IT’S ALL CHANGE AT EARLSWOOD!
OUT go the original carp... IN come small, match-sized fish
“We thought it would make sense to do everything in one hit” – CRT’S John Ellis
ONE of the UK’s most historic venues is to undergo the biggest makeover in its history, with the aim of returning it to its former glory as one of the sport’s finest match venues.
Earlswood Lakes in the West Midlands is set for a major rejuvenation project which will see hundreds of thousands of pounds’ worth of improvements, including the stocking of tonnes of new fish.
More than £850,000 is being pumped into the Solihull fishery, so that work can be carried out on all three of its pools.
One of them will be turned into a big-weight venue in a bid to rival the likes of match fishing meccas Drayton and Boddington Reservoirs.
The ambitious project is being undertaken by venue owner the Canal & River Trust (CRT).
Its National Fisheries and Angling Manager, John Ellis, told Angling Times: “The idea came about when we were asked by the Environment Agency to remove several illegally-stocked catfish from the lakes.
“We had also planned to do some maintenance, so we thought it would make sense to do everything in one hit and use the opportunity to improve the venue at the same time.
“We will move the current carp stock out of Engine and replace Steve Ringer plays a big Earlswood carp. them with thousands of matchsized carp in order to encourage the big matches to return to the venue. We will also move all the bream and silverfish out of that lake and into Windmill.”
While the plans will be much welcomed by the nation’s army of match anglers, they have been met with scepticism from some people local to the area.
They include Nash Tackle consultant Matt Rhodes, who is worried that Earlswood may suffer from the work. He said: “I’ve fished the pools since I was a child and I also help to hold several events on Engine to encourage people into the sport. I was devastated when I heard they were removing the carp, but hopefully the CRT will keep to its word and make the improvements it has promised.”
John Ellis is well aware of the concerns of anglers, and he added: “We fully understand that the plans might not be popular with some people, but we have to do what is right for the fish” he continued.
“Many of the fish are getting quite old – up to 20 years in some cases – and it’s important that we look after their welfare.
“By moving them to less intensely fished and pressured waters the fish can continue to live well into old age.” The work is set to commence at the end of the month but it is not known when the fishery will reopen.