Uttoxeter Fly Fishing Club

Established 1888

A Brief History

The club as an Association was established in 1888, however, the earliest meaningful document I have unearthed is the balance sheet for year ending 25^th March 1896. Waters then rented by the club were Dove, Churnet and Tean Brook and as you will see, mention is made of re-stocking fry and yearlings for the past two years, so Trout introduction probably started in 1894. These introductions did not occur each year and were funded by donations rather than being part of the subscriptions and it is interesting to note that the first Rainbow Trout were planted in the Dove on the 1 ^st of March 1905. These fish were a gift from Mr. R Bycroft Roberts of the Arrow Fishery from where the Salmo Fario's were purchased

By 1910 as many as 5000 Brown Trout yearlings were being planted in the Association waters with the Trout Fishing improving dramatically on the Dove which had previously been a "mixed" fishery. General Angling as per the rules was the order of the day for the Dove with Fly only for the Tean Brook except after June 30^th when artificial minnow was permitted.

The earliest list of members I can find goes back to 1903 and reads as follows:-

LIST OF MEMBERS

PRESIDENT - REV. C.F.L. BARNWE

HON. TREASURER -C. DOULD, spa Lane MillsDerby 

HON. SECRETARY - R. GARWOOD, Esq

M. J. Astle, Esq	E. J. Kent, Esq
C. S. Allison, Esq	W. F. Kent, Esq
Dr. T. Bamford	W.T. Mynors, Esq
J. Bexson, Esq	H. M. Senhouse, Esq
W. H. Cooper, Esq	S. Smith, Esq
F. W Dale, Esq	W. Swindell, Esq
The Rev. Forbrooke	S. Thompson, Esq
C. A. Hall, Esq	F. L. Walton, Esq
T. Hampton, Esq	J. H. Whitaker, Esq
J. T. Howson, Esq	T. Wright, Esq
F. G. Johnson, Esq S. Keeling, Esq

By 1915 the Association had 57 members, but possibly due to the uncertainty of world affairs, could not muster much enthusiasm for a Luncheon Party on the Dove which was then postponed indefinitely. The Association did however forward £3 and 3 shillings to the "Fishing Gazette Fund for Smokes etc for our soldiers and sailors".

In 1920 the membership had risen to 59.

In 1924 the fishing on the Tean Brook was relinquished due to a large hike in rent demand plus somewhat indifferent fishing and a first mention is made Of a Fishing Hut.

1927 is a very important year as the Abbotsholme Water was taken on lease for the first time, with membership now being at 48, and a rule change in preference of Fly Fishing. This gave us the water much as we know it today except that Our Derbyshire bank continued well below Eaton Dovedale Bridge down to Red Nick and with all Our waters being leased or rented.

In 1943 membership numbered 36, the AGM's has been suspended, re-

stocking did not take place, the Churnet was un-fishable due to pollution and the membership fees were reduced as many members could not get to the river due to petrol rationing and War Service occupations, Samuel Keeling the Hon. Treasurer and Secretary commented "tighter lines in plenty and quieter times to all members!

1947 was very important as the Association was able to purchase the Swinsco Fishing (Abbotsholme down to the Fishing Hut and opposite bank between Atkins and Gent) these waters being previously leased or rented. The Uttoxeter Angling Association Ltd was formed on the 17th of April that year for the purpose of owning the fishing rights and administration of shares. This limited the number of members to 30.  

1965 was another important year as we were able to buy the rights from Abbotsholme to fish the field on the Staffordshire bank from Atkins up to the old foot bridge. Only the foundations of the old bridge remain and denote the top of our beat on that Side. The bridge used to be used by Abbotsholme pupils in Cecil Reddie's day, to cross to the diving board the remnants of which remain to be seen today.

Dr. Reddie believed his pupils should bathe in the river every day wherever possible.

In 1972 the Uttoxeter Angling Association (not the Uttoxeter Angling Association Ltd) changed its name to the Uttoxeter Fly Fishing Club so as to differentiate between the Limited Company and the active users of the water. This is still the situation as of today with the "Association Ltd" owning the fishing rights but being a "dormant company" and the "Club" administering the daily running necessities for members.

In 1982 we were able to purchase the Tunnicliffe fishing rights which for us was the Derbyshire bank from the fishing hut down to Eaton Dovedale Bridge. The fishing from Eaton Dovedale down to Red Nick was however purchased by another party. This left us much the same as we are today.

By 1992 the bank on the Derbyshire side had become so overgrown in the summer months that a mowing tractor was purchased and garaged in the hut. Several members used to do the mowing including Stewart Blackshaw, but unfortunately the machine was stolen in 1997. The insurance however agreed a good settlement for the club and from then onwards contractors were commissioned to do the job with their own equipment.

An E.G.M. was called on the 16th of June 1993 specifically to look at improving the fishery by an upgraded re-construction of our two weirs which had virtually been washed away in the previous winter floods. The membership agreed on this and construction was completed over the next 18 months.

The weirs are relatively small, but had the effect of increasing the amount of fishing available to members substantially due to their effect on flow and depth, as well as benefitting habitat on this stretch of the river.

1998 saw the first introduction of salmon parr to the river by the Environment Agency and has continued for a number of years in an attempt to reinstitute the Dove as a spawning and nursery water for the Trent system. The Club prohibits angling for salmon for obvious reasons, but occasionally in the autumn a member has had a heart stopping contact with a very stale salmo salar!

Over the years further rented fishing has come and gone, but the Club still controls all of its original fishing rights both owned and rented.

The Club continues to maintain a limited stocking policy which is reviewed on an annual basis at its AGM. Additionally, in 2005 a winter feeding project was undertaken and which continues to this day, due to its success in holding and ensuring the survival of fish during the winter months.

Membership remains at a maximum of 30 and the aim of the Club committee is to ensure that all members, of whatever experience, have the opportunity to experience fly fishing on a beautiful stretch of the Dove with a reasonable chance of success.