Stop moaning about commercial fisheries - they have saved angling!
I have made no secret of the fact that I don’t really like commercial fisheries, says Angling Times' Steve Partner. Some, as far as I can see, are little more than featureless holes in the ground that are stocked to such a ridiculous level a group of blind monkeys could stage a competitive match. Anywhere that is capable of producing 600lb to a single angler in five or six hours is clearly a venue where the skill to catch is redundant, replaced instead by sheer strength and bloody-mindedness.
For me, the very worst examples are soul-less, depressing and thoroughly miserable places where the fish are a viewed as commodities rather than living creatures.
However, I am not, despite what some of my correspondents suggest, completely stupid. Most of these fisheries are actually very well managed, providing a service which a great many of the angling community frequent on a regular basis. And while I’d rather get stuck in the jungle with Gillian McKeith than visit one, I do accept their role in the modern-day angling scene. Love them or loathe them, commercials form a key cornerstone in today’s fishing world.
So what did I make of this week’s report that basically said this style of fishery is killing the sport? The one, put together by a group of researchers at Newcastle University, that likened commercials to supermarkets and indicated they will turn kids into one-dimensional robots that are incapable of appreciating the wider natural environment?
Well, I can sum up what I think in two words - utter drivel.
Look, commercials aren’t mine, or many other people’s cup of tea, but to claim they are to blame for essentially destroying grass roots angling isn’t just elitist nonsense, it’s plainly not true either.
Would these people rather send youngsters to rivers, places that cormorants, otters, pollution and abstraction have left heavily depleted, and see them catch nothing?
It’s hardly a recipe for longevity is it?
The rivers in this country are a pale imitation of what they once were, and this demise has led to the rise and rise of the commercial fishery. Without them thousands upon thousands of anglers would have been lost to the sport.
So what if they’re easy? So what if you don’t have to walk miles to reach your peg?
So what if there’s a tackle shop, café and toilet block on site?
Fishing is about individual pleasure and not something that can be judged solely on how well you can control a stick float.
Angling has changed immeasurably in the last 20 years, with commercials dominating and rivers becoming an afterthought. Instead of preaching sanctimonious clap-trap from the top floor of their ivory towers, the people responsible for this report need to realise that fact and accept the truth, however unpalatable it may be.
Commercials to blame for destroying angling? Don’t make me laugh. They’ve helped save it, more like.
Commercial day-ticket fisheries are 'bad for angling'
Commercial fisheries are bad for anglers and bad for our sport. This is the controversial warning given by scientists this week following in depth research carried out by Newcastle University.
Conducted through interviews with anglers on the river Esk, Ure and Swale as well as at a number of still water fisheries, researchers on the project entitled ‘Angling and the Rural Environment’ concluded that commercials could be detrimental to the sport as they require ‘little commitment to learn skills’ due to the amount of fish stocked in them.
The effects of this means the fisheries make angling too easy for newcomers to the sport resulting in these anglers then only ever fishing commercials as they haven’t developed the skills and patience needed to tackle other waters such as rivers and canals.
“Commercial fisheries do have huge advantages for people who find it difficult to access rivers,” said lead researcher on the project, Dr Liz Houghton. “But they are almost like shopping trips that require little in the way of commitment to learn how to catch because of the high density of stocked fish.” Dr Sally Eden who was also involved in the research added: “Youngster who fish commercials aren’t going to get to know rivers in the same way. They’re not going to have the patience or the skills to interact with rivers, and more and more fishing will be devoted towards commercials.” The conclusions of the research have angered many fishery owners, including the owner of Gold Valley Lakes in Hampshire, John Raison, who believes the opposite is the case.
“If it didn’t take any skill to catch at commercials why are there six or seven brilliant anglers who are virtually unbeatable at every top commercial in the country?” asked John. “It’s because they are more skilled than the rest.
Commercials draw new people into the sport and they then transfer over to the rivers so if anything venues like Gold Valley are having a very positive effect on the amount of people visiting running water venues.” John Williams, the Secretary of Birmingham Angling Association that controls more river fishing than any other club in the UK, also disagrees with the findings.
“Commercials are not damaging to our sport, they are simply fulfilling a role that wasn’t being filled before they came along,” he said. “They’re not damaging river fishing either and they’ve given angling its biggest boom since the closed season rules for still waters were changed.
Arctic weather takes its toll on day-ticket fisheries countrywide
Anglers across the country are bracing themselves for a winter of bitter fishing conditions as the earliest snow and sub-zero temperatures for 13 years hit the UK.
With some parts of Britain experiencing temperatures nearing minus 20 degrees Celsius, waters have been frozen nationwide, leading to deserted banks and a host of cancelled matches.
The extreme weather has left many in the angling community fearing a repeat of last year’s big freeze, which not only led to months of hardship on the bank, but a large number of fish deaths as waters suffocated under the blanket of ice.
“We’re completely frozen over here,” Alan McDiermid, owner of Makins Fishery in the Midlands, told Angling Times. “We’ve had just four anglers all week, although plenty have come into the car park, taken one look at the ice and driven back out again.
“The ice is a concern because we had more fish deaths than usual last year during the freeze. All we could do was break the ice every day, but we also had worries over whether the shock of doing that actually caused more damage to the fish than the ice itself.” Angel of the North Lakes in County Durham is also suffering as the temperatures plummet. “We haven’t had an angler here in a week,” fishery technician Rick Bennett told AT. “The lakes are frozen with 10 inches of snow on them.
We had a few fish deaths last year due to the ice, but not too many. We prefer to break the ice just once a week as we think the vibrations caused from smashing it can cause damage to the fish.” One fishery that’s taking the freezing conditions in its stride, though, is Lindholme Lakes in Doncaster.
“We’re a bit more prepared for the ice this year,” fishery boss Neil Grantham told AT. “I’m leaving our paddle aerators on each of the lakes running 24 hours a day to keep the water moving. That keeps 50 per cent of the pegs free of ice and protects our stocks. I’d advise all fisheries to do it if they can.” Those looking for a thaw any time soon could well be disappointed. According to the Met Office the low temperatures are here to stay for a good while.
“Normally, our winds come from the west, keeping our winters relatively mild,” said the Met Office’s Chief Meteorologist, Ewen McCallum. “However, just like last winter, we’ve seen a large area of high pressure develop in the Atlantic, causing a ‘block’ to the westerly winds that tend to keep us that little bit milder. This has allowed cold Arctic air to move south across mainland Europe. As we head into December there appears to be no abrupt end to this cold and snowy weather for some time.”
Passion for Angling voted the best fishing television show ever
A Passion for Angling has been voted the nation’s favourite TV fishing programme in a UK-wide poll of anglers.
Casting their votes in a recent Angling Times survey, thousands of readers placed the series in the top spot, with more than a quarter of all those taking part naming ‘Passion’ as their favourite from 10 high-profile programmes.
First broadcast in the early 1990s, ‘Passion’, starring Bob James and Chris Yates, narrowly beat Total Fishing with Matt Hayes into second place by a margin of just three per cent of the vote, with the recently aired Catching the Impossible, starring AT columnist Martin Bowler, ccoming in third.
Further down the field an old favourite, Go Fishing with John Wilson - which ran from 1986 for an unprecedented 16 years ¬ came in fourth. Relative newcomers Extreme Fishing with Robson Green, currently in its third series on Channel 5, and River Monster presented by Jeremy Wade, on its second series on ITV1, were voted fifth and sixth.
“It’s great that people are still fans of A Passion for Angling even after 17 years,” Hugh Miles, the man behind the series, told AT. “It captured the traditional values of the sport and, in my opinion that’s what angling is all about. It’s also a bit of fun, which fishing should be, and I’m sure that’s why it’s still so popular with anglers.”
Hugh was also the man responsible for Catching the Impossible, a programme aired on terrestrial television for the first time earlier this year and voted third most popular.
“After A Passion for Angling, making another fishing series was always going to be tough,” Hugh continued, “but Catching the Impossible is a different kind of programme, and I’m ever so pleased that it’s been so successful and popular.
Martin Bowler put so much effort into the series and it’s brilliant to see it recognised in this way.” Angling TV star Matt Hayes, whose Total Fishing series was voted second in the AT poll, admits to being ‘gobsmacked’ by the result.
“I’m truly flattered and a bit embarrassed to have come in above the great John Wilson, who is a superb broadcaster, and Catching the Impossible, which is a brilliant series,” Matt told AT.
“A Passion for Angling is a work of art. Total Fishing, on the other hand, was shot on a real budget so I’m amazed to be so far up the list.
“Thanks to all the people who voted for me.”
Match fishing circuit ravaged as ounces make the frame
Sub-zero temperatures, biting winds and inches of snow once again wiped out the UK match circuit for a second weekend running as anglers voted with their feet and stayed at home rather than navigating treacherous roads to break the ice and catch very little.
Some fisheries didn’t even bother opening over the weekend, while those that did might as well not have bothered, with as little as 2lb being enough to make the top six on some of the most heavily-stocked complexes in the country.
Rivers didn’t escape the icy blasts either, with almost half the field in the 100-plus-peg River Wye Team Championships failing to weigh in. The weather’s grip reached much further than failing to catch though ¬ one match on the Stainforth & Keadby Canal had to be cancelled as bloodworm and joker supplies couldn’t be sourced!
“The Wye fished well considering the very low temperatures, and there were at least 15 double-figure weights, but half the field did blank ¬ not surprising as it was -9ºC when I drove to the venue” said match organizer Pete Goulding. “Anglers were casting out and by the time they had reeled back in, everything was frozen up. Even the keepnets and weigh slings froze during the weigh-in!”
Several fisheries have kept the aerators on to keep the ice at bay, with Puddledock Farm in Essex running all four pumps, and Moorlands Farm also following suit, although sheer back-breaking hard work from fishery owners and anglers smashing the ice has been the main way of getting matches underway. Some, though, have said enough is enough and are riding out the cold before re-opening.
“People can’t get here and if they do manage it the ponds are frozen over so they can’t fish,” said Tom Kay of the Oak Lakes in North Yorkshire, which has received some of the worst of the weather.
“We’ve been open every day since the weather turned to the cold, but there is a lack of customers, although on the bright side it’s not as bad as last year ¬ the ice is only 3ins thick compared to 14ins last winter!”
“Financially, there could be problems if the weather is prolonged. Last year we had a match on December 12 and then didn’t have another one until early March. We were shut for a long time, but you have to be prepared for it,” Tom added.
Tackle shops need your cash in the big freeze
With the country currently in the grip of winter when it should only be autumn, this is a crucial time for the angling industry.
We have already lost a marquee name, in Bennetts of Sheffield, and many other less-recognised retailers have gone or are on the very brink. Bennetts is unlikely to be the last ‘big gun’ to fail before next spring rides to the rescue. Mind you, I am not alone in having been warning of this situation for the past 20 years.
I have said similar to this before but in 1980 I could sell a decent pole and the profit paid my wages for a week, at least. A top-line model, such as the Garbo Turbo 12.5m, paid me for a fortnight. Now it wouldn’t pay the window-cleaner in many shops resolved to ‘beat the price’. It is financial suicide but so many companies are prepared to follow the path.
Since profit margins started being eroded on high-ticket items and manufacturers started on a policy of producing ever-cheaper tackle, making a living and thriving in the tackle trade has been very difficult.
Why on Earth anyone would want to sell a useable rod or reel for under £20 when that is about the same price as 25 years ago defeats me, if only because the number of people buying them is obviously down. How much has everything except the cost of major angling items risen? Even when prices on electrical goods such as TVs and games machines drop, a new, must-have model comes along a bit dearer and guess what? The old games do not work in the new consoles.
So that leaves retailers with little, if any, financial ‘fat’ to see them through the lean times to come ¬ and they are coming! Because we have frozen lakes and canals many anglers, even the diehard winter matchmen, will decide to leave the aquatic bingo of ice-breaking and single hookbait fishing and stay indoors.
Of course in the days before closed-season abolition many had extra strings to their bow and would try some beach casting, even a charter boat trip, to fill the winter void but now a fair percentage of anglers fish not only one discipline but one style or venue exclusively. They don’t even have a rod suitable for saltwater, especially in winter.
During the first severe winter I spent in the fishing tackle trade we had the advent of ‘moon boots’ and a good number of shops survived thanks to speculative - but successful and profitable - imports from Italy of ‘apres-ski’ boots. There was some profit made too!
This winter is now going to last for a month longer than usual - can your local shop?
If you’re not fishing, why not use the money you would have spent on bait and tickets to buy some bits that you will need later. Change your reel lines, tie some new hooks. Better still, have a peep at some of the new 2011 tackle ¬ there is some fabulous tackle around and, trust me, it will never be cheaper!
Sonubaits release bait range that's perfect for winter carp
Sonubaits Supercrush F1 Groundbait, F1 Soft Hooker Pellets and F1 Liquid Flavouring are the perfect combination for targeting shy-biting carp from commercials in the depths of winter.
Designed and field-tested by leading matchmen Tommy Pickering and Des Shipp, the groundbait is a sweet blend of fishmeals and crushed pellets boasting prolonged holding power, which is easy to mix and binds well to a Method feeder, while also breaking down quickly in even the coldest temperatures.
It can be used in the feeder, balled in or cupped in as slop and costs £5.99 per 2kg bag.
The hooker pellets are quite dark and oily, giving lots of leakage, and are also tough enough to be hair-rigged. The 4mm and 6mm versions are ideal for F1s, small carp and skimmers, the 8mm ones are for larger fish. They are supplied in a robust tub with a strong seal, which will keep them fresh for months after opening, and cost £2.99 per tub.
Finally, the company’s F1 liquid (£2.99 for 250ml) can either be added to the groundbait or used in a pellet pump to pull the fish back into your swim once the bites have dried up.
Drennan release fantastic new budget rod and reel range
Oxford-based tackle giant Drennan International has released a brand new budget level collection of rods and reels under the banner of ‘The Red Range’.
Representing superb value for money, the line-up features four new carbon rods costing just £49.95 each and two money-saving rear drag reels retailing for just £19.99 apiece.
The attractively-priced range of rods comprises a Carp Waggler (available in 11ft and 12ft) and a Carp Feeder (10ft and 11ft), which have been designed predominately as commercial fishery tools and aimed squarely at the newcomer or novice angler who can now buy a high quality Drennan-branded rod without breaking the bank. That said, the pair would also make great all-round coarse rods, suitable for everything from float fishing for tench in the spring to tip fishing for chub on winter rivers.
Both the Waggler and Feeder rods are constructed from two-piece dark maroon carbon blanks that enable them to be easily transported between sessions already made up.
The playing action on the rods is very similar ¬ progressive through the upper section, but soft enough to cope with big fish. The Carp Feeder rods come with two push-in quivertips rated at 2oz and 3oz.
The Red Range 6-30 sized Float and larger sized 6-40 Feeder reels are very similar in specification to Drennan’s highly successful and best-selling Series 7 reels that were launched earlier this year.
Each reel is supplied with two graphite spools that have been built to hold 100 m etres of line. Spools feature a depression and groove that allows the mainline to be attached to the spool and then loaded with mono without causing any snagging or bumping in the spool’s line-lay.
Interchangeable rubber line breaking strain grommets fit into a recess in each spool head, allowing you to instantly know what line you are using.
A demure red and black matt colour scheme betrays the reels’ modest pricing structure, as does their super-smooth six ball-bearing operation. A very positive chunky bail-arm with an oversized line roller, flat folding ambidextrous handle and push-button spools complete the list of features on the Red Range of reels that, like the Red Range rods, are sure to be flying off tackle shop shelves over the next few months.
15lb 3oz zander captured from a freezing Grafham Water
Fifty-four-year-old Mick Dolan braved the extreme weather to take a trip out on Grafham Water - and the chill was well worth it when the Walsall rod boated this 15lb 3oz zander.
The predator hunter, who last year landed an enormous 22lb zander (subsequently rejected by the British Record Fish Committee) from the vast fishery, took his latest predator on a fresh mackerel tail on size 6 ET treble hooks under a pencil float on 80lb Power Pro braid in 48ft of water.
During the session Mick also kept out the cold by landing a 16lb 8oz pike, while his wife, Jane, who also shrugged off the ice, took and returned a 10lb 2oz brown trout on similar tactics.
Get your free line with the bumper Christmas Angling Times
Next week's bumber Christmas edition of Angling Times comes with a FREE spool of Sneak fishing mainline attached to the front - the perfect camouflaged line for your feeder and float fishing.
There are three breaking strains available - 4lb, 6lb and 8lb - so you can pick and choose the strength you wish, or collect all three and ensure your reels are loaded with fresh line to see you through the 2011 season.
The special Christmas edition of Angling Times is a 96-page extravaganza packed with fantastic festive treats.
If you're looking for a new pole you've got to check out the massive buyer's guide in the centre - all 16 pages of it!
If you've ever wondered what makes Peter Drennan tick, read the fascinating feature on the man, his life and his wonderful angling and tackle career.
Then there's a year in images, angler of the year, match of the year, catch of the year, 2010 news review, and a fantastic awards section where the Angling Times reveal the pick of the buynch from the past 12 months.
It's unmissable, and is on sale December 14.
Win in the special Christmas rod fishing licence FREE draw
Your fishing rod licence could land you cash and fishing tackle prizes in our Angling Lottery Christmas Special.
Every Environment Agency rod licence features a unique nine-digit number which qualifies you to play The Angling Lottery for FREE!
If you've purchased your 2010/2011 Environment Agency Rod Licence - which was valid from April 1st - you'll have a unique licence number printed on the reverse of your card. This is your lottery number!
Chosen at random we have 500 numbers listed below. If your licence number matches any of those below you're a winner!
Also, if you're a member of the Angling Trust you will also have a unique membership number printed on your membership pack. There are a selection of those picked at randam too - doubling your chances of winning in this fantastic Christmas tackle and cash giveaway.
How to claim your prize...
You will need to contact Angling Times and supply the following details...
Your rod licence number
Your full name
Your address
Your date of birth
You can do that by email HERE or you can phone direct on 01733 468570
Angling Times will then verify authenticity with the Environment Agency and fulfil your prize within 28 days of your claim.
The Angling Lottery is supported by:
How to get your licence:
Any angler aged 12 years or over, fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels in England (except the River Tweed), Wales or the Border Esk and its tributaries in Scotland must have an Environment Agency rod licence. Rod licences are available from Post Office outlets throughout England and Wales, online at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence by direct debit and over the telephone on 0844 8005386.
The phone line is open from 8.30am to 8.00pm daily from March to September and 8.30am to 6.00pm from October to February.
A salmon and sea trout licence covers you to fish for non-migratory trout and coarse fish as well. Failure to have a licence is an offence. Remember, if you are fishing with 3 or 4 rods for coarse fish then you will need to purchase a second licence (both licences can be used for this prize draw, giving you double the chance of winning).
For the Angling Lottery prize draw Terms and Conditions, click HERE.
This draw is supported by the Angling Trust. If you wish to find out more about the good work that the Angling Trust do, or wish to join their association, click HERE.
WINNING FISHING ROD LICENCE NUMBERS FOR THE CHRISTMAS DRAW:-
|
5 x £500 |
100013461
|
101348747 | 101676659 | 301733202 | 101442902 |
|
25 x £100 |
101615609
|
301486437 300166443 301263261 100928371 301536468 |
302025373 301590721 301826411 101117968 302165051 |
300297529 301247063 100656320 301423159 300890043 |
301606869 301731812 100921454 301809110 301668009 |
|
3 x Fox Warrior Match XT 14ft waggler |
301676740
|
301345893 | 301732585 | ||
|
2 x Daiwa Regal Plus 3500S BRo reels |
302035529
|
101628741 | |||
|
30 x £50 |
301809758
|
301281629
|
101659526
|
301536968
|
302166639 |
|
2 x Garbolino 3m waggler rod |
301257340
|
100614303 | |||
|
20 x Avocet match reel |
300380773
|
100636199 301851838 101672752 301493039 |
100900996 300166504 301552382 302040354 |
301353351 301590724 302222966 300358495 |
301742608 100871173 301201461 301614096 |
|
35 x 1kg bags of Dynamite Robin Red Fresh boilies |
100003374
|
100871300 301345492 301247453 301345804 300798725 101674056 301273023 |
301345360 301732050 100066193 301732472 101640955 301554142 301841839 |
301731852 101627729 100057838 101628455 301515136 302228479 100698751 |
101627459 101439971 100872009 101442289 302099095 301203913 100957871 |
|
25 x MAP tulip rests |
100873168
|
301590761 |
100698908 |
100957997 |
301368484 |
|
50 x angling scissors |
301345321
|
301994545 |
101627375 |
101437813 |
301471909 |
| 100 x Korum DVD |
301271969 |
100687632 100688259 301882013 101061761 101063371 301553071 100871231 301744796 301791881 301791980 100954014 100954693 100840691 301393512 301393910 302224973 301345340 101655487 301224723 301224949 |
301367113 301367357 101060774 301792343 301792779 301202439 301731824 101614304 101649214 101649297 301758928 301759228 301393272 301226179 301227913 301851714 101627404 301484638 301524185 301524269 |
300075760 300079461 301792126 101649599 101649891 300166398 101438053 302021817 302126148 302126382 101625688 101625934 301225478 301524616 301524912 301590715 301471944 300282655 300712040 300712961 |
301498188 301498411 101649409 302127194 302128121 301994566 301994586 301605128 301652075 301652131 302052246 302052793 301524411 300716936 300721575 101627396 300166560 100883789 301303337 301304633 |
| 100 x mixture of line |
100006439 |
301345373 301974829 301346246 301733436 301803964 301893491 301843959 301994140 100689964 100883677 301731867 101607254 301733068 101630149 301258595 100898894 100703717 101627000 100956527 301348829 |
101627478 101382073 101629538 101447680 101656150 101101588 100962165 101436280 301367994 301736511 101438300 301337189 101445781 301473535 301532006 301419896 301369880 100689941 301329159 100074050 |
301471994 301974989 301473156 301997484 302151305 301804099 301762322 100956467 301956464 301251708 301994704 101607425 301996763 300181157 300832070 301258861 300139109 301367976 101281053 101082313 |
300166804 101382333 300178902 301592182 301663076 101656220 101628147 301760023 101301113 100614479 301590785 301462796 301591885 100632992 301505750 301532108 301500748 300101068 301453700 100883699 |
| 100 x Fox Arma hooks | 301345199 100736120 300537605 100818453 100777401 301742678 301558623 300855225 100070430 101018778 301282040 301282580 101438279 101626812 100892492 301496210 301494606 100767947 301806793 100781013 |
301994292 100996644 101636134 301329011 301316334 300113646 300005589 301939144 301251150 301383464 301855589 301856796 301471985 301499380 101095638 302046916 302043430 101015266 301267144 301318072 |
101627147 301378340 301509419 301956062 301924839 301581995 301566041 100692324 101007369 301779601 100733958 100736554 301994686 302055584 301418845 300385368 300370237 301382563 101657702 301928605 |
101436764 301772615 302082603 101275437 101048908 300036782 300006294 301287093 100611922 300786874 100994491 100997113 300166774 300418449 301802663 301617253 301615569 301778735 301534180 101072596 |
301471766 300527346 300538653 101299595 101186165 101623801 101622447 301863591 100882167 101640765 301377855 301772879 301590779 301622102 301255352 101367719 101253955 100768574 302158657 101197769 |
WINNING ANGLING TRUST MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS FOR THE CHRISTMAS DRAW:-
| 2 x two-man Carp Cabin bivvy |
1981 |
49185 | |||
| 1 x TFG Delta 12ft slim rod | 13052 |
||||
| 1 x Korum 2-piece 12ft float rod | 1793 |
||||
| 1 x Kinetics Native folding chair | 51869 |
||||
| 5 x Fox medium accessory bags | 51868 |
51806 | 49278 | 39345 | 45655 |
| 10 x Fox Warrior XT 12lb line | 40691 52832 |
11427 44943 |
55188 50847 |
7318 49326 |
4319 52603 |
Angling Trust news update
The Angling Trust is the united representative body for all anglers in England. This article is the first in a series of regular updates about our work. Read on to find out what the Trust has been doing for anglers and if you’re not already a member, how to join up and support what we do.
We fight to protect fish stocks in the sea and in freshwater
We fight to keep access open for anglers fishing in lakes, rivers, harbours, estuaries and offshore
We help young people to learn how to fish responsibly
We promote the benefits of angling to all
We represent anglers’ interests to Government, the Environment Agency, the Marine Management Organisation, British Waterways and everyone else who can affect your fishing
We take legal action to repair and stop damage to fishing owned or leased by our members.
We organise national competitions and manage Team England Angling in all disciplines
We get exclusive deals for our members
LATEST NEWS
Killer Shrimps
In September, sharp-eyed anglers fishing at Grafham Water spotted Dikerogammarus villosus, now known as “the killer shrimp”. This invasive and aggressive species from Eastern Europe kills a range of native species, including young fish, and could have a massive impact on fishing throughout the country. It has now spread to two sites in Wales (at British Steel’s Margam reservoir near Port Talbot and also in Cardiff Bay). We have demanded decisive and urgent action from the Government to contain and eradicate the shrimp, which could do more damage than signal crayfish.
Check out the Angling Trust web site for our guide to identifying and control a wide range of invasive alien aquatic species, including the Killer Shrimp, on our web site. The guide is the only resource of its kind in the UK and will help anglers, fishery managers and clubs spot and stop these pests in their tracks to prevent them damaging our fishing.
Yorkshire Bass Byelaw Brewing
The East Yorkshire coast bass fishery is under threat from commercial exploitation in the form of a North Eastern Sea Fisheries District byelaw proposal for five new sub-tidal bass licences along a 100mile stretch of the Holderness coastline. The Angling Trust has supported the Bass Anglers’ Sportfishing Society (B.A.S.S) and Yorkshire sea anglers in objecting to these new licences that will be in addition to the intertidal beach netting licences that already exist along the same coastline.
Freedom of Information? Not from Water Companies...
The Angling Trust’s legal arm, Fish Legal, has been doing battle in the courts to make water companies subject to the Freedom of Information Act. We believe that these companies have such an important public role – not least the supply of drinking water to millions of families – that they should not be allowed to keep information secret. Our lawyers are often refused access to data by these companies as part of the process of investigating pollution of rivers and coastal areas. Unfortunately the first ruling was not in our favour, but we plan to appeal the decision and to take the matter up with the Secretary of State.
MEMBER BENEFITS:
Angling Trust members get all these special benefits:
Up to 20% off RRP on all tackle and clothing at www.anglingdirect.co.uk
20% off fishing and country books at Quiller Publishing
Fish For Free loyalty programme – earn points to spend on fishing at over 200 retailers
Free Angling Trust newsletters and e-updates
Free £5m public liability insurance
Access to Angling Trust national competitions
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Most importantly, you become part of our campaigns and legal action to protect angling from:
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Avanti launch Baby Freespool Match reel
Top match brand Avanti have launched a new Baby Freespool reel which bridges the gap between match and big carp reels.
The Stand & Deliver FS3000 is a match-sized reel which has all the benefits of a freespool facility normally found on bigger, heavier carp reels.
It’s a compact unit that packs loads of power through the gears, and is ideally suited for using on power float and feeder rods for tactics such as method feeder, straight bomb with pellets, small PVA bags on commercials, stalking, tench float fishing and even a spot of chub and barbel on the rivers.
The freespool system is multi adjustable and will allow you to fish bite and run style tactics without risking breakages. In fact, it’s a one-stop reel for the modern commercial fishery and allround angler.
RRP is £49.99 but you can get them from gofishingoffers.co.uk for just £10 plus p&p.
“For bomb, PVA bag, and method anglers this reel is a ‘must-have’ this season,” said Angling Times’ Steve Fitzpatrick.
Get your copy of 1000 Greatest Fishing Tips book for Christmas
The new 1000 Greatest Fishing Tips book, from the makers of Angling Times, is available now!
This fantastic book provides you with a wealth of fantastic fishing information, hints and tips to arm you with all the necessary info to get more from any fishing situation.
A copy could be yours in time for Christmas, if you order this week online right HERE.
The book costs £11.99, inclusive of postage and packing.
In the book you'll find tips to help you catch more carp, chub, bream, barbel, tench, roach, pike and perch - among other species - helping you to fill your keepnet or catch a bigger fish than ever before.
All the usual methods and techniques are covered, from using multiple rod set-ups and advanced bait tactics, right through to the simplest forms of fishing like freelining and surface fishing.
Angling Times editor Richard Lee said: "It's the most comprehensive collection of fishing tips ever put together - it's an absolute must for every coarse angler."
Is this England's new world-class match fishing venue?
A 1,000m long virgin lake in the heart of the country could be the answer to England’s venue nightmare - and it’s all thanks to a proverbial bolt out of the blue.
Peterborough rowing course has been in existence for almost three decades but in all that time has never been fished, despite the determined efforts of local angling clubs and even Angling Trust international events director Dick Clegg who had looked into using the place for matches, ran up against the ‘no fishing’ brick wall.
However, last month saw a letter to Dick from Peterborough City Council offering a lifting of the fishing ban and use of the sprawling course in 2012 as part of their festival of sport programme to celebrate the Olympic Games.
With a possible 150-plus pegs available, it seems ideal for a smaller international event such as the Ladies, Veterans or Disabled World Champs or even the Europeans provided no more than 20 teams are attending. Dick is still a little unsure but will be taking a closer look at the course next year.
“I’ve taken a long look at Peterborough and it is perfect in terms of location, access, safety and has plenty of accommodation nearby,” Dick said.
“Even if we were to use both banks we would only have around 2,000m and that equates to around 160 international pegs so it rules out the World Champs.
However, for the smaller matches and perhaps a smaller European Champs it’s a great candidate.”
“What does concern me is the question of the fishing. The place hardly sees an angler and I’m not sure how well it would fish after a fortnight of intense practice,” he added.
“We’d have to run trials on the lake to get a good picture of the sport on offer before it was put forward as a venue for 2012.”
According to local tackle dealer and matchman Ken Wade though, the rowing course is full of fish and he reckons any match on the lake would be tremendous.
“The course has always been solid with fish from the first year it was built,” Ken said.
“Clubs and angler have been trying to negociate fishing on there for ages with no luck so I’m sure matches would be a massive draw. I’d be genuinely interested to see what’s caught because I’ve seen huge shoals of bream and roach in there as well as some massive carp and pike - and they’re just the fish that have showed themselves! This is terrific news.”
Giant tackle show still on despite snowy conditions
Organisers of this weekend’s tackle bargain event in Rotherham have confirmed the show will still go on, despite widespread snow hitting the country.
The Dragon Tackle Tour event – staged this Saturday December 4 – will take place at Fishing Republic’s Vulcan Works on Chesterton Road and promises to be business as usual with loads of deals on tackle, just in time for Christmas.
“We’ve spent five hours digging out our warehouses this week and have everything we need for a great show already being set up at the show location now,” revealed event organiser Roger Surgay.
“From carp chairs to feeder rods, poles to seatboxes and some great Christmas rod and reel combo deals there will be something for all types of angler on Saturday.”
And Roger confirmed there will be some great bargains on winter clothing too!
“Wrap up warm, come along to the show and we’ll make sure you go home with a bargain that will keep you fishing this winter,” he added.
• This week’s Angling Times contains a free entry ticket to the show worth £5, plus 20 money-saving vouchers worth £233 so if you’re off to the show remember to pick up a copy of Angling Times first. Show opens at 9am and closes at 3pm.
Wychwood Ruckman box – HALF PRICE DEAL!
Carp and pike anglers will love today’s new tackle deal on gofishingoffers.co.uk – a HALF PRICE Wychwood Maximiser Ruckman Box.
A great hybrid tackle item which many carp, pike, specimen, and pleasure anglers will love keeping next to their chairs or inside their shelters.
They sell for £79.99, but we’ve got a limited number for just £39.99 plus p&p – that’s half price.
It has all the benefits of a storage carryall bag with the strength of a sturdy aluminium frame to keep it rigid on the bank and provide a stable base for tackle storage, rig making and baiting up.
Lift the lid and there’s a drop in bivvy table for you to tie rigs while underneath is the main compartment which houses a large Wychwood tackle box with room for loads more gear, bait tubs, and even a few butties!
“This is a hard working tackle bag/box which will not only organise your tackle but make sure you can access it easily and transport it to the bank without breaking your back,” said Angling Times’ Steve Fitzpatrick.
The new Shimano Tribal Longcast carp rod really hits the mark
Launched earlier this year, the Shimano Tribal carp rods are thought by many top carp anglers to be the finest rods the company has produced to date.
There are three rods in the range - Carp, Longcast and Extreme - each of which is available in various test curves, and all of which have been manufactured using Shimano’s new HPC (high pressure carbon) procedure, hailed by many as a major breakthrough in rod design.
The process is claimed to improve the blank’s overall strength by more than 50 per cent - and without compromising its action.
Other new features on the Longcast rods include large diameter 50mm SiC butt guides that prevent ‘frap-ups’ (line wrapping around the butt guide on the cast), as well specially designed smooth-profile tip rings that prevent the reel line from catching during the cast.
Finished with an easy-grip handle that incorporates an oversized screw lock and 1k carbon reel seat, the thin profile of the demure blank matches elegantly with the sleek lightweight lined guides, giving the whole rod a modern-yet-classic understated look.
For the live test I had chosen to use the standard 12ft, 3lb test curve version of the Tribal Longcast range, as this length and test curve of blank is by far the most popular size of modern carp rods sold in this country today.
And, if they were going to prove to me that they are worth the £199 asking price, then they would need to be able to provide me with enough casting power to propel a good-sized lead and solid PVA bag a decent distance. All this while providing enough softness and subtlety to safely play out any double figure fish hooked at long range without ripping the hook out.
Carping in the colder water conditions of early winter can still be very productive, provided you adhere to a couple of golden rules.
First you will have to spend a little time finding them. Signs include any large flat spots, ‘bubblers’ and coloured areas of water, as well as the more obvious ‘head and shouldering’. In short, as long as you can find them and reach them, then they are most certainly still catchable in even the harshest of conditions.
The above scenario is exactly what happened when I took the Shimano rods with me to Peterborough’s prolific Maxey Lake, where I found the fish showing themselves at a range of between 90 and 100yds - perfect for seeing if the Longcast rods could really live up to their name. Both rods had been coupled with new Shimano Baitrunner XTR 1000 RA reels loaded with quick sinking 12lb Shimano Technium line.
The end rig incorporated a small brightly coloured hair-rigged hookbait, with a 3oz inline lead placed inside a small, solid PVA bag filled with pellets. Holding the rod directly above my head I pushed my weight forward, pulling my left hand quickly into my chest, while punching my right arm forward, causing the blank to fully compress and sending the payload sailing out across the water, hitting the 100yd mark with ease. First cast, and I was already mightily impressed.
In spite of its ‘grunt’, the tip of the rod was still soft enough to feel the weight of the bag hit the lakebed and before I even had the chance to bait up and cast out the second rod, I was in!
The Longcast handled the spirited fight of the upper double-figure common with aplomb, all the while plenty of feeling being transmitted through the blank, without it ever feeling sloppy or soft.
This was a scenario that was to be repeated a staggering 15 times over the next three hours, with the end result the same on each occasion. As the light began to fade, I packed up a tired, but very happy man.
My final verdict on the Shimano Tribal Longcast? In a nutshell, it’s a great-looking rod boasting impressive hidden reserves of power, yet one which still retains a superb fish-playing action that is perfectly matched to the rod’s test curve.
New miniature drop-off alarm set to take the predator world by storm
A new miniature drop-off bite alarm has hit the market, offering predator fishing fans a combination of perfect indication and superb value for money all in one neat and robust little package.
The super-lightweight and weatherproof ‘999 alarm’ has been invented and built by big eel supremo Barry McConnell and can be attached to either the fishing rod or bankstick via a small and easy-to-fit rubber bracket.
It comes with a red LED light, adjustable line clip and batteries, and works via a tilt-switch mechanism next to the line clip, which is attached in such a way that it is raised above horizontal. When the line is pulled out of the clip, or in the case of a drop-back bite, falls down, the movement of the flex activates the tilt switch and the LED alarm.
The indicator, which when attached to the rod tucks neatly out of the way and doesn’t hinder casting out or winding in, is particularly handy for roving and stalking sessions where the rod can simply be laid on the ground.
It will also find favour with boat anglers, where space aboard is often at a premium and the use of bank sticks is not an option.
The 999 alarm costs just £9.99 and is powered by two inexpensive hearing aid batteries (supplied, but replacements are widely available for around 30p each). To order, log on to www.zandavan.co.uk. A YouTube clip of how to use the alarms is also available to view on the website.
Removing pike from Chew Reservoir is the only answer
My guess is that Bob Handford, fisheries and recreation manager at Chew Reservoir, doesn’t own a tin hat. But he’d better get one. And sharpish.
In announcing that he plans to reduce the number of pike currently munching their way through his trout stocks, he has, in some people’s eyes, put himself in pole position for this year’s award for the sport’s biggest villain. All bets are off - Bob’s now a shoo-in.
The verbal bullets are, of course, being fired from within the predator community - mainly those lurking in the shadow of anonymity that internet forums provide.
These keyboard cowards believe that any removal of pike is a crime punishable by painful death, arguing that Chew is going to get harder. How dare a venue that is primarily a trout fishery make moves to safeguard the fishing for its biggest customer base? Pike anglers selfish? Never...
Look, these are the facts. Chew Reservoir is run as a game venue and in the past few years it has seen its trout returns plummet, undoubtedly a direct result of the explosion of pike. Last year 56,000 trout were stocked and only 17,000 caught.
Compare that to a few years ago when 40,000 were introduced and 25,000 taken, and you can see there’s a problem. The pike numbers are simply out of control.
Bob, I reckon, had no choice - and when this minority of moaners get their heads out of their backsides for a moment, they will see that too. If the predators are allowed to run riot, they’ll be fewer trout. And if there are fewer trout, they’ll be fewer game anglers willing to pay to fish for them.
Before long, Chew won’t be financially viable and there’ll be nothing left for anyone to fish for - including pike. Remove the jacks, let the trout flourish and, as a by-product, you increase the chances of the big predators getting bigger. Crikey, it’s hardly rocket science, is it?
The plan, as far as I’m aware, is to initially use humane nets to remove only pike up to 10lb, all of which have been found new homes already. None of the twenties are going and certainly none of the really big girls either.
So the argument that says the sport is going to be adversely affected carries about as much water as thimble.
Admittedly, the dreaded ‘gill net’ words have been used but, at the moment, they are only being used in sentences also containing ‘last resort’.
Chew will, in time, probably suffer the same fate as other trout waters that have opened up to piking, with fewer biggies caught year on year. But that won’t be down this latest attempt at control. These places have a finite lifespan - just look at Llandegfedd and Blithfield.
Ultimately, pike anglers need to be realistic. One, they need to accept that trout reservoirs, as the name suggests, are there for game anglers. And two, pike don’t like pressure, so those bonanzas that accompany any initial opening won’t be replicated as the number of captures increases.
Whichever way it’s analysed, Chew is still one hell of a predator water. So instead of condemning the man who controls it, use a bit of commonsense.
Applaud the transparency and respect his decision. It might yet ensure the best open access pike venue in England remains that way.
