'Major' blow as fly fishing to end at reservoir

The end of fly fishing at a Staffordshire reservoir would be a "major" blow to the community, anglers have said.

South Staffordshire Water recently announced that all fly fishing and fish farming activities at Blithfield Reservoir, near Rugeley, would cease in November, at the end of the current season.

The news came as a shock to those who visit the site, including Blithfield Anglers, which said it had been an "incredibly difficult" time for members and volunteers.

The water company said its fishing operations had been "running at a sustained loss for some time" and the firm needed to prioritise its core functions.

In its report for May, Blithfield Anglers said there had been a trout fishery at the reservoir since 1957 and it had "come to mean so much to a wide variety of people".

"It has been much more than just a fishery," the group added, "it has been a place of solace, of peace and quiet, of companionship and camaraderie - all important for both mental health and physical well-being."

It said hundreds of thousands of pounds have been raised for charities and "very worthwhile causes" in that time.

Mike Mann, 72, moved to Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, a couple of years ago and has been fly fishing at the reservoir for about 18 months.

He said the announcement from the water company was a "bombshell" and it would have a "major" impact on the community.

"It's a big community and the people are friendly," Mann said. "I've been really pleasantly surprised. They're such a nice group of people - people who are very helpful and safe."

He added: "What's really important to people is to be able to get out in the fresh air. It's the camaraderie and the friendship."

Currently, people who want to fish at the site can purchase day or season permits.

Mann said there were two dedicated bailiffs who looked after the fishery, along with about 20 part-time volunteers, including himself, who covered shifts in the evening or at weekends.

He said about £70,000 was spent on stocking the fishery with thousands of fish every year.

A petition started by Mann has been signed by more than 1,300 people since it was launched in May, with many signatories voicing their disappointment at the water company's decision.

But Mann said his goal was to try to form a collaborative relationship with South Staffordshire Water to see if there were options to make the fishery more viable.

"We can do a lot of good in the community," he added. "We get visitors from all over the country, from as far as 100 miles (160km) away.

"It generates business for local companies: hospitality, people selling fuel – the spin-off effect of it is actually quite large."

He said South Staffordshire Water's senior management had a made a "hard-nosed commercial decision".

"I don't think they've really appreciated the social impact of what they're doing," he added.

The issue will be the subject of a public meeting at 10:00 BST on Thursday, which will be held at Blithfield Reservoir's yacht club.

Caroline Cooper, strategy and regulations director at South Staffordshire Water, said the closure had been a "difficult decision" and came after a "thorough review".

"Our priority as a water company is to focus on our core purpose, providing safe, clean and reliable drinking water to our customers," she added.

"The fishing operations have been running at a sustained loss for some time and this is not something we can continue to support."

The firm recognised it would be disappointing for the angling community, Cooper added, and it was engaging with affected parties.

"Blithfield Reservoir will remain open to the public and we will continue to support access for walking and boating so people can continue to enjoy the site," she added.

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