What will the new club proposed by BASG be like?

It is up to you to design it.

The following is but one view of what it might look like.

To start with not much will change except attitudes and approach. The speed and rate of change will depend on how many invest in the future they wish to see and get involved.

The vision for the club is a community-owned club with a number of 'founder members' who invest relatively small amounts to own a share, or a few shares. what this will mean is yet to be defined but the idea is amounts from say £5k to £50k in £5k steps (shares). If the offer is over-subscribed all applicants will receive a share. The number of shares purchased by an individual or group will be limited by the upper target unless the applications are so low as to require larger shareholdings in order to achieve a viable level of set-up and operating capital.

The vision is also about the quality of the fishing experience. This will mean different things to different people. It will also vary for members and day-fishers.

Everyone wants to catch fish and many want to catch high quality fish. Some want to catch a particular type or size such as rainbow or brown trout. Some like competitions. We will aim to keep Blithfield well-stocked, well-managed, and healthy, and give everyone the best possible experience during their visit. The club will practice modern fishery management and stewardship in terms of fish welfare and giving anglers the best possible fish to catch.

SSW do not call anyone a member - they are 'season ticket holders' on a 'take it or leave it' basis. We aim to make members feel like the club is 'theirs' and that membership is worth having and brings influence.

A management committee will be formed to properly manage the club in a commercial but non-profit manner. It will possibly have a sub-committee of members and syndicate representatives that will communicate democratically and respond to the management committee so that projects, other matters, and policies etc. can be developed and agreed with all users of the fishery.

There might also be a bailiffs and environment committee formed from employed and volunteer bailiffs to deal with the day to day operations and management.

Our plan is to operate all-year round. There will be sensible 'closed' periods to suit operational needs and fishery management. The current predator fishing for pike in the winter is seen as a positive and it is enjoyed by both 'members' and visitors. We will likely expand this in a managed way to protect and conserve specimen fish.

Members will have access according to their membership entitlements (all to be discussed and agreed) but members will not be subject to 'closures' unless necessary. We hope to use technology to improve angler and staff safety and this might mean a 'virtual' bailiff system is employed to monitor the presence and safety of anglers and enable early and later access as well as boat use by members. Safety will be prioritised and systems, processes, and facilities upgraded to suit.

Boats will be improved as finances permit. Initially, cleanliness and safe access will be prioritised and members will receive priority access and facilities.

Syndicates, competitions, and day ticket purchases are vital contributors to the commercial viability of the fishery. Sales and marketing systems will be modernised and set up to make information and bookings easy to find and simple to do for everything from bank fishing to boats and accommodation.

Sponsorships and grant funding will be established. A club can do many things a commercial business cannot, and a non-profit can do many things a commercial club cannot.

This is not a complete vision and many things and detail are yet to be developed. The intention is that it will take time and evolve once the basic club is established and members have engaged in the process.

To start the process and attempt to get as much done in the mountain of do's we have to climb we will be holding an open day and evening at the Blithfield Sailing Club on Tuesday 15 September 2026 from about 10:30 until sunset. This is for you to ask questions, get answers, and be able to lodge requests for things you do or do not want to see at YOUR Blithfield

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DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON BLITHFIELD FLY FISHING - GET INVOLVED, ASK QUESTIONS, AND PITCH IN.