Home
News
Wendys Fishing Tips
Upton Angling Club
Fishing Rods
Reels
Poles and Pole Accessories
Fishing Boxes, Seats and Luggage
Floats
Hooks, Weights and Lures
End Tackle
Lines and Braids
Baits, Additives and Loose Feeds
Bits and Pieces
Local Fisheries
Contact Us



 

 

  

Councillor Hughes of Chester City Council gives the Councils response to pleas from local anglers

At the last Area Committee Meeting, the issue of fishing on the City owned length of the River Dee was raised. This came about following a large Fishing Club, Prince Albert Anglers who are based at Macclesfield, taking over the lease of the fishing. Concerns were raised that residents of Chester District could no longer fish on the river, especially young people. The desire was for day permits to be issued to anyone who wanted one.I promised to take this up with the Chairman of Prince Albert Anglers, who I know well, and whom I was expecting to see the next day.Unfortunately for reasons beyond my control I did not see him for a couple of weeks and then spoke at length about the problem.

Residents of Chester District Fishing the River:

In relation to local people being unable to fish on the river he pointed out that there are several hundred members of Prince Albert Anglers who actually live within the Chester District. This is more anglers than were ever members of the old Chester Anglers, who previously leased the fishing rights from the Council, and who gave them up because they had so few members that they were unable to keep going as a Club.There are also several thousand Prince Albert Members who live in areas adjacent to Chester District such as West Cheshire, the Wirral and North East Wales.From this it is obvious that the suggestion that residents of Chester District can no longer fish the river is wrong. There are many more who now have permission to do so than probably at any time since the City Council obtained the fishing rights.

Issue of Day Tickets:

The view of Prince Albert Anglers on the issue of Day Tickets, on waters like the river at Chester, is that it is not sensible or a good idea. Their rational is that the logistics and costs and controls involved would not justify it. Also the Club expects very high standards of behaviour and respect for the environment from its Members and with Day Tickets these standards cannot be monitored or enforced.It should be noted that prior to Prince Albert Anglers taking over the fishing there were high levels of anti social behaviour and damage along the banks of the river where fishing took place and on the meadows giving access. Since they took over the fishing rights there has been a significant drop in the incidence of such conduct. Much of this can be attributed to the efforts of the Prince Albert Water Bailiffs.The Club has also had working parties out along their stretch of the river at Chester clearing way refuse and rubbish on the banks and in the river. This is something never done before at Chester, but is a feature of any water controlled by the Club.

Fishing by Young People:

There is no waiting list for young people aged up to 16 years to join the Prince Albert Fishing Club and the Annual Fee is at present £10. This not only gives access to the Dee at Chester but many other waters. This I believe to be very inexpensive fishing for any young person and well within the pocket of almost any one. At this price the issue of Day Tickets to Juveniles would not make sense.Obviously they would also need to obtain an Environment Agency Licence as well. Failure to do so and produce it to an authorised person, when fishing, is a criminal offence and could lead to expulsion from the Prince Albert Club.

Fishing Match for Juveniles:

The possibility of The Area Committee being given permission by Prince Albert to organise a Fishing Match or matches on the river during the school summer holidays for children up to 16 years of age was discussed. The Chairman believed that this was a good idea and that such permission would be forthcoming if we asked formally. He would personally give his support to such a request.He also indicated that the Club would no doubt be happy to help organise and steward such an event. I believe that this is something the Area Committee should do.

Full Membership of Prince Albert Fishing Club:

There is a waiting list of about two years for full adult membership of the Club. Any Juvenile Member is automatically on the waiting list for full membership and if they so wish automatically progress to become full members.The Annual fee is £85 plus a one off joining fee of £85. This gives access to the Dee and several hundred other game and course fishing waters throughout the country. The one off joining fee is only paid once a person has been accepted and offered full Membership. It does not have to be paid to get on the waiting list as has been suggested.All Members must also hold a full current Environment Agency Licence and produce it to any authorised person when fishing. Again not to do so is a criminal offence and could lead to expulsion from the Prince Albert Club.When someone applies for membership they are vetted to try and ensure that they are trust worthy and responsible anglers who will comply with the rules and ethics of the Club.Waiting lists and vetting procedures are normal with any successful Club.

Lease between Prince Albert and the City Council:

The lease between Prince Albert and the City Council has a termination clause where either party can terminate the lease with six months notice. It should be noted that following the demise of Chester Anglers no other local club showed any interest in taking on the fishing and associated responsibilities. That is until Prince Albert came along. They have proved to be first class lease holders who in one year have improved the general environment and fully discharged their commitment to the City Council.

David A. Hughes

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chester Tackle Locker does not support Councillor Hughes view that the sale of the fishing rights to Prince Albert has been a good thing. While we do not dispute the excellent credentials of the Prince Albert club, we feel the reality is that due to the high cost of membership and the two year waiting list, the vast majority of local Chester anglers are being prohibited from fishing their own river.

If you agree with us, we urge you to speak out now!

CONTACT YOUR COUNCILLOR NOW AND COMPLAIN! (CLICK THE LINK)

CONTACT YOUR MP CHRISTINE RUSSELL AND COMPLAIN NOW! rusellcm@parliament.uk (CLICK THE LINK)

IF YOU PREFER TO SEND A LETTER:-

Chester City Council, The Forum, Chester, CH1 2HS

Council Offices opening hours: 8.30am - 4:45pm Monday to Friday