Good sentiments Adi. It's probably all too easy for us to stand on the bank bemoaning this, that and the other, when maybe, if we were in possession of all the facts, we might see things differently.
It is imperative that the committee that oversees the running of Ravenfield Carp Lake listen to what the anglers have to say - whether that be good or bad - which puts the empathis on us to document the problems we see and table any possible solutions in an effective manner, within a framework set up and acceptable to both parties.
Let's face it, the committee will surely not want to run the risk of having no anglers renew permits next season due to the ongoing weed problem that is prohibiting them from fishing for at least half the season. But I do know from speaking to Terry and Keith that in the past, a number of carp anglers were adamant that they wanted to help get the fishery in shape, yet despite the committee making concessions and putting regular notices up regarding work parties etc, no one ever showed up to help, so plans got shelved.
We need to prove that this crop of anglers are different, and that we will willingly work with the committee to make the carp lake one that every carp angler can be proud of. A number of anglers (Adi & Paul most especially)have already spent hours raking weed and tidying bankside rubbish and vegetation. It's a damn good start and just the kind of proof that we need to show the committee that the willingness to improve the lake is there and the work already underway.
What do people think of putting our heads together and drafting a proposal to be submitted to the committee which outlines the reasons for our grievances, but also highlights any steps we can see that would help those grievances be dealt with with the help of all carp anglers concerned. That way instead of just griping and complaining, which is likely to yield no results whatsoever, we can put across solutions that, with all anglers chipping in, would probably cost the committee nothing to impliment.
I believe that only by working with the committee will we ever achieve any results. And letters submitted by individuals will fail to carry the weight of ones submitted by a group acting on the behalf of all.
So what do people think? How about we form a group dedicated to improving the carp lake at Ravenfield? I can only see good coming from a venture such as this. But we need to act, and to act now. Too much time has been spent wishing that conditions at the lake were better than they are, so let's take action to make them better with the full co-operation and backing of the committee - a committee that, on occasion, we are possibly guilty of knocking too easily.
