Welcome to Verulam Angling Club Trout Section

The  VAC has for over thirty years organized 10 weeks of fly-fishing for trout at its Riverside Road fishery around the time of the traditional coarse close season from the end of February to early May. Following the acquisition by VAC of Ford and Mill lakes at Bellows Mill near Eaton Bray, Ford Lake was developed into an additional trout fly-fishing water that members can enjoy virtually the whole year. All VAC members can join in subject to purchasing either a season or a day ticket in advance to cover the cost of the trout. Fishing is by fly only and there is a strict 3 fish limit per day on both waters.               Ken Mourton displays one of the bigger rainbows from Riverside this year, a wonderful six pounder landed in mid April.   2013 Trout Season Riverside Road - Season now completed The 2013 season at Riverside Road will follow a similar pattern to previous years and run from 22nd February to 2nd May. Members may purchase a whole, part or floating season ticket or day tickets with differing prices reflecting administration costs. Riverside Road tickets are available as follows:- Floating season (£130): Allows fishing on any one day each week for the season subject to notifying the administrator of chosen day before starting to fish. Full season (£100): Allows fishing on the same pre-named day for the season. Half Floating and Half Season (£70 & £55): As above but on alternate weeks. Day Ticket (£15): Allows fishing for the named day. Because of water size restrictions and the popularity  tickets are subject to availability; book early to avoid disappointment. One of the highlights at Riverside Road is the Dave Marlborough Memorial Match to be held this year on Friday 26th April. Last year fifteen anglers took part and caught a record 29 fish, about 20 more than in previous years! Several anglers caught four fish but Richard Russell just pipped the rest of them by half an ounce. Ford Lake - Bellows Mill For 2013 the season is again split in two parts as it is anticipated the warmer weather during the summer months of July and August may inhibit trout fishing. Each part is treated separately although you can of course buy tickets for both parts. The Spring season runs from 28th March and ends on 19th June. The Autumn season starts on 5th September and runs until 27th November.   Ford Lake Tickets are available as follows:-  Season Ticket (£80): Allows fishing 8 days over the season.    Ford Lake - Bellows Mill (continued) Day Ticket (£15): Allows fishing for the named day. Between the seasons Ford Lake is not stocked but members can buy a Day ticket for £10; water conditions allowing. Guest Tickets (£22): Allows members to take an accompanied guest to either water  to fish under the same rules   Availability can be checked via the calendar on the VAC website and an email to vactroutbm@gmail.com stating your requirements is all that is needed. Hope to see you on the water soon.   Our beautiful Ford Lake Each half-season is treated separately although you can of course buy tickets for both. As with the trial season in 2011 a season ticket will allow members to fish eight times per twelve week season.   Season ticket holders can fish any day they wish but only one visit per week. Again, as with last year, day tickets will be available subject to space availability. Catch & Release, Ford Lake - Bellows Mill Many members have enquired about catch and release (C&R) fly-fishing on VAC waters and so we carried out a trial until the end of February 2013. As a result members fishing at Ford Lake may, if they wish, immediately return any brown trout caught and not count these towards their 3 fish limit. All rainbows must be taken and once three fish, brown or rainbow, have been killed all fishing must cease as with current rules. Any browns returned must be reported on the return sheet. A prime consideration will be the welfare of returned brownies and the committee will monitor the situation especially if the weather turns too warm. Notices will advise of any changes to this. How to Buy Season or Day Tickets Or Re-Arrange a Season Ticket Day. We now operate a text/on-line ticketing system. Members can view a calendar  showing the days that have day tickets available in the links below then contact the numbers shown to purchase a ticket. It is hoped that the calendar will be updated at least daily but please give as much notice as possible to help with administration. Please see links below to first check the calendar and then to book a ticket. For instructions to view a calendar of available day tickets at Riverside Road click here. Members wishing to buy a day ticket to fly-fish Riverside Road or for details of how to re-arrange a season ticket day click here. Click here for link to Bellows Mill calendar. (Click on “week” top RH when open) Members wishing to buy a day ticket to fly-fish Ford Lake at Bellows Mill click here. Members wishing to buy a season ticket for Riverside Road or Bellows Mill contact Barry Evans (VACtrout1@outlook.com) or Bob Ring (bobring@btinternet.com). NOTE – Tickets are only available to current VAC members - to join see the link in the main body of the Website. Trout Fishing Away Days 2013 For these Away days we try and operate a car share with some pick ups and drop offs available or share your car and fuel costs. Please ask/offer when booking or enquiring about any of these dates. Distances and times are from Riverside Road and are approximate.                                Optional Match/pool at each venue. Just a bit of fun, nothing serious. Saturday May 18th Away day to Elinor. Another trip to Elinor, probably our favourite away day, 50 acres of spring fed lake, boat and bank. This year we are visiting this water earlier than in the past. Prices £TBA for a 6 fish limit including c&r ( oap concessions) boats £TBA Address; Lowick Rd, Aldwinkle, Kettering, NN14 3EE.   64miles 1hr 19mins Telephone 01832 720786  www.elinortf.co.uk  Saturday June 8th Grafham Water First time here for an Away day venue, a big water of 1500 acres, At this time of year this should fish really well as plenty of water and depth prices TBA Address; Perry, Nr Grafham, Huntindon, PE28 0BX. 50miles 1hr  Telephone 01480 810531   www.anglianwater.co.uk Saturday 7th September, Blackdyke Trout Fishery. Another first time visit to this Norfolk 8 acre lake, it has a depth of 22ft all over, from about half a line out from the bank. This place looks real good and we have  booked  it for a minimum of ten rods which means the owner will close it to other anglers that day, so down let us down! Prices are reasonable, £25 four fish plus c&r. Breakfast and  lunch can be pre-ordered. Address; Blackdyke Farm, Hockwold, Norfolk, IP26 4JW 78 miles  1hr 55mins Telephone 07525730447 www.blackdykefishing.co.uk Saturday 5th October, Rib Valley. Our final away day to Rib another regular trip to this local water in Ware, tickets start at £TBA. A three fish ticket ticket is £TBA plus 9 c&r. A well stocked fishery. Address; Off the A602, Westmill Farm,Ware, SG12 0ES,  19miles   30mins Telephone 01920 432200   www.ribvallyfishinglakes.co.uk Please book early if you wish to join any of the above, this would be very helpful and is very important so that the correct number of places/boats are booked and available.  For Away days and Dave Marlborough Memorial Match contact either; Brian Gear 01727 759150 or 07795262281   brian.gear@ntlworld.com              Richard Russell 01727 838178 Returns (Excel format) : 2009 2010 2011

More from our archives Click the  to see Neil's article in the Herts Advertiser      Trout Section Round up If you wish to see more photos from previous seasons at Riverside, along with photos from the away days and more, click here! Looking to improve your Fly Fishing? Don't know where to start? Click here to enter the 'Fly Fishing Manual'

Fly Fishing for Trout at Riverside Road; A Newcomers Guide In Search of Urban Wild Brown Trout on the River Chess Oster Bayne's 2010 Review