Day ticket,Club or Syndicate

While walking a club water this weekend,Which i used to bailiff, i was asked by a very dissillusioned Carp angler; "why doesn't the club do something about the swim's and snags in the lake? All i see is people fishing 1 foot from snags, landing 1 in 5 fish and calling that a good day." He then went on to say, "i don't like day ticket waters as they sem only to want your money( see RIK'S article) or you can't get near the fish for angler's"(see RIK'S article again) The angler concerned was a very keen 15 year old who started Carping after a good grounding on Rivers and canals and is willing to ask politely, listen and learn. He, unfortunately, cannot afford syndicate fees, so relies on a club ticket. The club concerned have a two rod rule, ancient i know, run matches on lakes with limited pegs for night fishing, and use them irrespective of the fact you have to pay extra on top your annual fee for the privledge. Do any of you think that carp anglers get a raw deal? Is it apathy on our part not to make our voices heard at club level? And as RIK has already covered Day ticket waters, Has the "syndicate" become the only way to ensure value for money and the knowledge that the money you part with is going to benefit you and not "Team Club,Winter league outfit"

I think it must depend on where you live Dave. Here in the Colne Valley there are lots of good club waters with no silly rules. Most of the pits are Carp waters and a large proportion of members are anglers who fish for Carp.The subs are reasonable average ?50.00.(half price for under 16 year olds) Those that I belong to do have a match section but they are generally small and committees are mixed.Due to the nature of the clubs waters matches are rare or non existant, they prefer to travel to rivers, canals or puddles.As someone who fishes for all the species available including Carp I find these good value and due to the large numbers of Carpers very litle pressure is put on the Tench Bream etc.After opening week if it applies they are generally deserted mid week and only lightly fished weekends I do not know why but I suspect it is the herding effect ie one water will be mobbed whereas neighbouring waters are left alone. Of the syndicates I have been a member of both had two rod rules and one put a limit on the length of your stay. I accept this is rare.A mixed committee is the best way so that all anglers within a club get a fair deal. Clubs that have gone awry down here have been those dominated by one group driving others away.Most clubs down here have two rod rules voted in by the membership, most of whom will be Carp anglers or specialists of one sort or another.Savay for example has a two rod rule , no particle rule to name a few restrictions.We have very few day ticket waters but with the wealth of good club waters who needs them!

Concerning the number of rods: If you ask yourself "when is enough enough and is enough more than enough," you have the answer. Sadly it is to often the case that "enough" is never enough. I prefer listening to commenting but I have noticed that criticism usually emanates from non-committee members. Also that remarks about the state of the banks are made by members who have never attended a bank clearing session in there lives. It's also worth noting that without the commitment made by members willing to serve on a commitee that in a very short time chaos would rule. An old adage "you only get out what you put in." springs to mind. Derogatory remarks are easily made but equally not easily forgotten. Oh, and I'm not a committee member, just someone appreciative of the efforts made on my behalf.