Arsonists hit top pike water!

The country’s premier pike venue was hit by arsonists last week in a shocking incident that saw the owners left facing a £25,000 repair bill.

Six boats were deliberately set ablaze at Somerset’s Chew Valley Reservoir by as yet unidentified individuals who entered the marina next to the lodge under the cover of darkness and used petrol to start the fire.

Although police investigations are still at an early stage, Chew’s long-serving fishery manager Bob Handford believes the crime could have been carried out by local vandals.

The 60-year-old told Angling Times “Whoever it was poured petrol into the boats and set light to them before making their escape.”

For the full story and exclusive pictures of the carnage – see tomorrow’s Angling Times!