Why We Destroyed Half the Lake (And It Was Worth It)

Last year we removed over 3000 tonnes of silt from the Middle Lake at Churchgate — up to five feet deep in places. Now we’re doing it all over again on the Top Lake. This isn’t just about making things look good. It’s about: • Increasing oxygen levels • Reducing biomass • Giving fish more room to grow • Improving rig presentation • Securing the future of the fishery for the next 20–30 years Being a fishery owner isn’t just cutting grass and selling day tickets. It’s heavy machinery, destroyed paths, rebuilding swims, and making long-term decisions that most anglers never see. Huge respect to the team behind it all — Dicky, Bill, Rob and the crew — the graft behind the scenes is what keeps Churchgate moving forward. This is about doing things properly. If you fish Churchgate, this one’s for you.