WALKER'S DAM (Alverthorpe)
Situated at the top
of Weavers Chase, off Flanshaw Lane, 300 yds. before the junction at Batley
Road traffic lights.
The club now owns this water outright and extensive work has been carried out
at the venue. When the club bought the Dam and the surrounding area, it
was a wilderness.
No keep-nets (except in matches), barbless hooks only.
Wakefield Angling Club
Walker's Dam, Alverthorpe, Wakefield
Fishery Management Plan
Alverthorpe was
purchased by the club in October, 2006 after suffering 20 years of neglect. An
ambitious plan to improve the fishery and the surrounding environment was drawn
up with the first stage to determine the level of fish stocks in the Dam. The
Environment Agency conducted a very thorough and professional fish survey in
March, 2007. The next stage was to remove large amounts of rubbish, litter,
etc., followed by the levelling out of the banks in order to make an easier and
safer access around the Dam. This work was followed by the laying of a graded
stone access path along both sides of the Dam by club volunteers and a team of
workers provided by 'Best Training Wakefield'. The club also entered into a
contract with Wakefield M.D.C. Social Services for a group of Special Needs
people to work on the bank side environmental improvement and a small grant was
obtained from the Lottery 'open spaces' fund. The design and supervision of this
work was carried out by Susan Scott, a qualified horticulturist .This
environmental work is ongoing and could last for several years .
The next stage was to act on the fishery report from the E.A. with a view to
making the fishery produce good catches of fish for club members. The plan
was not to create a 'Carp Puddle', but to have a well-stocked
and balanced general Coarse Fishery, fitting the guide-lines of a well managed
improved fishery.
The E.A. report identified the in-balance of the fish stocks with Roach making
up 83% of the weight in the Dam. Fisheries Scientist Bernice Brewster has been
commissioned to carry out a health check on the Roach with a view to
transferring 450lb. of Roach to other waters.
The proposals to bring the stocking levels up to the 'improved' status are to
add 198lb. of Skimmer Bream, 20lb. of Chub,100lb. of Crucian Carp, 9lb. of
Tench and 100lb. of Common and Mirror Carp thus adding an additional 134lbs. of
fish after the Roach have been removed. The estimated biomass of fish would be
around 1100lbs. (one thousand one hundred ) consisting of 51% free swimming
fish and 49% bottom feeders. The E.A. report showed that the growth rate for
Bream was better than average and this may be down to the fact that the lake
has an abundance of bloodworm in the silty bottom. The Dam will be fished by
many more anglers than in the past years and consequently more bait will be
introduced. However, in winter periods additional feed of low level protein
pellets and wheat will be added to match the conditions .
The club has appointed a venue Manager and three additional bailiffs to
oversee the day-to-day running of the fishery such as recording numbers of
anglers, maintaining the bankside vegetation and ensuring members abide by the
fishery rules
Dead fish will be collected daily, bagged and collected for disposal by an
approved contractor, The use of keep nets is forbidden except in
official matches but all nets must be dipped in a Vikron S solution mixed to
the manufacturer's recommendations before fishing.
Last Summer the Dam had a wide covering of soft weed, a large area of Canadian
pond weed and a good deal of rushes around the island and perimeter. Weed will
be controlled as necessary but around 20% of the surface area will remain weedy
to give cover and sanctuary areas. Additional waterside plants such as Marsh
Marigold, Purple Loosestrife, Ragged Robin Yellow Flag Iris and Reedmace will
be added under Susan Scott's recommendations.
.
Water sampling will be carried out on a regular basis with special emphasis
during warm weather periods. Dissolved oxygen levels will be checked and
recorded and the club's portable aeration plant put into operation as required.
Enquires are also in hand to have mains electricity on site so that permanent aeration
can be installed in the Dam.
The people engaged in the daily running of the Dam will be controlled by the
officials of the club and any costs and payments, will come from club funds and
will form part of the club's annual budget management
Regular contact will be maintained with the Fisheries Department of the E.A.
relating to the improvement and fish welfare at the venue.