Important Notice for all anglers visiting Horseshoe

It has been our practice over the last three years to provide landing nets, mats and weigh slings for visiting anglers.

With immediate effect this service will be discontinued.

Regrettably the decision was really made for us as a result of the actions of some members misusing and removing much of the equipment from site. The scheme was run on trust given that the only anglers on-site are members.

In 2006 we trialled the scheme with 40 sponsored sets from Wychwood.

In July 2007 we commissioned a further 150 sets at a cost of nearly £7000.00, these were put into operation in Autumn 2007.

We did consider introducing a deposit scheme but this was considered unmanageable without restrictions on when anglers come and go.

Now, just over two years later we have just 24 landing nets remaining and some 60 unhooking mats. We budgeted for breakages but in excess of 100 nets and unhooking mats are missing and not on site.

The initiative was a mitigating move against the possibility of Horseshoe falling victim to the spread of KHV which at the time was of concern in the South of England. The latest advice is that the current risk is extremely low so in that regard our decision has to be financially based. In the current economic climate we, along with all other businesses have to prioritise spending. Unfortunately this part of the equation relating to the provision of nets and kit has gone unconsidered by some of our members. To continue to fund the operation we would need to increase permit and ticket prices. Our view is that would be an unsound move right now and would be unfair on the scores of members who have not contributed to this move.

So from now anglers will need to bring their own landing nets and weigh slings.
We will continue to provide unhooking mats.