York Amalgamation and its affiliate clubs have again successfully triggered the Environment Agency bonus by returning more than 85 per cent of match-return cards.

This means there is £351 in the pot for junior angling causes. Clubs with junior memberships are asked to put forward their requests for assistance with projects.

Successful applications over the past few years have been from YDAA , New Earswick Junior club, York Juniors and York Angling Association juniors.

There has been much intense negotiation by the Amalgamation committee over the past year with the Environment Agency and the land agents for the owners of Claxton pond, regarding the fish distress early in 2008, and the need to improve the access, health and surrounding paths of the ponds.

While awaiting results of EA surveys, consideration was given by the Amalgamation to relinquishing the lease, as little usage was made last year due to the concerns for the fish, or lack of them, and the distance from the parking area.

However, the March monthly meeting agreed to continue the lease, and to try to get better access, while also endeavouring to improve the fishing places and bank side.

Now a call has been made by the Amalgamation committee for help from the membership to try to clear some of the pegs which are at present unfishable due to trees in the water and unchecked bank-side growth.