UFTA News

MEMBERS' BANK CLEARING

The Committee has fixed four days for bank clearing sessions in the run-up to the 2012 season – and members are invited to come along and help us to improve our fishery. These are also great occasions for new members to learn where the best fishing spots are located.

The first bank clearing session took place on Saturday 4 February, when a light fall of snow discouraged many members and only five turned up. Nevertheless, some good work was done and several sea-trout stands at Chagford Weir Pool were improved.

The remaining sessions are as follows:-

Saturday 18 February - 10 am at Chagford Bridge
Saturday 3 March - 10 am at Fingle Bridge
Saturday 17 March - 10 am at Clifford Bridge

CHANGE OF EMAIL ADDRESS

Please note that Mike Weaver's email address is now weaver.mike@btinternet.com.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND BUFFET SUPPER

The Annual General Meeting, presentation of trophies and buffet supper were held at the Fingle Bridge Inn, Drewsteignton, on Saturday 14 January 2012. The Chairman, Mike Weaver, concluded his report to the AGM by announcing that when his current three-year term comes to an end in January 2013 he will be standing down from the chairmanship.

2012 SUBSCRIPTIONS

The notification of subscriptions for 2012, which remain unchanged from 2011, has been mailed to members. Please note that payment was due by

1 February 2012. As payment of our fishery rentals became due on 1 February, the prompt payment of subscriptions is essential for the Association’s cash flow.

If you intend to renew and have not yet done so, please send your subscription to the Membership Secretary as soon as possible.

NATIONAL RIVERS FINAL - CONTROLLERS REQUIRED

The Federation of Penisula Flyfishers will be hosting the National Rivers Final on the River Dart in 2012 and 2013. This year's event will be held on Sunday 15 July. The Federation is looking for controllers to accompany the contestants to measure and record the fish caught - with one controller for each contestant. This would be an excellent opportunity to experience at close quarters the technique of one of the country's top anglers. Controllers will be invited to attend the presentation dinner at the Two Bridges Hotel on the evening of the event at a nominal cost. As the Duchy water on Dartmoor is extensive and can have some difficult terrain, controllers would need to be reasonably fit and comfortable with the conditions. Initial interest should be registered with the competition secretary, Andrew Gooding (email:andrew@agooding.plus.com).

TEIGN FISHERIES ASSOCIATION AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the Teign Fisheries Association was held on   Tuesday 15 November 2011 at the Dolphin Hotel, Bovey Tracey. UTFA member Rob Mason was elected hon secretary/treasurer, following the retirement of Pat Howgill - though he will continue as a committee member. John Malleson continues as chairman and Mike Weaver was re-elected to the committee. The guest speaker was Tony Andrews, chief executive of the Atlantic Salmon Trust.

GATE AT CLIFFORD BRIDGE
The lock on the gate at Clifford Bridge giving vehicular access to Upperton Weir Pool has been changed and replaced with a combination lock. This means that the key held by some members no longer operates the lock. To overcome this problem an additional UTFA combination lock has been installed and the combination is available to those members who use their cars for driving to Upperton Weir Pool for night fishing for sea trout. Please note that this is the only permitted reason for taking a vehicle onto the forest track.

• UTFA members wishing to have vehicular access to Upperton Weir Pool for night fishing for sea trout can obtain the combination number from the Chairman, Mike Weaver, or, if he is not available, from the Hon Treasurer, John Malleson.
  
• After setting the combination, press the button on the bottom of the lock.
  
• To ensure that vehicular access is kept under control, the UTFA will maintain a list of those to whom the number has been released.
  
• Members who obtain the combination number should not pass it on to anyone else.
  
• Members must without fail re-lock immediately after use, whatever the hour.
  
• The combination number will be changed annually.
  
• Vehicular access for fishing purposes is confined to the sea trout season, 15 March to 30 September.

SEA TROUT CONSERVATION

The UTFA does not have a bag limit for sea trout but the Committee does ask members to show real restraint and not to kill more fish than absolutely necessary. In particular, members are advised to return as many school peal as possible, as these are key to runs of bigger fish in future years. Also, large hen fish should returned, as these carry large numbers of eggs, which are so important when spawning time arrives in the autumn.

KNOWING THE BYELAWS

One of the UTFA rules states that anglers must be aware of and conform to the national, regional and local byelaws of the Environment Agency. As a result, some members have asked where these byelaws can be found. The easiest way is to go to the appropriate section of the Get Hooked web site (www.gethooked.co.uk/ea_byelaws).

WEB CAM AT FINGLE

Members and visitors can now check on the state of the river by using the new web cam at Fingle Bridge. The camera looks down on the river from a camera on the Fingle Bridge Inn and provides an up-to-date view of conditions, without having to travel to the river.

Web cam access click here

ORVIS

The Orvis Company, Inc. is pleased to have the Upper Teign Fishing Association as a member of the Orvis Affiliate Network. We have agreed to ship products and provide customer service for orders we receive through special links on www.upper-teign-fishing.org.uk. We hope you enjoy our broad assortment of products.

REMINDERS TO MEMBERS

Parking at Clifford Bridge. In the past we have received complaints that cars have blocked access to the forestry track at Clifford Bridge by parking in front of the gate. This problem may well have been caused by walkers but we would like to ensure that no blame falls on the UTFA. Please ensure that you never park in front of the gate at Clifford Bridge or, indeed, any other gate or vehicular access point.

Mill End (Dogmarsh) Weir Pool. Members are reminded that as part of our arrangement with the Bovey Castle Hotel, guests from the hotel have priority at Mill End Weir Pool. If you are fishing at the weir and a guest of the hotel wishes to fish there please move on to another location if so requested.

Steps Weir Pool. The UTFA only has the left bank at Steps Weir Pool. To avoid any conflict with the owner of the right bank, members must ensure that they do not wade beyond the middle of the river when fishing this pool.

ORVIS OFFER

Members of the UTFA can now get 10 per cent off the price of tackle bought at the Orvis shop in the Cathedral Yard, Exeter. To take advantage of this splendid offer you must produce your UTFA membership card when making a purchase.
Important, this offer is only available through the Exeter shop and not through the affiliate link above, or on the links page.