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Following our visit to meet the The SIFCA Team last night headed by the CEO Pia Bateman, we have received a letter today from The SIFCA Team signed by all which is a nice touch. I will let other attendees give their verdict on the meeting. I am going to say it was the most positive experience I have had with the SIFCA and just hope that converts into some investigations into sustainable fishing within the Bay's. As stakeholders we have not had any representation at the Top Table where decisions are made, may be that is changing. I am also going to post separately an Angling Trust published letter again from the CEO Jamie Cook December 2025 which was a real surprise to me, it suggests the AT are also moving more into supporting the RSA and they claim they do have a seat at the right table. From being pretty disappointed with any progress to date, I now feel a little more up beat. I seem to be on a role at the moment, I have had a reply from Hannah Rudd following several chases, more to follow when I get time to digest that. Letter - SIFCA.pdf

Hi Mal Thank you for the invite to this event. I agree it did feel more constructive than some of the other events. My main observation which I wanted to share is that I think it will take time for this process to bear fruit. As you pointed out the level of RSA engagement has dwindled for a number of reasons and for that to reverse one of the main things which has to change is for the sector to start to see the benefits of continued/increased engagement. So we must be patient while not being fobbed of by platitudes - perhaps we need to agree some tangible actions with SIFCA (and other bodies) which are aimed at promoting our interests? Is it worth having an agenda item at the next meeting to feed back and discuss the approach with a view to getting some more members actively involved in the dialogue? Thanks again and regards Max

Hi Kam, I was just thinking of you the other day as I was making these. Remember the top of your old fireplace? I transformed it into four carvings of my brother's family. Produced from a photo. 👍🙂 Thanks for that. Hope all's well. Jim

As your Chairman I have been closely involved or keeping in touch with the Health and Welfare of our membership. It is no surprise that we are of an average age when health issues become more prevalent, whether it be joints wearing out or more serious issues. The reason for this post is to invite you and encourage you to use your club site or talk directly with your close friends. A friendly ear or a shared experience or just some good wishes and support can be a positive experience. The mental strain of the Health issues can be as serious as the illness or disability, whilst PRIVACY is VERY important and many would rather keep things that way. Someone may want to share and benefit from a kind word or a shared experience and of course you can Private Message a fellow member for Privacy. I want you, our members to feel that this site is full of caring friends and members who may have experienced something very similar and may be able to sympathise or offer some positive words. Greg recently had some work done on his knee and I know he appreciated the get well soon messages when he was bored due to restrictions on his freedom of movement sat on his sofa recuperating and bored. I hope this post has helped or reassured someone or encouraged them to talk to their doctors or seek help for whatever may be concerning you. Generally, Men are the worst at discussing their concerns and bottling up worries inside. Sharing may be the step forward to dealing with your Concerns. I ask you to Please talk to your friends and listen out for signs that they might like to talk. You are not alone with what ever you are going through, I wish you all good health for the New Year and look forward to seeing you at our February meeting on the 3rd.

Due to various reasons I'm cutting back on my types of fishing as well as fishing overall. Therefore I have a number of rods and reels for sale. Mainly heavy stuff which I can no longer or want to do. All items second hand/used unless stated otherwise. I'm in Andover, so will try to arrange time to drop off items around Poole when I start fishing again with Sam in April. Rods, in no particular orders: Penn international ll 1080, 80lb class, all wheel rings/guards, with leather(ish) bag £75 Penn international formula 24kg 7'6" (think I have a cloth bag but will have to look) £40 Penn international formula 10kg 7'8" (again I think I have the bag) £40 Team Diawa amorphous whisker tdb2050 20-50 class 7'8" no bag £30 sold Greys advent te 12-20lb 8'6" £30 Abu Garcia conolon im8 12lb 7'9" £25 Ron Thompson extreme stick 12lb 7'3" £10 Shakespeare Beaufort 1479-50 50lb 2.1m wheeled tip £10 Shakespeare xk3000 30lb 2.1m £10 Shimano beast master trolling 20, 20lb 7' £25 Shakespeare ugly stick 1474 015 15lb 2.1m £20 sold Diawa crossfire cfs210ml 5-20g 2.1m new not been used with bag, excellent bream rod £20 Reels: Accurate Boss Magnum 270 30lb braid, some corrosion on the handle £80 Abu Garcia silver max left-hand baitcaster with box £35 All reels single speed unless stated otherwise Drop me a line if you are interested, or tell me off if you think I'm out of my mind thinking they are worth what I'm asking (or too cheap 😁) Can send photos if you want. Email kamchan21@hotmail.com 07899952822 Kam

Max, I totally agree and as I mentioned I have had a reply from the AT Hannah Rudd and she has invited me to have a chat with her with regards to the points raised in my letter to her and also Peter Morgan her rep who visited us at the Club. I am also going to write to the CEO at the AT who released a letter that had our interests covered.

I'm sure it's not predators or 'toxic mud' ...[those chemical discharges stopped decades ago ] I think it is about recruitment...something to do with the spawning areas [in Lyme Bay ?]..baby flounders are not making it make into the harbours . Years ago, I would always see lots of postage stamp size flounder[lings] whizzing away from by your feet as I launched at Mudeford...not any more! The bass may have had some, as would cormorants [but there aren't many in Christchurch] but not enough to explain the virtual disappearance. Alun.

I had to go to the chiropractor this morning. I told her how a lifetime of hard work and worry on the farm had left me racked with pain. But I think she saw through me🙄

Hi Mal, It is always good to chat and share a problem, and yes a lot of men are not good at it, well said. Where one can make light of problems also helps so here goes!!!!!!!!! A visit to hospital last night was good news, a Melanoma i had removed has come back clear, great news. A horse physio had a look at my knee yesterday which i damaged getting out of a tractor 3 weeks ago, and thought i might have a DVT,{ i find vets as good if not better than doctors sometimes!} Rang the Dr, straight in for blood test because i had one before after one of my knee ops. Out picking up today, call from the Dr get in and get some blood thinners straight away, and tomorow 12.00 a CT scan. Great meant to be away in the sun fishing The Spice Isle Billfish Tournament on the 20th, and they wont let me fly with a DVT, I hope and pray i can get it sorted as i have been invited for 28 years to fish this Comp but never could because it was in the shooting season DOH!!!!! I have only shot once this year because of a shoulder injury/problem and having an op 26th February, so ATM i have lost the 25/26 shooting season and now possibly missing the Marlin Comp!!! Hey Ho sometimes you have to laugh, and to make it worse i am doing dry January, all the above is true and you couldn't make it up. PS if anyone thinks they can forge a passport please do so, because the wife will be savage if we don't go!!!! This not meant to take anything away from Mals very serious and well meaning words above, well said Mal

Unfortunately so Mick . . . . . He's ugly . . . . Always has been 😁 Brother Lee Love and all that. 👍 Must mean I am too. 😒