Thatcham Angling Association is pleased to announce that on Saturday 27^th May 2006, their lake complex in Lower Way, Thatcham, Berkshire, is host to the area’s biggest ever angling event.

The three lakes in the complex, named Long, Jubilee and Hordens Mere Lakes, are set in idyllic surroundings and yet are close to local amenities, including two fishing tackle shops. The association has a membership of approximately 600 anglers of all ages, and though most live within a 15 mile radius of Thatcham town centre, associate members come from far and wide, including an angler from Scotland who travels down for the excellent chub and barbel fishing to be had on the Associations excellent stretches of the River Kennet.

The lakes complex caters for every type of angler, whether it is the specimen hunter after the large carp, bream or tench or the pleasure angler who can bag up on the smaller varieties, such as rudd, roach, perch etc.

Match angling plays an important part of any club’s activities and Thatcham Angling Association is no exception, hosting a number of club and interclub matches each year. The association also has waters at Bucklebury Ponds, and stretches of the Kennet and Avon canal close to Thatcham Railway Station and at the rear of the Public House formerly known as the Whitehouse on the A4 between Newbury and Thatcham.

The Junior section has really taken off in the last 12 months and on our open day we are hosting a Junior Match between our top Junior anglers and the top Junior anglers from other local clubs, Bracknell, Kintbury and Oxford to name a few. Helping to run the match, and no doubt pass on winning tips, will be FOUR times World Angling Champion Bob NUDD, who will be spending the day at the complex.

Bob will be giving a talk on fishing and will also be taking part in a fishing match with other celebrity anglers, namely carp experts Nigel SHARP and Mitch SMITH, and fly fishing expert Martin JAMES, who will also be demonstrating how to fly fish for carp.

Fishing tips will be passed on by all celebrity anglers during their talks on different styles of fishing, and an interactive bait and rig clinic is being held by Myles GASCOIGNE from Carp School to help anglers chances of landing that elusive 30lb carp in Thatcham’s Long Lake. Also taking part in the Celebrity fishing match will be our club President, Labour M.P. Mr. Martin SALTER, who, with Bob NUDD, will be presenting the prizes to the winners of the Junior competition.

Everyone is welcome to attend our open day and for those who have never fished before, there will be an opportunity to do so courtesy of the Environment Agency who have kindly agreed to waiver the requirement for individual rod licences on the lake complex for the day. Fishing tackle will be provided and assistance will be on hand to demonstrate how to handle rod and reel.

Other attractions are casting competitions where a cash prize will be up for grabs in our “snooker” game, a “spod” casting demonstration by Mitch Smith, a “whip” fishing competition run be Zebco/Browning tackle manufacturers, and much more.

There will be an opportunity to purchase fishing tackle from stands set up by Crownmead Angling and Thatcham Angling Centre and Tasty Baits will be present to launch new Tower Pellet baits.

A barbeque and refreshments will be available as well as a bouncy castle to keep the children amused. Thatcham Angling Association will be having their own stand offering anglers the opportunity to purchase club T-Shirts and fleeces and anyone turning up the opportunity to join one of the area’s top angling clubs, namely Thatcham Angling Association. No doubt by the time the open day arrives, more events will be confirmed so please turn up to find out what’s on.

Car parking is available at £1 per car, entry is £1 per adult, children free entry.

For further information on Thatcham Angling Association log onto thatchamaa.co.uk