Maher takes glory in River Wye Team Champs

Running water expert Steve Maher added another piece of silverware to his already bulging trohpy cabinet by landing the individual glory in the coveted Wye Team Champs.

The professional float maker was pegged against 101 other top class anglers and showed his class by winkling out 66lb 8oz.

After drawing at Bartonsham, Steve decided to use traditional wag and mag tactics down the middle of his peg and was able to fool chub to 4lb at regular intervals.

Backing weights were equally impressive with runner up Dave Rutter weighing 48-10-0, while on the team front Woody’s recorded 37 points to top the table and nudge out WB Clarke who were on 39 points.


Additive proves key to Pretty's winter bagging

An angler that has continued to bag up at commercial carp waters despite the dip in temperatures has revealed that an easily sourced additive has plays a big part in helping him succeed.

Match and pleasure ace Ian Pretty has been in great form all year and has kept up his high standards going into the cold season, with triple figure hauls of carp being taken by him regularly.

“It’s an additive that gives your hookbaits lots of colour and flavour and helps them stand out to lethargic carp. It’s brought me bites on even the toughest days in winter and it’ll be my number one bait choice in the coming months,” explained Ian.

For more details on the winning additive and how to use it, pick up a copy of next weeks Angling Times, on the shelves from Tuesday December 6.


Findlay's dominance at Packington Somers continues

Commercial fishery ace Andy Findlay kept up his impressive run of form at Packington Somers by picking up his fifth win on the bounce.

The Preston Innovations ace made sure of another victory after he was able to extract 56lb 8oz from peg 29 on Gearys Pool at the Warwickshire complex.

It was far from hectic sport for Andy though, with just nine fish falling to his pole and corn approach presented tight to the bushes, with the biggest specimen sending the scales round to 15lb 7oz.


Bullock Farm set for winter stocking boost

Anglers visiting Bullock Farm can expect to keep busy over the winter period after bosses revealed hundreds of fish are set to introduced into the complex.

Fully aware that the carp shoals will soon enter hibernation, the Somerset fishery has turned to silverfish to maintain hectic sport, with a large number of green and golden tench set to go into the Match Lake, with the South Pool welcoming hundreds of skimmers and bream to 5lb.

For more details on the complex visit www.bullockfarm.co.uk


New Preston's DVD to be launched

The Absolute Match Fishing television Series, hosted by Tommy Pickering, is now available on DVD.

Following its huge popularity since its broadcasting on Sky Sports, the double DVD disc set is available for £9.99 and includes 30 minutes of previously unseen footage.

Tommy fishes all over the country, with guest appearances from anglers such as Des Shipp at Barston Lakes, Lee Edwards on the Wye, Andy Findlay paste fishing at the Glebe and Lee Kerry on the Stainforth and Keadby canal.

There is also footage of Steve Sanders pellet waggler fishing and Emma Pickering fishing the pole and pellet.

It is available from mid-December, find out more at www.prestoninnovations.com.

 


Poundland found guilty of selling unsafe catapults

Poundland Limited has been fined £3,500 and ordered to pay costs of £2,107 after pleading guilty to selling unsafe fishing catapults in several Norfolk stores.

This case follows an identical proceeding that Norfolk County Council Trading Standards brought against Poundland in November 2010. This resulted in the company being fined £4000 and order to pay costs of £878.

A consumer complained last year to the Norfolk County Council Trading Standards after when using one of the catapults, a piece of the elastic became detached, striking them in the chest and causing a minor injury.

The same consumer found an identical catapult on sale in the Great Yarmouth store last February. They again brought this to the attention of Trading Standards. Officers undertook an investigation in to the safety of the catapults. They concluded that the catapults could pose a moderate to significant danger to fishermen using them.


Otters found dead in illegal crayfish net

An angler has this week told of his heartbreak at finding the dead bodies of a female otter and her cub in an illegal crayfish net at a fishery in East Yorkshire.

The individual, who wishes to remain anonymous, made the sinister discovery at Broomfleet Washlands, a small group of waters that offer free angling. He says that he has now taken it upon himself to bailiff the waters for free after a spate of other worrying finds.

As well as other unregulated crayfish traps, he’s also found setlines and come across people filleting pike and barbecuing them on the bank. Now he is calling for the Environment Agency to take action to prevent any further damage to fish stocks and other wildlife.

“Finding these beautiful creatures, which must have come to such a distressful and painful end, was horrific. It has to be the last straw,” he said.

“These lakes suffer at the hands of eastern Europeans who take fish away for the table. Having spoken to many of them, I’m convinced that it’s a case of them not understanding our culture or the damage illegal nets and set lines can do.

When contacted by AT, a spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We are aware that this is a growing problem in Broomfleet, so we have arranged for our bailiffs to patrol this fishery much more regularly in future to help us crackdown on any illegal fishing.”


VOTE NOW in the 2011 National Angling Awards!

THE biggest ever vote undertaken in the history of the angling will decide fishing’s most debated question’s… who is the  ‘Greatest Angler of all-time’? ‘What’s the nation’s favourite bait’? and ‘The best innovation of 2011’? There’s seventeen categories in total, listed below.

Angling Times has teamed up with the sport’s biggest website’s - representing over half a million UK fishermen – for the National Angling Awards. The awards will be revealed in Angling Times Christmas Special issue on Tuesday, December 13 – a bumper edition featuring two free gifts.

AT editor Richard Lee said: “By working with established websites we are able to unite fishing and give the whole sport the chance to voice their opinions. The results of these awards will carry real significance with the questions placed in front of over half a million fishing fanatics. It is a project we hope to nurture and grow into an annual project.”

Anglers can vote for whichever name, product or event they want – however, a short-list of leading contenders has be drawn up to assist with the voting process.

Voting will take place through Angling Times; here on www.gofishing.co.uk/nationalawards; and with our partners at
www.fishingmagic.com;
www.maggotdrowning.com;
www.anglersnet.co.uk

Voting takes only seconds and closes at midnight on December 4th – so have your say NOW!

Full category list:

Greatest Angler Ever
Angler of the Year 2011
Team of the Year
Stillwater of the Year
River of the Year
Innovation of the Year
Pole of the Year 2011 (-£500)
Pole of the Year 2011 (£501-£1000)
Flagship Pole of the Year
Float Reel of the Year 2011
Feeder Reel of the Year 2011
Carp Reel of the Year 2011
Float Rod of the Year 2011
Feeder Rod of the Year 2011
Carp Rod of the Year 2011
Bait of the Year 2011
Catch of the Year 2011


Huge perch hauls dominating at top commercial

A venue that has built a solid reputation as one of the best carp commercials in the north has shocked match anglers across the country by producing 80lb plus hauls of perch!

The venue has produced some of the biggest weights the area has ever seen but the mirrors and commons have taken a backseat since the cold snap hit the nation, with perch now featuring heavily in winning bags.

“If you get your tactics right and are willing to ring the changes regularly, you can put a huge weight of perch together. You’ll catch plenty around the 1lb mark, a few 2lb fish and there is a good chance of a 3lb plus monster,” explained one local insider.

For more details on the complex and tactics required to succeed, pick up a copy of next week’s Angling Times, on the shelves from Tuesday November 29.


FREE shot offer in Angling Times this week

Grab a copy of Angling Times this week and get your hands on a seven-size shot dispenser completely FREE!

All you need to pay is the £2.99 p&p cost and the dispenser is all yours, and worth £8.95!

Angling Times has teamed up with Dinsmores to offer all it’s readers the chance to get their hands on a giant shot dispenser, covering all your float fishing needs.

For just £2.99 postage and packaging, Angling Times will send you a free bumper box covering sizes SSG, AAA, BB, No.1, No.4, No.6 and No.8.

Angling Times editor Rich Lee said ‘’This is  great offer as Dinsmores is a leader in shot design. Having seen their machinery first hand, I can say I’m proud that fishing still has a British manufacturing base.’’

To claim your bumper dispenser of Super Soft Shot worth £8.95 make sure you pick up a copy of this week’s paper!

Offer is limited to the first 2000 people so make sure you are quick!

Closing date is December 6th.


Pensioner makes mile round trip by foot to win Thames match

Pensioner George Clark endured a mile round trip by foot to get to his peg during the latest event on the River Thames and was rewarded for his efforts with three chub to 5lb 8oz that helped him bag the win.

The Slough-based 76-year-old was able to select his own swim during the rover match at Clifton Hampden but rather than pick the spot closest to his car, he trekked well down river to a well-known hotspot.

By using simple maggot feeder tactics he was able to fool a brace of 4lb 8oz fish alongside the lump  and a few bits that secured a table topping total of 14lb 11oz.


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." 


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.


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.