Home page for Shefford and District Angling Assocation

The association established over a century ago is the local coarse fishing society based in the town of Shefford. SDAA has an open membership with no joining fee for new members. The association controls the fishing rights on several excellent lakes and premier stretches of the rivers in and around Bedfordshire, and caters for the general angler, specimen hunter and match angler. In recent seasons, SDAA waters have produced specimen catfish over 45lb; carp over 40lb; pike over 30lb; barbel, tench and bream all over 10lb; chub over 6lb; perch over 4lb; and roach over 3lb. SDAA waters include stretches of the rivers Great Ouse (stretches above and below Bedford), Ivel, Flit and Ivel Navigation. The lakes include the Airman Pit, Willington Lake, Broom Lake and Stanford Pit. Membership of SDAA also entitles members to fish the Ivel Protection Association controlled stretches of the river Ivel and MKAA controlled stretches of the Grand Union Canal. If you require further information then please contact Colin Smith (tel. 01462 812265 or e-mail )), or why not call in and have a chat with Andy Davis at the tackle shop in the High St. Map for Andy's Andy's website

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NEWS UPDATE – OTTER PREDATION

Otter predation was discussed by member clubs and the EA at the Upper Ouse Fisheries Consultative Association on 19th May 2009. It is clear that otter numbers in the Ouse system (including the Ivel and its tributaries) have significantly increased in recent years. This is backed up by data from otter surveys, increased otter road deaths, sightings by anglers, and incidents of otter predation. The otter is an apex predator and will eat almost anything it comes across (i.e. fish, crustacean, amphibians, birds, etc). Barbel and carp both become very torpid in low water temperatures and become easy prey for the otter in colder weather. However, as the otter is a protected species there is little we can do other than hope that in time the river system will return to a ‘natural’ balance between prey and predator. Fish stocks in the Ouse have been in decline for a number of years, but the otter is not the only factor responsible for this decline. Only limited funds are available from the EA to help with erecting costly otter proof fencing on stillwater fisheries, which means the majority of the cost would have to be borne by angling clubs (i.e. through membership fees). Feedback from the UOFCA meeting will be taken forward to wider ranging meetings with both conservation and angling groups to highlight the otter predation problems in the Ouse system.

SDAA members should report suspected cases of otter predation (with photos if possible) and otter sightings on our waters to an officer of the Club.

The Otter Survey of Bedfordshire 2008/09

Google map of the otter survey sites along the Great Ouse, River Ivel and Elstow Brook

Airman Pit