News In Brief
This section provides the situation on our waters, track closures, water closures, general news and site works
The Airman and Willington
The Airman will be closed to fishing and out of bounds to members from 9am on Saturday 16th August 2025 to 9am Sunday 17th August 2025. The closure is to allow the safe spraying of weeds to maintain access for members. If rain or high winds are forecast the closure will be postponed and moved to a later date.
Broom and Willington Lakes will remain open
Rivers
The IPA have recently acquired the fishing rights for the Riddy in Sandy, which SDAA members can now fish. The venue extends from the weir pool downstream to Girtford bridge.
Broom Lake Track - OPEN
Works
The Airman will be closed to fishing and out of bounds to members from 9am on Saturday 16th August 2025 to 9am Sunday 17th August 2025. The closure is to allow the safe spraying of weeds to maintain access for members. If rain or high winds are forecast the closure will be postponed and moved to a later date.
Important Notice: Leadcore and Tackle Safety on SDAA Waters
The use of leadcore is strictly prohibited on all SDAA waters. Any member found using leadcore can expect to face a ban from the club. Within the past week, two catfish have been caught trailing rigs that incorporated leadcore, raising serious concerns about fish welfare.
On 9 August 2025, a 50lb catfish was landed while trailing a rig shown in the photos below. The hooklink had failed to eject from the leadcore leader, and the ‘chod sleeve’ had slid up to the spliced section of the leadcore. This made the splice too large for the hooklink ring to pass over and displace the ‘no trace’ bead, effectively creating a potential death rig.
To protect fish welfare, bailiffs are authorised to inspect members’ rigs. Anyone found using leadcore will be reported to the committee.
Additionally, all SDAA members should be aware that bailiffs may ask anglers to stop fishing and leave the water if their tackle is deemed inadequate or unsafe for the species being targeted. Tackle recommendations for carp, catfish, and pike fishing are provided on page 15 of your SDAA Membership Information Booklet.
Club rules also require that:
Anglers must always have an assembled landing net while fishing.
All members must carry and use an unhooking mat or cradle appropriate for the species being targeted, to prevent fish from being placed on the ground.
Several members have recently been asked to leave SDAA waters for failing to meet these requirements.
Fish safety is paramount. Please ensure your rigs and tackle comply fully with SDAA rules to help protect the health and welfare of the fish we all enjoy catching.
