Chairmans chat – Oct 2025

Get Fishing and The PDAC & Friends Showcase.
This month marked the final "Get Fishing" event of the year, which was, as always, fully booked and well supported.
My gratitude goes out to all the coaches and helpers at this event and all the previous ones throughout the year.
Alongside this was our showcase event. Thank you to Frensham Trout Fishery, Gardener Tackle, The Billy's Project, and Horizon DAC for joining us and presenting what they are about. The weather was favourable, ensuring a successful day for everyone.
We were also honoured by a visit from the Mayor of Petersfield, Chris Page, who came to learn about our offerings and operations.
Following this, we received a formal invitation to The Mayor's Thank You evening to network with other local clubs and businesses.
The day was well attended with120+ visitors, my only regret is the lack of support from our club members, who had the opportunity to attend, observe how we run these events, meet the committee and dedicated volunteers making a significant impact on the club's future, and perhaps understand why these events are crucial to the PDAC.
I feel that the membership does not fully grasp the benefits these events bring to the club, both in terms of membership growth and financial support, which are essential for the ongoing development and improvement of the PDAC.

Lake Projects 
Recently, several regular PDAC members completed a series of fish refuges designed to provide smaller, younger fish with safe places to hide from predators, allowing them to grow. The materials were funded by the Environment Agency in partnership with the Angling Trust, through an Angling Improvement Programme Grant, which is supported by rod licence sales. We were responsible for providing the manpower and adhering to a set timeline to secure the funding and project approval. The grant also helped purchase plants for these refuges and additional plants to enhance water quality and oxygen levels around the pond during the summer months.
Check out the work: https://www.thepdac.co.uk/post/nyewood-update-1 https://www.thepdac.co.uk/post/nyewood-update-23-09-25
Unfortunately, we often see the same familiar faces at these work parties, mainly committee members, who are the unpaid volunteers managing your club.
In the upcoming weeks and months, we will be organising work parties at Combe to remove some trees and add a top cover to a section of the new path, as well as at BoPeep, where we plan to remove weed and conduct a general clean-up. Once the dates are set and announced, it would be great to see some new faces join us in caring for and improving the waters.
Please note that BoPeep will remain closed for the time being due to the very low rainfall in the summer the water levels remain very low and so for the welfare of the fish stocks the committee have decided to keep it shut. 

Junior News.
The conclusion of the JCC Junior League took place at Harting Combe, where seven juniors competed for the Masters & Aggregate Trophies, with the latter changing hands late in the final match. The Junior scene is managed by the PDAC Development team, and we extend our gratitude to them for their support of the club's juniors. We also want to thank JCC Lighting, our sponsors for all junior events this year. JCC and the Development team have worked together to deliver some fantastic events, and we look forward to more in 2026. A full report of the league series is available via the following link. https://www.thepdac.co.uk/post/junior-news-6

Reports have reached me that gates to venues are often left open or unlocked, can I remind members that all gates to venues must be kept closed and locked at all times.

During my visit to Harting Combe this weekend, I was disheartened to discover a Tench tethered to the lilies. I had to launch the boat to retrieve it, only to find it dead. I was surprised to see that the line and terminal tackle did not comply with the club's regulations. The Tench weighed about 8 lbs, and this situation could have been easily prevented with the proper use of equipment. I urge all members to thoroughly study and understand the rules and equipment requirements before fishing in any PDAC waters.

Please keep up to date with the latest information via our website and Facebook page. 

Tight Lines for now
Steve Chapman  PDAC Chairman