2025 TAA Night Permits & Information

It's that time of year again when the thought of night permits for Big Apley pool, Priorslee Flash and Trench pool is on a lot of folks mind.

We have had to make a few changes to how we are doing things this year, non of which were necessarily wanted, and in fact, have caused more trouble than anything else!

End of Telford's Fishing History.

Firstly, the closure of Dawley Rod and Gun. Not only was this very bad news for Telford anglers, as the longest standing tackle shop had closed it's doors, but also it highlited, the dire situation affecting the tackle trade up and down the country. I will say on behalf of Telford Angling Association, that Brian helped us out in a massive way with our night permit process, and at the time, we would have been in a right pickle if he wasn't able to assist us. Brian, we wish you a happy retirement pal.

Listening To Locals.

The second issue was down to a lot of local anglers, who fish our pools day in, and day out and have done so all of their lives, having a feeling that they were not being thought of when it came to our night permits.

TAA is, and always has been a way for people to have access to fishing at a very affordable price. Nobody can deny the value TAA offer it's customers and even with the extra expenditure on new pegs, paths and maintenance, let alone expert services and works carried out to ensure fish stocks have a good future, TAA hasn't raised it's prices to date.

Obviously, with the above, our ticket is very attractive and we have many members from locations far and wide from our town. The same goes with our night permits and how affordable it is comparable to many other waters. This is why we have many holders of the 2024 tickets travelling to make use of it. As fantastic as this is, as it surely highlights the quality of our waters, it is also a problem, and here's why.

We have a limited number of night permits available to TAA members on the three waters that are under the night permit banner; Big Apley pool, Priorslee Flash and Trench pool. These numbers are currently fixed, and are in place and set by the local authority, with TAA agreement for the following reasons:

• These pools are in very close proximity to residential areas and residents would rather no night fishing was allowed (currently, TAA decide whether we want to issue permits for these pools, or allow any night fishing at all. This decision could be revoked by the council at any time).

• These pools previously had issues with antisocial behaviour, to include drug and alcohol abuse, noise pollution and a lot of discarded general waste littering the pool and its surrounding areas.

• To stop some members treating the pools like it's their own private syndicate and making new commers feel uncomfortable, even unwelcome!

I think most would agree that any controls put in place to try and avoid these issues is a good thing for all members and others who live near, or visit the pools.

We also need to remember that our pools are "park pools" and all are situated in public spaces with many other people who have an interest in the pools having a right to be there. All we have the right to do is go fishing on the pools as members.

So, after a small digress, here is where our locals, our long time supporters and members have felt let down, and believe us when we say, they have been very vocal about it.

TAA has a pile, not a few unclaimed night permits, but a pile from folks who are from outside the area. The reasons why they were never collected, we can only guess, but never the less, unclaimed night permits are wasted night permits. We have unclaimed permits going back to 2022/23!!

We weren't able to "reissue" these as they could have been claimed at any point, and if we made more available, we would be over our limits. Unclaimed cards could have been a card that would have been used.

For this reason, and, if you care to look around, like a lot of Angling clubs and associations across the UK, we have decided as a committee and as an association to limit permits to Telford post codes.

Previously, applications were issued by collection (in person) from Dawley Rod and Gun. Once completed, paid for and returned with a photograph by the closing date, your plastic night permit and I.D card for your chosen water(s) were available to collect from the shop.

Obviously, as outlined above, this is no longer an option. So, we are currently finalising how we will be managing the process moving forward. One thing is certain, it will continue to be on a first come, first completed and paid for basis, and payment will be done via the TAA website.

How, where and when collection of applications, and closing dates for completion are yet to be finalised, but as soon as they are, we will let you know.

Questions

Everything that is able to be communicated, as of now is outlined in this post. Further information will be released as and when it is available.

ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT NIGHT PERMITS WILL NOT BE ANSWERED. NO EXCEPTIONS. It takes far too long to answer every question emailed or posted online to individuals. There won't be any advantage or "being the first to know" about this.

So, keep a look out for future blog posts on the website (create an account with the website using the options in the main menu. You will get notified), and also on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TAATelford

Thank you.