Changes agreed to revive fortunes of Barnard Castle Angling Club

ANGLERS have agreed a number of measures in an effort to turn around the fortunes of the ailing Barnard Castle club.
An increase in membership fees, a project to attract youngsters to the sport and consideration of ending a 50-year ban on the use of maggots were all discussed at Barnard Castle Angling Club’s annual meeting.
Treasurer Maurice Eustace told the meeting the club’s membership had fallen by a third since 2010, down from 151 to 100. He said it had been a steady decrease during that time and this was beginning to affect club finances.
“We are not making money now and if we are contemplating restocking, that would take funds down considerably,” he said.
“We need to be looking at either generating a lot more income through donations or increasing subs or trying to counteract the drop in members.
“The ideal would be to increase membership. How we do that, I don’t know.”
Ahead of the meeting, a letter had been circulated to members highlighting the issues facing the club and asking for comments.
Bailiff Andrew McCrindle suggested it was time for “real changes” and to allow coarse fishing tactics on the river.
The meeting was told this would mean the end of a maggot ban on the river dating back to 1958.
“It’s time to diversify. Kids don’t want to go and sit on the river bank for hours and hours. Catching fish is what gets kids interested,” said Mr McCrindle. It was suggested that the club works with The Hub, at Shaw Bank, which maintains a pond stocked with carp.
However, chairman Dennis Hinchcliffe said this had its drawbacks.
“There are that many fish you can put your hand in and pick them out. As far as I am concerned, that is not fishing.”
Mr McCraindle replied: “But The Hub is what will get young people interested.”
Members agreed a formal approach would be made to The Hub, while coarse fishing tactics would be discussed at the next club committee meeting.
Mr Hinchcliffe added: “The Tees was never a course fishing river, not up here. It was always classed as a trout river. I have never known anything but trout and grayling.”
During the discussion on subs, head bailiff Gareth Hinchcliffe described the club as “wealthy in water” which needed preserving for the people of Barnard Castle.
He also said the number of day tickets sold last year had dropped off, and these could be a major source of income for the club.
He suggested publicising the fishing opportunities in nearby caravan parks.
Several members said that at £40 a year, membership fees were among the lowest in the north, if not the country.
It was also noted that the Barnard Castle club was not alone in facing up to decreasing membership numbers.
Two proposals were put forward – to increase fees by £5 and £10. When put to the vote, it was agreed subs would rise by £10.