Chapmans Pond is set to re-open for fishing on Monday 13th June, having been closed for recent weeks to allow the fish to spawn.
The re-opening of the full site comes after a successful summer fair held by Love to East and the Friends of Chapmans Pond on Sunday 12th June.
Visitors to the fair enjoyed a BBQ and cake stall, as well as a range of stalls and exhibitors including West Thorpe scouts, Dringhouses Library and Holgate Windmill.
And thankfully the rain held off!
Chapman’s Pond is closed to anglers for up to four weeks following Environment Agency advice. The closure coincides with the start of the carp spawning season. Closing the pond reduces the stress to the fish during the spawning period and allows them to use more areas of the pond undisturbed. The action may also help prevent the high number of fish deaths that occurred at the pond last year.
It is common to close fishing ponds during spawning and most of the other nearby ponds, including the railway pond close during this period. Voluntary water bailiffs at Chapman’s Pond will help advise anglers of the closure and continue to monitor the site.
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A new scheme to protect and enhance a pond popular with anglers and residents has been launched in York.
The Volunteer Bailiff Scheme, which is launching at Chapman’s pond with the support of the Friends of Chapman’s Pond and City of York Council, has been set up by local anglers who are keen to encourage good fishing practice and maintain the area as a beautiful place for visitors.
They will help to monitor the water quality, make visitors aware of the site rules and report any anti-social behaviour. They will also advise people on fishing tips and techniques.
The scheme has been set up partly in response to a number of fish deaths during the summer which the Environment Agency investigated. The volunteers will help protect the fish by advising how to land one without injuring it and educating people on their use of bait. They will also monitor the health of the fish caught for early signs of any problems with the pond environment.
Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, Councillor Nigel Ayre said: “Chapman’s Pond is a beautiful area and a popular fishing spot. The volunteers will be a friendly and well-informed presence at the site, helping to ensure that a visit continues to be a pleasurable experience for all. We would ask that anglers and visitors show respect to the volunteers and follow their advice – they are there for everyone’s benefit and to ensure the pond is looked after for future enjoyment.”
Anyone who wants to fish at the pond should have a valid rod licence which can be purchased from post offices.
The Environment Agency and police will also be supporting the Volunteer Bailiff Scheme, which launches on Monday 12 October. For further information, or if you would like to get involved, please email Jenny Cairns at City of York Council jennifer.cairns@york.gov.uk or call 07833 436832. Previous experience is not required but knowledge of fishing would be useful and training is provided.
The Environment Agency says,
The Enviroment Agency has issued the following statement
Fish deaths force Chapman’s Pond, Moor Lane, pond closure.
Chapmans Pond in York has been closed to anglers following reports of several fish deaths.
The mortalities, which have occurred over the last two or three weeks are thought to be predominantly carp.
The alarm was raised by The Friends of Chapmans Pond, who were concerned that the number of deaths had exceeded what might be normally expected for natural causes.
Environment Agency officers advised the precautionary closure of the pond while samples of the water are tested and live fish are taken to the Environment Agency’s fish health laboratory at Brampton and analysed. These tests will aim to establish whether there are water quality issues affecting the fish, or the likelihood of disease or parasites being the cause of mortalities.
Laura Hogg, fisheries and biodiversity officer at the Environment Agency said: “While we carry out our investigations it is important not to stress the remaining fish further, and that is why we have recommended the pond is closed to anglers at this time.
“Until the cause of the deaths is known we are advising anglers to remain vigilant, honour the closure notice and follow the three simple biosecurity steps of check, clean and dry as always to reduce the risk of spreading any potential diseases.”
Check check equipment and clothing including soles of footwear
Clean on leaving the watercourse all mud and dirt must be washed off boots and equipment. If possible with clean hot water and sterilise with disinfectant
Dry dry all kit for 48 hours prior to reuse, preferably in sunlight
If you see fish in distress, please call the Environment Agency’s incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
On the advice of the Environment Agency Chapman’s Pond has been CLOSED to all angling until further notice
Over the last 3 weeks there have been an increasing number of fish deaths particularly of large Mirror Carp, the cause of which is unknown. The Environment Agency is now engaged in identifying the cause of these deaths and has advised that the angling should stop until further notice. We are not aware of any implications for other wildlife or visitors.
Please ensure all angling equipment is air dried and preferably sterilised before transferring between waters, particularly if you have been fishing at Chapman’s Pond.
We will update through the ChapmansPond facebook site as soon as we have further information and open the site to an angling soon as it is advisable to do so.
Friends of Chapman’s Pond 07599 927632 or email friendsofchapmanspond@yahoo.co.uk
City of York Council 01904 551551 or email smarter.york@york.gov.uk
Throughout the first week of the spring volunteers have helped to tidy Clifton and Rawcliffe.
During week two (24-30 March) of the spring clean will be focused on the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe ward plus the Foxwood park.
Litter in hedgerow Acomb Wood Meadow
The first task of the week will take place on Tuesday from 10am-12noon when a team from The Chase Residents’ Association will be painting play equipment in Nelsons Lane Play area.
On Wednesday from 10am–12:30pm a team from Bootham School will be planting wildflower bulbs and trimming the hedges within the Chapman’s Pond site.
They will then move to Foxwood Park to plant bulbs and tidy up the hedge between 2:15pm -4:30pm.
Thursday will see Friends of Acomb Wood planting trees and litter picking within Acomb Wood. Volunteers who would like to help are asked to meet at 2pm at the Acomb Wood Drive/Quaker Wood Pub entrance.
The Friends are working with the council to put together a management plan for the site to make improvements for both people and wildlife. The aim is to secure a Green Flag Award for the area. A new footpath into the site has already improved the access and this was made possible through a successful funding bid to Yorventure.
This weekend the next phase of cutting back and managing trees starts with the assistance of one of the council’s Smarter York officers. Volunteers are invited to join the Friends of Chapman’s Pond at a workday on Saturday 2 November where some basic training will be given to all those taking part. Everyone is welcome to turn up between 1pm and 3pm – all tools are provided but be prepared to get muddy!
The Friends of Chapman’s Pond have also been working to try and promote responsible use of the site. With the help of the Get Hooked on Fishing programme, the Angling Trust and the police they would like to deliver regular fishing coaching sessions to encourage people to learn more about this sport.
They are running a taster session for this programme on Saturday 9 November from 11am to 3pm. For more information or to book a space please contact Sarah on sarah.collins@ghof.org.uk or visit http://www.ghof.ork.uk/