West Sussex coarse fishing takes a break - but there's lots going on

It’s a shame because during these three months the countryside and spring weather is at its best, but in reality the fish spawn and the close season is important to their welfare and this rule is followed not only by Petworth & Bognor Angling Club but by clubs throughout the land.

That’s not to say you can’t go fishing – many lakes and ponds are open and the club’s website – www.sussexangling.co.uk – gives ull details.

There is a lot of work being undertaken at Hurston Lane Fishery, Storrington and apologies have been issued for the disruption to anglers but the final result will be well worth waiting for.

The club are also pleased to have a new lake – named The Granary – not far from Hurston Lane Fishery. This opens on April 1 and allows a maximum of ten anglers on any one day.

This being a new water, anglers need to book in and out and record their catches so the club can get an accurate idea of what has been caught, plus the weight and specimen of fish.

Petworth & Bognor would welcome more youngsters. Family membership encourages sons and daughters to follow their dads to go fishing, but the future lies in the hands of young anglers to get much more involved than a day out with dad.

The club have exchange tickets with nine other clubs so there is something for everyone.

Officials would love to see younger members taking a more active role in the club’s affairs.

This season, the Rother and Arun have fished well with good catches of barbel, chub, bream and roach which had been in decline for some years. They have been caught mainly from the Rother downstream at Fittleworth.

The Arun at Watersfield has been patchy but barbel have been caught there early last year, along with bream, for which the Arun is famous.

The club’s stretch of the Arun at Hardham has been closed throughout the season while Southern Water have installed a new extraction and reservoir, esential to maintain water supplies to the region.

The work is nearly complete so they hope to re-open at Church Farm, Hardham, for members on June 16.

ROGER POOLE