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 NOTICES:
Please note, due to works planned to be undertaken by Breheny Civil Engineering, it will be necessary to close part of Lower Haysden Lane, Tonbridge from October 16th 2023 through to an estimated completion date of 14th February 2024.
Lower Haysden Lane, Tonbridge, will be closed from the junction with Upper Haysden Lane, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site. The alternative route is Lower Haysden Lane, Upper Haysden Lane and vice versa.
Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while Section 278 works are undertaken by Breheny Civil Engineering. A copy of the Public Notice is attached for reference.
For the most up to date information on these works please visit:
https://one.network/?tm=135273172
For information regarding this closure, please contact Breheny Civil Engineering on 07786 968087, who will be able to assist with the scope of theseworks.
The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is 03000418181

BARDEN LAKE will re-open for fishing at gate opening time on November 1st.  We request that all Carp captures are reported via text to 07974488040 as this will enable us to get a more accurate idea of stock present and what stock we may need to add in the future. There will be posts with plastic tubes over them installed around the margins to help reduce the numbers of parasites attaching themselves to the fish. These tubes will be removed and cleaned when required and then replaced once the parasites have been removed. 
The results of the tests carried out on the two sample fish that were sent to the EA lab have shown that there are other issues within the lake that would have contributed to the demise of 32 Carp during the recent outbreak of KHV.
Parasite species were found both externally and within the gills on both fish. There were moderate to very high levels of the pathogenic parasite Ichthyobodo Necator, as well as very heavy infections of the parasite Gyrodactylus Sprostanae within the gills of the Mirror Carp. Alone, such infections can cause mortality of fish and they will have been primary factors in the lethargy and gill damage observed in the individual.
The Common Carp had significant and heavy levels of the parasite, Dactylogyrus Sp in the gills. Although not usually pathogenic, in such high levels, this parasite will have been impacting upon gills condition and respiratory capacity. Infections of E.sieboldi were also apparent and although only seen in relatively low numbers, their presence in both submitted fish is of note and is likely to have contributed to some of the changes seen.
Of most significance were the consistent pathological changes observed in the gills. Severe and extensive hyperplastic changes were apparent and will be a factor in the mortality, directly linking to losses. The extent and severity of the changes observed within the gills were consistent with mortality, as were the significant infections of Ichthyobodo Necator and Gyrodactylus Sprostanae. The presence of the viral disease KHV, is also likely to be a factor in the losses experienced. However, it should be noted that the gill changes observed in the submitted fishwere not ‘classicly’ representitive of KHV disease outbreak. Results of the additional diagnostic testing should hopefully provide some additional context/insight.
We have liased with the EA following this report and have discussed plans in moving forward and helping reduce the presence of these parasites. The parasites have most likely entered the lake via flooding in the past. Although CEFAS have lifted the designation on Barden Lake, the lake will remain closed for fishing until November 1st to allow the current stock to have a good break from the pressure of anglers during the higher water temperatures. There is still a good level of stock present for the size of the lake with some good sized fish.
Country Park Night ticket holders who choose to stick with us and support the club through this current closure, will have their membership fee adjusted to reflect the time loss.
Thankyou all for your personal messages of support.

The New Lagoon is now open for bookings as the water level has improved. Please call the Lagoon number on your membership card to make a booking.

  CARP FISHING GUIDELINES
  1. No bait boats.              2. No lead core
 3. No leaders                     4. No braided mainline.
 5. No fixed rigs                6. No cradles
 7. No nuts                             8. No fires/barbecues
 9. No drugs                       10. No alcohol
11. No litter                         12. No 360’ rigs
13. No brace shots       14. No swimming
15. No dogs                         16. No particles except corn, hemp & tares
17. No naked chods     18. Minimum 42” landing net
19. No drones
20. Only adjustable Zig rigs allowed with 4ft hooklink
21. 0.35mm mainline minimum (this includes Zigs and surface fishing)
22.  No longer than 90 minutes away from your  swim
23. All anglers to be in possession of a Carp care kit (this should be used    upon each capture)
24. Maximum 1 hour retaining of fish
25. A minimum of 600mm of tubing to be used
26. Fish not to be lifted more than 2.5ft from the ground
27. XL/EURO size unhooking mat with walled sides only
28. Sacks are not permitted on site
29. Maximum stay in a swim is 72 hours then it’s 48 hours off the lake
30. No baited rods to be left unattended
31. Membership card and I.D card must be carried at all times
32. If using pre tied PVA bags, ensure you use a tidy stem system
33. Bailiffs may check rigs/baits even if this means reeling in
34. You may leave a bivvy/brolly in a swim to reserve it for your own use only for up to 45 mins whilst you transport your tackle
35. Wading only allowed to help with landing fish/taking photo’s
36. Carp to be transported from the water to unhooking mat via a retention sling – please breakdown landing net and place within a retention sling in the water before moving to your unhooking mat
37. Abusive behaviour, physical or verbal will not be tolerated

As from 3rd July 2020, Barden Lake and the Old Ballast Pit resorted to the 72 hour on, 48 hour off process. This will mean any member finishing a 72 hour session on Barden or the Ballast Pit will not be able to return to fish anywhere in the Country Park below the Flood Barrier for 48 hours. This includes the river. This has been put in place to give every Society member a fair chance of doing a night session and the pleasure day anglers more opportunity to get a swim.
This will be reviewed each month and all notifications will be posted on here and our Facebook page.


We would like to encourage members to come forward to volunteer for bailiffing on our waters and any other skills that you can offer – please email to info@tonbridge-angling.co.uk

 

What Does Tonbridge and District
A&FPS have to offer?

7 Lakes and 14 miles of river to choose from in Kent and East Sussex.

 

 

 

  • Day Tickets River & Lake standard £10 for 1 or 2 rods.
  • Day Tickets Barden Lake Carp £20 for 1 or 2 rods.
  • 3rd rod fishing allowed on the Old Ballast Pit from October 1st until March 14th inclusive as long as you hold a current valid 3rd rod ticket.
  • No Lure fishing on Barden Lake from 1st  April to 30th September inclusive.
  • Minimum dimensions for unhooking mat’s for Carp are XL or Euro size on all Society waters. Cradles are not to be used on Barden Lake but are allowed on all our other Society waters.

Society History

4lb 6oz CRUCIAN - Ballast Pit

The Society was formed in January 1875 under the title of ‘The Tonbridge Angling Club & Fish Preservation Society’. It’s avowed objectives were to provide sport for it’s members and to prevent poaching and netting of the Medway. It’s waters were from Powder Mill Lock to Hartlake Bridge and subscription was one Guinea, entitling the holder to a family ticket. No Sunday fishing was allowed.

In 1882, an agreement with the Tonbridge Skating Club for a joint lease of the Old Ballast Pit was entered into. Some years later, it came under the sole control of the Society and in 2008, it was purchased outright. The Society was re-organised in 1891, changing it’s name to the Tonbridge & District Angling & Fish Preservation Society – it’s present title. The extent of it’s water was from East Lock to Ensfield Bridge and with the addition of the more recently dug gravel pits and farm ponds, it controls basically the same water today.

Mark Harvey 3lb Perch - Muck Stream

1894 saw the allowance of Sunday fishing from the Racecourse – now the Sportsground. The following winter was exceptionally hard, with the river from Tonbridge to Maidstone frozen. This was the downfall of the then Secretary who drowned  whilst skating. By 1903, the supply of fish for re-stocking was, despite appeals, drying up and the Society had to start a re-stocking fund, a principle which continues today.

IMG_0040

Following the war years, the Society had been able to strengthen it’s financial position, but come 1925, it met with hard times. One effect of this, was having to dispense with the services of it’s bailiffs. This was in keeping with the economic state of the country, but by 1930, they were reasonably stable. In 1930, the Society became affiliated to (the now dispanded) NFA and fished the first ‘All England Championships’, later called ‘National Championships. Local matches generally started at 8am or earlier and finished with a weigh-in at some pre-arranged place in the town at 8pm. The Society was much troubled with pollution during the next few years, both from sewage and the Gas Works. Much has been written recently about environment issues but the Society has been at the forefront of the anti-pollution battle for years. In 1952, the Society’s financial position was rocked by an outbreak of foot and mouth disease which struck at the start of the new season.

Neal 22lb 2oz pike

In 1970, the Society’s waters once again suffered from serious pollution at Cannon Bridge. After legal action and protracted negotiations, compensation was secured and re-stocking was carried out.

During the 1980’s, the much awaited flood prevention barrier became a feature above Tonbridge, however, much of the old weir pool and Shallows were lost as a result of it’s construction. As compensation, gravel extraction provided new waters and Longfield, Haysden and Barden lakes came under Society control. In 1983, a short stretch of the Wallers Haven near Pevensey was acquired.

25lb Pike river medway

Much of the area between Haysden Lake and Barden Park was developed by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council to form the Haysden Country Park, formally opened in 1988 with marked improvements in the facilities available to the Society.

In recent years, a section of the River Eden, a farm pond at Pippins Farm and  Weirwood Resevoir have been added to the Society’s portfolio as well as the construction of the ‘New Lagoon’ at the end of the Old Ballast Pit which will further compliment the variety of fishing provided by the Society. This puts the Society in a strong position for the future among the largest clubs in the South and aims to continue offering the tremendous value for money that it has always done.

 

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