Basingstoke Canal Angling Association

The Basingstoke Canal Angling Association (the BCAA) is managed by a small team of willing anglers, each of whom is prepared to give up a small amount of their personal time in order to ensure that angling continues to be an enjoyable pastime on the canal.

If there were to be no BCAA Committee, there would be no angling permitted on the Basingstoke Canal.

The canal is 32 miles long, it is open to the general public throughout its length, a range of different activities take place on the canal (pleasure boats, canoeing, etc) and no single angling club has the resources needed to manage angling on the canal. It is for that reason that the BCAA is an association of local angling clubs, working together to manage and preserve the angling activities on the canal.

For all sorts of reasons, members of the BCAA Committee come and go. Some serve only a year or two, others serve much longer.

Andre Grandjean and Dave Wright, for example, both served on the Committee from the inception of the BCAA in 1991 through to the 2007-2008 Season. Peter Emery, Mike Wild, Gary Goddard, and Jeff Bunch have also been long-serving stalwarts for the BCAA.

Others have served for shorter terms, but their willingness to do so has been much appreciated by local anglers, and their time has ensured that angling on the canal continues to provide a pleasurable and relaxing pastime for local people, both adult and juniors.

If the number of Committee Members falls to a level whereby the Committee cannot sensibly deliver its managerial tasks and responsibilities, then the future of the BCAA, and with it the future of angling on the canal, is threatened.

Accordingly, the BCAA Executive Committee is always pleased to hear from any local angler who would be prepared to give their time to help out.

Similarly, we are always on the lookout for reliable and helpful bailiffs. Bailiffs care for the anglers on the canal, advising on safe methods of fishing, caring for the fish, advising junior anglers, advising on the association rules, and also providing temporary permits and full season permits to anglers.

Bailiffs earn a healthy commission on all permit sales they make, and so earn a little money for their services.

With 32 miles of canal to cover, the BCAA is always looking for good bailiffs.

If you would like to help, in any way, then please contact one of the following:

BCAA Secretary Mr. John Campbell 01252-624967 email: jccesprit@hotmail.com

BCAA Head Bailiff Mr. Jeff Bunch 07710-077392 email: jeff@bunchj.fsnet.co.uk