Until late 1989 Rushy Bottom was not part of the lakes used by Horsted Keynes Angling Club, although some of the older club members may remember fishing this water either officially or not. The lake was renowned for its excellent Tench fishing and became known as Rushy Bottom due to the rush (Mares Tail) which covered a large part of the lake. The rush meant that part of the lake was unfishable, leaving only the dam and part of the woodside accessible to the angler. In 1975 the large concrete spillway gave way, water forcing its way around the edge of the concrete wall taking part of the dam with it. What was left was a huge hole through the dam wall. Several attempts to repair the damage were made, all to no avail.

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The lake stood empty and abandoned for over a decade until interest was once again shown in Rushy Bottom. In early 1989 it was thought that neighbouring club Crawley AC were going to take over the lake and restore it. But by the summer it became clear that they had decided that the task would be too costly and beyond their capabilities. On the 5th September 1989 the committee officially decided to approach Mr R Clarke about the possibility of leasing Rushy. At the next committee meeting on the 10th October the secretary reported that Mr K Prevett had arranged a meeting with Mr Clarke the following Saturday at Rushy Bottom. The meeting duly took place and at a special meeting on the 17th October the secretary was pleased to announce that himself, the chairman, the fisheries officer and committee members, Mr D Gregory and Mr P Orsbourn, had reached an agreement with Mr Clarke with regard to the leasing of Rushy.  The basic agreement was to lease the lake for a period of 5 years starting in 1990 at a fee of £300.00 plus VAT with a review due in 1993. However it was also agreed that the first 3 years would be rent free to help offset the cost of restoring the lake. During these negotiations we were also able to agree a 5 year extension on the other clubs waters. The new agreements were unanimously accepted by the members of the committee as were the plans proposed by the fisheries office, Mr K Prevett, for the restoration of Rushy Bottom. Work started on Sunday 29th October 1989.....

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The Plan: build a new spillway at the opposite end of the dam to the old one: increase the width of the existing dam: divert the stream: build a new bank at the far end to enable fishing all the way around the lake: build an island in the middle of the lake with a possibility to fish from. The total area of the lake once finished would be approximately 2.5 acres. Work parties took place every weekend in preparation for hired diggers. The first machine was hired to help build the new spillway. Towards the end of November a further 2 machines were hired to tackle the main digging. Most of the main digging was completed by December 1989. At that time water flow from the stream was slow and it took over 2 weeks to fill. Heavy rain towards the end of the 2nd week helped to complete the task. A slight problem at the site of the old spillway meant the lake level dropped soon after filling. Another machine was hired and the problem was soon put right. The lake was full once again by 25th December, the perfect christmas present for the angling club. Work parties continued throughout the mild winter and spring. All of the work was completed by club members, some of which took time off from their own work.

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The first fish were put in towards the end of January 1990. It had been decided to stock Roach, Rudd, Perch, Bream and Tench with the introduction of Pike after a few seasons. Stocking continued and by the start of the 1990 season some estimated 12,000 fish had been put in including Bream to 3lb plus. Only a few small Tench had been obtained at this stage.

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The lake was official opened by the Chairman, Mr M Mighall, on 25th June 1990. 40 members took part in the Chairman's Cup, the opening competition, all weighing in. The competition was won by the guest of honour Mr M Bradford from the NRA.

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The rest is now history but all the members who helped restore Rushy Bottom and took part in the opening competition must feel proud to have been part of such an achievement and to belong to the Horsted Keynes Angling Club

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