The End of an Era: Fishing at Oakham Canal
For 170 years, the Oakham Angling Society was a fixture of the local community, providing a popular pastime for generations of anglers along the Oakham Canal. However, as of 2024, the society has sadly wound up its affairs, bringing an end to a long and rich history. This news will undoubtedly come as a disappointment to many who have enjoyed fishing in these waters over the years.
What Led to the Closure?
A confluence of factors contributed to the difficult decision to dissolve the society:
Ageing Membership and Committee: Like many long-standing clubs, the Oakham Angling Society faced the challenge of an increasingly older membership and committee, with a notable absence of younger individuals willing to step into leadership roles.
Predation by Wildlife: The canal's fish stocks have been significantly impacted by an increase in predators, particularly otters and cormorants, leading to fewer fish for anglers to catch.
Dwindling Membership: The reduced fish population directly resulted in a decline in membership, as the allure of a good catch diminished.
Prohibitive Restocking Costs: Replenishing fish stocks became an insurmountable financial burden, with estimates ranging from £5,000 to £6,000 per restock. Despite past assistance from Oakham Town Council, which had previously contributed to restocking and funded many of the fishing piers, current grants were unavailable to support such costs.
Failed Amalgamation Efforts: The society explored options for merging with other local fishing clubs, but unfortunately, these discussions did not lead to any viable partnerships.
The Future of Fishing at Oakham Canal
While the Oakham Angling Society is no longer active, there's still a glimmer of hope for the future of fishing on the canal. The owner of the stretch of canal where the society previously operated is open to discussing new arrangements.
Burley Farm Partnership is seeking interested parties to take on a lease for the fishing rights for the sections of the canal both north and south of Burley Road in Ashwell. This presents a unique opportunity for an individual or a new group to revive angling activities in this area
If you or a group you know might be interested in taking on this exciting challenge and preserving the tradition of fishing at Oakham Canal, please contact Burley Farm Partnership. This could be the chance to write the next chapter in the canal's angling history.
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