Boom time for river fishing

It's shaping up to be a record year for anglers returning to running water venues.

Sales of traditional river tackle have risen by 200 per cent, and clubs are having to print more books to meet the demand. 

With many of the nation’s top waterways now offering some of the best sport seen in decades, more and more are joining clubs and celebrating the variety of sport to be had there.

The trend has seen a welcome spike in demand for floatfishing tackle, and one manufacturer is reporting a huge increase in sales of its centrepin reels. 

TF Gear’s direct marketing manager, Alan Crawford-Plane, has revealed that sales of reels of this type have doubled since the company began selling them back in 2012. 

He told Angling Times: “Over the last couple of years we have noticed a big hike in sales of river fishing gear, and none more so than our range of ’pins. 

“We started with just one model but as demand rose we’ve had to increase that to four, to offer anglers of all pockets a choice. 

“The increase isn’t just because anglers are choosing traditional tackle, but because more people are back on the rivers. This has been reflected in strong sales of items like barbel rods too.”

It’s not just running water fishing tackle that has experienced a huge rise in sales. 

Dozens of angling clubs who offer stretches of river are seeing new members flocking to join. 

One such club is Nottingham Federation of Anglers. 

The club is going through one of its biggest recruitment drives in recent history, and club secretary Ian McLaughlin said: “We have sold more books this year than at any time in the last decade… so much so that we needed a reprint this season. 

“We run several sections of the River Trent and because our venues are fishing well and we’ve spent money improving access to them there’s been a noticeable increase in numbers. I think that’s true of many other clubs too. It’s great for us and the sport.”

These sentiments were echoed by river specialist and Angling Times columnist Dave Harrell.

 “It’s great to see more anglers coming back to the rivers,” he said.

“We’ve had a few good spawning years recently and this has seen sport improve dramatically on UK rivers.

“This, along with the high cost of fishing commercials, is helping to encourage anglers back to running water. 

“Because of this there has been a noticeable increase in the number of matches held on rivers in the last couple of seasons, and Riverfest has sold out again this year. It’s been so popular I have decided to begin planning a second pairs-style competition for 2017.

“It’s an exciting time to be a river angler, and fishing this year is just going to get better and better.”