Frequently asked questions - contact details for AKAC

Membership permits

Do I have to live near Ashton Keynes to be a member, or can anybody join the Club? - there are no restrictions on membership.

When does the Club year start? - FULL SEASON membership runs from 16 June to 15 June annually, but a HALF SEASON membership is available from 1 November to 15 June annually.

Where/when can a member fish? - the following members only lakes:-

Cokes Pit (lake 34) - fishing allowed 16 June to 14 March annually
Manorbrook lake (lake 59), Thamesmead C lake (lake 72) - fishing allowed 17 September to 31 March annually
Thamesmead A lake (lake 78a), Thamesmead B lake (lake78b) - fishing open all year.

In addition members can fish the following lakes, which are also available for day ticket holders:-

Large Lake (lake 32) - open all year
Neighbridge lake (lake 56) - open all year

There is also a short stretch of the upper river Thames - open 16 June to 14 March annually.

More information about the various Club waters can be found in the Information on Club waters web page.

Where are all the AKAC club waters located? - Full details are given in the Location of Club waters web page.

How much do the membership permits cost? - there are various charges depending upon whether you want a FULL season membership, or HALF season membership and fish with 2 rods, or 3 rods and also what membership category you are in i.e. Adult, Senior Citizen or Junior. FULL DETAILS are given in the permits web page.

Where can I purchase membership permits? - there are numerous sales outlets, or you can make an application to the Secretary. FULL DETAILS are given in the permits web page.

How many rods can a member fish with? - the MAXIMUM number of rods you are allowed to fish with is THREE provided that you have purchased a 3 rod membership permit, otherwise the MAXIMUM is 2 rods.
[NB - if you use more than TWO rods at any one time you will require TWO Environment Agency rod licences].

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Guest tickets for members

As a club member, can I obtain/purchase a guest ticket for an accompanying non-member to fish a members only waters? - No. If you want to take a non-member fishing, you will have to fish one of the day ticket waters, where the non-member can purchase a day ticket.

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Day tickets

Are they available? - Yes

Where/when can I fish on a day ticket? - the following TWO lakes ONLY can be fished on a day ticket:-

Neighbridge lake (lake 56) - fishing is available all the year from 9.0am to 9.0pm daily
Large lake (lake 32) located within the Cotswold Country Park (formerly Keynes Country Park) - fishing is available all the year, but day ticket holders are ONLY allowed to fish Large lake when the Park is open to the public. The Park opens at 9.0am daily, but the closing times vary depending upon the time of the year. For details of the Park closing times visit the Cotswold Country Park website.

Can I fish any of the other AKAC club waters on a day ticket? - No, only the two lakes mentioned above.

How much do day tickets cost? - £5.00 per day for adults - £2.00 per day for juniors (16 years and under) PLUS the Cotswold Country Park (formerly Keynes Country Park) individual entry charge, if fishing Large Lake (lake 32). The entry charge varies, depending upon the day of the week and the time of the year. Full details can be found on the Cotswold Country Park website.
[NB - there is NO entry/parking charge if fishing Neighbridge lake]

Where can I purchase a day ticket? - The nearest ticket outlet to the day ticket waters is the 'Tackle Den', which is located within the Cotswold Water Park on the Spine Road, by Lake 11 (about a quarter of a mile from the 'Costwold Outdoor Centre' and 'Coots cafe'). The Tackle Den opening times and details of all other fishing tackle shops selling AKAC permits are listed in the permits web page.

How many rods can I fish with a day ticket? - Maximum of two rods, don't forget you will require an Environment Agency licence, available from any Post Office.

What happens if, after purchasing a day ticket, I later decide to join AKAC as a FULL season member? - You can use the day ticket as a deposit for FULL season membership, provided that it is signed by an agent, bailiff, or a member. To take advantage of this offer, it is necessary to forward your signed day ticket stub, to the Secretary:-

Anthony Nash
AKAC Secretary
119 Finch Rd
Chipping Sodbury
Bristol
BS37 6JB

with a cheque for the balance, made out in favour of, Ashton Keynes Angling Club. ( Only one day ticket is allowed per FULL season membership.)
[Details of the FULL membership rates can be found in the permits web page.]

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Night fishing

Can I night fish any of the AKAC waters? - All Club waters, provided that they are open for fishing, can be fished at night by members only. That includes Full season members, HALF season members and HOLIDAY permit holders.
[NB - Day ticket holders are NOT allowed to night fish]

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Bait bans?

Are there any bait bans on any of the AKAC waters? - No.

Parking and the Cotswold Country Park (formerly Keynes Country Park) entry charge

Do I have to pay to park when fishing Neighbridge lake (lake 56)? - No, parking is free for both day ticket holders and members.

Do I have to pay the entry fee when fishing Large lake (lake 32), which is within Cotswold Country Park? - FULL season or HALF season members, do not pay the entry fee as they are ONLY permitted to park in the 'Nature Reserve' car park, which is accessed via the 'Waterlands' entrance, using the combination printed on their membership card. However any accompanying non-fishing persons are required to pay any entry charge. The entry charge varies, depending upon the day of the week and the time of the year. Full details of the entry charge can be found on theCotswold Country Park website.
Day ticket holders MUST also pay the entry fee, in addition to the day ticket charge, when fishing the lakes. Day ticket holders are required to park within the Country Park area in one of the designated car parks. Full details of the entry charge, together with the Park opening and closing times, can be found on theCotswold Country Park website.

Do I have to pay to park when fishing any of the lakes within the Thamesmead complex, which includes, Manorbrook, Thamesmead 'A', Thamesmead 'B', Thamesmead 'C' lakes, or the short stretch of the upper river Thames? - No, parking is free for all members
[NB - Day ticket holders are NOT allowed to fish these lakes, or the stretch of river.]

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Are dogs allowed on Club waters?

Are dogs allowed on Club waters? - Dogs may accompany anglers fishing any AKAC water provided that the dog(s) remain under close control at all times [see General Rule 17]. Any angler caught with a dog which is not under close control may face disciplinary action.

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Fish in the Club waters

I specialise in carp fishing. Which lakes contain carp and what are the stocking levels? - All the day ticket lakes and the members only lakes contain carp. It is not possible to give an accurate assessment of carp stocking levels. At times various carp fishermen have made estimates of the numbers and rumors abound, but it would be foolish of the Club to give figures, which could not be guaranteed, therefore no attempt will be made to do so. Suffice it to say that over the years, most of the lakes have produced some respectable sized carp, with plenty of doubles, quite a few twenties, some thirties and a magnificent 42lb carp caught in April 2008 from one of the day ticket lakes. Many of the quality carp caught are never reported, but brief details of those that have been, are published in the Club Newsletter. However, the best way of finding out what carp the lakes contain is to join the Club and fish for them yourself. There is no doubt that some of the larger lakes contain quality sized carp, maybe 40lb+ fish? Tight lines.

I am a carp fisherman and would like information about the best lakes to fish for carp, details of any swims and baits to use. - All the lakes on their day can produce. As to details of swims, quite frankly it depends on many conditions, especially the wind and temperature and the best way is to study the water for yourself. A lot can be learned by visiting the lakes before you fish, seeing where other carp anglers are fishing and perhaps talking to those who are prepared to divulge their expertise. All the usual carp baits are used but one point to bear in mind is that if you fish any of the lakes in the Thamesmead complex i.e. Thamesmead 'A', Thamesmead 'B', Thamesmead 'C', or Manorbrook lakes, they all contain signal crayfish in varying numbers, so the use of imitation baits may be worth considering.

What fish, other than carp, can I catch in the Club waters? - The following species:-
bream, roach, perch, pike and tench. In addition Neighbridge lake (lake 56) has a small stock of chub, which have been there for many years, some of which are quite large but rarely caught. This lake also contains some rudd but in recent years they have not been caught much.
All the lakes contain fish of a good quality and size. It is well worth reading through the fishery reports in the Club Newsletter, to find out details of some of the catches. There are plenty of specimens to be had. Bream over 10lb+ have been caught. The tench fishing on the day can be spectacular with fish of 7lbs+ regularly taken. In Spring 2008 an 11lb tench was caught in one of the members only lakes. Some of the lakes can give some very good roach fishing. A 3lb 1oz roach was caught in 2006 from a day ticket lake and a members only lake produced a 2lb 10oz roach in 2007. All the lakes contain quality perch, many 3lb+ fish with the occasional perch of over 4lb taken. Needless to say pike feature in the lakes and quite a few doubles, with a smattering of 20lb+ fish, are caught.

I notice there is a small stretch of the upper river Thames on the Club card. Is this worth fishing? - The stretch is somewhat overgrown in places and is better fished in the Winter, when there is sufficient water. The river can provide some sport with roach, dace, chub and the occasional pike. The fish are not large but occasionally can throw up a surprise.

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Contact details for AKAC

If you still cannot find an answer to your question, please address your enquiry to the Club Secretary:-

Anthony Nash
119 Finch Road
Chipping Sodbury
Bristol
BS37 6JB

Tel: 01454 320342 [No telephone calls after 9.0pm. Thank you.]

If you have any website enquiries, or any photographs of interest taken on AKAC waters, please contact David Riley. ( )

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