Season tickets – the true cost ?

This may seem hypocritical coming from someone who has held a season ticket for 18 years…and it’s only intended an issue for debate…


Taking into account the current economic climate; and the fact that it is increasingly difficult for fisheries to break even; let alone make a profit do you think season tickets are still acceptable ?.

If I ran a fishery I would have to think long and hard before I offered them to anglers; simply because most season ticket holders are local; they know the water and how to fish it. (They know the best area’s, patterns etc….) Day ticket anglers are basically subsidising the season tickets that catch 70% of the fish

This I think can be to the detriment of the fishery…… Locals know when an area is switched on (for example Barnhill Creek on Rutland last year) they are more or less camped out there fishing day after day in the same area on the same big fish…….visiting anglers have little chance of getting the best spots…(If there were no season tickets very few would venture out day after day.)

Catch and Release season tickets is also having an effect on our waters…..because fish die as a result…..what is the point of a season ticket holder (or anyone) catching 15+ fish in one spot..??

I think things must change or us as anglers stand a real chance of ruining our own waters

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Mock me, vilify me, but don’t ignore me!

Fisheries are businesses - season tickets are money in the bank, bird-in-the-hand - if it didn't make economic sense to offer them, they wouldn't do so.

Trout fisheries offering discounted books of tickets are perhaps a different ball game, but of the coarse club memberships I bought this year, one I have used only once, one twice and one not at all yet. If people are any where near as wasteful with their trout season tickets (or rather, as optimistic about how much fishing they are going to be able to do), perhaps they represent a good deal for fisheries.

We limit our season ticket holders to 12 anglers.some of whom may fish 6 days a week every week of the year where possible due to being pensioners.On average some as Rob says can catch 10 plus a day,so value for money,I would say,profitable for the fishery,only really on the first day when it goes to the bank after the VAT man has his cut also.Once in the bank ,averaged over the year would entail a loss to the fishery in real terms,but having season tickets as part of your fisherycan be an advantage as they are your eyes and ears on the water and feel part of the fishery and help freely with new anglers with advice and assistance to make their ndays enjoyable.But a limited number has to be kept on tickets or it will not be a viable business.

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Kevin

I'm sure season tickets do represent a loss if they are being used regular by locals, but then perhaps the fishery relies on locals to give it a good report in the angling community. Imagine if Rutland was day ticket only, a lot of locals would go somewhere else and that would I think have a negative affect.

How many times were you asked last season how Rutland is fishing Rob, when locals are giving the water a good report surely this has a positive effect on the revenue.

It would be interesting to know what the percentage of day permits are to season tickets for any given day, I'm sure at somewhere like Rutland there are far more day than season, but maybe not so on a smaller water.

Are the season ticket prices out for this yet?

No Ticket prices are out as yet (not that i've seen anyway)

And your right; I do get asked a lot for Rutland updates etc..

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Mock me, vilify me, but don’t ignore me!

When you buy your ticket this season you should ask for a bigger discount

Excellent point Rob, which goes to show that the transition between day ticket and season ticket can be daunting.

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[COLOR="Blue"]"A fish seen is a fish nearly caught"[/COLOR]

Also, it worth bearing in mind that most season tickets have a catch limit on them (not just AW).

Based on last years prices on Anglian Water, as those are the figures I have:

Ticket	price	catch limit/year	cost per fish
Day Ticket	£19	8 (per day)	£2.38
Silver	£549	300	£1.83
Green	£459	160	£2.87
Economy	£349	75	£4.65
Beginners	£199	75	£2.65

Make of that what you will (apart from being a bit stiffed on the "economy" ticket). Gold ticket not included as no annual catch limit. Renewal discounts not included either, and LAST YEARS prices.

Ooh, I do like these tables...

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Matt Gregory
mattgregory.freeblogit.com

I've just acquired my first ever fly fishing season ticket for my local water Walkerwood. I've fished this water hundreds of times over the years and always bought a day ticket. I started up fly fishing again after a long lay off in July of last year and have saved my tickets and note on the back of my ticket, fish caught, flies used, tatics and area's are caught in.
Since early July last year alone on the one water I've spent in excess of £300 pound on tickets and that doesn't include other waters I've fished.
I've spent the last week helping out the new fishery manager who takes over in the beginning of March, cutting back the bankside foliage and trees, clearing out the old pump house ready for it to be transformed into the new lodge over the coming season, and will continue to do so as and when I'm needed...
I've been off work due to a major dispute since October last year living on statutory sick pay and money is very, very tight, and in the next couple of weeks will be resigning my position on grounds of constructive dismissal. Then I'm afraid it will be job seekers allowance until I find permanent work again. If I had to pay for a ticket every time I wanted to get out and fish I might as well give up now and sell all my gear again.
But now with my season ticket I don't have to worry to much as I can always wet a line a couple of days a week no matter what my financial position.

But I do see your point Rob and others, and intend to promote my local where and when I can, and help out at the fishery too.

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Does that include match anglers??