Poachers caught with a bag full of chub!
The fight against poaching took a step forward this week after a group of fish thieves who were caught red-handed on the River Wye with a carrier bag containing 10 dead chub were ordered to pay fines totalling £726.
Angel Angelov, Yordan Talev and Asen Valkinov were tried in their absence at Hereford Magistrates Court on October 4, where they were found guilty of charges relating to illegal fishing.
The Environment Agency praised the good work of those who helped to bring the case. A spokesman said: "This case is the result of quality evidence gathered by the Hereford and District AA bailiff. Such evidence is crucial in cases like this, and anybody who sees illegal fishing activity should call 0800 807060 and provide as much detail as possible."
Angling Times County Championship fishing competition on its way!
The next Angling Times County Championship is coming!
Final meetings are taking place to determine the format of the 2012 points competition for open match anglers in the UK with full details to be announced soon.
Lincolnshire are the current reigning champions following victory in the £10,000 final at Barston Lakes and Packington Somers in September 2011, with Cambridgeshire’s John Whincup the overall top points scorer during that campaign.
Keep an eye on Angling Times and gofishing.co.uk for more information.
Whittle lands 1200 fish in five hours on River Wye
A fast and furious approach helped Hadrian Whittle net an astonishing 1200 bleak on the second day of the annual Wye Festival.
The Kamasan Starlets ace – who eventually placed 34lb 10oz on to the scales – was able to land a fish every 15 seconds during the five hour outing after he adopted whip and maggot tactics.
Despite his heroics during the outing, he was forced to settle for third overall in the three day extravanganza, with Gloucestershire’s Lee Green taking the coveted trophy and former Welsh international Andrew Murphy sealing the runners up place.
Cockatil bait works wonders for Dave
A fishing trip out of Folkestone, Kent proved fruitful for Ashford boat angler Dave Wilson, 48, who is seen here holding a 19lb 2oz cod that he caught from a private veesel.
A big bait approach worked for Dave, who put his faith in a cocktail made from four lugworms and a large squid.
He said: “ I still can’t get over the fact that I caught a fish that big. It made my day when it was officially weighed two hours after capture.”
Specimen roach wins Kennet and Avon Canal match
One fish can make all the difference as Nathaniel Johnson proved when a 2lb roach caught late in the day helped him seal victory in the latest round of South West Winter League on the Kennet and Avon Canal.
The Preston Innovations Thatchers ace had plundered the small fish shoals of his peg – which was in the bay at Darlington Wharf – before switching to caster in search of the odd elusive bonus.
A number of skimmers fell for the approach before the match winning redfin made an appearance.
At the weigh in Nathaniel placed 16lb 9oz on to the scales, with his team mate Liam Braddell taking second place with 14lb 8oz
Steve Gardener takes victory in Bury Hill festival
England international Steve Gardener blew away a quality field during the latest two day silverfish festival at Bury Hill Fisheries to take the overall glory.
The Milo ace started the competition off in style by bagging 41lb 4oz of skimmers, tench and crucians from peg 23 on Milton Lake to win the day and almost double that of his nearest rival.
Just 24-hours later he set about sealing the victory and put in a tremendous performance to once again seal the top spot with 29lb 14oz on pole and pellet.
His overall two day weight took the scales round to 71lb 12oz while second place Nick Whiting took just 28lb 4oz.
Study reveals barbel 'thrive' in stillwaters
A huge research project to find out how traditional river species such as barbel and chub are coping in stillwaters has revealed that they are ‘thriving’ in their non-flowing homes.
Critics of stocking the species into lakes have always maintained that they are unable to function effectively in them but the latest stats and figures have rubbished this theory.
The study took data from a number of sites that contained barbel and chub including Staffordshire’s Cudmore Fisheries and Lancashire’s Whitmore Fisheries.
For more details on the in-depth analysis, pick up a copy of this week’s Angling Times, on the shelves from Tuesday November 22.
Wyreside Lakes venue record broken with 42lb 1oz mirror
The Wyreside Lakes venue record has been broken by Ben Poole with the capture of this 42lb 1oz mirror from Wyre Lake on the Lancashire day-ticket complex.
Targeting a silt patch next to an island at 90yds range, the Stockport-based 35-year-old hooked into the specimen known as Paw Print on the first afternoon of his 24 hour session using a 20mm Nash Monster Squid bottom bait and a 12mm pop-up on a snowman presentation over around 20 freebies.
He said: “It came in fairly easily at first before trying to get in a set of snags. I managed to keep it clear and when it rolled around 20yds out my mate recognised it as Paw Print.”
To get a good presentation over the silt, Ben used an 18ins Korda N-Trap hooklink and a size 8 Nash Fang Twister hook.
Stickfloat tactics bag Burnside River Swale victory
The River Swale was in great form during the latest event and Charlie Burnside took full advantage of that to take a table topping 51lb 10oz of chub.
After drawing on a peg at Holme near Thirsk, the Durham-based rod decided to use stickfloat and caster close to the farside willows and was able to fool 15 specimens to 4lb and a lone grayling.
Backing weights were equally impressive, with Yarm’s Mick Broadley needing 28lb 4oz for second place.
Foul hooked brace help Reynolds to Larford success
Match angler Glyn Reynolds needed more than just a touch of luck during the latest match at Larford Lakes when he foul hooked a carp and a pike that eventually helped him to a place in the frame!
The Awashima rod had been using the Method feeder from peg 16 on the Specimen Lake at the Worcestershire complex when the tip rapped round and after a tense battle a 17lb carp that was hooked in the fin surfaced.
Fully aware that the chaos caused during the tussle had ruined that swim he came down the edge on pellet and shortly afterwards latched into a 13lb pike which had the hook buried in its tail!
At the weigh in it was revealed Glyn had done enough to secure second place with 52lb 13oz, only being beaten by Dave Powell’s 52lb 13oz netful from peg 70.
Birmingham AA season permits to go on sale early
One of the nation’s top clubs is offering its members a free month of fishing!
Birmingham AA’s season runs from January 1 until the end of the year but officials have decided to sell permits from December 1 for the 2012 period, with prices also being frozen at the current rate.
The club controls a whole host of venues, with well stocked lakes, rivers and canals on their books.
For more details on the outfit visit www.baa.uk.com
Roberts continues dominance at Tylers Common
Alec Roberts is proving a hard man to beat at Essex’s Tylers Common and managed to rack up his fourth win on the trot during the latest competition.
The Middy-backed rod decided to use long pole with maggot over a bed of micros after drawing peg 33 on Horseshoe Lake and was able to fool carp to 4lb at regular intervals.
His run could have been ended if Terry Pritlove had landed just one more fish though, with the Ockendon Bait and Tackle ace just behind in second with 78lb 2oz.
Lee Green takes the River Wye festival
Lee Green has triumphed in the prestigious Shakespeare Wye festival, taking home the £1,200 prize plus tackle.
Three anglers tied for first place with five points, but it was the Gloucester man who emerged victorious on a countback of section wins, the highlight being a 35lb 10oz catch of perch.
In second place was Andrew Murphy of Tredegar tackle with venue expert Hadrian Whittle (Kamasan Starlets) finishing third in the three day event.
Barbel boost for Yorkshire rivers
The River Aire has benefitted from an Environment Agency scheme to introduce more barbel to Yorkshire waterways.
Officials from the EA released 500 of the species into the waterway at Stourton and Armley and have ensured fishermen the move doesn’t mark the end of the project.
Other waterways in the region have also been given a stocking boost, with experts at Calverton fish farm revealing 3,000 barbel had been introduced into rivers across Yorkshire in recent weeks.
Staff have tagged the fish with an easily noticeable dye to help them monitor their progress in their new homes.
First forty of the year for Ted Bryan
Ted Bryan has caught his first forty of the year in the shape of this 40lb 10oz mirror from a Kent club water.
The fish was the best of four which the Sydenham-based specimen hunter had during his session, which also included three twenties to 28lb 12oz.
All of his carp were taken on 15mm Nash Amber Strawberry pop-ups which were hair-rigged on size 8 Nash Fang X hooks and Nash Bullet mono hooklinks over around 20 free offerings.
Victory at Barnburgh Lakes earns Law double reward
Match angler Ryan Law walked away £500 richer and also a season ticket after he scooped victory during the latest event at South Yorkshire’s Barnburgh Lakes.
The local rod decided to use maggot on the pole line after drawing peg 3 on the Bottom Pond and was able to land an F1 on virtually every drop to record an overall total of 65lb 4oz.
His antics earned him the big cash prize and also a year’s free fishing at the complex.
Goldthorpe’s Andy Sutton finished second with 52lb 4oz while Les Peace was just behind in third with a level 50lb.
Roach bags over 50lb falling at club water
A club water that is home to huge shoals of roach has hit top form with bags of up to 50lb being taken on a regular basis.
The northern reservoir has been kept largely under wraps for a number of years but the secret is now out and more anglers are joining the controlling club to sample the delights.
Regardless of what tactic you decide to employ you are almost certain to be kept busy, with pole, waggler and feeder all scoring heavily.
“I can’t think of a better roach venue in the country. The fish average around the 6oz mark but there are plenty over the 1lb mark and every peg is solid with redfins,” explained one local angler.
For more details on the venue and the best rigs for bagging at it, pick up a copy of next week’s Angling Times, on the shelves from Tuesday November 22.
Korda sponsor Carp Team England
The Angling Trust is delighted to announce that it has signed a 5 year deal with Korda to sponsor Carp Team England.
The deal, worth more than £100,000 in cash and business support will pay for England’s best carp anglers to travel wherever the World Carp Championships are held each year, along with a strong team of journalists and TV production crew.
Korda’s involvement will help produce a platform to propel international carp fishing to a new level in this country. With their expertise in delivering excellent television, internet and magazine material, along with an abundance of commercial knowledge, Carp Team England’s journey will be televised and covered heavily in the angling media.
Ali Hamidi of Korda said: “We are delighted to work with the new unified representative body for all angling to support Carp Team England. For years now there has been insufficient financial backing for the team, almost no media recognition and despite some good results that elusive gold team medal has not been achieved. I believe everything goes hand in hand, if you’ve got great back office support, with a unified patriotic team, and the talent pool of anglers that we have in this country then we can all look forward to a great future with Carp Team England becoming the most successful carp team in world angling. For too long, international carp fishing has been overlooked, but with our media work and our unprecedented TV coverage, we will set new heights with this. It should act as a figure of inspiration for younger anglers, who can aspire to represent their country in their favourite hobby. Our growing relationship with the Angling Trust should also help them grow the member base to help ensure a bright future for angling in the UK. We can’t wait to set-up paths to entry into the team and get the ball rolling. This is exciting times for the sport, and Korda Carp Team England will really help in growing carp fishing not just in this country, but across Europe”.
Dick Clegg, Angling Trust’s International Events Manager, said: “This is excellent news for Carp Team England. To have such a well-respected sponsor from the carp fishing industry supporting the team, gives us a great opportunity to develop the team further and build on the previous successes.”
The Angling Trust’s Finance & Business Manager, Stuart Sharp, who joined the Trust in August and finalised the deal with Korda over the past few weeks said: “This is a fantastic deal for Carp Team England and for angling as a whole. Korda’s commitment to the England team and the development of the competitive side of carp fishing is clear to see. We look forward to working with Korda to maximise the value for them as a sponsor and to ensure that the team can focus on fishing, rather than fundraising to pay their way. We are looking for sponsors for many other England teams and are eager to hear from any potential sponsors who might be interested in following the lead of Korda by backing the best carp anglers in the country.”
Fossdyke Canal team matches announced
Match anglers are being invited to enter a team into a league on one of the most in-form canals in the country.
The Fossdyke Canal in Lincolnshire has been throwing up big bags of skimmers, roach and perch all year and it has been announced that a teams of six competition sponsored by Rilmac will start at the beginning of the New Year.
Entry is £120 per squad and the first of the five heats will take place on January 15 2012, with the final outing on March 11.
To book your spot, call Alan Henry on 07712 620385.
Big bream catch seals Raison victory at Furance Lakes
England international Will Raison proved why he is considered by many to be one of the best anglers in the world when he banked a winning 82lb 12oz of bream and skimmers during the latest match at Furnace Lakes in West Sussex.
The Daiwa-backed rod decided to use long pole and pellet and was able to keep fish to 3lb coming at regular intervals throughout the day.
Backing weights were equally breathtaking, with his team mate Mark Goddard taking 72lb 6oz of silvers for second, with Mark Glyn just behind in third with 71lb 8oz.
