Membership time again and my local lakes have hiked the price by 30%.
Is this the norm now, I'm thinking of giving it a miss. I did most of my big fish hunting 20 years ago so get more enjoyment from some day ticket waters I know.
Anybody else have price rises this year.
Is this the norm now, I'm thinking of giving it a miss. I did most of my big fish hunting 20 years ago so get more enjoyment from some day ticket waters I know.
Anybody else have price rises this year.
In reply to Post #1
Re: the 30% price hike.
Have the lake/complex membership total numbers dropped to compensate for more empty swims on the lakes, do you know ?
Re: the 30% price hike.
Have the lake/complex membership total numbers dropped to compensate for more empty swims on the lakes, do you know ?
In reply to Post #1
Yes, my club is introducing a night ticket as a supplement, in order to try to reduce membership applications , as the waters now contain some large carp, and everyone suddenly wants to be on the bank. It's hard to get a decent swim that gives you a chance of catching nowadays.
Yes, my club is introducing a night ticket as a supplement, in order to try to reduce membership applications , as the waters now contain some large carp, and everyone suddenly wants to be on the bank. It's hard to get a decent swim that gives you a chance of catching nowadays.
In reply to Post #2
No nothing has changed, and don't get me wrong the lakes are nice and with low membership numbers. At this time of year you could be the only one fishing. Its just the price hike with no explanation.
My whole outlook on fishing has changed now I'm not chasing big fish, so i won't lose any sleep letting my ticket go.
No nothing has changed, and don't get me wrong the lakes are nice and with low membership numbers. At this time of year you could be the only one fishing. Its just the price hike with no explanation.
My whole outlook on fishing has changed now I'm not chasing big fish, so i won't lose any sleep letting my ticket go.
30% of what was the initial price?
30% on a £50 ticket isn't comparable with 30% of a £1000 ticket.
Are they looking to add fences or restock maybe?
30% on a £50 ticket isn't comparable with 30% of a £1000 ticket.
Are they looking to add fences or restock maybe?
In reply to Post #1
No, People in the Medway Valley just seem to enjoy having their pants pulled down.
Considering the Trout Lake, Big Lake and Ford Lake was £60 in 2002, to charge over £200 just for the Trout Lake in 2022 is laughable.
I suppose they need to re-coup the lost Larky money somehow eh?
No, People in the Medway Valley just seem to enjoy having their pants pulled down.
Considering the Trout Lake, Big Lake and Ford Lake was £60 in 2002, to charge over £200 just for the Trout Lake in 2022 is laughable.
I suppose they need to re-coup the lost Larky money somehow eh?
In reply to Post #6
Ford lake was £120 last year now £160, all the others have gone up by the same %.
Like I said before the Ford lake is worth it even at the new price but I don't fish it much and to put prices up without good reason is a no no.
As for restocking or fence repair, last time I went the gate post fell over when I unlocked the gate
plus no toilet or car park.
Ford lake was £120 last year now £160, all the others have gone up by the same %.
Like I said before the Ford lake is worth it even at the new price but I don't fish it much and to put prices up without good reason is a no no.
As for restocking or fence repair, last time I went the gate post fell over when I unlocked the gate
plus no toilet or car park.
In reply to Post #7
I think their waters still offer brilliant value for what you get, they did also give all existing members a discount on the current tickets for this year due to Covid which they didn't need to do.
I think their waters still offer brilliant value for what you get, they did also give all existing members a discount on the current tickets for this year due to Covid which they didn't need to do.
In reply to Post #8
Not putting the waters down, would just like to know the reason for the price increase.
Not putting the waters down, would just like to know the reason for the price increase.
In reply to Post #9
They don't have to have a reason. It's their lake, they can charge what they like. You either pay the prices or don't.
They don't have to have a reason. It's their lake, they can charge what they like. You either pay the prices or don't.
In reply to Post #7
I would jump at the chance of a £160 ticket! It may be annoying to you the price has gone up, but the costs of lots of things have gone up and perhaps they just need that extra money tj stay afloat? Feel yourself lucky you have very very affordable club lakes near you.
I assure you that extra £40 will feel like nothing when all the local lakes become holiday venues or lake exclusive hires for £1200 a week
I would jump at the chance of a £160 ticket! It may be annoying to you the price has gone up, but the costs of lots of things have gone up and perhaps they just need that extra money tj stay afloat? Feel yourself lucky you have very very affordable club lakes near you.
I assure you that extra £40 will feel like nothing when all the local lakes become holiday venues or lake exclusive hires for £1200 a week
In reply to Post #11
No its not annoying to me, its worth the money. Just like to know why, new fish, new fences or just want more money to stay out of the red.
Medway valley holiday venue
No its not annoying to me, its worth the money. Just like to know why, new fish, new fences or just want more money to stay out of the red.
Medway valley holiday venue
In reply to Post #12
Have you tried contacting them? Most clubs Syndicates normally send out a letter email or Social media post explaining the reason for the price hike.
Have you tried contacting them? Most clubs Syndicates normally send out a letter email or Social media post explaining the reason for the price hike.
In reply to Post #13
Just an email saying just about what a great year they have had, everything but the price rise.
I have other places I'm planning on fishing so if I kept it I may not use it.
Just an email saying just about what a great year they have had, everything but the price rise.
I have other places I'm planning on fishing so if I kept it I may not use it.
In reply to Post #14
Would be nice to be given a reason. But it's there buisness so in reality they don't have to. I no they have recently lost the rights to the Angling on the Leybourne country park. So maybe trying to recover lost revenue. Or if there leasing there waters the cost of that might of gone up as well.I suppose all you can do is swallow the hike or vote with your feet.
Would be nice to be given a reason. But it's there buisness so in reality they don't have to. I no they have recently lost the rights to the Angling on the Leybourne country park. So maybe trying to recover lost revenue. Or if there leasing there waters the cost of that might of gone up as well.I suppose all you can do is swallow the hike or vote with your feet.
Let it go, I've moved on from many syndicates over the years, never regretted leaving a single one.
Sounds like your ready to move on, and save a few quid.
Sounds like your ready to move on, and save a few quid.
They know they can charge it and will have a long list of anglers waiting to get on, I remember the good old Alders days when it was £50ish to fish, shame but some lovely waters through that valley.
In reply to Post #1
My club more than doubled the cost a few years ago and reduced the numbers on certain lakes (made them syndicates and not available for all members). This resulted in fewer people on the banks and mostly a better level of member on the lake. I pay more but the fishing is better and it's not packed every week so I can't grumble with higher costs..
Look at Wingham, Chilham Mill, Stour and you'll see you pay a fraction of some of these venues.
My club more than doubled the cost a few years ago and reduced the numbers on certain lakes (made them syndicates and not available for all members). This resulted in fewer people on the banks and mostly a better level of member on the lake. I pay more but the fishing is better and it's not packed every week so I can't grumble with higher costs..
Look at Wingham, Chilham Mill, Stour and you'll see you pay a fraction of some of these venues.
In reply to Post #18
I was fishing a club water that cost £22 a year a new owner took over and the price went to £650 a year.
I was fishing a club water that cost £22 a year a new owner took over and the price went to £650 a year.
In reply to Post #19
So nobody fishes there now apart from the lake owner??
So nobody fishes there now apart from the lake owner??
In reply to Post #17
I can remember when Alders was rammed with 6 on back in the day 😂
It's a crying shame that this hobby has become a circus as back in the day it was a fairly poor mans sport .
Seems now you need to be earning untold for a decent ticket .
For the average working man it's a holiday for the family with these Mickey Mouse prices .
Demand and supply dictates it 🤔
I can remember when Alders was rammed with 6 on back in the day 😂
It's a crying shame that this hobby has become a circus as back in the day it was a fairly poor mans sport .
Seems now you need to be earning untold for a decent ticket .
For the average working man it's a holiday for the family with these Mickey Mouse prices .
Demand and supply dictates it 🤔
In reply to Post #21
And that was probably 5 having a social on the tow path with one loner sat in the gap
And that was probably 5 having a social on the tow path with one loner sat in the gap
In reply to Post #21
To be fair I think if you fish a night or two a week, then £600 to fish somewhere nice, secure, well maintained, and not overly busy is still pretty good value.
If you look at the cost of most day ticket lakes, or joining a golf club, a £600 syndicte is still much cheaper in the majority of cases.
The problems come when its £600 a year, not nice, not secure, not well maintained and rammed 24/7, but this is where you need to do your research and make sure you're joining the right lakes.
To be fair I think if you fish a night or two a week, then £600 to fish somewhere nice, secure, well maintained, and not overly busy is still pretty good value.
If you look at the cost of most day ticket lakes, or joining a golf club, a £600 syndicte is still much cheaper in the majority of cases.
The problems come when its £600 a year, not nice, not secure, not well maintained and rammed 24/7, but this is where you need to do your research and make sure you're joining the right lakes.
It's a lot cheaper than I was paying at MKF... Let me in!!!!! 
In reply to Post #6
What's the price for the big lake on medway now with the rise in price do you know?
What's the price for the big lake on medway now with the rise in price do you know?
In reply to Post #21
Now where is that "like " button.
Now where is that "like " button.
In reply to Post #21
Couldn't agree more.
Couldn't agree more.
In reply to Post #25
What ever it is I bet Wingham is more!
What ever it is I bet Wingham is more!
In reply to Post #28
Wingham current prices....
https://www.winghamfisheries.com/memberships
Carp Lake
(Mar 15th - Jul 14th)
SPRING TICKET £1500
12 MONTH TICKET £2500 plus £290 joining fee.
main lake
SPRING TICKET £550
(Mar 15th - Jul 14th)
12 MONTH TICKET £1050 plus £290 joining fee
Wingham current prices....
https://www.winghamfisheries.com/memberships
Carp Lake
(Mar 15th - Jul 14th)
SPRING TICKET £1500
12 MONTH TICKET £2500 plus £290 joining fee.
main lake
SPRING TICKET £550
(Mar 15th - Jul 14th)
12 MONTH TICKET £1050 plus £290 joining fee
In reply to Post #29
Just read the rules for that:
'You may fish up to 18 days in each 4 month period. Additionally, you may fish no more than 4 days in any consecutive 14 day period.'
So if I'm reading that right then on the carp lake you can only do 54 nights a year maximum, for an annual cost of £2500
That's over £46 a night, and you have to do a work party!
Who on earth is paying those prices?
I dropped a syndicate ticket last year because it went up from £420 to £750 and I thought that was taking the piss! That one had a 48 on 24 off rule and was open 364 days a year though.
Just read the rules for that:
'You may fish up to 18 days in each 4 month period. Additionally, you may fish no more than 4 days in any consecutive 14 day period.'
So if I'm reading that right then on the carp lake you can only do 54 nights a year maximum, for an annual cost of £2500
That's over £46 a night, and you have to do a work party!
Who on earth is paying those prices?
I dropped a syndicate ticket last year because it went up from £420 to £750 and I thought that was taking the piss! That one had a 48 on 24 off rule and was open 364 days a year though.
In reply to Post #30
That's proper crazy 54 nights costing £2500
Makes the £276 a year i pay for a permit on the North Met Pit seem like a right bargain
That's proper crazy 54 nights costing £2500
Makes the £276 a year i pay for a permit on the North Met Pit seem like a right bargain
In reply to Post #7
Yeh when Babbage was secretary it was £70 for the lot .
Had a Brooklands ticket from the off but let it go as I just could not justify the cost by the amount of time I went .
I was a member of Aldders for over 27 years .
Seems a sport that was for the not so well off now you need to be minted to participate these days and the reason is every one wants to catch big fish from the off without doing any of the other species .
The increase is probably to cover all the honorary tickets dished out to the chosen select few 🫢
Yeh when Babbage was secretary it was £70 for the lot .
Had a Brooklands ticket from the off but let it go as I just could not justify the cost by the amount of time I went .
I was a member of Aldders for over 27 years .
Seems a sport that was for the not so well off now you need to be minted to participate these days and the reason is every one wants to catch big fish from the off without doing any of the other species .
The increase is probably to cover all the honorary tickets dished out to the chosen select few 🫢
In reply to Post #32
You also got the Castle Lake for that £70 too.
You also got the Castle Lake for that £70 too.
In reply to Post #31
Stunning fish in there though
Stunning fish in there though
Some really expensive camping fees on here
In reply to Post #35
Yes the popular "farm pond" is £400 to join now and £35 per night !
People have more money then me 😂
Yes the popular "farm pond" is £400 to join now and £35 per night !
People have more money then me 😂
Has MVF got the rights to Freemasons ??
In reply to Post #37
Don't think so. Not on their website.
Don't think so. Not on their website.
In reply to Post #38
It's on their website but they don't have anything to do with it. A few years ago I think the paper mill/landlord decided they only wanted 1 payment for the lease of their lakes instead of multiple payments so Masons went under the MVF umbrella but they don't have a say in things
It's on their website but they don't have anything to do with it. A few years ago I think the paper mill/landlord decided they only wanted 1 payment for the lease of their lakes instead of multiple payments so Masons went under the MVF umbrella but they don't have a say in things
In reply to Post #39
Apart from going back on BL, I think Hooks & Masons is the only ones i'm waiting for.
Does Gerry still run Hooks or does MVF have it under their sole control?
Apart from going back on BL, I think Hooks & Masons is the only ones i'm waiting for.
Does Gerry still run Hooks or does MVF have it under their sole control?
Any idea how much a Brooklands ticket is now please
In reply to Post #41
Could be wrong, but last year it was around the 700 mark
Just been offered Larky for 600+
Could be wrong, but last year it was around the 700 mark
Just been offered Larky for 600+
In reply to Post #42
Gone are the days when it was one of the MKF waters and was roughly £170 a year
Gone are the days when it was one of the MKF waters and was roughly £170 a year
My mate was a member on Brooklands for years, then he was told he couldn't renew his membership. Just stop paying. Economic forces apply to fishing as much as any other endeavour. Check the second hand tackle thread.
They can only extract the mictuaration as long as you let them. Just say no.
They can only extract the mictuaration as long as you let them. Just say no.
In reply to Post #43
I had a MKF ticket for a couple of years, Conningbrook was included on it plus loads more.
I can't remember the exact price but around £80 for all those waters rings a bell.
That was in 90s
I had a MKF ticket for a couple of years, Conningbrook was included on it plus loads more.
I can't remember the exact price but around £80 for all those waters rings a bell.
That was in 90s
In reply to Post #45
I had a tier 4 MKF ticket around 2004-6. Was £140 for the entire Larky complex (larky 2, railway, road and island, and the ocean).
I had a tier 4 MKF ticket around 2004-6. Was £140 for the entire Larky complex (larky 2, railway, road and island, and the ocean).
In reply to Post #41
£1000 worth every penny imo. It could potentially do the next British record I think.
£1000 worth every penny imo. It could potentially do the next British record I think.
In reply to Post #47
Well I hope my old mate Bob catches it 🤞🏻
Well I hope my old mate Bob catches it 🤞🏻
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