags I can only get rid of them a few at a time.
As you have said what is needed is investment and not just at Catterick and the longer it is left the results will continue to be seen in the declining membership. Fortunately we have some new blood in the administration and no doubt things will soon change for the better.
Kind Regards, Gus.
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Post by paulwp0 on Nov 20, 2006 20:28:34 GMT
thats a cracking write up charly and some great points made, believe it or not there is still members out there who are willing and able to help out, in cleaning up other peoples mess, little bits of maintenance work etc!!!. the waters just need a little t.l.c, more bailiff`s checks.
declining membership is down to people knowing the chances of getting caught by a bailiff are slim, i`v been a member for a few years now and fished both still waters and river stretches and like said before i`v only been asked once for my book, so people think why fork out £40.
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Post by frim on Nov 20, 2006 20:58:02 GMT
In response to charleyfarly and a number of the other postings, about 18 months ago a number of members realised that changes needed to be made in the society and they decided to get off the fence and do it. New president ( stan jeffreys ) and a number of new bloods on committee's are now reading and replying to comments ( mostly agreed with ! ) on our own web site, imagine that only 2 years ago.... dont think so! . Keep the views flowing they will be heard.
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Post by Mick on Nov 20, 2006 22:17:32 GMT
Hi all, I have read all the comments lately. Gus, don't you think it is time you stopped slating the G.P. Committee and gave them a bit more support. I know a few of the lads on the committee, I can honestly say they do the best they can. Most of them work full time, and still giveup theit time for the benefit of others. If everybody stopped moaning about what's needs to be done and got off their backside to help do the work, things would get done much quicker. The way I see it, if you can't be bothered to help, things can't be that bad really. Its time more people joined/helped the G.P. Committee with their hard work if the society is to move forward
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Post by gusgreaves on Nov 21, 2006 1:02:33 GMT
Hi Mick,
I think you misinterpreted my point, the thing is that in the modern world people do very little in the way of volunteering, unlike the old days. Yes it is good to here contributers offering to help but what we need is a heavy gang on the job every day. Leeds have something like 100-miles of river to maintain and a weekly visit just won't get the job done.
I an sick of hearing how good Bradford and other clubs in the region are and how good their water are, believe me they have nothing compared to Leeds ASA waters and would snap them up if they ever became available. This site is the start of the fight back where we can put Leeds ASA back in the top echelons of fishing societies, where it belongs.
Leeds ASA has for many years been like a dinosaur that needs dragging, kicking and screaming into the twenty first century. The problem for a long time has been that the members themselves have talked down the benefits of Leeds ASA membership. Leeds have more assets, waters, and trophies than any of their rivals will ever have. OK we have had to give up a few water because of greedy riparian owner and we have had to cut our cloth to suit the changes in angles likes and dislikes but you cannot go from 9,000-members to 3000 without some changes being made.
However you can't get away from the fact that for £40-a year you can fish 30-odd river venues, about 12 lakes and 20-miles of canals, all of which which would accommodate almost every angling pursuit. Its time to stop the bickering and get on with promoting the society, shout its name from the roof top's, Leeds ASA is back, ready to build and reclaim its rightfully place at the top of the deck.
kind Regards, Gus
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Post by nightline on Nov 21, 2006 9:40:51 GMT
Here Here Gus - Here Here Mike. Now see what you have done Charlyfarly, well done more power too you.
More to the point. More Power to Stan He's only been in a year and there are now signs that unity may brake out at any minute.
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Post by nightline on Nov 21, 2006 9:42:57 GMT
Here Here Gus - Here Here Mike. Now see what you have done Charlyfarly, well done more power too you.
More to the point. More Power to Stan He's only been in a year and there are now signs that unity may break out at any minute.
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Post by stanfish on Nov 21, 2006 19:33:05 GMT
hi guys, thanks for your positive comments, we hope to get some sighns for all our venues and start to put them up in 2007,if any of you know where they are needed post them on this site then we will have a record,then next year we will ask for volenteers to put them up as they go to the venues that need them,any places that we are not sure of we can look them up in the deeds. there is a link to chris, the g/p sec in the general pages, use this to talk to chris and put your name forward, its nice to know some of you do care about leeds& dist,keep your comments coming in..stan..
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Post by stanfish on Nov 22, 2006 19:24:13 GMT
hi tom,I can help with dunsforth first,as you reach the river ,after passing the caravans . there is a small wood 3 pegs up, the length starts below that fence ,through the ferry field to the next fence cross that fence then one more,you will then be in the stump field,the top peg in that field is 36 the bottom peg 20yds above the next fence thats 45,the fishing finishes there,. taddy top was missed out of last years book but we still have it,from the outfall to the fence below the old mucky hole ,the waste pipe with the railings on used to be the main outfall from the sewage works. stamford bridge is still ongoing so leave that one with me. I will ask graham about the others.stan..
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