Policy
We aim to provide high quality recreation at reservoirs and land holdings and to achieve a balance both between different activities and between recreation and conservation. We will encourage all sections of the community to use our facilities and we will make special provision for the disabled.

TROUT FISHING 2005 SEASON
The 2005 fishing season started the year in mid March and continued until the end of November. Generally it was a very satisfactory year with good numbers of fish taken from all the waters and the usual very high standard of size and quality.

Although there were some quieter spells, mainly due to unsettled weather, the boat fishermen enjoyed consistent sport throughout the year culminating in some exceptional ‘back-end’ fishing in September and October. The bank anglers found the fish elusive for much of the year at Blagdon but Chew Valley fished well throughout and the capture of some large fish, including a brown trout of 10.12, added excitement to any visit to the water. Litton continued to be well used and this exclusive venue has now built a reputation as a water to be visited on a special occasion.

The pike fishing trials took place for short periods in spring and autumn and the catches continue to surprise even the experts. 14 fish of over 30lbs were caught this year as well as dozens of 20s. The biggest was a magnificent fish of 37.12. Chew Valley is now recognised as the most consistent big fish water in the UK.

SAILING
Chew Valley Lake
The sailing rights to Chew Valley Lake are leased to Chew Valley Lake Sailing club. The Club can cater for fleets of over one hundred boats and have hosted many large events over the years. The club also cater for disabled people with facilities on both floors and a lift.

The Club is open for sailing on Wednesday and every weekend with racing held on Wednesday evenings and Sundays. Various sailing courses are held at the club including RYA training, various youth training, powerboat training, race officer training as well as more informal training run within each fleet. The Club is a private sailing club with limit on its membership. Anyone interested in sailing should contact the club directly. For more details click here.

Cheddar reservoir
Sailing on Cheddar reservoir is leased to the Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club.
The reservoir provides a large area of open water nearly 1 mile in diameter and its elevated position above the surrounding countryside means the wind is not obstructed, making for excellent sailing conditions. The club offers both sailing and windsurfing for all abilities or age. To find out more about the club and how to become a member go to: http://www.bcyc.org.uk/

LEASED FISHING
Cheddar Angling Club continues to lease the Clay Pits from Bristol Water as well as controlling the fishing on Cheddar Reservoir. The Clay Pits are open to members only and they enjoy two beautifully maintained lakes. The match lake, which is occasionally used for competitions, is mainly used by pleasure fishermen who can catch anything from small roach & rudd to very large carp. The specimen lake holds mainly carp and tench and fish have been caught weighing well over twenty pounds. There are a few small silver fish and some large trout have been introduced to eat these nuisance fish. These also offer a surprise catch to the dedicated specimen hunters. The season at the Pits has been extended to run from 1st May to March 14th.

The Reservoir is fished as a day ticket water and is famous for its huge tench and very large pike. Tench of under three pounds are seldom caught and double figure bags of fish weighing up to nine pounds are common. In the winter the attention is on the large predators and spinning and dead baiting is the main method.

Knowle Anglers lease Chew Magna, a small reservoir, and a stretch of the Upper River Chew. These are trout only waters, fly fishing only. The reservoir is stocked regularly with rainbows. The river has brown and rainbow trout. It is stocked but a large proportion of the fish caught are ‘escapees’ from Chew Valley Lake. These can often be fish of six pounds or more and can be challenging on very light tackle in the confined spaces of the tiny river.