Teach-in for Novices/New Junior Members

Since the adoption of the Clubmate tool by LDAS for the management of membership and recruitment, numbers have grown at a healthy rate.

It is apparent that a good number of new members may be lacking in experience and may well benefit from some basic instruction – not so much as a ‘this is how you bagup’ session, but more how to best look after our basic and essential asset – the fish.  

 So, we are asking experienced anglers to lend a few hours of their time at Long Copse to help explain how to play and handle fish in a manner that is safe for the fish, how to select the most appropriate choice of tackle (hook size, breaking strain etc), to explain why certain baits and methods are not permitted and to emphasize measures to protect wildlife and the environment.

 The proposed date for the event is Sunday 9th August and we are initially asking our experienced anglers to let us know if you are willing to help – please let me know on geoff@leatherheadangling.co.uk

 It is only with your help that the event can be staged.

 Additionally, if you think you would like to attend the event as a ‘student’, please let me know on the same Email address.  It will last probably only a few hours.  Depending on the demand it may be necessary to operate a booking system using the Clubmate booking facility.

 Geoff Ballinger Hon Sec LDAS

River Mole Mink Eradication  - River Anglers Please Read - 3rd June 2026.

Leatherhead and District Angling Society (LDAS) have joined forces with the Waterlife Recovery Trust (WRT) and various angling clubs and societies along the length of the River Mole to curb the number of mink that inhabit the river.  READ THE FULL REPORT HERE

WILLINGHURST NEWS - 1st April 2026

After many years of offering our members a generous benefit when visiting this fishery, they have now with-drawn from our partnership as from 1st April 2026.

 We will continue to look to re-establish this benefit from another fishery, and hope to bring you news of this in the near future.

MATCH BOOKINGS VIA CLUBMATE 2026

For the final two matches at Long Copse in March, we would like all members to use the Clubmate App to book through the ‘Make a Booking’ icon on your App. The current JotForms will be removed from the website on the 21st February.  When accessing the icon,

1. Click on ACTIVITIES, and choose the date of the Match you want to book.

2. Find the date of the Match by scrolling down the calendar or go to ‘Jump to Date ’and click ‘Book’

3. On the next screen click ‘Make Booking’  and complete.

You will receive an email confirmation of your booking. You can cancel the booking up to 24 hours before the match date.

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY BOOKED A PLACE FOR EITHER OR BOTH THE MARCH MATCHES PLEASE DO NOT BOOK AGAIN.

Please contact the office if you need assistance.

CATCH REPORTS

You can now upload all your best catches and a photo from the Clubmate App.

From 1st April 2017 Juniors under 17 years of age DO NOT have to pay for a Environmental Agency rod licence. For further information see.

https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence   NOTE: Juniors will still have to apply for an EA licence but it will be FREE

Anglers can buy their fishing licence via the EA’s 24/7 online rod licensing service, or by call the EA’s phone sales service on 0344 800 5386, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (except public holidays). There will still be an option to request a paper licence if desired.

16th August 2022       LDAS ADDITION TO FISHERY RULES – ONE ROD RULE AT LONG COPSE.     The committee have decided that members may use only one rod or pole per angler at any one time at Long Copse.

17th June 2020    The LDAS have now banned the use of bread for all fishing methods at Long Copse . DO NOT TAKE BREAD TO LONG COPSE.   FLOATING BAITS are also banned at Long Copse.

 21st August 2024     For Long Copse and Ashtead Park, the maximum size hooks allowed are No.8 barbless.  

18th June 2025     Temporary Day membership is no longer available for any of LDAS waters

Spawning

You may notice fish thrashing around in the reeds/margins on many of our waters. Sometimes this will occur right by where you are fishing. This is fish spawning, mostly carp but other species will as well. These spawning fish will not feed so please do not cast baits towards or near them. It is fine to fish as normal for species not spawning. The weather, particularly water temperature, will have an impact on spawning and it can stop and start over several weeks. The warmer the water, the earlier they will spawn. Different species also spawn at different times with Pike going early and Tench often late. As a general rule of thumb, the different species spawn as follows:

Pike – March to April     Carp – April to June      Tench – May to July    Bream – May to June    Perch – April to May     Roach – April to June

Rudd – May to July     Crucians – May to June

 Unfortunately spawning also leads to fish stress, damage and sometimes mortalities. This is quite normal but please continue to report fish deaths to the local pond warden or the fishery management team.

Stuart Stafford LDAS Fisheries officer