Fish Care Fact Sheet

Before attempting to fish and take your gear to your swim please dip your nets mats and slings BEFORE  passing the dip tank located by the Wendy House.

KHV is always a worry for every Fishery in the country. With the extremely warm weather we have during the summer months doesn’t help. We are aware that KHV is at other fisheries in Sussex. Please keep this disease away from every fishery and abide by our COMPULSORY rule and dip your nets mats and slings on every visit. EVEN if you only fish at Wintons. The video says it all it’s SIMPLE dip your gear on your way through the gate (don’t come back to dip) dump the rest of your gear at your swim and come back to get it. Anyone seen passing the net dip will be asked to leave immediately. We have CCTV over the net dip ensuring you abide by our rules.

Handling fish in very warm conditions.

Please take EXTRA care of our fish during very hot conditions. We have compiled a video to make it very simple.
1. Mats slings and buckets in the shade at all times. Please be aware of the sun moving round and move mats       slings and buckets accordingly.
2. Keep at least one bucket of water in the shade to douse your mat.
3. Use your hands to check the mat is not hot before placing a fish on it.
4. Keep dousing the fish with cool water whilst it’s on the mat.
5. Keep your weighing and picture to a minimum amount of time. And get the fish back in the water quickly.

Thank you for watching our video and please carry through Stuart’s instructions we will be checking.

Essential guide for all anglers in handling landed fish:

• Large unhooking mat and weigh sling soaked in lake water.
• Tripod and scales set up.
• Klinik readily available.
• In Summer months bucket of lake water.
• Camera ready.
• Once the fish is in the landing net it may be exhausted so make sure the fish is sitting upright in the net and not rolling over to one side:
• Check the rig as sometimes a barbless hook will fall out in the net, if not the hook should be visible just inside the mouth and with the fish still being tired it is a good time to unhook it.
• The fish can now be lifted out of the water.
• The best way is to detach the arms of the net from the pole and roll the net a few times making sure that the line is
  not wrapped around the fish.
• Lift and hold the fish on the surface with one hand and run your other hand under the bottom of the net to make sure all the fins are tucked up and not sticking out as this
• will avoid broken and split fins.
• The fish is now ready to be lifted from the water onto your unhooking mat.
• If the hook had not already been removed, unhook it now and get it in to the weigh sling as quickly as possible. This is a good time to give the fish a once over and check for wounds or damage and apply an antiseptic such as Klinik.
• If there is excessive damage please retain the fish in your net and call the office.
• If the fish should struggle be firm but gentle in restraining it. If it struggles vigorously gentle lift it off the mat until it stops struggling.
• You are now ready to weigh your fish.
• The use of a tripod is perfect for weighing larger specimens.
• If no photos are required then return the fish to the water immediately.
• If a photo is required this should be done as quickly as possible, dousing the fish with lake water during this time and returning it to the weigh sling before taking it back
  to the lake.
• Carry the fish to the water in the sling and release from the sling
  but support the fish in your hands.
• When the fish has righted itself and got it’s bearings only then should you let the fish swim from your hands.
• If you are having difficulty landing your fish e.g it has become
  snagged please phone Stuart Harry or the office immediately for assistance :
  07443 602372   Stuart
• 07518 794738   Harry
• 07784 658165 Mike
• 07535 711141 Andy
• 01444 236493