Trust ramps up anti-poaching measures
The Angling Trust has this week launched a seven-point plan to tackle the ever-growing problem of poaching from English waters.
The sport’s governing body is set to ramp up a number of initiatives, ranging from the establishment of a new ‘Poacher Watch’ website for reporting fish theft - in a similar way to its Cormorant Watch site - through to a pilot scheme that will allow voluntary bailiffing by angling club members alongside Environment Agency officers.
The plan also includes furthering the recently-launched Building Bridges programme, under which the Trust has appointed two members of staff to work with member clubs and fisheries to address illegal fishing in parts of the South West and the East of England, as well as collaborating with the National Wildlife Crime Unit, a special police task force, to raise awareness of the offence of poaching within regional police forces.
For the full story, plus reaction, see today’s Angling Times.
Matt Hayes back on TV - and you decide what he fishes for!
Fishing celebrity Matt Hayes has this week been signed up by the Discovery Channel for a new television series.
Angling Times first revealed that Matt had filmed a pilot called ‘24 Hour Rod Race’ in the Spring, and as a result of that initial recording, the project has now been commissioned for screening by Sky in 2012.
And AT readers can also play their part in the series by voting for the shows they want to see made.
A delighted Matt said: “It’s great news to be back working with Discovery – anglers have been asking me for a long time when we’d be making something new and this is a project I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into.
“And to celebrate the programs we’re asking Angling Times readers to vote for the shows you want me to create. I want to make this the greatest series we’ve ever produced – a series where anglers are involved from start to finish.”
*To have your say in the species Matt fishes for, see the latest copy of Angling Times - out today!
Cheap salmon fishing on Wye and Usk
Salmon anglers looking for a bit of extra value in their fishing over the next few months need look no further than the Wye and Usk Foundation, who are offering a range of cut price tickets over the coming months.
The conservation charity, which has a huge portfolio of waters under its control, is offering three days salmon fishing for the price of two on many of its beats, and three rods for the price of two on others.
For bookings and availability, log on to www.wyeuskfoundation.org, or call 01982 560788.
Big brownies hit the bank in Wiltshire
A flurry of big brown trout and grayling were Matthew Delahaye's reward for making the long trip from his London home to the bang in-form Avon Springs Fishing Lakes in rural Wiltshire.
After putting his faith in a Grannom Sedge pattern, he took five big browns, with this powerful-looking fish weighing 6lb proving the pick of the bunch.
Matthew then switched his attention to the venue's running-water stretch on the river behind to bag himself a couple of big grayling, just for good measure!
Thousands of fish stocked into North East rivers
Pleasure and game anglers in the North East had cause to celebrate yesterday after 6,000 grayling were stocked into the region’s rivers.
The species, which has suffered more than most in recent years from loss of habitat and pollution, were restocked by the Environment Agency at Clow Beck, in Darlington, as well as the River Pont, in Northumberland.
Clow Beck flows into the River Tees, near Darlington, and has recently had two fish passes constructed. The agency, together with the Tees Rivers Trust, has improved about two kilometres of the river habitat for grayling and the release comes after the agency undertook work to improve water quality and habitats at both rivers.
ANGLING ART GALLERY – NOW IN THE GO FISHING SHOP!
Go Fishing is offering anglers the chance to own a limited edition print from legendary angling artist John Searl this week.
We’ve just secured the final, limited stocks of six incredible pieces of artwork, plus his latest book, for Go Fishing users in what could be the best investment deal of 2011.
John Searl is our finest angling and wildlife artist and these magnificent prints from his own watercolour paintings are a much sought after, especially as most are limited to just 50 prints.
Each print is hand signed and hand numbered by the artist himself, and reflect a whole host of classic angling moments captured forever.
“Some of John’s original prints have sold for thousands of pounds in auctions and galleries over the years so they make a sound investment,” said Steve Fitzpatrick of Angling Times.
What’s in store?
John Searl Pin Perfect print – LIMITED EDITION 100 PRINTS
Price £95 + £5 p&p
Exclusively commissioned for Angling Times and Shimano to celebrate their 90th Anniversary, this is John Searl’s latest artwork and feature’s Britain’s favourite species – the roach.
CLICK TO BUY
John Searl Under the Bridge print – LIMITED EDITION 50 PRINTS
Price £95 + £5 p&p
‘Under the Bridge’ is a celebration of Britain’s favourite species of fish – the roach – and depicts two specimen-sized river redfins leaving the sanctuary of their weedbed to feed on anglers baits – hemp and sweetcorn - trickled in from a bridge overhead.
CLICK TO BUY
John Searl On the Float print – LIMITED EDITION 50 PRINTS
Price £95 + £5 p&p
Just 25 remain of this Limited Edition print and each one has been hand signed and numbered by the legendary angling artist John Searl. On the Float is a celebration of winter river fishing and depicts a brace of huge chub taken from on the Hampshire Avon.
CLICK TO BUY
John Searl Lady of the Stream print – LIMITED EDITION 50 PRINTS
Price £95 + £5 p&p
This is a sneak peek at a rarely seen underwater environment and its inhabitants and takes the angler into the realm of the grayling, one of Britain’s most enigmatic species of fish. Only 20 of the 50 prints remain.
CLICK TO BUY
John Searl Winter Magic print – LIMITED EDITION 100 PRINTS
Price £95 + £5 p&p WAS £125!
Possibly John Searl’s most famous watercolour ‘Winter Magic’ depicts a catch any angler would be proud of with a brace of chub of 6lb 3oz and 6lb 1oz joined by an equally impressive trio of roach weighing 2lb 12oz, 2lb 6oz and 2lb 2oz, all caught by the angler himself. Just 40 prints remaining.
CLICK TO BUY
John Searl Hampshire Avon Map print
Price £35 + £5 p&p
Any angler who has fished the famous Hampshire Avon will love this watercolour artwork from legendary angling artist John Searl. This unique angling map immortalises the famous river and it’s wildlife.
CLICK TO BUY
John Searl Chalkstream Roach book – LIMITED STOCKS
Price £35 + £5 p&p
‘Chalkstream Roach – the Ultimate Challenge’ by John Searl is the definitive book that all roach and river anglers will love to own.
Every aspect and style of roach fishing has been covered, from trotting and stalking in Summer and Autumn, to traditional bread-fishing in Winter.
CLICK TO BUY
