Newsletter - November 26th., 2004

The winter close season draws on, and it is now just over nine weeks until the new fishing season opens again.
Walking the banks of the river in the last few weeks, it is very heartening to see the huge number of fish in the lower river.
They will very soon be getting ready to spawn - this usually starts in late December.

Get ready for the new season.
Perhaps treat yourself to a new toy?
We have excellent prices on Loomis rods – recommended by Glenda as the best going!
Follow the Tackle Shop link.

Or why not brush up on your casting to be ready for that first encounter with a springer!
Glenda can give you tuition (click for link) during the winter months, either on the river or on stillwater if the Blackwater is in flood.

Website changes.
Since the season closed, I have been busy working on the website. With the fishing being so good in August & September this year, I'm afraid some of the work was pushed aside to make time for fishing! I have now:-

- added pages for all of the beats in the Fishery section. There is still some work to do on this, but they almost all now have the
  beat descriptions & beat maps online. I have added pictures to the Beat 8 & 15 pages as well.
  These pages will be of interest to our regular guests to remind them of days fishing on those beats.
  It is also very interesting for anglers who have never visited the Lodge to get an idea of the extent & variety of the fishing.
 
- Updated the 2004 Gallery of First Ever salmon caught to include all the available pictures.
- Updated the monthly Photo Galleries to include all the available pictures.
- modified the site Navigation Bar to include links to the Photo Galleries & to the new News page

The News page will include any interesting info which comes to hand especially during the close season. Lots of people look at the Fishing Report page during the season for up-to-date info on what is happening on the river, & I hope that the news page will be used similarly whilst the fishing is closed.

Book Early for 2005!
With the excellent fishing - particularly in the autumn - places are already filling up for next season, so don't leave it too late to book or you might be disappointed.

No Price Increase for 2005!
We have decided to keep our prices exactly the same as in 2004. Prices are posted on the website

Special Offers for 2005!

    Book Early - Pay Less:      Book & pay in full now & you get 
                                                a 1%/month discount on fishing & Lodge accommodation. 
                                                (Conditions apply - see Booking Terms)

Free Fishing in February:      One day's free fishing for each night's 
                                                accommodation (Dinner B&B) 
                                                booked & paid for in full in advance.

Staff Wanted.
We are always looking for staff who love living in a quiet country area and who are (preferably) salmon fishing enthusiasts - to complete our team. Living in is possible (desirable), and salmon fishing is an added bonus!!!!

We have availability for the following:

Chef (1 position):    Commis Chef (1 position):    Guest Service Staff (3 positions):    Nanny/Aupair (1 position)

Latest Conservation measures.
It seems likely that the Government will be bringing out the following for the 2005 season.
Net quota reduced from 140K to 100K
Rod quota of 15 fish per rod for the season.
Daily limits – 1 fish per day to May 31, 3 fish per day from June to Sept. (as up to 2003 & not the 1 fish per day as it was in 2004)