YSAA NEWSLETTER APRIL 2026

Dear Member
Hope you are well and are out fishing as much as possible with the better weather and longer days, I for one can’t wait for the warmer evenings and still be on the bank

MEMBERSHIP
Over the last few months I have kept you updated with our membership renewal process through Club Mate and unfortunately we are still getting members trying to renew after they have let their membership expire, if you let you membership expire you are technically not a member anymore and can’t renew through the CM system, every member is sent a reminder email to renew 30 days before their membership expires ,you can renew at any time and your new membership will start automatically on the day your old membership expires so you will still get a full year, if your membership has expired and you want to renew you will have to contact myself or Paul our membership secretary but please remember we both work full time so we might not reply immediately

ID CARDS
YSAA no longer issues ID cards and hasn’t done for some time due to the ever increasing costs, all your details are available in your membership profile on the Club Mate app, if you do require one this has to be ordered by yourself through the CM app and will be sent directly to you from Club Mate, there is a charge for this of £6.50 per card, YSAA has no involvement in this purchase

LAKE NEWS
The lake is starting to produce a few big Bream in the region of 7lb plus, with 11.2lb the biggest and hopefully now the weather is beginning to settle down we will see a lot more, what is promising is we are seeing lots of nice Skimmers from a few ounces up to 3lb plus and a fair few Tench 3-7lb, some nice Roach are being caught on the feeder but it’s very hit or miss, hybrids as well, the whip boy are struggling at the moment as the thousands of resident Roach and Rudd are still not in close but as the water warms up I am sure they will appear, May I just remind all members that you should be swiping your gate card when you exit the castle grounds after fishing, we will then know you have safely left and are no longer on site

BRIANS TOP TIP
When feeder fishing the lake try a long hook length and floating maggot or wafters as the fish are feeding off the bottom, most of the bites we are getting are within seconds of the feeder hitting the bottom and the bait falling through the water

SCCF
The country fair is on Monday 25th May and we are again looking for volunteers to help with assisting the children fishing, we have a fantastic day and we get to fish in front of the castle, if you are interested and free to help please let me know, we have free event passes and one of Mrs Cs legendary buffet lunches will be provided free

MATCH NEWS
Our first points match took place a few weeks ago and yet again it was hard going due to the atrocious weather and the match day curse, the match was won with 5.12 which was one Tench, our 2nd points match took place a couple of days ago and was better, the winner on the day was Joe Shenton with 12.04, the match was dominated by Skimmers which is good to see.

RIVER NEWS
The last few weeks of the season our rivers produced some nice fish, Pike on the SLAC water and Ilchester, Chub, Bream and Trout at Ilchester, Chub and Trout at Mudford and Bradford Abbas and silvers at Long Load, anyone wanting to fish for Trout on our rivers can do so from 1st April-30th September but please remember it’s Trout only until June 16th and all fish must be returned
Many thanks to those of you that have sent in catch reports, please keep them coming.

That’s enough of me rabbiting on, until next month
Regards
Gary