This reprieve for anglers comes after months of uncertainty following the revelation that, due to financial restraints, Bristol Water was considering a reduction in trout stocking and facilities for fly-fishers at Chew Valley Lake with effect from 2019.
Chew Valley Lake has been one of the UK’s best still water trout fishing venues for over 60 years and in 2000 hosted the World Fly Fishing Championships. Bristol Water say that whilst the lakeside is more popular than ever, their customers’ reasons for a visit to Chew Valley have been changing.
Bristol Water’s Lakeside Services Manager, Steven Smith said “As a responsible business we periodically review all our activities to ensure that our focus and funding priorities are best balanced to meet the needs of our customers.”
As part of this review Bristol Water had considered reducing their angling provisions. Opponents of the proposals said the reductions would bring meaningful trout angling to an end and lead to local job losses.
The announcement was welcomed by campaigners. Bristol Reservoirs Fly Fishing Association (BRFFA), which was present at the meeting with Bristol Water, thanked the Angling Trust for efforts in securing the reprieve…
