Is this the end of day-ticket fishing?

A growing number of UK day-ticket venues are turning their backs on day-ticket anglers in favour of members-only tickets.  

Already this year some of the country’s best fisheries, including Barford Lakes, Colemans Cottage, Shatterford Lakes and Welham Lakes have decide to make the switch, with various reasons given behind the decision to say ‘no’ to day-ticket visitors.

For some, the change to members-only makes managing the waters far easier, as Shatterford Lakes manager Daven Percival explained: “Converting to a syndicate is a lot easier for us to control. We have had some bad experiences with day-ticket anglers stealing and damaging things.

“We realise we aren’t going to make as much money by adopting this approach but for us it’s about creating a nice and safe environment for our members.

“Members will only get access via fingerprint or keypad and we have lots of cameras to monitor things. This allows me time to focus on developing the site and making everything better for members.”

Management was also a key factor in popular Essex match venue, Colemans Cottage, converting to members-only.

They said: “As age, aches and pains catch up with all of us, we have had to try and work out an idea on how we can keep the standard up here and carry on running the fishery – this is what we have come up with.”

But is having a venue open only to members the best way to go? 

Roy Marlow, owner of the Glebe Fishery near Leicester, certainly thinks so.

“For me, owning a fishery that is ‘members-only’ has and always will be the only way I’d ever want to run it.

“I can control who comes in and out of the fishery and there’s now a lot of respect and an understanding between myself and the anglers. 

“At the Glebe I also feel that what I offer is niche in as much as the fishery is set in a very natural environment – which you don’t see too often with other commercial fisheries. 

“Litter can be a problem on many day-ticket venues, but you won’t find a single litter bin at my fishery. My members always take their litter home with them without fail”, he said.

Some fisheries, however, remain undecided, with Surrey’s popular Bury Hill only gradually making the change. Owner David De Vere explained: “We are slowly moving towards a members-only water but at the moment we are offering the best of both – with anglers still able to fish on a day ticket. 

“A lot of money can be made from day tickets but if you don’t manage this properly it can cause problems, like fish damage. We’re not prepared to risk damage to our stocks just for extra cash.”

And the members-only move hasn’t gone down well with many Angling Times readers – see below for their views

Ian Fisk said: “It’s a good idea if it works. The fishery can control who gets to fish the place, keep a check on what they are doing and protect fish stocks. Can’t see it happening to more than a handful.”

Dave Cheetham: “Another example of the few spoiling it for the many! Why people can’t follow fishery rules, take litter home and behave appropriately is beyond me. Fisheries wouldn’t then have to do this.”

John Neville: “So anyone from outside the area wanting to fish there now can’t – I think it’s bonkers.”

Rick Clark: “If this becomes reality, how do we get new people/kids into the sport?  I’m sure that people/parents won’t want to pay a hefty joining fee.”

Steve Porter: “The Glebe has been members-only for years and is one of the best fisheries in the country. You can’t stock and look after a complex of that size based on the odd angler turning up when they feel like it.”

Stewart Wilson: “Places have been built on day-ticket anglers’ money. Now they are doing well they are turning away the people that got them where they are. This will lead to more people fishing fewer places as they need special memberships for each lake at costs that are unsustainable. Now I’ve said that, if I had my own lake it would be membership-only. It’s much easier to manage, leads to having much better anglers, less fish damage, and better water quality.”

Joe Taylor: “It would be sad for many match and pleasure anglers who like to travel and fish different waters all the time. I’ve fished at least 15 different venues this year.”

Chris Telling: “Maybe a good move for a lot of anglers, as people will feel a sense of belonging, and therefore look after the fishery more.”