The Angling Trust and Fish Legal Magazine
Autumn 2014
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Contents
INSIDE
22
42
27
NEWS & CAMPAIGN UPDATES
GAME
7. Angling News 16. Freshwater Campaigns 62. Marine Campaigns 66. National Angling Strategy 67. New Directors Announcement 68. Enforcement 70. Building Bridges
27. Feature: The trout that went to sea by Paul Sharman 44. Masterclass: Catch & Release Salmon Guide
COARSE 32. Feature: Cutting it fine by Dominic Garnett 46. Masterclass: Go with the flow by Dave Harrell
SEA 22. Feature: Winter Cod by Jim Whippy 48. Masterclass: Pumpin’ Lug by Jim Whippy www.anglingtrust.net
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MATCH 14. Team England 59. Competitions diary
FISH LEGAL 20. Feature: Tidal lagoon hydropower by Andrew Kelton 51. Fish Legal News
YOUNG ANGLERS & FAMILY
37. Family Fishing 42. Feature: Winter Fishing by Carl & Alex Smith
PEOPLE
36. Ospreys Specimen Group by Clive Bradley
Autumn 2014
46
56. Feature: Soldiers, Anglers, Winners! by Clark Colman 60. Angling Heritage – The fishing life and times of Mr Horace Meadowcroft 64. Talent Pathway – Meet Jacob McNeill 71. Coaching – Angling Scout Badge
REGULARS 4. First Cast by Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive 6. Gallery 12. British Record Fish Committee 19. Salter’s Soapbox 58. Events – where to meet us 72. Book reviews 74. Final Cast by Richard Benyon, MP 3
21/10/2014 14:53
First CAST
Let’s agree to COVER Jim Whippy with a nice cod caught aboard Steve Bradshaw’s ‘Deep Blue’ out of Eastbourne
is published by the Angling Trust and Fish Legal, Eastwood House, 6 Rainbow Street, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 8DQ
Tel: 0844 770 0616 Email: admin@anglingtrust.net admin@fishlegal.net Editor:
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Keith Chambers, Jason Craig and Mike Wood. Advertising:
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© Angling Trust. Editorial and advertisements in The Angler are accepted for publication in good faith. Readers are, however, advised that the Angling Trust and Fish Legal cannot accept responsibility for statements made in the editorial or the advertisements. The editor and the Angling Trust reserve the right to withdraw any editorial or advertisements at any time. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Angling Trust or Fish Legal.
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FIrst cast + flanel panel.indd 4
disagree sometimes A
MONGST my fishing tackle, all my reels have the handle on the left hand side. However, many other anglers would insist that it is better to have the handle on the right hand side. Of course, there’s no right or wrong way, it’s really a matter of personal preference. However, it’s just the kind of argument that can cause heated debates on internet forums. Why is it that on many angling forums in the UK, someone starts a thread and for the first few pages there is a perfectly reasonable discussion until two people disagree with each other so fundamentally that they launch into a tirade of personal insults and abuse. These spats can often become longrunning battles which spill into every thread with which either of the people then gets involved. On some topics, such as poaching and predation in particular, some people put up some shockingly violent, racist and borderline illegal comments. These are not only offensive, but they give an appalling impression to members of the public who may assume that the views are representative of all anglers. As a community we need to give a good impression to anyone who drops by. Most of us wouldn’t have conversations about killing otters illegally or stringing people up in public, so why do many feel that it’s acceptable to do so online? These comments must also put off people just getting into angling, and turning to forums and Facebook for some helpful advice. I think it’s time to clean up our act. A number of forums now require people to give their full
name and there seem to be fewer arguments and insults in these places. As a community I think we need to let people know, politely, when they are writing things which could bring angling into disrepute. And, most importantly, let’s just agree to disagree sometimes and go fishing instead.
Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive - Angling Trust & Fish Legal.
Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 20:40
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16/09/2014 11:23 21/10/2014 11:10
New Appointments to the Angling Trust Board of Directors and Fish Legal Committee A
T the AGM’s of the Angling Trust and of Fish Legal earlier in October, the members of each organisation respectively voted almost unanimously to appoint two new Directors to the Angling Trust Board, one new Trustee to the Fish Legal Committee and to support changes to the rules of both organisations. Nigel Haywood and Tim Macpherson have been appointed to the Angling Trust Board, while Tim Goode has joined the Fish Legal Committee. Jim Glasspool, Mike Heylin, David Moore and
Terry Fell all retired as Angling Trust Board members at the AGM, but were appointed as Vice Presidents of the Angling Trust to reflect the unique role that they all played in bringing together the many founding organisations as part of the unification of angling that happened in 2009 to form the Angling Trust & Fish Legal. Terry Fell has also stepped down as a Fish Legal Committee member. The short biographies of the new Directors and Committee Members are provided below.
BIOGRAPHIES NIGEL HAYWOOD (Angling Trust) Retired after 30 years in the Diplomatic Service, most recently serving as Ambassador to Estonia; Consul-General in Basra; and Governor of the Falkland Islands. He has negotiated effectively at the highest political levels and has broad media experience. Nigel has been a sea, coarse and game angler for more than 50 years, and a life member of the ACA/Angling Trust for nearly 30 years, serving on the ACA Council from 1989 to 1996. He has written for a variety of angling publications, both print and online, and contributed to Merlin Unwin’s “The One That Got Away”. A keen saltwater fly fisherman, Nigel is also a member of various trout syndicates as well as BASS, the Wild Trout Trust, the Civil Service Angling Society and the Frome, Piddle and West Dorset Fisheries Association. Nigel is the Honorary President of the Golden Scale Club.
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TIM MACPHERSON
TIM GOODE
(Angling Trust)
(Fish Legal)
Has 15 years’ experience as a senior executive in two major media companies, as a profit centre head, publisher, event director and company director. His experience covers PR, marketing, event organising, advertising, digital media, design, sales and advertising across digital and print media. Tim runs digital publishing outlets for anglers, creating and delivering content for anglers in Sussex including newsletters, web content, video and other assets. Tim has been an angler, in all disciplines, from age 11 although he spends most of his time sea angling in Sussex and Cornwall. He is a member of four Sussex Angling Clubs and spent a brief time working for the Trust after it launched.
Has over 30 years’ experience in the banking and investment industry and has worked for a number of major banks. Over the past 12 years, Tim has established an FSA authorised boutique investment bank specializing in finance, debt covering and advisory matters for clients in the UK, Europe, the US and Asia. Tim holds a number of NonExecutive roles including that as Chair of the North Atlantic Salmon Fund (UK), the UK arm of the global conservation coalition, through which he is involved in fundraising and negotiations with other parties including government. Tim is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Corporate Treasurers and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Autumn 2014
21/10/2014 16:48
Angling NEWS
Fighting for fish and fishing
New Cormorant Controls Underway The new FMAs can help with the following:
■ New cormorant controls Cormorants versus Roach filmTrevor Harrop and Hugh Miles on location”
●
Advice on effective non-lethal measures
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Assistance with the whole new licensing procedure including the paperwork
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Help in coordinating efforts across a whole area
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Advice on lethal methods of control
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Advice on funding for anti-predation measures
●
Help with creating a bird management plan
Trevor Harrop from the Avon Roach Project said:
A
FTER a long battle by the Angling Trust to win improved controls on cormorant and goosander numbers the new area based licensing system finally came into force on 1st September. Angling clubs and fishery owners are being encouraged through a new Hugh Miles film to seize the opportunity to better protect their waters from the ravages of unsustainable predation. The film features Trevor Harrop and Budgie Price from the award winning Avon Roach Project in Hampshire encouraging anglers to spend less time moaning
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about cormorant problems and to engage fully with the new system which can deliver more control licences for more birds over a wider area. The film Cormorants versus Roach is available on the Angling Trust YouTube channel. Trevor and Budgie were an integral part of the Angling Trust campaign to get changes made to the cormorant licensing system and secured nearly 20,000 signatures on a national petition that was presented to the then Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon. The Trust now employs three full time Fisheries Management
Advisors (FMAs) to help clubs and fishery owners implement the new Area Based Cormorant Management System. The FMAs have been out and about over the summer, at meetings with fishery managers and at Angling Trust Regional Forums, explaining how the new system will work. (See the Freshwater Campaign Team pages also to meet the new FMAs). The new system is on trial for a year after which government ministers will decide whether to retain it or return to previous arrangements.
“We are delighted that progress has been made and need anglers, clubs and syndicates across the country to get behind this new system and show full support for what could be the only chance we will get to make the changes we have all been bellyaching about for so long. Doing nothing is no longer an option, and as we say in the film ‘We mustn’t let angling apathy become terminal. It’s not just the roach whose survival is under threat from cormorants. Many other favourite species need all the help we can give them and supporting and taking part in the new licensing system is the very least we can do.”
You will find full contact details for the three Fisheries Management Advisors and the areas they cover on our website at
www.anglingtrust. net/cormorants
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20/10/2014 20:44
Angling NEWS
First Thames TideFest proves very fishy! ■ First Thames Tidefest - there were plenty of bream like this one caught by James Thornhill and admired by Martin Salter. Photo courtesy of John Sutton
Match Team Success 2014 has been a year that will be remembered for some time in team fishing, more so in Yorkshire where Drennan Barnsley Blacks took the competition scene by storm as they completed an unprecedented treble winning the Division 1, Winter League and Commercial Team Stillwater titles. As perennial challengers for major honours, Barnsley started their year with victory on the Gloucester Canal to win the Winter League. A close run match saw four of the country’s best teams go head to head. Barnsley took the title finishing on 81 points, beating Daiwa Dorking by a solitary point. Next on the agenda for Barnsley was the Division 1 which was held on the Trent, they saw off 41 other teams to take another narrow victory, again by 1 point from 2013 winners Shakespeare Superteam. With 2 major team honours in the bag it was off to Heronbrook and Cudmore Fisheries for the Garbolino & Lindholme sponsored Commercial Team Stillwater Championships. 18 teams over 2 venues for what would prove to be the final leg of Triple Crown. Black’s angler Nick Speed took individual winner with a weight of 57.550 kilos Match Lake at Heronbrook and with 4 section wins, a second and a third, they cruised home by a distance taking 161 out of 190 points and were followed by Matrix Dynamite Trentmen who amassed 138 points. What a year and many congratulations to Glenn Lawrence and his team of anglers, they will no doubt be out to repeat their efforts in 2015 and who would put it past them? The Angling Trust decided to recognise this remarkable achievement by presenting Barnsley Black’s Team Captain Glenn Lawrence with a special commemorative trophy. Glenn replied: “We are all over the moon to have had such a fantastic year winning the treble. We have an extremely diverse and committed team who thrive for success. The support of our sponsor Drennan, has been a major factor to our dominance. We will be putting up a real scrap to retain our titles next year!”
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■ The Triple Crown - Angling Trust director David Kent presents the special trophy to Glenn Lawrence.
Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 20:45
Fighting for fish and fishing
A
WONDERFUL first TideFest, celebrating the recreational importance of the Thames Tideway to Londoners, was held on the tidal Thames at Kew Bridge, Isleworth, Chiswick and in the Wandle Valley on Sunday September 28th to commemorate World Rivers Day. As well as visitors enjoying a host of activities that were organised along the Thames Tideway, the Angling Trust organised a successful match at Strand on the Green, downstream of Kew Bridge, and congratulations went to worthy winner Clive Westwood for his fine feeder caught catch of 34lbs 8ozs of mainly bream which earned him a lovely trophy and a cool £500. The sponsors Thames Tideway Tunnel have confirmed for next year and the organising committee are already making plans for a bigger event for 2015 on the last Sunday in September. The Angling Trust’s Martin Salter, one of the event organisers, said: “Despite the bright sunshine and the less than ideal conditions for fishing there were some good bags recorded and it was great to see so many people out on the river celebrating what the Thames Tideway has to offer and to mark World Rivers Day. With the new super sewer now being given the go ahead and our sponsors already confirmed for next year we can really look forward to a brighter and fish filled future for London’s river. TideFest will not only be a bigger and better match in 2015, it will provide an all-important health check on the condition of the Thames Tideway.“ It was the prospect of an ever cleaner river Thames in the heart of London that brought wildlife and conservation groups together to organise TideFest. Last year saw long overdue improvements at Mogden Sewage Treatment Works as part of a wider £5.4bn plan to clean up the river including the £635m Lee Tunnel, and the £4.2bn Thames Tideway Tunnel which the Angling Trust looks forward to seeing completed.
Angling Groups welcome go ahead for Thames Supersewer
The Angling Trust, the Salmon and Trout Association and the Thames Anglers Conservancy joined environmental groups and charities representing over 5 million people who have been campaigning for a cleaner Thames in London in welcoming the decision in September of the government to go ahead with the long awaited and much needed Thames Tideway Tunnel. The Thames Tunnel Now (TTN) coalition comprising national and local organisations has been calling since 2011 for the construction of a new tunnel under the Thames to stop tens of millions of tonnes of sewage overflowing into London’s river each year through the city’s 36 Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). The result of more than ten years of exhaustive research and development by Thames Water and the Environment Agency, the tunnel proposal has been declared by independent studies as the only viable solution to dealing with “London’s dirty secret”, whereby as little as 2mm of rain can cause the sewers to overflow directly into the river with devastating effects for fish and other wildlife. Following ministerial sign off, the Planning Inspectorate approved the application for Development Consent for the Thames Tideway Tunnel. The project will now move to the construction phase.
Opposition Grows to Fish Farming in South West The Salmon & Trout Association (S&TA), the Angling Trust and Fish Legal have written to the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquatic Science (CEFAS) to express their concerns over a draft proposal to farm rainbow trout off the shores of the South West of England. From experience of fish farming elsewhere in the UK, these organisations feel that there is a significant risk of damage to wild fisheries and recreational angling from: ● Infestations of sea lice: fish farming in Scotland has led to widespread infestations ■ Opposition grows of wild salmon and sea trout with this parasite which literally eats fish alive and can have a massive impact on wild stocks. Evidence stocks for food and potentially transfer disease; suggests that there is increasing resistance in lice ● Waste food, pesticides and fish faeces causing populations to pesticides; pollution: evidence from Scotland shows that waste food, faeces and chemicals can have a significant ● Escapes of farmed fish into the water environment: impact on the local ecosystem around open cage given the power of winter storms, it seems inevitable that trout will escape from the cages and swim up local farms. The South West Rivers Association (SWRA) contacted rivers, where they will compete with wild salmonid
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CEFAS in 2013 to express these concerns about the proposals but have apparently been ignored. CEFAS has continued to promote the project enthusiastically in the South West. Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust & Fish Legal added: “Our freshwater and sea angling members in the South West of England are very concerned about these proposals. It seems absolutely barmy to try to farm fish offshore, especially given the storms of last winter. Nearly all fish farms lose fish even in the relatively benign environment of Scottish lochs, and escapes would be almost inevitable from cages installed in seas which regularly see 70 foot waves. Marine and freshwater fish populations already face a host of other threats from pollution, abstraction, commercial exploitation and barriers to migration, about which CEFAS is well aware. The last thing they need is another risk from sea lice infestation, escapee rainbow trout and pollution.”
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Angling NEWS SUMMER RAFFLE WINNERS ● As we went to press, our new big summer angling raffle had closed and the draw was about to take place. Congratulations to those who were fortunate enough to win the £5,000 cash prize and Daiwa tackle. Thank you to all who took part, as these raffles raise much needed funds to help us do more for fish and fishing. ● You will find tickets for our traditional members’ Christmas raffle with this copy of The Angler. These tickets are £2 each and there is a top prize of £1,500 cash plus back-up prizes of Daiwa tackle. The closing date is 18 December and the draw will take place on the 19th. So you could be a winner before Christmas! Entry to the members Christmas raffle is only through the books of tickets. If you need more tickets, please contact the membership team on 0844 7700616. ● In the new year we will be launching our second big angling raffle. More information will follow through our regular e-news.
Invasive Quagga Mussels Discovered in England A
SPECIES identified by the Government as one There are no known methods for eradicating of the most destructive invasive non-native mussels once they have got into waterbodies. The species has been found at Wraysbury Reservoir and Angling Trust has called for concerted action by in the nearby River Colne system, a tributary of the government and its agencies to stop this damaging River Thames. Known to alter whole freshwater species spreading to other rivers by alerting all water ecosystems, a mature adult can filter one or more users and urging them to follow litres of water a day, feeding on zooplankton which the Check, Clean, Dry guidelines is the base of the food chain that all fish need to for biosecurity and to report all survive on and produce 1 million eggs in one sightings via the website at season, so they can spread very rapidly. www.nonnativespecies.org Quagga mussels (scientific name The EU Invasive Alien Dreissena bugensis)) originate from Species Regulation was the Caspian and Black Sea approved finally by the region which is the same European Council on Monday part of the world as the 29 September, which will Killer Shrimp and require Member States to the Demon Shrimp take action to prevent and which both arrived eradicate invasive alien in the UK over the species of most concern. The last 4 years. The Angling Trust will be lobbying rapid breeding of the UK government to ensure that the Quagga results these types of species are included in large numbers in the lists. being established very Mark Owen, Head of Freshwater at the quickly and has caused ■ Invasive Quagga mussel - Angling Trust said: “It’s vitally important that all water users, including anglers, take every extensive damage in the areas Dreissena_bugensis. possible precaution to stop this species it has already reached; The Photo courtesy of the U.S. spreading throughout the UK. Quagga Great Lakes, Mississippi & Ohio Geological Survey rivers in America, Main river mussels could do untold damage to in Germany, the Netherlands freshwater and estuarine environments if they are allowed to spread which could have a significant and the Volga river in Russia. Quagga mussels also have an impact on water supply and sewage impact on marine and freshwater fish stocks.” infrastructure, canal lock gates, boat propellors and Please check for details at www.nonnativespecies. any other hard surfaces. org/checkcleandry
Competition winner Andrew Renouf describes his day afloat on Chew Valley with professional fishing guide John Horsey. I have been an occasional angler for 34 years with most of my fishing being done from the shore. I have entered countless competitions without any luck, and so was pleasantly surprised to receive a phone call last year from the Angling Trust, informing me I had won a day’s fly fishing with John Horsey. When our scheduled day finally arrived I met John at Chew Valley near Bristol and after the usual preliminaries and safety instructions we were in the boat and on the lake, where John soon had me set up and fishing. It was cold, windy, and showery and I found the conditions quite challenging, especially trying to control my line in the wind. It was great to be in the boat next to such an expert who gave much encouragement, made constructive suggestions when observing me doing something wrong, and answering my questions. John proved the fish were there by catching several, but my line stayed slack. By midafternoon, with still no fish in my bag, John
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switched me from floating line to sinking line. This was something new for me and I had to adjust, which I quickly did, and was rewarded soon after by my first ever rainbow trout coming to the boat. By the time it was necessary to return to the dock, that first fish had been joined by seven others, and I had successfully reached ■ Andrew Renouf with one of his Chew Valley trout.
the bag limit for the lake - all the fish averaging over 2lb 4oz. Thank you to the Angling Trust for pulling my name out of the hat; Geoff Stephens for some excellent tuition; John Horsey for a brilliant day out; and Chew for producing such prime (and tasty) trout. Notes from John Horsey:I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of beginners I have guided in the last 21 years that have managed to catch an 8 fish limit bag on their very first day fly fishing on Chew Valley Lake. I am normally happy if they catch just one trout and have a few other chances, as casting is always the hardest thing to master and needs a bit of practice. Andrew took to it from the very first cast and his few hours spent practicing casting before our trip really did pay dividends. I now hope that he continues to fly fish and target saltwater as well as freshwater species.
Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 20:46
Fighting for fish and fishing ■ Wild salmon like this one might become even rarer unless action is taken
Wild Salmon Stocks Crash F
OLLOWING official figures showing the worst estimates of salmon stocks on record, The Angling Trust, Angling Cymru, Afonydd Cymru, Atlantic Salmon Trust, Fish Legal, The Rivers Trust and Salmon & Trout Association wrote to Government Fisheries Minister George Eustice and to his counterpart, Edwina Hart in the Welsh Assembly Government, to demand urgent implementation of a five point action plan to halt the sharp decline in salmon stocks in England and Wales. The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) Annual Assessment of Salmon Stocks and Fisheries in England and Wales in 2013 estimates that only 19 of the principal 64 salmon rivers in England and Wales reached their conservation targets; compared to 42 in 2011. The report does not expect a significant improvement in stock levels. Since the 1970s there has been a 40% decline in the number of salmon returning to our rivers each year, despite the much-publicised return of salmon to previously polluted rivers such as the Tyne and Mersey.
■ Mike Heylin
The Coalition is calling for five key areas where the Government needs to take action as a matter of urgency:
1 2 3
FISH PASSAGE: The Government needs to speed up action to remove or bypass barriers, and to introduce the long delayed Fish Passage Regulations as soon as possible. ABSTRACTION: The Government and the water industry need to take the action necessary to maintain adequate flows in all rivers with stocks of migratory salmonids. AGRICULTURAL POLLUTION: Measures are needed to ensure that all farmers follow best practice, through raising awareness and targeted use of incentives. These must be supplemented by stronger regulatory action against those who fail to comply.
4 5
PHYSICAL HABITAT: Funding for river restoration work should be increased, and allocated directly to third sector delivery bodies such as rivers trusts.
EXPLOITATION: A limit on the maximum number of fish that can be taken in the North-East coast net fisheries each year should now be introduced. Major steps have been taken in recent years to reduce exploitation i.e. the numbers of salmon killed in rod and net fisheries and illegally, but more needs to be done.
Mike Heylin Gets a Gong Mike Heylin was awarded the OBE in this years’ Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to angling over many decades and in particular for his role as Chairman of the Angling Trust for the first five years of its existence as the new unified representative and national governing body for all anglers in England. He retired as Chairman in 2013, but remains as a Director on the Board of the Angling Trust and a Committee Member of Fish Legal, which acts as the legal arm of the Angling Trust in England. Mike Heylin OBE said: “I am so proud that angling has again been recognised. I have felt humbled and honoured to be able to put something back into a sport I have loved all my life. As a pretty incapable angler I was fortunate enough to be able to bring other skills to the game and hopefully have made secure what I had dreamt about since the days of Peter Tombleson and the NAC: a unified voice for anglers and their fisheries. I would like to thank all those, including many no longer with us, who made what we have today possible.”
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20/10/2014 20:47
British Record Fish R PENDING CLAIMS DAVID BACKLER’S
WHITING
Caught in May from the beach at Orford Ness. David’s fish was originally claimed at a weight of 5lb 4oz, but following a scales check and adjustment to comply with BRFC weighing protocol I expect the record weight to be recorded as 5lb.* This really is a whopper, beating the previous shore-caught record by nearly a pound.
By Nick Simmonds
S
O far 2014 has been a quiet year for record fish claims. As I write, eight months of the year have passed and just a handful of new claims from sea anglers have been received, with no claims for new freshwater records at all. Two claims have been provisionally approved and will be put forward for ratification when the committee next meets in December.
OTHER CLAIMS
We have two further record claims under consideration, both for boat-caught thin-lipped mullet claimed at the same weight of 6lb 15oz. Remarkably these fish were caught a few days apart, from the same boat and by two anglers who were fishing together on both occasions. The captures were made off Jersey by
■ Gerald Gavey’s thin-lipped mullet.
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Gerald Gavey, a previous holder of the white sea-bream record, and by Derek Kane, who is the current holder of the boat-caught record thin-lipped mullet! At the time of writing we are awaiting positive confirmation of identification of these two fish by the committee’s Marine Scientific Advisor. Accurate identification of species is paramount to maintaining the integrity of
the record fish lists and is the first stage in the procedure for verifying any claim. This task is carried out for the BRFC by our two highly qualified and respected Scientific Advisors, Oliver Crimmen of the Natural History Museum and Nigel Hewlett from the Environment Agency. In the case of sea fish, if the fish has been killed the body might be requested for inspection as this is sometimes the only way to be certain of positive identification. This has particular relevance to the two mullet claims as the mullet species can be among the most difficult to positively identify from photographs. In the case of a coarse fish which may potentially be a hybrid (particularly roach, rudd and crucian carp) we
Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 16:34
BRITISH RECORD FISH COMMIT TEE
h Round-up n Daniel Bennett with his skate.
Paul Robinson’s gReateR weeveR
From the shore at Porthtowan in Cornwall, which I expect to be ratified at 1lb 9oz 8dr, beating the previous shore-caught record by less than one ounce. Paul has kindly offered to donate his fish to the national collection at The Natural History Museum.
recommend that the captor removes a scale for DNA testing, before releasing the fish. Details of this are on the BRFC pages of the Angling Trust website. The one remaining claim under consideration, although the largest by a long way, cannot be considered for a record because it was not weighed before being returned alive to the sea. The magnificent fish in question is a common skate, caught by Daniel Bennett from the shore at Kilmalaug Bay, Isle of Skye and is estimated to weigh 208lb, being derived from a table of weights applied to the physical measurements of the fish’s length and wingspan. Daniel’s fish will be considered by the committee for inclusion on The Notable Fish List.** Currently the committee accepts claims for the common skate, Raja batis. We are aware that since 2010, this species
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brfc pgs12-13.indd 13
has been considered by some researchers to consist of two separate species, Dipturus cf. flossada, called blue skate and Dipturus cf. intermedius, called flapper skate and if this view n Derek Kane with his mullet.
becomes re-established we will consider the prospect of claims being split in the future, as they were before the last reclassification by scientists took place.
* I think it’s worth briefly explaining the reason for adjustment of the recorded weight for the new record whiting. Under BRFC protocol, after allowing for any inaccuracy identified by the weights and measures test, the recorded weight awarded to a successful claim will be adjusted downwards to the next whole unit of measurement recorded on the weighing scale. As David’s fish was weighed on a scale which measures in divisions of 8 ounces, the nearest whole increment available on the scale was 5lb. As you can see, it’s a good idea to use scales which measure in as small increments as possible therefore! **The BRFC introduced the Notable Fish List in 2012, to offer a platform for recording the capture of exceptional specimen sea fish which have not been or cannot be (for reasons of protected status) weighed on land, or where the weight of the fish cannot be accurately verified for other reasons. A good example is the first recorded capture of a striped bass in British waters, where there were no witnesses to the weighing of the fish and the captor had unfortunately eaten the fish before making his claim. Apart from verifying the weight of the fish, the process for ratification of “notable fish” is the same as for record claims.
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21/10/2014 14:59
Team England 2014 2014 has been a mixed bag for Team England, some fantastic performances were rewarded with team and individual medals and a number of our teams just missed out on honours reports Senior Competitions Manager, Ben Thompson. COARSE
In Coarse angling Drennan Team England brought back the Gold from the 20th FIPSed European Championships in Belgium with 4 of the England team finishing inside the top 20. Will Raison was England highest individual angler finishing the championships in 6th place. The world’s top 3 nations, England, Italy and Poland found things difficult in Croatia and it was the Netherlands who took Gold from the 61st Nations World Championships. A rare blip in the phenomenal recent history of Drennan Team England and the team are looking forward to getting back to winning ways in 2015 when the championships will be held in Slovenia Tommy Pickering’s Preston Innovations Feeder team continued their progression to win Gold at the 4th FIPSed Feeder Fishing Championships. Phenomenal performances resulted in individual honours as Steve Ringer was crowned World Champion, Mick Vials taking 3rd place, Adam Wakelin 5th, Dean Barlow 8th and Phil Ringer finished 14th. In the 28th FIPSed Youth World Championships in the Netherlands, Drennan Team England just missed
■ Steve Ringer - Individual Feeder World Champion 2014
out on a medal finishing 4th while James Dent’s performance was enough to see him finish 6th overall. Sensas Team England U18’s fared better in the Netherlands with the team taking the Silver medal, narrowly missing out on the Gold which went to France. The team fared very well with individual results with Joe Kent and Bradley Gibbons finishing 5th and 6th respectively, Matthew Barnett
finished 13th and new cap Jake McNeill finished a very respectable 15th on his first international appearance. Over in Italy for the 16th FIPSed World Carp Championships, Team England Korda Carp narrowly missed out on the medals by finishing 4th with Croatia, France and Belgium taking Gold, Silver and Bronze respectively. England’s top pair for the championship was Pete Holehouse and Jakob Wildbore. Ian Huntingsdon’s men must feel they are getting closer and hopefully 2015 will see them take the next step to the podium. Rome played host for the 7th Veterans and 16th Disabled FIPSed World Championships. Team England took the Silver medal in the Veterans event with Roger Marlow finishing in 4th place. Team England finished 9th in the Disabled Championships. Portugal hosted the 21st FIPSed Ladies World Championships and Team England finished a very creditable 4th. Italy were crowned World Champions followed by France and Portugal. Diana Walter-Barna of Hungary was crowned individual World Champion. Finally, Team England Lure Squad finished 9th out of 16 in France. 2015 will see Team England regroup in some quarters and look to build on success of 2014 in others as they travel to Belarus, Slovenia, Portugal, Serbia, Belgium, Spain, Netherlands and Egypt in their quest for medals.
■ Drennan Team England 2014 World Champions
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Autumn 2014
23/10/2014 11:00
Team England B Fly Fishers won the inaugural 5 Nations competition.
GAME Team England Fly Fishing produced a set of very solid and consistent results posting success at the Home Internationals, tasting success at the World Championships and narrowly missing out at the Euros. In the 34th Fips-Mouche World Championships held in Czech Republic, a great team performance saw Team England finish 3rd and take a Bronze medal. Andrew Scott finished the championships in 3rd place while team mate Phil Dixon finished in 7th. The host nation took team Gold and France took Silver. Sweden were host for the 20th FIPS-Mouche European Championships, Team England narrowly missed out on their second major team medal of 2014 as they finished in 4th place. Scott Nellins placed 7th in the individual making him highest placed Englishman. The
SEA
Czech team completed a World and European double by taking Gold followed by Spain and Poland respectively. Home International results were also very positive during 2014. Team England took first place in both Spring and Autumn seniors Loch Style events. In the Spring Home International, England’s Phil Longstaff took the Brown Bowl as he finished top individual rod while England’s James Atkinson won the trophy for heaviest fish and in the Autumn Home International, England’s Phil Dixon won the Brown Bowl. Team England finished 2nd in the Rivers Home International with Andy Cliffe of England winning the trophy for best individual basket. The Home International Bank team will compete at Chatton Trout Fishery, Northumberland in October (at time of going to press). England Lady Fly Fishers enjoyed
6th. In the Ladies competition Team England finished 7th after a sterling final day win for the Marine Team England also had a mixed 2014 team. with solid performances both home and Team England Youth fared better in abroad. France during the 23rd Fips-Mer World Youth A fantastic performance in Italy by the Championships. The team narrowly missed Casting team saw them bring home a Bronze out to France for the Bronze medal but Ben medal. Solid individual performances resulted Harrison enjoyed a fantastic Championship in four of the five anglers finishing inside the as he was crowned individual World Youth top 25. Kevin Southey was England highest Champion. Many congratulations to Ben on his placed angler in 11th. achievement. The junior team did not compete France hosted the 31st Fips-Mer Men’s and in this years’ World Championships but are 21st Ladies World Championships, England preparing now for a crack at the gold in 2015. Men’s finished a creditable 6th with Saul Page The Angling Trust hosted the 50th World finishing as England’s top performer placing Boat Angling Championships and 14th World Youth Championships in September in Weymouth. 14 nations from around the world took part. The men’s senior team were delighted to be crowned world champions for the first time since 2006 with Colin Searles taking 2nd place individually, whilst the U21s took the team bronze position and individual with Jordan Davis – a great first time result and so nearly team silver! Success at the SALC home nations events was mixed, Montrose and Scotland played host to the shore event as the Men’s team finished in 3rd, England’s ladies also finished 3rd, the Junior team finished in 2nd while the Youth team continued their stellar year ■ Ben Harrison by finishing in 1st. Ireland hosted the - World Youth Home Nations Boat Championships in Individual Shore Champion 2014 August and Team England finished in 2nd place.
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a successful 2014 finishing 2nd in the Home International. The event was hosted by Wales and Scotland took 1st place. Team England’s Janice Sharp finished as top individual rod. England will host the 2015 Home international at Grafham Water. England and Grafham Water hosted the Youth Home International and a fantastic performance by Scotland saw them take the honours finishing first with Ireland second, England third and Wales fourth. The inaugural 5 Nation’s competition was hosted by Scotland and Team England submitted 2 teams to compete. Teams from France, Scotland, Ireland and Belgium/ Luxembourg joined England in the completion based on FIPS-Mouche rules. England enjoyed a clean sweep with England B finishing 1st and England A finishing 2nd. Individual Gold was won by England’s Robert Brown. Ireland will host the 2015 5 Nations.
SPONSORS
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b.
Freshwater
Campaigns Team Mark Owen Head of Freshwater
I
N the last 3 editions of The Angler
you have met a number of the Freshwater team; Spring 2013 edition - John Cheyne, National Regions Coordinator, did a quick trip around our AT Regional Forum structures which go from strength to strength. Autumn 2013, our National Enforcement Manager, Dilip Sarkar, detailed the Voluntary Bailiff Service and the various initiatives on scoping and now progressing with raising the profile of fish crime with the various enforcement agencies. Also National Building Bridges Manager, Radoslaw Papiewski, wrote an article on the Building Bridges project with its aims and great achievements all of which we updated you on in the Spring 2014 edition together with an article from Dr. Rick Warner, our National Angling Strategy Manager on ‘Fishing for Life’, our 2013-2018 strategy.
Managing the team is a delight. They are all leading professionals in their fields and you could not ask for a more hard working and dedicated team and since the Spring 2014 edition we have been augmented by our 3 new Fisheries Management Advisors (FMAs); Colin Barker, Jake Davoille and Richard Bamforth. In post to manage the implementation of the pilot phase of the new Area Management Licences for Cormorants and Goosanders, we report directly to DEFRA on the progress of this project which is being funded by the Rod Licence and already the first Area Licences are up and running. In addition to managing the team, I am personally involved in all aspects of Freshwater Policy. Basically if there is anything out there that adversely impacts freshwater fish, my boss
Mark Owen (Chief Executive, Mark Lloyd) expects me to know about it and be involved in trying to make it right. Although the job title has changed a few times and we now have a team instead of just me, I have been doing this role for the last 5 ½ years and it became very apparent early on that in order to actually make a difference the Angling Trust would have to have the capacity to input and influence at a number of different levels:
The European Front: Did you know that over 95% of the legislation that dictates how water is managed comes from Europe? On these big issues there is little point in lobbying national governments for a change in European law, as whilst this potentially could work, it takes many years if not decades to implement. Conversely, a lot of European legislation regarding water is very good for fish, it is just that our national government has not properly or perhaps miserly, implemented the legislation which can then become a job for Fish Legal. For this reason the Angling Trust are enthusiastic members and supporters of the European Anglers Alliance and I represent them at the European Commission on matters regarding the Water Framework Directive, the Floods Directive and the Invasive Alien Species Directive. So does working at European Commission level actually bring about change? Yes it does, last winter we worked hard behind the scenes in Brussels to turn the proposed Invasive Alien Species Regulation into a Regulation fit for purpose that would greatly help in the fight against invasive species whilst not being excessive. This Regulation has now passed through the political hurdles and comes into effect in January 2015 but there is still a lot of work to do to ensure that Member states properly implement the measures.
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Autumn 2014
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The National & Government Level
Dilip Sakar
Radoslaw Papiewski
Rick Warner
We are extremely fortunate to have Martin Salter as our National Campaigns Co-ordinator to drive our campaigns into the political arena. I tend to work more at a scientific/policy interface level and therefore am dealing on a daily basis with departments within DEFRA, as with government changes the Environment Agency is a delivery body whilst policy is made in DEFRA following Ministerial guidance. One of the striking changes I have seen over the past 5 years has been the acceptance within DEFRA that they need to consult with the angling community which is a big thanks to the former Fisheries Minister (and now AT Ambassador); Richard Benyon, and also an acceptance and willingness to engage with the Angling Trust at an early stage in any discussions. Of course we also have our important campaigning partners on water policy; WWF-UK, WWF-EU & RSPB together with our Blueprint for Water coalition partners including S&TA, Wildlife Trusts, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and many more. Yes we have our differences but we have more in common and are grown up enough to know how to put these aside and work together for the common good.
Contact details For cormorants and goosanders, get your club to contact the FMAs – www.anglingtrust.net/cormorants Enforcement DILIP SARKAR National Enforcement Manager dilip.sarkar@anglingtrust.net
East European migrant workers RADO PAPIEWSKI, National Building Bridges Manager rado.papiewski@anglingtrust.net
Funding to improve fisheries RICK WARNER, National Angling Strategy Manager rick.warner@anglingtrust.net
Regional Forums JOHN CHEYNE, National Regions Coordinator john.cheyne@anglingtrust.net
The Local level: This is where you come in. All the policy stuff is fine and I can sit around in government offices until the cows come home spouting and arguing policy and the need for change, but what matters is what happens on the ground and what you can tell us about what is going on. In partnership with the Environment Agency we have set up our Regional Forum structures so come to the meetings, tell us what you think and what you know. In large parts of the country we have smaller groups concerned with rivers and waters and we can inform you as to where these are and when the meetings are so that you can attend. The government has just launched their plans to improve rivers and water ways over the next 6 years - do these make sense to you? Have your say through the Blueprint for Water web site – www.wcl. org.uk/blueprintforwater.asp .
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Jake Davoille
Colin Barker
John Cheyne
Richard Bamforth
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21/10/2014 10:35
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21/10/2014 11:11
SALTERS SOAPBOX
Reasons to be cheerful? C
AMPAIGNING for fish and fishing inevitably involves much focus on things that are going wrong and need putting right. At times it can feel like we are in danger of seeming like miserable doom mongers. The latest political briefing on angling and fisheries that we prepared for the party conferences was a case in point. It began with ‘Bass on the Brink’, then came ‘Salmon on the Slide’, followed by some dire warnings about a return to the dredging practices of the 1960’s and 70’s in ‘Dredging up Trouble’ and ending with a cheerful analysis of the dangers of agricultural pollution and the lack of protection for estuaries. Urgent support is needed for bass stocks which are in deep trouble. Part of my job is to provide arguments and information for Parliamentarians prepared to raise the issue at Westminster, and with ministers, to make the case for meaningful conservation measures to avoid a stock collapse. The decline in stock density is the result of intensive commercial overfishing, increasing fishing effort and successive years of recruitment failure made worse by a minimum landing size that allows bass to be harvested before they’ve had a chance to breed. Salmon have been in trouble since the 1970s but the recently published Annual Stock Assessment for 2013 makes for particularly grim reading. Overall, the number of salmon estimated to be returning to England and Wales in the last two years was amongst the lowest on record. With the possible exception of the Tyne, and last year on the Wye, I’ve heard precious little good news about salmon in recent years. Anglers should be concerned that our politicians could be about to turn many rivers into straightened flood channels in order to be seen to be ‘doing something’ in face of the media hysteria that followed last winter’s record rainfalls. Our independent report, ‘Floods and Dredging – A Reality Check’, demonstrated that all the evidence shows that flood risks are best managed by holding water back
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for as long as possible at the top of the catchments, ending damaging farming practices and protecting the floodplains from development. So where are the sunlit uplands in this deep valley of gloom? Well, there are signs that politicians are finally getting the message on the need for bass conservation and there’s a real prospect that we could see some moves to help salmon with fish passage regulations and further restrictions on netting. I’m still worried about dredging but insiders tell me that the Angling Trust voice is being heard loud and clear and that they’ll be no return to the environmental carnage of the last generation. Here in the Thames Valley I’m seeing more than a few reasons to be cheerful. Whisper it quietly but the roach may be making a comeback on the Kennet. The Thames itself is looking good for silver fish with some lovely catches coming out all the way down to the tidal river in the heart of London where things will only get better now that we’ve won the battle for the new Thames Tunnel supersewer. Up in the North and Midlands I see the Trent, Calder and even the Mersey are providing fine sport and from the Eastern counties I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many wonderful specimen rudd gracing the pages of the angling press. So be of good cheer in the knowledge that the voice of angling is now heard where it counts and that there are still plenty of fine fish waiting to be caught out there.
■ Above: Mark Lloyd talking at the Tory party conference rural reception in Birmingham. ■ Left: Martin Salter – “Bass must be allowed to reach at least this size to enable them to spawn successfully and for stocks to survive.”
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Tidal lagoon h
a step in
The world’s first ‘tidal lagoon’ hydropower scheme, a £1 billion project located in Swansea Bay and involving a sixmile long sea-wall to hold back and then harness large tidal flows, has now reached the public inquiry stage at Swansea in South Wales. Fish Legal has been helping its members assess - and limit - this new threat. 20
Swansea pgs20-21.indd 20
■ Proposed: a 5 square mile enclosed ‘tidal lagoon’ in Swansea Bay.
D
ESPITE the well-promoted renewable energy benefits of this 240 megawatt project, there are numerous doubts about the environmental impacts of such a large and untried scheme, not least the possible effects on salmon and sea trout leaving, and returning to, the adjacent Rivers Tawe, Neath and Afan, all of which have become significant fisheries since recovering from Swansea’s industrial past. The angling interests on the Tawe (especially PASAS, the Pontardawe & Swansea Angling Society) have been ‘burnt’ before by a grandiose water project: The Tawe Barrage, a 100 metre, 20 ft high barrier across the river’s inner estuary. It was built in the 1980s to transform Swansea’s former muddy estuary and promote riverside development. Predictably, salmon and sea trout migration was affected, but in an unpredictable way. Returning adults
appeared not to like the purpose-built fish pass to ascend the new obstacle and even at high tide with the barrage submerged were reluctant to run over the crest of the structure itself, instead dropping back into Swansea Bay before making multiple further approaches or not returning at all. The Tawe’s sea trout catch in particular has substantially declined since. To borrow the overused phrase of former US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld, when venturing into untested waters like this (as much as foreign lands), it may be useful to think in terms of known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns (the unpredicted effects of the Tawe Barrage on migratory fish being, with hindsight, an example of the latter). The ‘known knowns’ in the case of tidal lagoons and salmon are quite few and far between, since there is no previous experience to draw on. It is however
Autumn 2014
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n hydropower:
p into the unknown by Andrew Kelton
■ The existing Tawe Barrage.
virtually certain that a number of salmon and sea trout (and herring and bass) will be ‘entrained’ by the massive lagoon inflows, and a proportion of the fish will then be sliced up by the 16 giant turbines. The question is how many. The developers, Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay (TLSB), have relied on complex modelling, and ‘acoustic deterrents’ not tried before in these circumstances, to come up with estimates of less than one percent mortality for salmon and sea trout, which they assess as “minor”. The ‘known unknowns’ – big information gaps we are aware of – include the fact that there is virtually no ‘baseline’ knowledge of salmon or sea trout behaviour in Swansea Bay, since there are no net fishery records. Inadequate knowledge of their movements within the bay – such as to what extent sea trout may be there all year, and how mixed stocks of salmon move in and out depending on factors such as the strength of ‘attraction
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Swansea pgs20-21.indd 21
flows’ from the rivers – means there cannot be full confidence in TLSB’s ‘entrainment/ mortality’ modelling, which for example assumes just one ‘approach’ to the river mouth. The ‘unknown unknowns’ we can only guess at. Studies of salmon in estuaries on the south coast of England, such as Plymouth Harbour, indicate that they can be delayed from running their natal rivers by many factors, including of course low river flows but also low oxygen levels in the estuary, and if significantly delayed may start to ‘colour up’ and even not run at all (probably just dying in the estuary). One can anticipate complex ‘delay’ effects being caused, for example, by the massive lagoon outflows which will cut across the migration routes, but such possible impacts cannot be precisely predicted and there has been no attempt to model them. Fish Legal has been assisting PASAS and the other local fishing clubs by asking
searching questions about all the unknowns of the project. Together we commissioned a report by fisheries scientists APEM Ltd. which confirmed that there were major information gaps and limited levels of confidence in the modelling. Natural Resources Wales appears to agree with this analysis. We are supporting the regulator to continue this high level of scrutiny at the present public inquiry in Swansea, and will continue to advocate, and negotiate, for the maximum level of monitoring, mitigation, and indeed ‘offsetting’ (by TLSB paying for ‘barrier easing’ within the rivers, for example) in order to address the uncertainties and risks. If the project is to be given the go-ahead by the Secretary of State – and probably many more like it, the first now planned for Colwyn Bay in north Wales – it would be a tragedy if that were to happen while ‘hidden’ impacts on salmon and sea trout took place unmonitored, unknown and unaddressed.
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Winter COD
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Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 17:37
By Jim Whippy - Angling Trust Ambassador
A
S the nights draw in and the temperature drops sea anglers thoughts return to that favourite species, the cod. There’s still nothing to stir an Englishman’s heart like that feeling when connecting with a head-banging, green-backed beauty on his rod and line. It doesn’t matter if you fish from boat or beach, from October onwards, all round the UK coastline the possibility of hooking a cod is always there. Cod are caught through the summer from the charter boats over the deep water wrecks, but as they move in closer to shore in the autumn the way to tackle them from the boats is to anchor down and present a large squid, cuttlefish or lugworm bait, while trying to keep warm in a flotation suit with a flask of hot tea at the ready. For the southern shore angler it’s a bait of black lugworm cast out as far as possible that gives the best chance of a cod while northern anglers prefer a crab bait fished into heavy rock.
What do we know about the cod? They are part of the Gadidae group of fish that in general have three dorsal fins and two anal fins and include the haddock, pout, pollack, coalfish and whiting. They are a rounded deep-bodied species with greenish-brown back with deep mottling, a white lateral line and white belly. It has a barbel below its chin to help it detect food on the bottom and has a very wide ranging appetite This beauty that includes small fish, squid, crabs, weighed 31 lb. prawns and shrimp. Cod are a fast growing fish, maturing at 4 to 5 years when they could weigh from 6 to 10 pounds. It’s this sized fish most anglers prefer to keep for eating rather than the larger specimens. As trophy fish everyone is looking for a 20lb plus fish of which hundreds are caught each year with many topping 30lbs and just the odd fish of a lifetime that tips the scales at over 40lbs.
www.anglingtrust.net
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20/10/2014 17:38
At anchor
The modern sea angler strives to keep his tackle light, but the strength of tide on the marks the cod are found often need some fairly heavy leads. This does mean a compromise with a 20/30lb class rod required in many cases where up to 2lb of lead is used to nail large squid baits to the bottom. A medium sized multiplier loaded with 30lb braid and a running boom connected to a metre and a half of 50lb mono trace with a 6/0 to 8/0 hook completes the rig. With very large baits such as a whole cuttlefish, a double-hooked Pennell rig is the best option. Cod become more active as the tide eases off towards high or low tide when bites can suddenly develop after a blank couple of hours while the tide is at its strongest.
Uptide
In shallow areas such as in the large estuaries an uptide rod of 8’ to 9’ is the best option. Using a grapnel lead, the bait is cast uptide and a bow of line let out so the lead can settle. The rod bows over in the tide and bites using this method are usually seen as the rod tip springs up when the cod pulls the weight out the bottom and moves down tide. The slack needs to be quickly wound up before the weight of the cod will be felt and then it’s the familiar head banging fight to get it back to the boat.
■ (TOP) Fish on! The battle and resulting 16lber (above) off Beachy Head in Sussex.”
TOP COD BAITS
1Cuttle
Cuttlefish really comes into its own through the cold winter months when big cod are targeted from the boats. They have a very tough flesh which means the small whiting and pout have trouble getting it off the hook so there’s still a big bait down there when a cod comes along. It can be used whole or in large fillets on a Pennell rig with large hooks.
32 24
Sea - Cod pgs22-25.indd 24
2Squid
Squid bought from tackle shops is usually calamari or Californian but many shops are now stocking unwashed squid that has been frozen down as soon as it’s caught. This unwashed has other bits and pieces mixed in with it and is meant to have a much more attractive scent to cod. Generally cod baits are made up
3Lugworm ■ Handy packets of frozen squid.
using several 3” to 6” calamari pushed up the line. Again many anglers prefer to use a pennel rig.
Big black lugworm or yellow tails are the favourite for cod, especially for the smaller ones up to double figures. Lugworms definitely work better when fished within a couple of miles of shore. A good bunch of worms can be tipped off with a strip of squid which will often prove to be worthwhile. When purchased from a tackle shop black lugworm are usually supplied wrapped in newspaper. These have the insides squeezed out which
Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 17:38
Shore fishing Anglers fishing north of the Wash probably have the best chance of a cod from the beach especially the ones who have frozen some quality peeler crab during the summer. The crab can be fished at fairly short distance into the gullies between the rocks using robust gear to heave through the weed and boulders. Another bait that catches its share of cod in the North east in particular is ‘cart’ that has been the close kept ‘secret’ bait for many years but is now available on-line. This is the inside of edible crabs that is fed into a mesh (like Arma-mesh pictured) and fished in a sausage-shaped bait. Cart needs to be kept frozen until used and the best way is to have several baits in a flask. The reason it is best to use from frozen is it has little bulk and soon washes out, but the crab scented trail it produces is second to none. Catching cod along the south coast is not so easy as the water is much shallower. The fish don’t venture in too close to shore and long casts are often required. The best chance to land one is either during a blow or immediately after the sea has had a good stir up when the cod will come in to feed in the coloured water. A one hook rig baited with two or three big black lugworm or a whole calamari squid on a 4/0 to 6/0 hook needs to be clipped down to get maximum distance. Then it’s just a waiting game, as the whiting and dabs start to nibble at the bait, before a wandering cod happens along.
➤ The British record cod from the boats is a massive 58lb 6ozs by Noel Cook out of Whitby in 1992. ➤ The British record cod from the shore is the long standing specimen of 44lbs 8ozs caught from Barry, South Wales by Bryn Jones, back in 1966.
4Live baits
■ Live black lugworm.
means they keep for several days and are nice and firm for baiting up. If you dig or pump your own they can be kept alive so they will produce more scent trail.
www.anglingtrust.net
Sea - Cod pgs22-25.indd 25
Cod are predators and will eat any small fish they come across. One excellent method is to fish with live poor cod or pout on a long trace. At least the small fish won’t rob your bait but you may sometimes find a bass or conger will accept the offering. It will soon become obvious that it’s not a cod as bass give a livelier fight and congers will back off taking line while the cod give that old head banging feeling on the tip of the rod.
PENNEL RIG
A pennel rig is one that has a sliding hook on the trace above the main hook. The top hook can be fixed but it’s easier to keep it in place by twisting the trace round the shank of the hook 3 or 4 times. The bait is fed onto the main hook then the top hook is slid down until it’s level with the top of the bait. Now hook it through the bait and wind the trace round the shank of the hook to keep it in place. This makes a streamlined bait with the advantage of hooking the cod on the top hook if it takes it from the side.
■ Now that’s a cod bait!
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21/10/2014 11:12
The Trout...
Words and pictures by Paul Sharman
W
hile the glamorous Atlantic salmon often grabs all the attention and headlines, its more humble but no less noble cousin the sea trout has its followers and supporters too. A project covering my home turf in Sussex has got me out walking the banks of my local River Ouse during the winter months these last couple of years with camera in hand.
➲
..That Went To Sea
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Autumn 2014 37 27
21/10/2014 16:04
This beautifully marked little wild trout might stay in the river all its life or might decide on a visit to the sea – research continues into the triggers which might determine its lifestyle choice.
A freshly-cut sea trout redd stands out against the darker silted up gravel.
Once at the spawning grounds and sporting their darker mating colours, the sea trout can be quite obvious in the shallower waters like this pair.
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Silvery bright still, this Ouse sea trout displays its characteristically square tail and took a ledgered worm intended for a chub and was quickly returned unharmed after its photo.
Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 17:29
The South Coast Sea Trout Project Although only a few of the rivers on the south coast are actively fished for sea trout (Lymington, Beaulieu, Test, Itchen, Rother and Sussex Ouse), sea trout can and do run into virtually every river and stream that flows into the Solent or wider English Channel – as long as they have some habitat capable of supporting brown trout. Comparatively few sea trout are caught by anglers. Some may be mistaken as resident browns and often sea trout enter the river after the end of the rod season. The South Coast Sea Trout Project (SCSTP) is a partnership between the Environment Agency, the Wild Trout Trust and the Atlantic Salmon Trust, with local Rivers Trusts providing a www.anglingtrust.net
Game pgs27-30.indd 29
crucial element of local support and funding. Phase 1 of the project has been completed and pulled together the available data and local knowledge to identify gaps in our knowledge, research opportunities and some early actions on the ground that could be taken to further protect and enhance sea trout stocks along the south coast. Phase 2 of the project is delivering the Action Plan developed from Phase 1. It focuses on the freshwater element of the sea trout lifecycle, with two objectives: ● To improve spawning and juvenile habitat ● To improve fish passage through the installation of low cost fish easements.
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There are many man-made obstacles such as weirs, large and small, in the way of migrating fish in our southern rivers such as the Sussex Ouse, no beautiful natural rocky waterfalls here! Many fish leap while others power gracefully and almost unseen through the flow. Much work is taking place to mitigate these barriers by either complete removal where possible or by installing or improving on existing fish passes which are the sea trout’s only route around the largest obstacles.
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Once the sea trout have made their way upstream to their spawning areas they often need to rest up for a while like this fish nosing into the bank.
To find out more about the project please visit the Wild Trout Trust website at www.wildtrout.org Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 17:30
i F ISH
The South's Only Fly Fair Saturday 22nd November 2014 10am to 3.30pm
Clair Hall Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 3DN.
Top UK Retailers Internationally Renowned Flytyers Fly Tying & Casting Clinics Fly Tying & Casting Demonstrations ÂŁ5 Adults - Accompanied Children Free More information at:
www.iFish.org.uk www.sussexxydressers.org.uk
Ifish p31.indd 31
21/10/2014 15:41
Cutting it Fine With a wealth of diverse, top-class fishing on offer, British canals have never been in better shape. Dominic Garnett offers some tips and insight from his new book Canal Fishing: A Practical Guide, which will delight old heads and new ‘Cut’ converts alike.
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Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 16:17
I
F the idea that canals are simply run-ofthe-mill waters has been well and truly shattered, it’s also true that countless miles of water retain a mystery that is barely touched. I should know this better than anyone: having gone in search of good old-fashioned fishing and some historical trivia I discovered instead 30lb grass carp, huge predators and even canal barbel, along with bomb shelters, blackmail and UFO sightings. Quite why nobody had written a book on canal fishing in over thirty years I cannot imagine, given how many of us love these places and the sheer amount of fishing available. The Birmingham area alone has more canals than Venice (although fewer gondoliers, I’m guessing). Long gone are the days when canals were about miniscule fish and low expectations. These days you might turn up with specimen or lure tackle besides a pole, while newer species such as chub, zander and carp are thriving. High time, therefore, that someone rewrote the rulebook. ››
www.anglingtrust.net
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20/10/2014 16:17
Rich Pickings Let’s begin re-evaluating canal fishing by ignoring traditional clichés. Specialist anglers often outnumber the pole brigade on many waters these days; no surprise, given that fish populations are thriving in both quantity and quality as canals bounce back. Take roach fishing alone: canals have produced more pound plus roach for me than any other type of venue. Fine lines and small baits still have their value, but you might equally try half a lobworm or a large pinch of bread flake. Almost every canal will produce good fish, while some listed in the book offer the genuine possibility of a two-pounder. One problem you might have connecting with bigger surprises is the sheer volume of small fish on canals these days. Modern offerings such as boilies certainly have their place and, unlike your local specimen water, the giants present have little fear of large baits and basic rigs. Another good canal tip is the importance of timing. Many more canal anglers would land big surprises if they only altered their clocks: roach especially tend to ‘grow’ during the last hour of light and even into darkness, while large carp, zander and eels are other classic examples of fish that are worth gunning for as the light drops.
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Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 16:18
All Change Perhaps one of the biggest changes in angling has been the growth of light, quick-fire methods such as lure and fly fishing. Statistics show that many of us are less willing or able to make a long stay with the whole kitchen sink, preferring short ‘hits’ with less tackle. Given that over half the population live within five miles of a canal, the local towpath is ideal for a quick angling fix. Another key lesson for lures, and indeed all methods, is not to baulk at the murkier water. Fish like perch and zander will still hit lures, while potentsmelling baits will also still be freely taken. It’s perfectly true that the clear, rustic canals are the most romantic venues, but nothing is off-limits when it comes to over 2,000 miles of canal water. And with consistently sheltered water and usually no closed season, the local canal is even more of an asset. No matter which fishing you prefer or wherever you live, quality fishing is waiting on a towpath near you. Get out and enjoy it!
Canal Fishing: A Practical Guide
(Merlin Unwin Books RRP £20) features a wealth of information on all species and methods, with stunning photography and an extensive guide to canal venues and catch records throughout the UK.
Merlin Unwin Books offer
Angling Trust members 20% discount on all their books. Members just need to call Merlin Unwin Books on 01584 877456
and quote ‘Angling Trust’ and your membership number to receive your discount. The standard p&p of £3.50 per order applies. Offer excludes special leather editions.
Some Key Canal Tips: 1
Accurate monitoring of depths is crucial on the canal. There is a world of difference between ‘about right’ and absolutely bang on when float fishing. Silty canals often give inaccurate readings with heavier depth plumbs: try tiny versions or a single split shot to get it just right.
2
Boilies can be brilliant for fish such as carp and tench, but chose wisely. Fruity flavours or a switch to tiger nuts could be a better bet where fishmeals attract eels and crayfish!
3
When lure fishing, a key area to try on canals is often right under the rod tip, especially in coloured water or where boat traffic pushes fish to the sides. A lure can be slowly walked along the bank, or tight along the sides of features. Drop-shot style is excellent for this.
4
Weedy canals are sometimes branded ‘unfishable’ by lazy anglers, but can provide brilliant sport. Free-lined baits such as bread, weed-less lures or even slow-sinking flies are excellent ways to proceed.
www.anglingtrust.net
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20/10/2014 16:19
OSPREY
Specimen Group We asked Clive Bradley, secretary of the Osprey Specimen Group, one of the Angling Trust’s affiliated bodies, to explain to us more about the group, their history and why you might like to join.
F
OURTEEN or so years ago RMC Angling (which later became Cemex Angling), was encouraged to start its own specimen group by long-time member Bob Hornegold. It lasted a few seasons before the RMC management decided to pull the plug on the now thriving group. After this Bob (now a good friend), myself, and a small group of the lads got together to form Osprey. We try to target the larger specimens of most species, whether that’s coarse, sea, game or fly. Through our website forum we chat to each other and pass on info regarding rigs, bait, and the techniques that seem to be working well for any given species. Our only real mandate as far as being a member is that you contribute. We just like our members to join in, and once they do, they usually find they’re getting plenty of good advice from the other members. We have around 25 members and contact with some of the big names in the sport, either as full members, or just ‘friends’ of the group, like Martin Bowler, Jerry Hammond, Phil Smith, Ian Welch, to name but a few. Saying that some of you might have seen the Osprey Group & Friend’s first book that was published earlier this year, marking our tenth anniversary, and sadly the passing of one of our long time members to whom the book is dedicated. And if you fancy
■ Clive Bradley
getting a copy it’s available at Calm Productions Ltd, and all profits from its sale go to Cancer Research UK (sorry about the plug!). The reason we joined the Angling Trust originally was simple, as when groups or clubs were first offered membership to the Angling Trust and Fish Legal they were given public liability insurance as part of the deal. It was a big plus for us as we’re a small group that held its own fish-ins, so we suddenly realised we were now covered in the unlikely event of someone injuring themselves. But now many of us are members in our own right, and most feel it’s better to support the Trust and have a single voice that does its best to protect all aspects of our sport.
■ Bob Hornegold ■ Jerry Hammond
If you want more information about joining the Osprey Specimen Group please email him at
clivebradleyfishing @gmail.com 36
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Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 17:11
Family
Fishing 2014 The year so far!
www.anglingtrust.net
Family pgs37-40.indd 37
Autumn 2014 37
21/10/2014 10:55
Family Fishing 2014 The Highlights Around the countrywhere did we go? We held events at an array of venues from community waters and commercial fisheries to canals and coastal walls! From the launch at GHoF Ealing in April to the latest event at Apsley Lock in Hemel Hempstead we have seen the Family Fishing campaign go from strength to strength and witnessed many special moments. Here are a few!
GHoF Ealing:
West London saw the launch of the Family Fishing campaign. The event was supported by GHoF Trustee and AT Ambassador Keith Arthur who helped many beginners, returners and existing anglers with his handy hints and tips. Forty volunteers helped make this launch event a huge success!
GHoF Worcestershire:
Sky Sports and Nigel Botherway as well as top anglers Ricky Teale and Les Thompson joined us at Cob House Fisheries on a very wet and soggy day! Enthusiasm wasn’t dampened though as the film and photographs show.
Middleton Park:
■ Sarah Collins from Get Hooked on Fishing (GHof) even found time for a bit of fishing herself
This experimental event in Leeds showed us just how flexible the Family Fishing campaign can be! Support from Leeds City Council, Friends of Middleton Park and top match angler and Angling Trust Regional Officer, Frankie Gianoncelli, helped local anglers with their fishing and ‘hooked’ a good many local youngsters too!
Barnwell Country Park:
Another wet day but plenty of enthusiasm and visitors! Great support from volunteers, coaches and local angling clubs gave the opportunity for everyone to try fishing, fly-casting and even fly tying!
Fish O’Mania XXl:
Get Hooked on Fishing and the Angling Trust again teamed up to host Family Fishing across a number of styles of fishing with huge support from the angling trade, Sky Sports and Matchroom Sport.
Ducklington Lake:
This event near Oxford saw families having a go at fishing, receiving top tips from experienced anglers and then having a go themselves!
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Autumn 2014
21/10/2014 10:56
Aston Park:
Top match anglers Matt Hall, Emma Pickering, Steve Cooke and Shane Hodkin were kept extremely busy handing out advice to help anglers improve their fishing and the magician was a huge hit with the youngsters!
GHoF Tyneside:
The National Glass Centre in Sunderland, a change of approach but still the same level of enthusiasm and excitement! Catching crabs, codling and flounders was great fun as well as expert face painting!
GHoF Bolton:
Heading north west to Bradshaw Hall Fishery saw everyone catching all day and enjoying the bouncy castle, catering and the ever popular face painting!
APEX Leisure and Wildlife Park: Thank you’s!!
The level of support from staff, volunteers and stakeholders has been simply amazing! There are far too many to mention individually but we’d like to thank you all for your help, support, enthusiasm and commitment to the future of angling!
www.anglingtrust.net
Family pgs37-40.indd 39
The south west region was treated to a really varied day with coarse fishing, fly casting and sea casting on offer as well as plenty of activities to keep all the family entertained.
GHoF Ealing:
Nigel Botherway and Richie Mc Donald were on hand to give advice at the second Family Fishing event at the venue. Despite the lack of sunshine there were plenty of smiles all round!
Apsley Lock:
This final event of the summer campaign saw the introduction of ‘Gideon the Gudgeon’ encouraging shoppers at the nearby supermarket to come and try the fishing. Sam and Gary Edmonds from the England Lure Squad were on hand giving out top tips on jigging and dropshotting.
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21/10/2014 10:57
A typical Family Fishing event! Everyone goes away smiling with photos of their catches and armed with plenty of information about what to do next and further opportunities to have a go. Each event provides some great opportunities for all anglers no matter what stage of their angling ‘journey’ they are on! Have a go!
Fishing can be so simple! These sessions are for beginners and returners of all ages. They’re led by our quality assured angling volunteers who are delighted to help you catch your first fish and give advice about tackle and venues to try!
Top tips!
We really are trying to help more people fish more often! At every Family Fishing event there will be various local, regional or national experienced anglers who will be able to help existing anglers become more confident, try different methods and will share their toptips with you!
Have a go yourself!
We know you’ll be hooked so we provide extra tackle and some help so that you and your family can try some more after your ‘Have a go!’ session.
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Family Funfair.
We want our Family Fishing events to be fun for all the family! Every event will have toilets and refreshments but not only that! Face painting, bouncy castles, archery, model boating, hawking, martial arts and magicians are just some of the attractions we’ve included in our events so far!
Forthcoming events.
‘Family Fishing is a year-round campaign. We’ll be offering some great activities, both indoor and outdoor between October and March and updating these all of the time. Check out www.ghof.org.uk and Angling Trust events on www. fishinginfo.co.uk for up-to-date information about a Family Fishing event near you!
How you can help.
Attending – Come and join us! No need to bring your tackle just turn up, register and, most importantly, ENJOY!! Volunteering – We always need volunteers, angling and non-angling. E-mail hello@ghof.org.uk if you’d like to help at an event. Give a brief description of what you’re able to do and leave the rest to us! Sharing – Websites, Facebook and Twitter are enormously powerful tools for sharing information! Please like, share, favourite and retweet our posts. The Angling Trust and Get Hooked on Fishing have Facebook and Twitter pages. Let’s spread the word! Encouraging – Do you have family, friends, neighbours, colleagues who might like to try fishing? Signposting them to our events could change their lives forever!
We are looking for partners in 2015. Next April will see the launch of FAMILY FISHING 2015 and we have a much bigger and busier programme of events planned! The 2015 national programme will consist of four flagship and fourteen regional single day events delivered by Angling Trust regional officers and Get Hooked on Fishing project managers. The venues and dates for this exciting programme will be announced in the New Year when details will be found on www.ghof.org.uk and www. fishinginfo.co.uk In addition to the 2015 series of Family Fishing events we are looking for partner clubs or fisheries to help deliver a new programme of local LETS FAMILY FISH open days which will be designed to help clubs and fisheries to grow their membership and participation. The LETS FAMILY FISH programme will consist of a number of weekly Family Fishing sessions supported by resources and guidance from Angling Trust regional officers. If you would like to get involved or to find out more about local LETS FAMILY FISH partnership opportunities please contact:
Clive Copeland, Head of Participation clive.copeland@anglingtrust.net Autumn 2014
21/10/2014 10:57
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2015 The Carp Show! 7th & 8th March, Five Lakes Resort, Essex In association with:
Untitled-1 1 salmon 44-45 look at.indd 41
02/10/2014 14:02
20/10/2014 18:24
WIN Fishing
By Carl and Alex Smith
Floating on the river
Nothing is better than a big bag of chub and dace on a damp, chilly winter’s day. We love fishing the River Wey in Farnham. Not only has it some amazing fishing in store, it also has some easily accessible stretches that are completely free to fish. In the summer when the water level is low and crystal clear, the fish are very wary and can be tricky to catch. To get a bite you have to be silent with your approach and, so as not to spook them, low diameter lines have to be used, therefore increasing the chance of the line snapping. That’s why we fish here in the depths of winter when there’s at least a foot on the water level and the water has a brown, chocolaty tinge. The fish feel safe to come out from the undercut banks and feed confidently on the pinkies that we use as bait. We mount the pinkies on a size 18 hook and use 3lb line so we land every fish that we catch. The most exciting way to target these fish is to use a stick float and trot it downstream slowly letting your bait drift with the current. You will find that on almost every cast, either dace up to 8oz or chub up to 4lb will take your bait. This can be done on many other rivers up and down the country and it is a type of fishing that I would definitely recommend this winter. Carl and I will definitely be fishing the float for chub and dace in the next few months.
M
ANY people fish all through the summer but when the first frost arrives they hang up their tackle in the corner of their garage or shed and forget about fishing until the following spring. This is very unlike us as we love fishing all through the cold, wet winter; there is so much brilliant sport to be had, not only on commercials, but rivers, canals and natural still waters. In the end, there’s no such thing as cold weather, just wrong clothing! If you dress up warm and fish venues where you have a chance of a bite then I’m sure you too will have a great winter’s fishing. You can follow Carl and Alex on Facebook called Carl and Alex fishing and on Youtube at www.youtube.com/user/CarlandAlexFishing
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20/10/2014 16:08
NTER The lure of pike
For the past few years we have also enjoyed pike fishing during the winter although not on a large scale; once or twice a winter at most and we realise that really isn’t enough. There is some amazing action to be had both on stillwaters and rivers. On the smaller lakes we love the method of spinning and lure fishing as it is possible to cover the whole lake in only a few hours. We have had some 5 or 6 pike catches in very short sessions. Spinning and lure fishing is not only an exciting method in winter but when it’s cold it helps to keep your blood circulating around your body, keeping you warm. And once you’re catching you forget about the cold completely! We hope these few ideas for fishing this winter will maybe inspire you to get out on the bank this winter, whatever the weather.
Carping on We really do enjoy fishing for big carp in winter, especially at our local day ticket venue, Tanyard Fishery, which can get quite busy in the warmer months. I have lost count of the times that Carl and I have fished there in winter, the only ones on the bank, and caught carp up to 24lb. I certainly feel that people are missing out! Winter carp fishing on waters which are normally busy in summer, can perform better when the fish don’t have 2oz leads cast at them every hour of the day. They feel less pressured and so are more willing to feed. In terms of catching carp on freezing cold days you will never beat loose feeding maggots and fishing a ball of maggots on a hair rig. A supple braided hook link is what we use with a size 8 hook, thread 10-20 maggots onto a thin thread and tie them into a ball, attaching them to your hair rig using a couple of granny knots. Have a go for big carp this winter on your local big carp venue.
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20/10/2014 16:10
Catch & Release An Angler’s Guide for Salmon Catch and release is vital to help protect and restore salmon stocks in our rivers. Give your salmon the best opportunity of reaching the spawning redds by following the advice in these pages.
Tackle Use small, barbless hooks, singles or doubles: ● They do less damage ● Unhooking is quicker ● It’s illegal to use large hooks on some rivers ● Use size 8, or preferably smaller. Always use as strong a leader or line as possible. This will ensure the fish can be brought to the net quickly and safely. ■ Single hook Flying Cs are available from Garry Evans Fishing Tackle: www.garryevans.co.uk
Spinning Salmon often take Flying Cs deep and more than 10% die. Fitting a barbless single will help but it’s better to use otherlures, with hooks altered, or to fly fish. Worm fishing often results in fish dying. Where worm fishing is allowed, using a circle hook (right) will reduce the chances of deephooking.
Planning Ahead Before fishing a pool, always identify where a fish can be safely landed without risk of damage on rocks or stones. If fishing alone, take a net. Traditional large mesh salmon nets can cause split fins and tails. Have long-nosed forceps or a similar tool close to hand for prompt hook removal. If you want a photo of your salmon before release, have your camera ready, for example, on a neck lanyard.
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■ The effectiveness of rapala and similar lures can be improved by using a single or double hook slidingrig, similar to a tube fly set-up.
Photo courtesy of Brian Davidson
Autumn 2014
21/10/2014 10:25
Playing Fish
MASTERCLASS
Fish should be played quickly and as firmly as possible so that they can be released before becoming too exhausted.
â– A fishfriendly net
â– Split tail caused by large mesh Unhooking & Recovery When the fish is quiet, remove the hook carefully and promptly with forceps.
Landing Fish We urge you not to lift the fish out of the water by any means if it is at all possible. At the veryleast, never lift your salmon from the water by its tail, or gill cover, you will cause internal damage. Avoid taking them onto the bank or dragging them over stones or gravel. Use a soft, knotless net with small mesh size with a shallow, widebottom to allow the fish to lie flat. Knotless mesh is a legal requirement. Suitable replacement net bags are available from www.fastnet sports.com
Unhooking & Recovery When the fish is quiet, remove the hook carefully and promptly with forceps. If you rupture a blood vessel you may kill the fish. Fish should be allowed to recover and returned in steady clean water, but not in a fast flow. Recovery may take some time. If fish are deep-hooked, particularly in the gills, it may not be possible to remove the hook - snip the line close to the hook. This will cause less harm to the fish than removing it. As an additional precaution, it is wise not to fish at all during extended periods of hot weather.
Fishing From Boats If fishing from a boat, where convenient, take the boat to the shore to land the fish. If the fish is landed in a boat, ensure that the fish is laid on a flat, wet surface for unhooking. A soaking wet towel or unhooking mat is ideal for this purpose. Laying the fish upside down will often calm it for unhooking. Fish produce most of their energy from their tails, and so holding down the tail on a flat surface will keep a fish still.
Recording Your Catch Only lift the fish from the water for the minimum time necessary. Photography - Keep the fish in or briefly just above the water. Support the fish gently under the belly and loosely hold the wrist of the tail. Weighing - If possible, use a weigh net, or scales hooked on to a conventional net. Measuring - Do it in the water. Take a tape measure or mark up your wading staff or the butt section of your rod as an easy indicator. Weight can be estimated from length - see the Environment Agency scale reproduced below or see the Salmon Atlas or letsflyfish websites for an online calculation. Fish should be measured from the nose to the fork of the tail.
Length (ins) 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Weight (lbs) 5 6 61/2 71/2 81/4 91/4 101/2 12 13 141/4 16 17 19 203/4 221/2 243/4 263/4 29 31 Thanks to the Wye & Usk Foundation for permission to reproduce their guide here.
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21/10/2014 16:43
Go with the
FLOW!
Now is the time to get out float fishing on the rivers says acknowledged expert and AT Ambassador Dave Harrell
T
HIS season is shaping up to be one of the best for many years. All around the country, anglers have been reporting good catches and there seems to be an abundance of small fish in our rivers too, which is great news for the future. For me, the autumn and winter period has always been my favourite time of the river season. Boat traffic has largely died away and providing the levels are okay you can normally be assured of some good
catches if you choose your venues carefully and do things right. In my opinion, the most satisfying way to catch from our rivers in the colder months is with float gear. It’s an active way of fishing so it keeps you warm when the temperatures are down and there can be such a feeling of achievement when you manage to line up a good shoal of fish with careful feeding and good bait presentation under a float rig. A lot of anglers find float fishing on moving water a little daunting but this need not be the case if you go about things in a systematic way. The most important part of the day is finding out about your swim and then deciding which float to use to get the best results from it.
■ Dace are showing in numbers all around the country at present.
Plumbing the depths
■ Roach are Dave’s favourite fish in the cooler months.
To do this just thread a small buoyant float onto the line and then tie a heavy plummet or bomb to the end of the line. Cast this well downstream and across the river and feel it down to the bottom. Now, slacken off the pressure on the line, which allows the buoyancy of the float to rise upwards. If it doesn’t pop up above the surface, keep adding depth until it does. Ideally, you want to see the float for a second or two before the current pulls it back under against the weight of the plummet or bomb down below. Once you’ve got the float top popping up, work this plumbing rig back upstream towards you, allowing the line to go slack every few metres. By doing this exercise for several minutes you will discover where the swim shallows up or gets deeper and eventually build up a mental picture of the riverbed contours. Measure your depth off against the rod rings or mark the rod with Tippex. Remember this is only a starting point but if you’ve done it right you should have a pretty good idea of how deep your swim is for a long way downstream.
Autumn 2014
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20/10/2014 20:51
MASTERCLASS
Essential RIVER FLOATS
!
■ Regular feeding is the way to attract fish into your swim.
Stick
Food for thought
Bait should be kept simple too and over the years I have caught more fish on maggots than any other baits in the cooler months. On most river venues, around half a pint of bait per hour is often enough for species like roach and dace and the only time you need to feed more is on swims where there are a lot of chub feeding. Casters and hemp are other good baits worth trying, especially on venues where there are big roach to be caught. If the river is running clear and there are chub in front of you, don’t ignore breadflake, as it’s a great big fish bait. There are days when groundbait is useful to get loose feed down to the bottom quickly and to entice fish into your swim. I use Bait-Tech Pro Natural with varying amounts of molehill soil to get it down to the bottom quickly before it breaks up and releases the particles. If you’ve never tried float fishing on rivers or have only ever used static bait approaches in the past, I’d urge you to give it a try over the next few weeks. It’s a really exciting way to fish, as you never quite know what you are going to hook next when the float goes under!
Avon
Decisions, decisions!
Your next decision is what type of float to use and what size should it be? As a general guide, a good depth and pace close in will probably mean a stick or Avon float while depth and slow flow further out will often be tackled with a bolo rig. Use one No4 shot per foot of depth for the stick float and 1g for every foot or two of depth for the Avon rig. For shallow swims you might need to fish a long way out so waggler fishing then comes more into play. Most of the float’s capacity should be used to lock the float onto the line with just a No8 or No6 shot down the line for every 2ft of depth. Main line choices should be kept simple. I have found that strains from
■ Get things right and you can expect catches like this!
Bolo Waggler
Balsa Missile 3lb to 6lb cover all my autumn and winter float fishing with hooklengths from 2lb to 5lb tied to medium and strong wire hooks from size 20 up to 14.
MORE INFORMATION
Dave Harrell is recognised as one of the country’s best ever river anglers. He has fished for England at World and European level and now owns his own tackle and coaching business. For details about both and for in-depth tips and tactics for rivers go to: www.daveharrellangling.com You can also follow Dave’s river fishing exploits every week in Angling Times.
www.anglingtrust.net
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49 47
20/10/2014 20:52
Pumpin’ By Jim Whippy
G
ETTING enough lugworm to go cod fishing can be difficult as tackle shops soon sell out during peak season. Since the arrival of the bait pump it has meant nearly anyone can now collect enough lugworm for a session’s fishing. With the cost of worms sky high, an outlay of around £60 for a quality pump will soon prove economical. One thing to note is pumping takes a little time to master as it’s a technique, not a muscle thing. It can be very frustrating at first and even when the skill is mastered, you do not get every worm, but the catch rate percentage should improve each time you go.
1
Equipment required is a slim bait pump. Professional pumpers use a very slim stainless tube as it gives most suction. It’s best to use two buckets, one inside another, with the inside one perforated so the water can drain off the worms.
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2
The pump is placed a few inches from the worm cast and angled over slightly, pumps are not used straight up and down.
Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 16:27
’ LUG
MASTERCLASS
4
The pump is then emptied onto the sand and should reveal a worm if the pump was successful. Most pumpers do about six to ten pumps then stop and collect up the worms laying on the surface.
3
The action now is to press down with the hand holding the fixed handle and pull up with the other hand at the same time. The end of the pump needs to go about 200cm (6” to 8”) into the sand to intercept the hole of the lugworm about half way down. Go in too far and you can overshoot the worm. www.anglingtrust.net
Pumpin lug pgs48-49.indd 49
5
Junior international sea angler Martin Payne is an expert at pumping and enjoys the fact he can supply his own lugworm. 49
20/10/2014 16:28
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seafishingmagazine
@SeaFishingMag 21/10/2014 11:30
For more than 60 years Fish Legal (formerly the Anglers’ Conservation Association) has been fighting those who damage our waterways. It has won hundreds of thousands of pounds in compensation for fishing clubs and remains the anglers’ strongest defence against polluters.
Fish Legal v British Canoe Union, Canoe England and Canoe Wales F
ISH LEGAL has sent a legal ‘letter before action’ to the British Canoe Union (BCU), Canoe Wales (CW) and Canoe England (CE). It demands that these canoeing governing bodies stop publishing information suggesting that (a) there is a general right of navigation on non-tidal waterways in England and Wales, and/or (b) the law of navigation there is unclear. There is no such general right of navigation in law, so permission for access is required. Fish Legal and the Angling Trust have written repeatedly asking that incorrect information is removed from web sites and other publications. These requests have been ignored. A full response to the ‘letter before action’ is awaited and it is hoped that the BCU, CE and CW may be encouraged to resolve matters constructively, without the need to go to court. A productive response should benefit all river users, including anglers and canoeists. Fish Legal will seek ‘declaratory relief’ through the courts unless BCU, CW and CE amend their publications and stop publishing inaccurate information to their members and the public. Many canoeists (wrongly) believe that they may paddle wherever and whenever they like. Fish legal believes the canoeing governing bodies have played a significant part in canoeists forming that impression. The Angling Trust & Fish Legal are not opposed to all paddling. However, paddlers must recognise private rights including fishing, as well as any environmental conditions which may be necessary or desirable. The Angling Trust has frequently offered to work with the canoeing governing bodies to increase levels of access, but subject to reasonable conditions agreed locally. However, the misguided insistence that the right to paddle already exists under the general law and that locally made agreements are not required inevitably makes discussions with a view to increasing paddling very difficult.
www.anglingtrust.net www.fishlegal.net
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20/10/2014 20:39
FORCING AC T ON DAMAGED FISHERIES
b.
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HERE are many environmental threats to our fishing, which we must confront. Some of them we know much about, some are perceived but not yet sufficiently proven; others just give a general sense of gradual decline. But before we all get depressed by the feeling there is not much the humble angler or angling club can do about it, there could be something more you can do (beyond membership of the Angling Trust & Fish Legal that is!) – even when environmental regulators seem unwilling to act. As Fish Legal’s experience in North Wales shows, notifying the regulator of environmental damage under Regulation 29 of the Environmental Damage Regulations 2009 obliges them to respond to your concerns. This can apply whether you fish in rivers, lakes or coastal areas. Since the 1990s Fish Legal (with our member club affected) has fought to save a rare sub-species of arctic char unique to Llyn Padarn in North Wales. We have been trying, with varying levels of success, to get the regulator to deal with long-term damage from sewage pollution, eutrophication and loss of spawning grounds. We are still in that fight and recently won a judicial review claim against Natural Resources Wales. The regulator had ignored the full extent of damage to the fishery when making a decision over remediation measures.
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Judicial review aside, the regulator’s decision that we challenged had followed a 17-month investigation into that damage, in response to a Fish Legal notification under the Environmental Damage Regulations 2009. Now, before you think this is all very “legal” and not something you can do, actually anyone with sufficient interest in the problem could have done it, you just need to provide reasonable evidence of damage and quote the regulations. Where you notice “environmental damage” at your fishery or nearby, your club would have ‘sufficient interest’ to notify and force the regulator to look into it. So what counts as “environmental damage”? There are two main categories under the Regulations relevant for a fishery. If your fishery is in a conservation area then it would be significant damage to a protected fish species and/or its habitat (e.g. as part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest or “SSSI”). The damage must have a significant adverse effect on conservation status. For fisheries not protected in this way, you can notify for damage to surface water if the biological or chemical status of the whole waterbody within which your fishery sits has dropped since the last Water Framework Directive assessment, whether or not the regulator has recognised this. If you don’t know this information, you could notify
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C TION
■ Llyn Padarn
on the basis of other reliable evidence that effectively shows the same thing, such as a large decline in catch returns year on year, or from river-fly monitoring. Once notified the regulator must then establish whether or not the damage qualifies, and if it does, investigate the likely culprits to decide who are the responsible operators that should (in principle, but subject to exceptions and appeals) pay for remediation (e.g. farmers, water or sewerage companies, or other polluters). They must inform you, having made the original notification, of what (if any) action will be taken, and consult you on any remediation proposals. Now, Fish Legal’s experience on the Llyn Padarn case has shown that this process is often drawn-out and may not be straight-forward; it may not even produce what you would ideally wish for. But, it will force greater local attention onto the problem and the regulator cannot just ignore credible evidence of damage – it must act on it when notified in this way. Raising awareness with the regulator and local operators you suspect to be causing damage could really help even if enforcement does not follow. So consider notifying under the regulations, raise awareness and don’t be put off.
www.fishlegal.net
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The public right to fish: shore or not so sure? Any Clubs that have fishing on rivers that run into the sea may have issues from time to time with members of the public claiming to be exercising their 'public right to fish' on tidal stretches of the river. In a famous Scottish case from the late 19th century, a poacher apprehended by the Marquis of Ailsa's gamekeeper fishing the lower waters of the river Doon in Ayrshire claimed that he was exercising his public right to fish. The judge drily observed the fisherman’s conduct suggested otherwise: upon being apprehended he promptly ‘took to his legs’, jettisoned his bag in which there were found to be sea trout, and on being caught gave a false name and pretended ignorance regarding the identification of his fish. Despite his less than promising conduct, the poacher’s case did raise an interesting question that still has relevance today. From where precisely can the public right to fish be exercised? In Scotland, at least, there has been a mistaken and widespread belief that there is a public right to fish on all sections of water that are impacted by the tide including the lower tidal sections of rivers. The Judge in the above case made the important distinction between waters that are tidal and waters that are impacted by the tides i.e. the lower reaches of the river that regularly rise and fall with the tides. This area is known as the foreshore and is found between the high and low water marks of ordinary tides. It is generally the property of the Crown and the public right to fish may be exercised from here. However the public right to fish cannot be exercised landward of the high water mark in the sections of the river impacted by the tide unless it is a public river where there are established navigation rights or the river banks are owned by the Crown. In England and Wales the soil of the foreshore and the bed of estuaries are also normally (but not always) owned by the Crown and also subject to public rights of fishery up to the average or medium high tide mark. Establishing the precise location of the foreshore is not always easy. The Ordnance Survey leisure maps (Landranger and Explorer series) do not show high and low water marks but OS do provide mapping data to specialist retailers who can provide a bespoke mapping service should you or your Club need to identify the foreshore. Ordnance Survey will provide details of retailers in your area who can provide you with such a map but you will need a scale of at least 1-10,000 and expect costs in excess of £50.00 per map. ■ Tidal waters - who can fish where?
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The Scottish Wild Fisheries Review
■ Ladykirk, River Tweed. Photo by Eoin Fairgrieve: flyfishingimages.co.uk
New Sentencing Guidelines lead to larger fines for polluters
T
HE first flush of cases being considered under new sentencing guidelines for environmental offences are starting to come through the criminal courts. From now on, anglers should see companies who are found guilty of polluting a fishery fined much larger sums than they have been in the past.
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Under the new guidelines, which went live in July, Judges now take into account company profits when deciding on an appropriate fine. As a result, the court noted that Thames Water made a profit of £347 million in year ending March 2014 when it fined the company £250,000 in August for polluting the
Chase Brook in Newbury with raw sewage. Similarly high fines were imposed on South West Water who was ordered to pay £125,000 in July after pleading guilty to four separate counts of polluting rivers in Devon with sewage. Previously water companies would expect a fine of between £5,000 and £10,000 for
polluting a watercourse with sewage: small change to businesses whose annual profits run into the hundreds of millions. ‘Fat cat’ directors’ pay now also enters the equation. So, if United Utilities find themselves in court, the total remuneration package of their Chief Executive – which in the year ending
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21/10/2014 11:01
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HE Scottish Government’s Wild Fisheries Review has now been delivered. The review, headed by Andrew Thin, was tasked with designing a ‘modern evidence based fishery management system’. The justification for the Review was that the current wild fisheries management system is ‘not fit for purpose in the 21st century’ and the panel was asked amongst other things to look abroad to see what can be learnt. The key recommendation – unsurprisingly – is the replacement of the established “District Salmon Fishery Boards” with a network of “Fishery Management Organisations” responsible for all species management operating under the guidance of a new Scottish Government wild fisheries unit. It is not immediately obvious why the current Board system should be considered as ‘not fit for purpose’. After all, Scottish Salmon fishing is justifiably world famous and many Scottish fisheries managers are inundated by visitors flocking from abroad trying to understand how it’s done. If the criteria for success is economic then again, Scottish wild fisheries management delivers a huge ongoing contribution to vulnerable rural economies. The Boards have also
March 2014 was worth an eye-watering £2.3 million in salary, bonuses and benefits in kind – will be in front on the Judge when they decide what level of fine would make the company sit up and take notice. Whether a polluter gained financially from their crimes, deliberately concealed their actions or ignored prior warnings from the regulator will also be taken into account. Fish Legal submitted a lengthy consultation response on behalf of all of its members when
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the Sentencing Council was considering introducing new guidelines back in 2013, stressing that anglers often felt the impact of pollution years after the event. The Council picked up on Fish Legal’s point that removing the economic benefits of damaging the environment (such as avoided costs and operating savings or any gain made as a result of the offence), should be central to the new approach to sentencing.
trail- blazed the development of ‘eco-system management’ that looks to develop the long term productivity of rivers by focussing not just on salmon but also the whole river environment. It would seem that the Scottish Government has a political agenda. It is no secret that the governing classes in Scotland are not over-fond of the ‘tweedy’ sorts or landowner class who still own much of the salmon fishing in Scotland. Salmon Fishery Boards, which are the vehicle for local fisheries management in Scotland, are constituted by such fishing proprietors. This is unpalatable enough in itself for the SNP but even worse in their eyes is the power that Boards have to raise to raise money amongst themselves to spend on protecting and enhancing fisheries in their districts through activities that include the employment of bailiffs. In the mind of a certain sort of Scottish Parliamentarian this is equivalent to giving landowners a private right of taxation and the right to raise a local private army! The review recommendations are now before Ministers and their implementation will be put out to wider consultation in due course.
Larger fines have the potential to really affect a company’s bottom line and, with Fish Legal able to follow criminal prosecutions with a civil claim on behalf of affected members, environmental offences damaging fisheries should be higher up the Board’s agenda from now on.
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SOLDIERS, ANGLERS, WINNERS! Army fly fishers cast their way to the top
■ Clark Colman with a wild brown trout
O
BSERVATION, Intelligence, Adaptability, Teamwork. Qualities the British Army prides itself on – and which, as its Soldier Palmers fly fishing team has proven, go hand-in-hand with angling to produce outstanding results. Recent years have witnessed real high points in the team’s history, with both individual and team honours boosting its reputation as a leading body in services sport, and a real force to be reckoned with on both national and international competition scenes. The Army Angling Federation (Game) has two membership categories - Regular and Associate. Regular members are full-time officers and soldiers, while Associates are drawn from reservists, retired personnel, civilian employees, and relations. 2013 saw a
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With the fortunes of the Soldier Palmers competition team riding high, the quest for more members has never been more important, as Army Angling Federation (Game) press secretary Clark Colman explains....
record number of anglers in the federation, all of whom enjoy access to the Army’s Anglian Water season tickets, along with generous discounts from Airflo, Snowbee, Guide, Craghopper, and Sam Bailey’s Elite Fly Tying. The great sense of camaraderie between all members (uniformed and civilian) makes for entertaining and hard-fought in-house fixtures – notably the Spring, Army Championship and Autumn matches. Generously sponsored by Army-associated companies like Deloitte and Techmodal, these are ideal training grounds for both new and experienced loch-style anglers eager to make the various Soldier Palmers competition squads. Sporting encounters between the UK’s armed and other uniformed services must rank among the most competitive in the
country! For the Soldier Palmers, there is no more coveted title than the Inter-Services Loch-Style Championship, contested over two days between specially-selected teams from the Royal Navy/Marines, Army and Royal Air Force. Under the ‘One Army’ ethos underpinning the move towards Army 2020, both regular and reservist anglers are now eligible for the main Soldier Palmers team, while two non-serving Associate members also compete in a parallel match. Selection is based on performance across the year in other competitions (tracked via a cumulative bag-weight table), and the opportunity to ‘put one over’ on the other services provides a real impetus to consistently fish well and make the team!
Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 20:48
■ Team England badges proudly on display
■ The Soldier Palmers participate in regular matches
Having lost out to the RAF’s Fish Hawks since 2006, the Army’s 2012 squad was determined not to let history repeat itself, and duly achieved a welcome victory. Here, in-depth prior preparation and planning really did prevent poor performance, as conditions over practise and match days were far from ideal, with anglers having to adapt and work hard for every fish landed. Team captain and Soldier Palmers veteran Ronnie Christie went the extra mile in ensuring that all his squad were well-briefed, equipped and practised, but it was a true Army team effort that saw him lift the Inter-Services trophy. Another team stalwart, Del Spry, finished as top individual rod, while Lindsay Simpson and Tug Lawson took the Associate Championship. After rounding off 2012 in style, more services-wide success followed on the Welsh Dee in 2013, where Clark Colman became the Army’s first-ever individual champion in the UK All-Services River Fly Fishing Championship. Unfortunately the RAF re-took the loch-style trophy later in the year, so wresting it back from them in 2014 will be the ‘main effort’ for new Soldier Palmers captain Paul Calvert. Beyond the world of uniformed sport, the Soldier Palmers field two teams in the
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Association of Major Fishing Clubs Leagues, competing against some of the UK’s best loch-style fly fishers on nationally-renowned reservoir venues. After a hard-fought final round win in 2012, the Group 2 squad secured promotion to the Group 1 league – which they narrowly missed winning in 2013. Group 3 anglers continue to press for a place in Group 2. Army competitors also continue to hold their own in some of the UK’s most prestigious national competitions, such as the high-profile Anglian Water Airflo International (of which the Soldier Palmers are past winners). Through Federation and individual membership, the much-valued association between Army fly fishers and the Angling Trust allows Soldier Palmers to try out to represent Team England in both loch-style and rivers disciplines. The annual Army Championship is also an open-house qualifier for the national loch-style final, in which England’s Home International team is selected. Every year sees a number of Soldier Palmers battling for a much-coveted place. Through this route, Lindsay Simpson has been capped three times, while two caps each have been earned by Andy Croucher, Paul Kitchen and Paul Lee. Most recently, Mark
Rose qualified for the 2014 loch-style team. Andy and Paul Lee have also gained England river team places. Having been crowned National Rivers Champion on the Dart in 2012, Andy Croucher was later selected to accompany England’s 2013 European squad to Slovakia as travelling reserve. All five Army internationals are highly versatile anglers, whose skills in capitalising on intelligence, observation, adaptability and remaining calm under pressure, mirror their Army training – helping them to maximise time spent in reconnaissance and practice, and make it all count on the day. The fortunes of the Soldier Palmers are currently on an all-time high, but with some of its most gifted Regulars now leaving and becoming Associates, efforts now rest on encouraging more serving members into the ranks. Army in-house competitions are always great opportunities for newcomers to sample competitive fly fishing and receive expert guidance. So if you think you’ve got what it takes to be a Soldier Palmer, contact the Army Angling Federation (Game) Secretary, Si Elson, via the website at www.soldierpalmers.co.uk or http://te-ff.org/federations/army/
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Meet the team The Angling Trust will be at the following shows and events in the coming months. Come and meet the team and find out all about our latest campaigns to protect fish and fishing and get more people fishing. Bring along a friend so they can learn more too.
iFish Saturday 22nd
November 2014
Carp Society Winter Show
Clair Hall, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 3DN
Saturday and Sunday 29th/30th November 2014 Sandown Park, Esher Surrey KT10 9AJ http://www.horseshoelakelechlade. com/society/index.html
http://www.ifish.org.uk/
CARPIN’ ON British Fly Fair International Saturday and Sunday 7th/8th February 2015 Staffordshire County Showground ST18 0BD
http://www.bffi.co.uk/
Carp Angling Show Saturday and Sunday 7th/8th March 2015
Five Lakes Crowne Plaza Resort, Tolleshunt Knights, Colchester CM9 8HX http://carpinon.co.uk/
Saturday and Sunday 21st/22nd March 2015 Farnborough International GU14 6AZ http://www.fishface promotions.co.uk/
Save money at dozens of fisheries just show your AT membership card Your Angling Trust membership saves you money at dozens of Angling Trust 10% Club Fisheries where you can enjoy at least 10% off the cost of a day and/or a season ticket. You will find all the current 10% fisheries listed at www.anglingtrust.net under Membership Benefits. Watch out for more fisheries joining up, or if you are an owner please get in touch via admin@anglingtrust.net to sign up.
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10% 1 0 Club %
of your ticket a t Fisherie s Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 17:34
Competition Diary Dates November 2014- April 2015
November ●
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Pike Qualifiers (Multiple)
Various
Angling Trust Winter League (Multiple)
Various
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Saturday 1st November RiverFest Qualifier River Nene, March
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Saturday 15th/Sunday 16th November RiverFest Grand Final River Wye, Hereford
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Saturday 22nd November Pike Final Whittlesey Waters, Cambs
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Pike Qualifiers (Multiple) Angling Trust Winter League (Multiple)
●
Pike Qualifiers (Multiple)
Various
Various
Early January Fish O Mania Online Entry goes live Angling Trust website www.anglingtrust.net
●
Pike Qualifiers (Multiple)
Various
Sunday 1st February Rivers National Qualifier Midlands Federation River Dee, Llangollen
www.anglingtrust.net
Comp & Events diary pgs 58-59.indd 59
Angola
March
February ●
National Championship entry forms available to apply for competitions and further updates available Angling Trust website www.anglingtrust.net ●
Various
January ●
Mid February AT & BPS Annual Pike Angling Shield Match Cambridgeshire ●
● February – March FIPS-M 24th World Championship for Big Game Fishing
December ●
Saturday 7th February Rivers National Qualifier Southern Fly Fishers River Test, Wherwell ● Mid February Fish O Mania Online Entry closes Angling Trust website www.anglingtrust.net ●
●
Pike Qualifiers (Multiple)
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Saturday 7th March Rivers National Qualifier Midlands FederationRiver Dee, Llangollen
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Fish O Mania tickets distribution Various
Various
April ●
Pike Qualifiers (Multiple)
●
From Early April Fish O Mania qualifiers take place
Various TBA
Please note: At the time of going to press details for a lot more of the Angling Trust competitions for all three disciplines still have to be confirmed and will be announced as soon as possible on the Angling Trust website at www.anglingtrust.net
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The fishing life and times of
Mr Horace Meadowcroft 1897 - 1978 H Meadowcroft- Durdle Door 15/12/28
E
ARLIER this year we were very honoured to receive the rare gift of a historic fishing photo and newspaper cuttings scrapbook belonging to the late Horace Meadowcroft of Bournemouth, sent to us by his grandson, Jeremy Retford who wanted it to have a good home where fellow anglers could appreciate it. In Jeremy’s words; “… the book mainly covers the period from about 1918 to 1939, with most of the entries relating to the 1920s. My grandfather, Horace Meadowcroft was born in 1897. He was a keen fisherman all of his life and an active player in the Bournemouth fishing scene, particularly between the wars. He was a longstanding committee member of the (now defunct) Boscombe and Southbourne Sea Fishing Club, and was part of the committee that started and ran the Bournemouth Borough Council’s very popular boat and pier fishing festivals. After the war, Horace took over from his friend Len Mollett, the running of a fishing tackle shop in Palmerston Road in Boscombe. It was called “Mollett’s” and survived into the mid-1960s, when Horace retired from the running of his garage business located next door. Horace died in 1978.” The album is full of the aforementioned newspaper cuttings and some brilliant old photographs too showing the anglers of the day with their catches. It seems bass were a regular catch back then but there are also conger, rays, blue sharks, sole, a sunfish and more. It seems Horace was also keen on following the adventures of Mr F A Mitchell-Hedges, a well-known explorer and big game fisherman of his day famous for his now questionable discovery of a Crystal Skull giving rise to rumours he could have inspired the Indiana Jones character. There are several newspaper reports of his adventures around the world and particularly in Jamaica where he was acclaimed for capturing a man-eating shark in Kingston Harbour. We hope you enjoy this selection from the album and will ensure it becomes part of an appropriate angling archive.
Doggie Februar 8lbs 14oz y 1934
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A N G L I N G H E R I TA G E
A N G L I N G H E R I TA G E
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20/10/2014 21:09
MARINE C WORKING FOR SEA ANGLING MCZ Management T
Photo courtesy of Paul Sharman
Act now on bass! A
HE Angling Trust have been actively contributing to discussions on the management measures of the new Kingmere Marine Conservation Zone in Sussex, the only MCZ to be designated for the protection of a recreationally important fish species – the black bream – which nests on the hard substrate of the Kingmere in late spring and early summer. The area is a hugely important recreational fishery with private boats and charter boats from Brighton, Littlehampton, Shoreham-By-Sea, Bognor Regis and Worthing all fishing the Kingmere throughout the year for a variety of species. The Sussex Inshore Fishery and Conservation Authority, in partnership with the Marine Conservation Society has been holding workshops on the management of the Kingmere MCZ where various scenarios have been discussed for the management of mobile fishing (trawling), static fishing (fixed and drift nets) and recreational angling. Discussions are ongoing and the Angling Trust representatives in Sussex are working with the local clubs and charter boats to ensure that both the Kingmere MCZ and the economically and socially important recreational fishery are protected for the benefit of everyone who values them. A voluntary code of conduct for black bream fishing on the Kingmere has been promoted by the Angling Trust as a way of helping to limit the impact on the species and demonstrate a ‘light touch’ way of managing the MCZ. This was featured in July on an edition of Sky Sports’ Tight Lines.
CT now to protect bass – that is the message the Angling Trust has given to the Government in response to scientific advice published this summer which warned of a devastating collapse of the species unless catches were reduced by a staggering 80 per cent. The Angling Trust has put forward a series of measures to the Fisheries Minister, George Eustice, that the UK could take to protect and begin the process of restoring UK bass stocks. Angling Trust members have been encouraged to write to their own MPs urging Mr Eustice to take action now and members of the House of Commons have been briefed by the Angling Trust on the critical importance of the recreational bass fishery in the UK. However, the UK Government wants to see the European Union to take measures first before looking at what the UK could do to protect and restore UK bass stocks further – a position we believe could be too little, too late to protect our most iconic sea angling species. Recreational anglers are also being asked to contribute to the reduction in fishing mortality after studies across Europe (including Sea Angling 2012 in England) showed that recreational angling could be accounting for around a third of the total official commercial bass landings – a figure that is likely to be inflated due to a lack of data and underreporting of the actual legal and illegal commercial landings. The Angling Trust is working with our partner organisations through the European Anglers Alliance (EAA) to decide how recreational anglers could reduce their impact on bass in a way that is fair and proportionate and recognises the huge social and economic contribution that bass angling makes to the EU’s economy – particularly compared to the value of the commercial bass fishery. Measures we have been asked to consider for recreational bass fishing include raising the minimum landing size, practicing catch & release and bag limits. We are also pushing for a recommendation by the International Council for the Exploration of the The Angling Trust was once again involved as a partner in the highly Seas (ICES) to be taken forward which would see a successful Bexhill Angling Festival providing vital insurance cover for this free common methodology developed on which the public event. This year 14 competitions were held from boats, beach, kayak social and economic values of the commercial and and even on local lakes. An incredible 35,000 people were estimated to have recreational bass fisheries can be compared on a visited the Festival of the Sea exhibition on the sea front on the weekend of like for like basis. The results of any such study could September 6th and 7th which launched a month of angling competitions. prove to be the ‘game changer’ for recognising the This makes it one of the biggest public events in Sussex after only its third importance of the recreational fishing sector in future year! decisions over how fish stocks are managed.
Bexhill Angling Festival 2014
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Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 20:35
E Campaigns Drift Net Ban
E
arlier this year the European Commission proposed a total ban on the use of drift nets in EU waters. In response the Angling Trust has played a leading role, working alongside our partner angling organisations from across Europe, to help the European Anglers Alliance develop a position on the proposed ban.
Details of the EAA position include: ■ Exemptions from the ban should be made for some small scale drift net fisheries on a case-by-case basis, where it can be shown that a small scale drift net fishery is sustainable, has adequate monitoring and a managed by-catch. ■ All compliant drift net fisheries should comply with the discard ban/landing provisions and other CFP requirements and all vessels involved in a drift net fishery should have electronic log books to record and report catches. ■ Funding should be made available to change from drift net to other gears and fleet segments which can absorb the increase in fishing effort without reducing the sustainability of the fishery. ■ EAA believes that a total ban without exemptions would be disproportionate because there are arguably drift net fisheries which are sustainable. However, all Member states must put in place control, monitor and carry out scientific assessment of their drift net fisheries in order to prove that they are sustainable and do not contravene other conservation objectives, before issuing any derogation. ■ EAA believes that drift net fishing in mixed stock fisheries is inherently unsustainable and should be banned or phased out (salmon drift net fisheries in England will be phased out over the next seven years). ■ EAA believes that any new framework for technical measures within the CFP should include provisions to manage drift net fisheries better (length of net, soak times, mesh sizes, time/spatial closures).
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Jacob Mc N
From Junior Club Angler to the World Champs
B
ACK in 2012 I was out fishing when I heard that the Angling Trust had asked if I would like to take part in something called the England Talent Pathway to have the chance to potentially fish for my country. As soon as I got home I told my parents and my dad generously arranged a coaching day with Nick Speed, one of the country’s best commercial anglers. After the coaching day I studied all about what style of fishing I would be doing as it was all new to me. The
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first part of the Talent Pathway came around quickly and we fished at a great venue called Ranskill. When I arrived on the morning I was feeling nervous but the coaches Tony, Barry and Jimmy were really nice guys and willing to help with anything. After we fished the match the coaches explained would happen next and then we all went home. A couple of weeks later I received a letter from the Angling Trust asking me if I would like to fish the next stage of the Talent Pathway, a two day event at Moss Farm Fisheries
near Manchester. The coaches planned to pick a squad of 8 anglers from the 20 attending the event to fish a match at Packington Somers in front of Joe Robert’s, the under 18’s England coach. Before the second trial Nick Speed really took me on board and introduced me to other anglers such as Steve Barraclough, who took me on the Stainforth and Keadby canal and introduced me to bloodworm and joker fishing. He got me practicing on the canal, bank-walking the winter matches there and introduced me to a club
called Tri Cast Calder where I have made some really good friends including Peter Duffy the club captain. Tri Cast Calder have brought me on in leaps and bounds, teaching me loads of different methods and been a massive help and support. I was lucky enough to get picked to fish the next trial at Packington but had a really bad day. I blanked along with 18 other lads but I did something right as I was picked to fish the Team England Sensas U18 trial and this is where it all changed … fishing a slider.
Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 20:29
TA L E N T PAT H WAY & C O M P S 2014 COMPETITION WINNERS COARSE
c Neill
Division 1 – Team Division 1 – individual Division 2 – Team Division 2 – individual Individual National Ladies National Veterans National Anglers with Disabilities National
River Trent River Trent Leeds & Liverpool Canal Leeds & Liverpool Canal River Trent Boldons Fishery Woodland View Fishery
Barnsley Blacks Phil Wintle Wigan Match Group Perry Follows Kevin Hall Kayleigh Smith Martin Barrett
Boldons Pools FIshery
John Holmes
Cadets National Juniors National Intermediates National Schools National AT Commercial Team Stillwater Champs Winter League Masters Fish O Mania AT & CRT Stillwater Champs
Makins Fishery Makins Fishery Makins Fishery Hallcroft Fishery
Thameside Matrix/Bait Tech Sensas A4 Cast Bag Em Red Newent Community School
Heronbrook & Cudmore Fisheries Gloucester Canal Mallory Park Fishery Cudmore Fishery Blythe
Barnsley Blacks Barnsley Blacks Team Daiwa Andy Geldart Jamie Hughes
AT & CRT Canal Pairs
Shropshire Union Canal
TideFest RiverFest Pike Championships
Tidal Thames Wye Whittlesea Waters
Simon Preece & Simon Mottram Clive Westwood Tbc – November 2014 Tbc – November 2014
Rutland Water Llangollen/Maelor Waters Chatton Fishery Grafham Water Grafham Water
John Horsey Mike Heritage Tbc – October 2014 Eileen Chatwin Graham Hayward
GAME Loch National Seniors Rivers National Seniors Bank National Seniors Ladies National Youth National
››There are Talent Pathway programmes for coarse, game and sea angling. To find out more information and how to apply, visit www. anglingtrust.net/talentpathway . You can register your interest for future programmes by contacting the Angling Trust. You can also follow the progress of the England Talent Pathway on Facebook, www.facebook.com/AnglingTrustTalentPathway
I hadn’t seen a slider float in my life and would never have mastered it without the help of Nick Speed and Frankie Gianoncelli. After a few months I had practiced slider fishing that much I was having nightmares about it! The final trial came along at Meadowland in Coventry and unfortunately this is where the road ended for me. I wasn’t too disappointed because I wasn’t expecting a place and when they said they would like to see me next year at the trial it meant so much to me.
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After all the England trials had finished I fished nearly every match with Tri Cast. Besides getting beat I was happy because I was having fun and learning a lot in the process. I fished the whole of the winter on the Stainy canal alongside the best anglers in the world such as Matt Godfrey and Alan Scotthorne (wow). I once again applied to the Talent Pathway and was selected for the Northern Squad. We fished some really good venues, Hayfield being one and we all had a fab day. I won with a stunning 16lb of roach, perch
and the odd bream. The Sensas U18 trail was at Makins fishery and feeling more confident after my experiences the previous year I was really looking forward to going down and practice. Matt Godfrey kindly came with me and as I call it … injected me with the Godfrey touch! I caught around 30lb of roach over 2 days. The Saturday before the trial, my good friend Bradley Gibbons and I fished as we would have done on the trial and emptied that place. The trial day came and this is where all the knowledge I had picked up from all the amazing anglers I have fished with came into play. When the whistle blew and the successful
anglers were announced I was overwhelmed that I was one of them, I was the happiest kid alive, I couldn’t contain myself. I was and still am so happy to be one of the England U18’s World Championship squad made possible by the Talent Pathway. I would highly recommend it to any new young angler who would like to have the same opportunity that I got because the England Talent Pathway along with the excellent coaches opens a lot of doors and give youngsters a great opportunity. Even though I am now so proud to say that I fish for England, I will still fish The Talent Pathway stages again next year.
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N AT I O N A L A N G L I N G S T R AT E G Y
Transforming Lives In this edition of The Angler I want to tell you about a ‘stand-out’ fishing project says National Angling Strategy manager, RICK WARNER.
FISH 2013 Fishing in Safe Hands is a club launched in 2013 by licensed Level 2 coach John Anderson.
B
ASED at Outwood, Burton on Trent, the club is focused on junior coaching and in bringing newcomers to our sport. FISH 2013 relies on grants and sponsorship and a dedicated team of volunteers who give up their time to help out each week. What does a typical FISH 2013 session look like I ask? John says “We run a weekly after-school club on a Wednesday and the participants vary in age and in ability, from complete beginners to independent anglers. We try to get the whole family fishing together if we can and many have gone on to organise their own fishing trips as a result of the sessions. They have even started sending us photos of their fishing adventures, which is brilliant! Our local fishery owners have been very supportive and tackle dealers also help us out with discounts and freebies! In what ways do the children benefit? John replies “Fishing gets them away from their computer games and out into the fresh air. It also allows kids who do not participate in mainstream sports to try an alternative. Sarah, a mum agrees “My ten year-old son has attended the
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weekly coaching sessions for the past several months now and I have watched him grow in both confidence and ability. Witnessing his concentration by the waterside, watching his skills develop and seeing his pride as he talks of his ‘fisherman’s tales’ is a joy when nowadays so many youngsters are sat indoors playing on their consoles.” “Crucially”, John adds, “our Facebook page has become our window to show the outside world what we do. We are hoping to set up a website in the future and are also working towards Clubmark status.” The club has also started peer coaching sessions (young person to young person). “Some of the young people are doing their Duke of Edinburgh award and volunteering is part of that. We also give them a skills checklist and sign off skills as they are achieved.” Can he offer any tips to other clubs? John - who is also the club’s Child Welfare Officer – stresses that safeguarding is very important. “All our staff must be DBS checked, and a special person is appointed to every session to ensure any problems are picked up quickly and dealt with swiftly and without fuss. All injuries,
however small should be registered on an accident sheet. Good safety equipment is also essential, such as first aid kit, hand sanitisers, throw lines, and bottled water on warm days. John also recommends doing the bulk of paperwork away from the session, except the register, which should be done without fuss. Keep sessions fun and try to work out the individual needs of the participant as you get to know them”.
FOR MORE INFO:
FISH 2013 FISHING IN SAFE HANDS:
Facebook: Fish-2013Fishing-in-Safe-Hands
Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 17:47
G allery
Back She GoeS by Paul Sharman
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21/10/2014 16:45
Enforcement -
Real Progress on All Fronts! by Dilip Sarkar MBE National Enforcement Manager
Protection of fish and fisheries is currently a hot topic – one which the Angling Trust is totally committed to, and great progress is now being made.
F
IRSTLY, Mr Simon Prince, Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys and the Association of Chief Police Officers’ National Policing Lead on Rural & Wildlife Crime has fully supported our argument that all operational police officers and calltakers must now be trained regarding their responsibilities towards the criminal offences involved. Mr Prince has therefore issued a briefing note to all Chief Officers in England & Wales which will be ‘cascaded’ to all police staff. We are also speaking to police audiences at every opportunity, and getting directly involved in officer training, so ultimately the current state of confusion – caused by an omission in training – will be satisfactorily resolved. In the meantime anglers must understand
how vitally important it is to report offences in progress and information to the police and Environment Agency (EA). These statistics and intelligence underpin and drive everything – so make that call, don’t just moan on Facebook! We are also working with the police and EA, together with our own Voluntary Bailiff Service, on joint operations. Such partnership working is crucial, because in this way everyone better understands that they are part of a bigger picture. Joining things up and sharing intelligence and resources is essential – and this is now happening on a rapidly increasing basis. In September, I spoke at the first National Anti-Poaching Conference – and the main message delivered to Chief Officers present was that poaching and fish theft is not simply Wildlife Crime, but heavily and negatively impacts livelihoods and small businesses, and that poachers are frequently engaged in much wider ranging criminal activity. In June, ‘Building Bridges’ project manager Rado Papiewski and I visited Poland,
■ Mr Simon Prince, Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys and the Association of Chief Police Officers’ National Policing Lead on Rural & Wildlife Crime – who is entirely supportive of our efforts to train all operational police officers and call-takers in England & Wales. ■ Volunteer Bailiffs on patrol with Thames Valley Police and the Environment Agency in April 2014. This operation involved all police forces in South East England throughout the last coarse close season and helped cement partnerships and increase understanding of the fight to protect fish and fisheries.
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where we worked with and established an intelligence-sharing protocol with the armed Polish government PSR fisheries officers, and volunteer bailiffs of the local PZA and OSR angling organisations. Information on poachers in Poland will now be shared with us for dissemination to the authorities here, and likewise details of convictions in England fed to the Polish authorities. We are currently in fact working on a major operation – TRAVERSE - with Lincolnshire Police, which will involve PSR officers visiting England and working with us. This is progress which will be repeated with other Eastern European countries to help us address the issues we have here with some migrant anglers. To make the Criminal Justice System work for and not against us we first need to understand the law and due process. To educate anglers, angling clubs and fishery managers we have therefore teamed up with the National Wildlife Crime Unit, EA and Institute of Fisheries Management to deliver Fisheries Enforcement Workshops in all eight Angling Trust regions in England. These really are worthwhile sessions, delivered by enforcement professionals, and I would urge as many anglers as possible to attend. Keep an eye on our website for details of forthcoming workshops, or call the Angling Trust on 0844 770 0616. Also in June, Angling Trust Ambassador Jan Porter – a victim of tackle theft – appeared on BBC 1’s CrimeWatch Roadshow to launch the Angling Trust members’ offer of a bespoke SmartWater property marking product. This is cutting-edge forensic technology – which will massively reduce tackle theft and help see thieves convicted. Mark it or lose it – SmartWater is the kit to use, beyond any doubt.
Further details of our Fisheries Enforcement Campaign can be found in my various blogs at www.linesonthewater. wordpress.com, in addition to significant helpful information and details of the SmartWater offer on our website: www.anglingtrust.net/offers
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■ Rado Papiewski and Dilip Sarkar working with Polish government fisheries officers in Koszalin last June – achieving a proper understanding of why we have issues here and support of the Polish authorities and angling press in helping address these.
■ Angling Trust Ambassador Jan Porter and Dilip Sarkar launching the Angling Trust members’ SmartWater offer with the BBC’s Sian Lloyd on the CrimeWatch Roadshow in June 2014.
■ Angling Trust Ambassador Mick Brown with National Enforcement Manager Dilip Sarkar MBE at the East Anglian Fisheries Enforcement Workshop in May 2014; Mick said “This really opened my eyes. Things really are being done behind the scenes, by a small team of dedicated professionals. We have to listen to the advice given and get behind the Angling Trust on this, it’s the only way forward”.
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20/10/2014 17:51
P R O J E C T U P D AT E
Building Bridges By Radoslaw Papiewski
A
S we all know, an unfortunate consequence of the former communist bloc collapse has been migrants from Eastern Europe arriving in England and taking and eating fish. This is because in their countries things are very different: fish are by necessity viewed as a food source, and whilst size limits apply, it is small fish that are protected by law. So, given that the situation here is completely contrary, unsurprisingly problems have arisen. What is the Angling Trust doing about it then I hear you ask? Enforcement is a big picture – and part of it is prevention: it is surely better to prevent offences than detect them after the event. With that in mind, we need to educate migrants regarding our angling law and culture hence why we have made multi-lingual leaflets and fishery protection signage. There are however also clear benefits arising from migrant anglers – angling clubs confirming that the increase in membership arising has been beneficial, and tackle dealers are grateful for the extra trade. So, alienation is not the answer – education and integration is, especially considering long-term preventative measures. Building Bridges aims to educate as explained, and integrate through introducing migrant anglers to British angling clubs and promoting inter-racial angling events. Earlier this year we conducted a survey to establish needs of different regions. 120 angling clubs responded, 60.2% reporting issues with migrant anglers – whereas in 2005, 95% had problems. The most common problems remained fishing without permission and removing fish. We are now in direct contact with all of these clubs, deciding specific action plans to move things forward. Education, however, is only part of the picture: direct enforcement is also very necessary in respect of anyone, regardless of ethnicity, who breaks the law. Consequently we are actively involved now with working with the police on a national basis, and, of course, supporting Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officers. Indeed, an increasing number of migrants have volunteered over the past year to join the Voluntary Bailiff Service in SE England – positively contributing to intelligence-gathering and active enforcement. Therefore it was illuminating to visit Poland earlier this year and see first-hand the dedicated work there of a voluntary bailiff service 5,000 strong, supporting 400 armed government fisheries officers. Enforcement, therefore, is not an aversion for migrants – but seen as very necessary. It is also heartening to see an increasing number of migrant anglers volunteering to become coaches and getting involved in angling club committees. Indeed, the Polish Anglers’ Association has recently applied to Sport England to fund its own education project, training coaches and running a school programme aimed at educating both children and parents. All of this will help raise awareness. This is, make no mistake, a hard job given the scale of problems nationally when offset against our limited resources. But we are dedicated to resolving the issue – and need support. Only if we all work together, not against each other, will the issue be successfully resolved.
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■ Polish Anglers Association & Reading and District Angling Association during the Polish festival in Reading.
■ Introducing the idea of sport fishing to the new anglers will be our next priority.
■ More and more Angling Trust volunteers are coming on board to support our effort to integrate and educate migrant anglers.
Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 17:52
COACHING
Angling Scout Badge SupporT FunDInG AvAILAbLe In 2013 a joint initiative between the Environment Agency and Angling Trust was launched to encourage and support the delivery of the famous Scouts Angling badge.
T
he initiative provides support funding of £150 for every six week programme that has a minimum number of 4 Scouts achieving the Angling badge. The funding is very easy to apply for, just request an application form from your regional Angling Trust development officer. You can apply as a Level 2 coach or through a County Angling Action Group. The regional officer can also provide you with the guidelines for the badge delivery. Dean Asplin (South West development officer) has been working closely with Liden Angling club of Swindon and its head coach John Kiddle (Level 2) on delivering the badge
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to a local scout group for the past year. John stated “I was looking for a challenge for the club and coaches. Since achieving ClubMark some three years ago, we have been running a regular juniors club every Tuesday evening between April and August with matches at weekends throughout the season. I heard about the scout angling badge program and the support funding for clubs, from Dean Asplin. My coaches and I spoke to the committee and they agreed this would be a challenge worth taking up. Following the Scout badge delivery guide Dean supplied to us we put together a program over six weeks, each session being two and a half hours long,
the last session being a match. We have now completed two full programs and are nearly through the third. The majority of the scouts have passed and have received their angling badges. As a club we have also picked up six regular junior anglers from the courses and two more of their friends, so it’s Win, Win!” http://lidenanglingclub.webs.com/ n If you or your club are looking for a challenge and a great way to introduce angling to ten to sixteen year olds, have a chat to your Angling Trust regional development officer.
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Angler’s BOOKSHELF F
ROM a cartoonist and a writer to urban warrior, and from professional fishing instructor to a champion of the chalkstream, our authors cover a wide range of backgrounds but all unite in their passion for fishing, bringing an interesting new crop of books to consider for your own library below.
A Plank Bridge by a Pool By Norman Thelwell Published by Medlar Press - £20.00
As a fan of the Thelwell cartoons I was intrigued by this book written by the man himself. First published in 1978, this new edition has been redesigned with some beautiful extra artwork included. For those of us who relish being in the countryside, this account covering 10 years spent at Heron’s Mead Cottage in Hampshire is a delightful look at the creation of his own trout pool replete with bridges, islands and the wealth of wildlife that paid him a visit and problems encountered along the way. The numerous sketches that illustrate the book are wonderful, as is the often humorous style of his writing that echoes his cartoon storytelling skills. Thoroughly recommended.
Pocket Guide to Balsam Bashing – and how to tackle other Invasive Non-Native Species By Theo Pike Published by Merlin Unwin - £7.99
“This little pocket book aims to empower the great British public to take control of their environment” begins the introduction from the publisher, and once you have a look inside this little ring-bound guide you will see why. Our native flora and fauna are under attack from all sorts of exotic and invasive species of plants, trees, insects, fish and animals not to mention crabs, shrimp and shellfish. With practical advice on what to look for and how to fight back (along with cautionary notes about dangerous species), this book is helping lead the counter-attack. Get one!
A Multitude of Fins – A Recent History of Fly Fishing for Trout
By Graham Mole Published by Bennion Kearny - £10.99 print / £6.99 eBook Journalist, author, TV producer, founder member of the Wild Trout Trust and Ambassador for the Angling Trust, Graham Mole is a man whose life has been spent around fishing and the outdoors. This book is a collection of 50 of his engaging magazine articles over the years covering all aspects of fly fishing for trout. A nice touch at the end of each one is an up-to-date comment (2014) reflecting on the content now and with any update known on the topic in question. A great book for dipping in and out of.
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Life of a Chalkstream By Simon Cooper Published by William Collins - £16.99 hardback / £11.39 eBook
In his role as owner of Fishing Breaks based in Hampshire which lets fishing on the famous chalkstreams of England, Simon Cooper lives and breathes the annual rotation of seasons on the river and through this book gives a fascinating insight into what goes into making it all work. The book is based around the restoration of a forgotten stretch of river and details the backbreaking work needed, as well as the joys of being down by the river watching the fish and wildlife at close quarters. It also weaves in some history of the chalkstreams and why they are important to our landscape. A very refreshing read.
How to Flyfish from newcomer to improver By John Symonds Published by Merlin Unwin - £9.99
With John Symonds (a qualified GAAI game angling instructor) you will learn how to fish for trout and salmon, from both bank and boat, and with the wet and dry fly. You will know how to tie reliable and easy knots, to construct the right leaders, learn where the fish are most likely to lie, how to cast to them and which flies to use. How to Flyfish will also teach you boat control with the paradrogue, traditional nymphing methods to the popular tenkara style. Packed with useful tips and clear diagrams.
Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 20:54
COCH-Y-BONDDU BOOKS Machynlleth, Mid-Wales SY20 8DG
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orders@anglebooks.com
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POLES APART: THE HISTORY OF THE LONDON ROACH POLE. Michael Nadell. Hardback £35.00 Signed Collector’s Edition. £50.00
Hbk £25.00 £9.95
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Almost 10,000 angling books, old & new, are listed on our website - www.anglebooks.com
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13/10/2014 16:08:00 21/10/2014 11:14
Final CAST
Talking Sense Former Fisheries Minister, Richard Benyon MP, now an Angling Trust Ambassador, looks at what is going on with bass and what could happen this winter if more floods arrive and hopes sense will prevail. Bass alert
The data coming from ICES is truly alarming. Bass stocks are crashing and urgent action is needed. When I was in DEFRA the Angling Trust brought me evidence of the work done in Ireland to develop a sporting bass fishery. I found the Irish story compelling when you see what economic benefits there are for coastal communities. I set in motion what I thought would lead to an increase in the minimum landing size but was persuaded that it was important to agree this at a European level. I now see that though that would be a good thing, hell would freeze over before we got a decision. We need to follow Ireland and develop a really prosperous sport fishery for bass in our inland waters.
This can be done hand in hand with conservation measures in estuaries and inlets where bass spawn and shoal. There are enough powers with local authorities, Inshore Fishery Conservation Authorities and other bodies to make this happen with relative ease. Bass need dramatic action now if we are going to have any left for either anglers or commercial fishermen.
Flooding blues
As floods minister I visited a great many houses that had been flooded. There is almost nothing so depressing as that stench and the aura of misery flooding brings for the hapless householder. The 24 hour news agenda has changed the way flooding events are reported. After about
■ Answering media questions at one flood location
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■ Inspecting some of the flood allevation equipment last winter
two days of reporting editors get frustrated and tell their reporters to find someone to blame. It matters not that floods are a natural event. What matters is finding someone to blame. This can result in the wrong decisions being taken to satisfy the media. The knee-jerk reaction of some is to call for rivers to be randomly dredged. This is a great mistake. As we face the winter ahead let’s try to have some perspective. In some cases sensible dredging can be part of the solution but not on the scale that was being called for last winter. Last January people were shouting at the Environment Agency demanding that rivers in the Thames catchment should be dredged. I have lived close to the Kennet for 53 years and in that time it has never been dredged. If it was it would be an environmental disaster and would serve only to speed water through the Kennet catchment into people’s homes
in Reading and the lower Thames. What is needed is a comprehensive approach to water management. Conserving water when and where it is scarce and holding it up when there is too much of it. Farmers, landowners and river managers are key to finding local solutions which recognise we have an increasing population and a changing climate. By clever use of nature, houses can be protected and taxpayer’s money saved. If you want to see an example at work, have a look at the superb scheme that protects Pickering in Yorkshire. A small number of natural dams have been combined with tree planting to hold water and encourage natural drainage. It seems to be working. I hope future flooding events will see more intelligent reporting by the media and a more considered response by politicians on all sides. But I won’t hold my breath.
Autumn 2014
20/10/2014 20:41
050 - Fishing Info Advert_News page A.qxd 13/10/2014 15:18 Page 50
Sign into FishingInfo.co.uk from the Angling Trust today – the best way to store all your favourite fishing spots, look up EA river level gauges and find tackle shops, guides and fishing clubs plus local weather information on your pc, tablet and smartphone.
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21/10/2014 11:15
Expiry
31.03.2015
got your new licence? You must have a valid rod licence* Expect a big fine if you can’t produce one Rod licences expire on 31 March
Non-migratory trout, 2014/15 freshwater fish, smelt and eels
There are three ways to buy or renew your rod licence:
Full
£27.00
• Online at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence
Concession
£18.00
Junior
£5.00
8 day
£10.00
1 day
£3.75
• At any Post Office ® in England and Wales • Telephone 0844 800 5386 Lines open 8.30am to 8pm, 7 days a week March to September. Calls charged at local rate.
Concessionary licences (now online), apply if:
Salmon and sea trout, 2014/15 AND non-migratory trout, freshwater fish, smelt and eels
• You are aged 16 or under (Junior)
Full
£72.00
• You are aged 65 or over
Concession
£48.00
Junior
£5.00
8 day
£23.00
1 day
£8.00
• You have a Blue Badge parking concession, or are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance
* Licence applies to those aged 12 years or older fishing for freshwater fish, smelt, eels, trout or salmon in England, Wales or the Border Esk in Scotland.
Remember – If you’re coarse fishing with 3 or 4 rods, you’ll need 2 licences Lit 9177 Contents p3.indd 76
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