Bag’em Matchbaits secure deal with Larford Lakes Fishery
BIG NEWS FOR BAG'EM MATCHBAITS!
Bag’em Matchbaits have joined forces with the prolific Larford Lakes Fishery Complex near Stourport. The deal was verbally sealed just over a week ago and it will be great opportunity for both parties involved. Caroline Reed, Bag’em matchbaits manager signed contracts with Phil Briscoe on Thursday and finalised the deal on the very windy day of storm Doris.
Bag’em's consultant Ian Giddins also played a big part during initial negotiations with Phil Briscoe at the lakes. Caroline explained ‘we look forward to working alongside Phil and all the staff at the lakes and to being fully involved in all the festivals, finals and big events like the new Golden Reel that Larford Lakes hold. Larford will be soley stocking the Bag’em range of bait including some Larboard ‘Special’ groundbaits which will be tailored to the Lakes requirements.'
Body-art masterpiece replicates the Angling Times cover!
Fanatical carp angler Simon Lightfoot proved his love for fishing is more than skin deep by having this incredible portrait tattooed on his back – the same amazing artwork that adorned our front cover on on January 31
Simon decided to email us to shed light on his incredible body-art. He said: “The tattoo has taken roughly 15 to 16 hours to do so far and there are still a few more sittings to go! “My inspiration behind it is my love for all things carp fishing – it’s been a huge passion of mine for many years.”
It turns out Simon wasn’t the only one to be inspired by the image – Derby carp angler Danny Parker also sports it tattooed on his arm!
VIDEO FOOTAGE: Terry Hearn catches the Parrot at 63lb
Former British record holder Terry Hearn has this morning caught the current record carp at exactly 63lb.
The giant mirror, known as the Parrot, came from Cranwells Lake on the Wasing Estate in Berkshire during strong winds.
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO
Terry cradles the might mirror. Pic courtesy of Wasing Sporting
Its top weight of 68lb 1oz is the current official British record carp.
Mark Hibbs, the fishery manager at Wasing, told Angling Times: “It was last caught in September, so he’s been a while. He’s obviously been laying up as he was covered in leeches, but he was in absolutely pristine condition.
“I was praying he would catch that fish. He’s such a nice chap, you couldn’t wish to meet a better person. It’s all come together for him and it was howling with wind and rain as he landed it – perfect conditions.
The Parrot at 63lb. Pic courtesy of Wasing Sporting
“He’s over the moon with it. Obviously it’s not a record but it’s a new personal best."
Two new venues for RiverFest 2017!
RiverFest returns for 2017 with dates and venues for the 24 qualifiers revealed this week – and the UK’s river match anglers will have two new venues to crack as the River Dee at Farndon (above) and Holt and the Trent around Shelford and Hamm’s Bridge make their debuts alongside a host of tried and tested favourites.
It all begins when the river season opens on the River Calder, culminating in late October when the quest to make the final ends on the Warks Avon and in between, 72 anglers will have qualified to do battle for the lucrative prize list that’s headed by £12,000 for the winner.
History shows that the qualifiers sell out fast so you’ll need to be on the ball to get a place, applications for each 60 peg qualifier being invited towards the end of March, with an entry period of three weeks. A computerised random draw will then be made to establish who fishes where, three zone winners from each match going through to the grand final. That takes place on the River Wye at Hereford over the weekend of November 18 and 19 with the winner, decided on weight, pocketing the £12,000 first prize.
“RiverFest is now firmly established as THE river event for match anglers to fish with a great prize list and such a spread of venues to fish in the qualifiers around the country,” said AT columnist and RiverFest creator Dave Harrell. “I’m always excited when the dates are released and having fished several finals before, it really is the highlight of the year. We’ve got two new venues for 2017 as working with the Angling Trust, we always try to keep things fresh and introduce different waters although the bulk of this year’s matches are on familiar rivers with a fine match pedigree.”
“The Trent at Shelford and Hamm’s should be in prime form in late-July for the qualifier with plenty of roach plus some very big bream shoals while the Dee is well-known to anglers in the North West for its roach and dace sport,” Dave continued. “If you’ve always thought about fishing a qualifier but never got round to it, I’d urge you to make 2017 the year when that changes. You’re fishing a 20 peg zone to qualify so don’t always need a big weight to get through.”
For more information about RiverFest 2017 visit: www.anglingtrust.net/ or www.facebook.com/anglingtrustriverfest
Angling Trust RiverFest 2017 Qualifier dates and venues:
Saturday June 17 – River Calder, Mirfield
Saturday June 24 – River Swale, Morton
Saturday July 8 – River Weaver, Northwich
Sunday July 16 – River Tyne, Corbridge - Wylam
Sunday July 23 – Bristol Avon, Newbridge - Saltford
Sunday July 30 – River Trent, Shelford, Hamm’s Bridge & East Bridgford
Sunday August 6 – River Soar, Loughborough
Saturday August 12 – River Don, Sprotbrough
Sunday August 13 – River Yare, Langley
Saturday August 19 – River Tees, Bowesfield - Yarm
Sunday August 20 – River Nene, Orton
Saturday September 2 – River Severn, Bewdley
Sunday September 10 – River Trent, Laughterton, North Clifton & Dunham
Saturday September 16 – River Thames, Culham
Sunday September 17 – River Wye, Breinton - Eign
Saturday September 23 – River Severn, Bridgenorth
Sunday September 24 – River Thames, Clanfield
Sunday October 1 – River Trent, Burton-on-Trent
Sunday October 8 – River Medway, Barming
Saturday October 14 – River Dee, Holt & Farndon
Sunday October 15 – Warks Avon, Straford-upon-Avon
Sunday October 22 – River Severn, Shrewsbury
Sunday October 28 – Yorkshire Ouse, Hunter’s Lodge - Linton
Sunday October 29 – Warks Avon, Warwick
Rivers in prime form - despite the cold!
It may have been a spell of breaking the ice and low weights on commercial fisheries across the UK lately but on rivers, the story has been very different with some stunning match weights recorded from some famous venues despite the clear water and low temperatures.
The River Ancholme in North Lincolnshire is a famed winter roach venue and even with everything that the weather can throw at it, the river around Brigg continues to produce the goods with Barnsley Blacks star Lee Harrison (above) the latest to show what it has to offer as he enjoyed an action-packed session on the Scunthorpe Spring League, bagging 18-10-0 of roach and perch on caster and breadpunch.
Further down the south the Warks Avon through Evesham saw a big bream shoal go on the feed on the Workman Gardens section for the Evesham Winter Pairs match, Rob Sreeves taking what’s thought to be a new match record with a massive 121-12-0 of slabs on feeder and maggot or worm from the end peg, second coming off the next swim where Owen Robinson netted 77-5-0.
A water that’s been in fine form since Christmas continued to produce the goods in East Anglia as the 20ft Drain at March hosted the latest round of the HAJAC League. Former England Youth angler Alistair Ogilvie took 29-8-0 of roach and rudd on the waggler and pole to win followed by Paul Kilby with 27-1-0 of roach and rudd, which bodes well for the Winter League Final on the venue in a few weeks’ time.
Although it can be tough, the Yorkshire Ouse seems to be in good small fish form at present with two big matches seeing roach and dace lead the weights, Eddie Bridon topping the Angler’s World Holidays Saturday Series with 8-5-0 from Linton and Dave Pollitt taking 9-0-0 to top the York Tackle Winter League further into York.
Northallerton’s chub shoals on the Swale at Scruton again saw a decent winning weight for the open as Ian Curtain drew well to take 31-3-0 of them on stick float and maggot while down south the Kennet & Avon Canal showed both a hard and productive side for the Bob Warden Memorial, Mike Goodhind winning with 11-9-0 of roach and skimmers from the Horseshoe Pond although elsewhere, some sections were won with ounces!
17lb 4oz barbel caught while fishing the River Trent
Timing his session to coincide with perfect river conditions saw Matt Velamail tempt this super 17lb 4oz barbel from the Trent.
The Threefoottwitch Baits man visited a section of the middle reaches of the venue on the final day of a prolonged warm spell.
It fell to an 18mm 3ft Redemption boilie attached to a stringer of loose boilies and came four hours into the session.
Robson Green - The Interview
Angling TV star Robson Green talks to the Angling Times about his life in fishing and his new series 'Grand Slam Fishing'....
AT: What can we expect from Grand Slam Fishing?
“An incredible adventure that has everything... breathtaking venues, some of the world’s most
hard-fighting fish, lots of laughs and some truly beautiful production.
“It’s the best series I’ve done. I still have to pinch myself that I get to do what is every angler’s dream. I never take it for granted.”
Grand Slam Fishing sees Robson travel to some of the world's most exotic places
AT: What was your favourite fish/catch during ‘Grand Slam’?
“We’d been fly fishing for tarpon for eight hours straight when I decided to really try and make something happen.
“I wanted to get a bait really deep so I opted for a super heavy sinking line which felt like I was casting with washing line, but I felt it was right.
“I made a perfect cast right next to a structure where we thought the tarpon would be and started stripping the line back… then wham! The fish took.
“This 30lb bar of pure silver gave me one hell of a fight, and it felt as if 10 years of filming and becoming a better all-round angler had come together in this moment.
AT: In 10 years of making fishing shows what have you learned?
“I did my first in 2007, and in the early days I thought I was awful. I was trying so hard to be windswept and interesting! To be honest I thought it might harm my career.
“But with every series I’ve become more relaxed, a better presenter, and really honed my skills. Ultimately I’m a happier person and I have fishing to thank for this. Acting is a stressful game and fishing helps me relax.”
You’ve travelled the world and caught many different fish over the years. What’s left?
“In the episode in the Florida Keys we did some scuba diving to have a look around the structures for some underwater sequences.
“Suddenly I saw what I thought was a huge rock and started making my way over to it until this particular rock started to move. It was a giant grouper! On reviewing the footage I was told that this was a ‘baby’ of around 250lb! I so want to catch one of these now… preferably that one’s mum or dad.
“Making shows like this has allowed me to cast a line in over 130 different countries and I feel lucky and honoured to have been able to do so, but there are still so many beautiful places to visit. Easter Island, the Galapagos Islands and venues in the Caribbean are just a few.”
AT: Do you still go fishing in your spare time?
“I can’t get enough of it, and there’s nothing like fishing the rivers back home because this is where it all started when I was seven. The last two years have been the busiest in my professional career but I get out there every chance I get and savour every minute.”
AT: What do you hope anglers will take from the series?
“I just hope this hammers home the fact that there’s so much more to fishing than numbers.
“Yes, there’s nothing better than catching big hard-fighting fish or getting a bite on days when you just feel like giving up, but it’s about being in the now and sharing all this with others.
“I’ve been an actor for 32 years and you’ve got to be good at being someone else… portraying false sincerity.
“This isn’t the case when I’m fishing, as I can just be me. I’m happiest when I’m fishing and I hope people get that.”
More details of his new series can be found at www.travelchannel.co.uk
New Fish O ticketing system recieves lukewarm response
The new ticketing system for the allocation of places in this year’s Fish O’Mania qualifiers has received a lukewarm reaction from anglers with praise for ensuring that every entrant receives two guaranteed places but disappointment over the lack of mystery generated by the random draw plus the scrapping of the reserves list.
Tickets go on sale on Monday January 30 with a new on line booking system, making the allocation of places quicker, easier and significantly more efficient and it will also ensure that applicants get a maximum of two tickets for the event and then book, pay and receive tickets instantaneously.
Released in two rounds, the first batch of places will be open from 10.30am on January 30 until midnight on Thursday February 9, round two kicking off at 10.30am on Tuesday February 14 and then remain open until the final qualifier in June. In this second round there will be no restriction on the number of tickets anglers can book.
The reserve lists have also been scrapped with cancelled tickets to be re-listed via the online system and sold on a first come first served basis and to flag up re-listed places, a ticket news subscription option is available. However, the changes that at face value look good, have not been given a unanimous thumbs up from match anglers.
“It’s good that all applicants will get two tickets and it’ll stop the moaning on line from people who apply for 12 tickets and get none!” said double Fish O champ Jamie Hughes. “However, I think that it may backfire on the moaners because they might get tickets for a venue that they don’t want to fish. Say you live where I do in the North West and your two tickets are for monk Lakes and Viaduct! That’s a mega trek. And then what are the chances of the on line system crashing?”
“I personally enjoyed the old system as you never knew what you would get and the luck of the draw made it exciting. We’ve seen a lot of changes to Fish O in recent years and I just hope that this is not going to be another one year special when we revert back to how it used to be in 2018!”
Darren Cox is an agreement as well. The England international has graced several Fish O finals and believes that the former system was better.
“This way of applying doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be fishing where you want to be and I think it is a little unfair because it is still first come first served,” he said. “True, you do get two guaranteed tickets and that’s a good thing but at 10.30am on January 30 not everyone will be able to get on line and book. They may be on holiday or at work.”
“The second round of tickets is then just like the old days when an angler can buy 20 tickets if they want and it becomes a bit of a bunfight. I also personally liked the reserve list as if you were 20th on it, you could turn up and be confident of getting on but now, you’ve got to have your phone in your had all-day to react quick enough and grab a ticket that gets re-listed.”
Famous Redmire Fishery Up For Sale
Redmire - the most Iconic carp fishery in the UK is going up for sale.
The legendary pool and its famous stocks of carp will be sold in 2017.
The two-acre lake is tucked away in the rolling hills of Herefordshire. It is most famous for producing British best carp for angling heroes Dick Walker and Chris Yates, and will be put on the market within months.
Chris Yates' 51lb 8oz record carp caught at Redmire Pool in 1980
Details of the asking price of the estate have not yet been released, but the Richardson family, who have maintained the estate on which Redmire is situated for over 28 years, have revealed that the sale will include a large house, more than 100 acres of land, outhouses and barns and the meadows in which the lake is situated.
“The Richardson family have done an incredible job at this amazing venue and have decided that it’s time to pass the historic water and the surrounding estate on to someone new. This will begin the next chapter for this enchanting plot of land and all that comes with it,” said fishery manager Les Bamford.
“I’m in limbo in a way, because
I really hope that whoever buys the estate appreciates the importance of Redmire’s place in angling history.
“The dream scenario is that the new owners will have the venue’s best interests at heart and will carry on in the same vein as the Richardsons.
“I’d like to be able to continue making this historic venue open to anglers wanting to fish for carp at one of the world’s most famous fisheries.”
Thousands of anglers will without a doubt be sharing the hopes and sentiments of Les regarding the future of a venue that many see as the birthplace of modern carp fishing.
Angling legend Chris Yates is not only synonymous with the water for his capture of a 51lb 8oz British record mirror carp in 1980, but he also starred in the iconic TV series A Passion For Angling, which featured an episode called ‘Monster Myths’ which was filmed at Redmire Pool and inspired generations of fishermen.
“This beautiful estate that’s situated in such a stunning setting must be worth several millions,” he said. “I can’t imagine that the person or persons that buy it won’t be sensitive and continue to preserve Redmire.
“It might sound a bit selfish, but I’d love to see the lake given a rest and return to how it was back in the day, when it wasn’t extensively fished.
“Then it was all about mystery and the unknown.
“I know it’s great that many more anglers can now fish Redmire, but it would be almost poetic if the new owners maintained the lake, protected the original stocks and just let people occasionally fish there, or even just opened it for anglers to visit.
“The worse-case scenario would be that the new owner turns it into the angling equivalent of a really expensive pheasant shoot. I would hate that because it would then be almost completely inaccessible to the average angler.
“The most important thing is that the lake and its carp remain, and that Redmire is given the love and attention it deserves.”
For more information on
the venue and bookings visit: www.redmirepool.biz
A BRIEF HISTORY OF REDMIRE
Redmire’s life started in March, 1934 when the then owners of the estate instructed fish supplier Donald Leney to stock the pool with 50 5.5ins-8ins carp to try and combat excessive weed growth.
These fish, along with other Redmire stockings and introductions carried out by Leney, mainly in southern England, have produced many of the known big carp in the UK today.
In 1951 a local angler, Bob Richards, got permission to fish the pool and on October 3 he caught a mirror carp of 31lb 4oz – a huge fish back then.
The following year saw Richard Walker on Redmire, and on September 13 he caught Clarissa at a new record weight of 44lb. She spent the rest of her days at London Zoo.
This record stayed intact until Chris Yates upped it with a
51lb 8oz mirror in 1980. In those days Redmire was very much a closed shop and the fishing was kept very private and secretive but now, thanks to the present owners, the magic and mystery of Redmire is available to all.
Dick Walker's record carp Clarissa was caught at Redmire in 1952 at a weight of 44lb.
Two new venues for big money UK Angling Champs 2017
The quest to be crowned 2017 UK Angling Champion will see competitors tackling two new venues as Decoy Lakes and Tri-Cast Weston Pools joins old favourites Garbolino Lindholme Lakes and Barston Lakes as hosts for the four rounds taking place this summer.
Won by Andy Power (above) last September, the UK Champs sees 80 anglers fish over four matches to be crowned champ and pocket the big cash prize and Lindholme opens things up on Wednesday May 31 followed by Decoy on Wednesday June 28. It’s then the turn of Weston Pools on Wednesday July 12 before it all comes to a head at Barston on Wednesday August 30.
The top 40 anglers from last year’s event get an automatic invite to fish but the remaining 40 places will be decided by one big qualifier taking place on Wednesday May 3. Entries are being taken for this with tickets at £25 plus £25 pools, each section winner getting their series entry paid into the bargain!
Details on how to enter the big qualifier can be found on the Barston Lakes website: www.barstonlakes.co.uk
UK Angling Championship 2017 dates
Qualifier – Wednesday May 3 Barston Lakes
Round one – Wednesday May 31 Garbolino Lindholme Lakes
Round two – Wednesday June 28 Decoy Lakes
Round three – Wednesday July 12 Tri-Cast Weston Pools
Round four – Wednesday August 30 Barston Lakes
Maver Match This tickets selling well!
Now firmly established as one of, if not THE best big money match in the UK calendar, 2017’s Maver Mega Match This campaign has seen tickets flying out within weeks of the event’s launch, prompting organisers to anticipate a bumper year for the event.
Tickets went on sale in New Year’s Eve and already, three of the qualifiers are almost sold out with plenty of others filling up nicely, proving that you can’t rest on you4 laurels if you’re planning on taking a punt at fishing this spring and summer – your qualifier of choice may well be sold out when you come to apply!
“Ticket sales for the 2017 Mega Match This event have, once again, surpassed any previous launch to date!” said Event Manager Ben Hughes. “The competition has now entered its seventh year and it’s great to see the event continuing to gather momentum. Mega Match This is now, without doubt, the biggest event in the UK match angling calendar and anglers everywhere want to be a part of it – especially in light of 2016’s record-breaking pay out”.
That saw Frenzee/Bait-Tech man Jon Whincup pick up £70,000 at Hayfield Lakes in the final, the most ever paid out in a UK fishing match and there’s no reason why 2017’s final shouldn’t match that sum. On top of this, a further £12,000 is paid out to second and third plus section winners making it one to win.
The five month qualification campaign begins on Saturday April 2, finishing at The Glebe and Mallory Park on Wednesday August 17 and the 24 qualifiers take in the most popular commercial fisheries evenly-spread through the UK so you won’t have far to travel to fish this year.
Tickets are sold on a first come first serve basis and if they are available, you can book them on-line via the Official Mega Match This website at www.mavermatchthis.co.uk - alternatively, you can book tickets over the telephone on 01527 406300.
2017 British Pike Championship qualifier dates revealed
If you fancy your chances of becoming the next Angling Trust British Pike Fishing Champion then how about taking part in this year's event? Firstly you need to qualify for the Grand Final in November and to do this you need to fish and be placed in one of the qualifiers.
The following round of qualifiers are open to all and can be seen below. Use the contact numbers provided for each qualifier to book on to the event... good luck
Sunday January 22
Englefield Lagoon. Steve Parker: 07918 025472.
Smeatons Lakes, Newark. W A Stevenson: 0115 9638658.
Saturday January 28
Barham Pits, Suffolk. Bill Davies: 07725 910065
Sunday January 29
Holloways Bridge PAIRS, Whittlesey. Stewart Leonard: 07748 437166
Swanton Morley Fishery, Dereham, Norfolk. David Appleby: 01362 637591.
Sunday February 5
Osborns Pond, Shipley Country Park, Heanor, Derbys. W A Stevenson: 0115 9638658.
Ramsey 40ft Narrows, Cambs. Keith Rayment: 07551 840409.
Sherington Pits, Bucks. Chris Rayner: 07952 812527.
Sunday February 12
Dinton Pastures Country Park. Martin Earl: 07979 038074
Saturday February 18
Old Nene, Cambs. Keith Rayment: 07551 840409
Sunday February 19
Clough Bridge, Parson Drove, Nr Wisbech, Cambs. Michael Mumby: 01406 363779.
Smeatons Lakes, Newark. W A Stevenson: 0115 9638658.
Saturday February 25
Barham Pits, Suffolk. Bill Davies: 07725 910065
Sunday February 26
Englefield Lagoon. Steve Parker: 07918 025472.
Swanton Morley Fishery, Dereham, Norfolk. David Appleby: 01362 637591.
Sunday March 12
Mapperley Reservoir, Main Bank, Nr Ilkeston, Derbys. W A Stevenson: 0115 9638658.
Tuesday March 14
Old Nene, Cambs. Keith Rayment: 07551 840409
Andrew Muirhead was crowned British Pike Champion in 2016 with this 18lb 1oz specimen
Canal Pairs qualifier dates revealed
The Angling Trust/Canal & River Trust Canal Pairs Championship returns for 2017 with qualifiers taking place across the UK including Scotland, Wales and Ireland as anglers team up to go in search of the big cash prize at the culmination of the event.
Launched a couple of years ago, the competition has now firmly established itself as a bespoke big money competition exclusively for canal anglers with many qualifiers selling out and over 100 rods turning out for the final, won in 2016 by Sensas Black Country duo Simon Nickless and Steve Dudley.
There’s 13 qualifiers in total, taking in established match venues including the Grand Union, Gloucester, Leeds-Liverpool and New Junction Canals plus the Llangollen in Wales, Newry in Ireland and Forth & Cylde in Scotland, which will allow anglers a shot at making the final wherever they are based.
Tickets are priced at £40 per pair with an online booking system in operation once the event goes live on Monday March 13 and an entry-dependent £16,000 will be on offer in the October grand final to be shared between the top four pairs. Depending on how many anglers fish each heat, up to five pairs will qualify from each match with anglers each fishing a 50 peg mega section, top weight scoring the maximum number of points available. Then, the combined totals will be added to decide the qualifiers.
“The aim of the competition was and still is to inspire match anglers to experience the great fishing that can be found on their local canals,” said National Fisheries and Angling Manager for the Canal & River Trust John Ellis. “The 2016 event was a great success and proved really popular with anglers from across the country and I’m expecting 2017’s Pairs to be just as big a success.”
To find out more about the Canal Pairs Championships including how to enter, go to www.anglingtrust.net
Dates, venues and host clubs for the qualifiers are as follows:
Saturday 1 July - Leeds-Liverpool Canal Liverpool AS waters
Saturday 15 July - Forth & Clyde Canal Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling waters
Sunday 16 July - Basingstoke Canal Basingstoke Canal AA waters
Saturday 29 July - Grand Union Canal (Aylesbury Arm) Tring Anglers waters
Sunday 30 July - Newry Canal Edenderry AC waters
Saturday 5 August - Shropshire Union Canal Hodnet AC waters
Sunday 13 August – Shropshire Union Canal Hodnet AC waters
Sunday 20 August - Kennet & Avon Canal Reading DAA waters
Monday 28 August - Aire & Calder Canal Boothferry Joint Angling Committee waters
Saturday 2 September - New Junction Canal Doncaster AA waters
Sunday 3 September -Trent & Mersey Canal Pride of Derby AA waters
Sunday 10 September - Gloucester & Sharpness Canal Winget AC waters
Sunday 24 September – Staffs/Worcester Canal Wolverhampton AA waters
Saturday 30 September - Grand Union Canal Northampton Nene AC waters
Saturday 7 October - Llangollen Canal Hodnet AC waters
Sunday 8 October - Trent & Mersey Canal Middlewich DAA waters
Grand final: Saturday 21 October – Erewash Canal Long Eaton Victoria AS waters
2017 Rod Licence Changes - What Are They?
Children will fish for free and carp anglers will save money as part of a massive shake-up in the rod licensing system for 2017.
These are just two changes in a raft of new measures announced by Environment Agency bosses in a bid to offer anglers more value for money and encourage more youngsters to fish.
The changes, which come into force this March, include a special price for those using three rods, and scrapping the current £5 fee for under-16s. They will also see 365-day rolling licences from day of purchase. In other words, if you buy a full rod licence in June 2017 it wont expire until June 2018.
The move comes in response to a recent Angling Trust survey in which the nation’s anglers criticised the current licensing system. Big-fish hunters claimed they were being overcharged for fishing three rods by having to buy two full annual licences.
The EA Head of Fisheries Sarah Chare believes the changes reflect feedback from anglers nationwide: “We hope that a 365-day licence, a three-rod licence and a free junior licence will all play a part in getting more young people fishing and securing the sport’s future,” she said.
“All money raised from rod licence sales is ploughed back into England’s fisheries, and is used to fund a wide range of projects to improve facilities for anglers.”
Here's the details........
The new rod licence changes will effect everyone
2017's big money matches - and how to fish them!
There really has never been a better time to be a match angler with every month offering up qualifiers or events to win big money both individually and as a team.
From Fish O’Mania and Maver Match This to established competitions including the Nationals and Winter League, diaries soon become busy and it can be a real job trying to fit everything in. So with 2017 stretching out before us, Angling Times has compiled the ultimate list of events to fish this year, including details of how to fish them and when the matches take place. Dig out that calendar – this year could be your year!
World Pairs Angling Championships
Monday 4 September - Friday 8 September
It may only have been running for a few years, but this week-long angling extravaganza across lakes and loughs in the lakeland area of Ireland has been a massive hit, attracting well over 50 pairs and some of the biggest names in match fishing.
Four times World Champion Bob Nudd, AT columnists Steve Ringer and Tommy Pickering plus a raft of international big names regularly fish, all aiming to win the 12,000 Euro top prize and within the event there’s also the Daiwa Cup running, which rewards the angler that has the biggest total weight over the five days with yet more money plus tackle.
And unlike many festivals, the World Pairs is decided on weight so a poor first few days doesn’t really matter so long as you can make hay while the sun shines when you draw on a few fish. Hybrids and roach are the target fish across massive relatively unfished lakes, anglers fishing specific zones on a rotational basis to ensure that everyone is on a level playing field.
The pairs is also relatively cheap to fish with entry at just £170 per pair, although special reduced rates are on offer is you book your accommodation through an approved agent. For more details or to book on, call 07711 607200 or visit the event website: www.worldpairsangling.com
Waterways Ireland Classic
Monday 8 May – Friday 12 May
The list of anglers that have won this prestigious event really is a who’s who of UK match angling stretching way back to the 1970’s and for those yet to lift the famed crystal trophy, it remains one to win! However, it is no easy task as Fermanagh’s Lough Erne in early May can be a tough nut to crack.
Migratory bream, roach and hybrids run through the system and if you catch them right, good weights are on the cards but if not, it can be a struggle. Decided on weight though, one day on the bream could well win the whole thing although consistency across the three days generally always wins the day.
The week sees two ‘rest’ days between matches but there’s almost always a big open running to give anglers a bit more practice and the chance to win a few quid, £5,000 alone going to the overall winner of the Classic. Entry is £105 (excluding the rod licence needed to fish in Ireland) but reduced rates are on offer if you book accommodation through approved agents.
For the full low down on the Classic, check out the event’s website www.fermanaghclassicfishing.com where you’ll find all you need to know about this historic match including how to enter, how it all works and the prize list up for grabs.
White Acres Coarse Angling Festivals
Frenzee Festival – week commencing 27 March
Milo Festival – week commencing 8 May
Guru Festival – week commencing 15 May
Maver Festival – week commencing 2 October
Preston Innovations Festival – week commencing 9 October
Parkdean Masters Final - Saturday 14 October
These dates are often the first to go into the diary for many anglers as they’re about so much more than just fishing. Making the long trip down to Cornwall offers the chance to meet up with old mates, sink a few ales and enjoy top nights out but there is a serious side to the festivals with decent money on offer.
Spring sees three events running, the new Frenzee event plus the Milo and Guru festivals before things sign off at the end of summer with the Maver and Preston Innovations events, the latter seeing the top 25 anglers quality for the one day Parkdean Masters Final where £25,000 will go to the top man.
Each festival is fished across five days, taking in White Acres’ on-site lakes plus Porth Reservoir and Bolingey Lakes which are a short drive away, all accommodation being on-site in lodges or static caravans with full bar and dining facilities just a short walk away. Winners are decided on section points once angler’s worst score over the week is dropped so realistically, you’re looking at four section wins to make it onto the podium.
To reserve your place, call the White Acres fishery team on 01726 862526, all the spec on each event available by visiting White Acres’ dedicated fishing website www.news-reel.com
Sensas International Challenge
Saturday 11 March & Sunday 12 March – Gloucester Canal
Matches fished to continental rules are rare in the UK today but the two day Sensas Challenge stands head and shoulders above them all, attracting the big teams from the UK and a few from abroad too, this year’s event taking place on the wide and deep Gloucester Canal in mid-March.
Bloodworm and joker is allowed but there are rules on pole lengths plus how much bait you can use and feederfishing is not allowed. If you and some mates fancy mixing it with the likes of Alan Scotthorne, you can enter a team to do battle. E-mail Sensas UK boss and England Manager Mark Downes on mtd@sensas.fr and he’ll do the rest!
Angling Trust Nationals
Division One – Saturday 19 August Shropshire Union Canal
Division Two – Saturday 9 September Aire & Calder & New Junction Canals
Although the gloss from these massive events may have diminished down the years, there’s still something magical about National day, pitting your team against dozens of others across miles of a venue you’ve probably never seen before, let alone fished.
Practice days offer a great lad’s trip out and of course, the buzz at the draw and the anticipation as you walk to your peg can’t be beaten. It’s a team match though and so that means fishing for a weight to score enough points rather than trying to win the match outright – but some lucky devil will always end up drawn on a few bream!
This year’s events sees the Division One, including Dorking, Starlets, Barnsley et al heading to the Shropshire Union Canal while the Division Two teams are off to the sprawling Aire & Calder and New Junction Canals.
Team entries are still being taken although each angler will need to be a paid up member of the Angling Trust to fish. E-mail the Trust’s Competitions Manager Sandra Johnson at Sandra.Johnson@Anglingtrust.net to find out more.
Angling Trust Winter League
The race for spots in February’s two day final is done and dusted with the top two teams from each league making it through to Decoy Lakes and the Fen Drains but before you know it, October will roll around and it’ll be time to do battle once again!
Leagues run all around the UK, some on commercial fisheries while most take in a mix of natural and carp waters for the ultimate test of team angling. Team sizes vary depending on the league you are in, ranging from eight to 10 anglers with the winners decided on total section points and with reach match being between 40 and 80 pegs, they’re big events well worth fishing.
Any team can enter so long as each angler is a member of the Angling Trust, leagues kicking off in early October and running up to Christmas. E-mail the Trust’s Competitions Manager Sandra Johnson at Sandra.Johnson@Anglingtrust.net to find out where your nearest league is running in 2017.
Evesham Angling Championships
Saturday 17 June - Evesham Qualifier
Sunday 18 June - Wychavon Qualifier
Wednesday 21 June - Evesham Qualifier
Saturday 24 June - Wychavon Qualifier
Sunday 25 June - Evesham Qualifier
Wednesday 28 June - Wychavon Qualifier
Saturday 1 July - Evesham Qualifier
Sunday 2 July - Team Qualifier
Wednesday 5 July - Wychavon Qualifier
Wednesday 12 July - Evesham Qualifier
Saturday 15 July - Wychavon Qualifier
Sunday 16 July - Evesham Qualifier
Wednesday 19 July - Wychavon Qualifier
Saturday 22 July - Wychavon Qualifier
Sunday 23 July - Evesham Qualifier
Saturday 29 July - Evesham Qualifier
Sunday 30 July - Team Qualifier
Saturday 5 August - Evesham Qualifier
Sunday 6 August - The Hampton Ferry Show
Wednesday 9 August - Veterans Evesham Qualifier
Saturday 12 August - Evesham Qualifier
Sunday 13 August - Wychavon Qualifier
Saturday 19 August - Wychavon Qualifier
Sunday 20 August - Evesham Qualifier
In its many guises, Evesham weekend is a popular draw seeing a three day angling extravaganza on the Warks Avon at Evesham over the Bank Holiday August weekend, taking in the Wychavon and Evesham individual events plus the Team Championships on the Monday itself.
Big money awaits the winners, each match seeing massed banks of spectators along the river and it’s a true festival in its own right with tackle stands, a beer tent and live commentary to keep you in the picture with regards to what’s happening.
Before the finals though, there are dozens of qualifiers on the river kicking off when the river season opens. These are open to all and offer multiple final places each time so there’s plenty of changes to make it through to the big weekend. To book onto a qualifier, head to the Hampton Ferry website www.hamptonferry.co.uk and click on the angling link to book into a qualifier, each match costing £25.50.
Fish O’Mania XXIV
Wednesday 8 March – Bait-Tech Viaduct Fishery
Saturday 11 March - Heronbrook Fisheries
Saturday 25 March - Tunnel Barn Farm
Sunday 26 March – Coleman’s Cottage Fishery
Saturday 1 April – Bait-Tech Viaduct Fishery
Saturday 8 April – Preston Innovations Woodland View
Wednesday 12 April - Monk Lakes
Saturday 15 April - Barford Lakes
Wednesday 19 April - Partridge Lakes
Saturday 22 April – Guru Makin’s Fishery
Saturday 6 May - Tunnel Barn Farm
Wednesday 10 May - Monk Lakes
Wednesday 17 May - Lakeview Fishery
Saturday 20 May – Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery
Sunday 21 May – Garbolino Lindholme Lakes
Wednesday 24 May - Messingham Sands
Saturday 27 May – Coleman’s Cottage Fishery
Saturday 3 June - Oaks Lakes
Sunday 4 June - Larford Lakes
Wednesday 7 June – Preston Innovations Boldings Pools
Saturday 10 June – Woodland Lakes
Wednesday 14 June - Partridge Lakes
Saturday 17 June - Gold Valley Lakes
Wednesday 21 June – Garbolino Lindholme Lakes
The original and still the most popular of all the big money events, Fish O is always over-subscribed with the added magic of the full five hours of the final at Cudmore Fisheries beamed live into UK homes by the Sky TV cameras, as if the pressure of fishing for £50,000 wasn’t enough!
This year sees the final extended to 28 places with some qualifiers taking place abroad and there’s a new online booking system and process in place to enter in 2017 which will make it quicker and easier for anglers to apply for tickets. Tickets go on sale in February with details on how to apply on the Angling Trust website www.anglingtrust.net although you must be a Trust member to apply.
Maver Mega Match This
Saturday 1 April – The Glebe/Mallory Park
Sunday 2 April – Maver Hayfield Lakes
Saturday 8 April – Partridge Lakes
Saturday 15 April – Preston Innovations Woodland View
Sunday 30 April – Garbolino Lindholme Lakes
Saturday 13 May – Heronbrook Fisheries
Saturday 20 May – Partridge Lakes
Sunday 21 May – Westwood Lakes
Saturday 27 May – Gold Valley Lakes
Sunday 28 May - The Glebe/Mallory Park
Sunday 4 June – Maver Hayfield Lakes
Wednesday 7 June – Decoy Lakes
Saturday 10 June – Solhampton Fishery
Saturday 17 June – Bait-Tech Viaduct Fishery
Saturday 1 July – Partridge Lakes
Saturday 8 July – Monk Lakes
Saturday 15 July –Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery
Saturday 22 July – Coleman’s Cottage Fishery
Wednesday 26 July - The Glebe/Mallory Park
Saturday 29 July – Garbolino Lindholme Lakes
Sunday 6 August – Barston Lakes
Wednesday 9 August – Decoy Lakes
Saturday 12 August – Tunnel Barn Farm
Sunday 13 August - The Glebe/Mallory Park
Offering the biggest prize in UK match angling, the Match This event has gone from strength to strength over the years. This year is likely to see £70,000 go to the winner of the Hayfield Lakes Final and tickets are on sale now!
Taking in 24 qualifiers on commercial fisheries, there’s more or less a match every weekend to have a crack at, the winner going through to the final where Jon Whincup took the honours last summer in a star-studded final. All the details including how to book a qualifier place can be found at www.mavermatchthis.co.uk
Golden Reel Angling Championship
Saturday 4 March - Decoy Lakes
Saturday 11 March – Coleman’s Cottage Fishery
Saturday 18 March – Larford Lakes
Saturday 25 March – Bait-Tech Viaduct Fishery
Saturday 1 April – Monk Lakes
Sunday 9 April – Larford Lakes
Saturday 15 April – Westwood Lakes
Saturday 22 April – Heronbrook Fisheries
Sunday 23 April – The Glebe Fishery
Wednesday 26 April – Partridge Lakes
Saturday 6 May – Bait-Tech Viaduct Fishery
Saturday 13 May – Garbolino Lindholme Lakes
Wednesday 17 May –Decoy Lakes
Wednesday 24 May - The Glebe Fishery
Saturday 27 May – Barston Lakes
Saturday 3 June – Gold Valley Lakes
Saturday 10 June – Garbolino Lindholme Lakes
Saturday 17 June – Larford Lakes
Friday 23 June – Partridge Lakes
Saturday 1 July – The Glebe Fishery
Saturday 8 July – Larford Lakes
Saturday 15 July – Heronbrook Fisheries
Wednesday 19 July – The Glebe Fishery
Saturday 29 July – Tunnel Barn Farm
Created by Larford Lakes boss Phil Briscoe, Golden Reel is brand new for 2017 and offers anglers yet another chance to fish for big money with £50,000 up for grabs in this summer’s final at Larford. Tickets are already on sale and AT readers can have a crack at making the final for free thanks to our exclusive competition on this page!
From each eliminator, the winner will book their place at Larford, the match preceded by a gala dinner and then taking place over five hours with TV cameras present. Matches are on commercial fisheries. Check out the website www.goldenreelangling.co.uk to book your place now.
Preston Innovations Feedermasters
Sunday 16 April - Barston Lakes
Saturday 22 April - Southfield Reservoir
Saturday 29 April - Larford Lakes
Saturday 6 May - Lough Erne
Sunday 7 May - Barston Lakes
Sunday 21 May - Ferry Meadows Country Park
Sunday 28 May - Gold Valley Lakes
Saturday 3 June - Carr Mill Dam
Sunday 11 June - Carr Mill Dam
Saturday 17 June - Ferry Meadows
Sunday 25 June - Daiwa Hallcroft Fishery
Sunday 2 July - Ferry Meadows Country Park
Sunday 9 July - Tidal River Trent
Sunday 16 July - River Yare
Saturday 22 July - Southfield Reservoir
Sunday 6 August - Bough Beech Reservoir
Sunday 13 August - Southfield Reservoir
Sunday 20 August - Bough Beech Reservoir
Saturday 26 August - Patshull Park
Saturday 2 September - Lough Muckno
Launched last year, this event is Fish O’Mania for feeder anglers with multiple qualifiers, feeder-only, seeing three zone winners go through to the big final at Bough Beech Reservoir fishing for a big prize and this year, like in the inaugural event, there are eliminators in Ireland as well as on the UK mainland.
Taking in rivers, big natural lakes and commercial fisheries, it doesn’t matter what type of venue you concentrate on, there’s a match to suit you. 2016’s event sold out and organisers Lee Kerry and Mick Vials are confident of more of the same this time around. To enter, keep your eyes peeled on the Feedermasters website www.feedermasters.co.uk with entries to open very soon!
Angling Trust RiverFest
Event creator Dave Harrell is still finalising venues for this running water extravaganza which is expected to run along the same lines as previous campaigns, seeing three 20 peg zone winners from each qualifier win through to the two day final on the River Wye at Hereford in November where total weight will decide the champion and winner of the £12,000 top prize.
Famous waterways including the Wye, Severn, Trent, Bristol Avon and Yare are all likely to be included but there could be a few newbies for 2017 to help keep things fresh. The final itself, provided it catches the river in top form, will be something spectacular with big barbel, chub, roach and perch weights. Keep your eyes peeled in AT or on the Angling Trust’s website (www.anglingtrust.net) for when the qualifiers dates and venues are announced.
Mark Addy to retire from England management role
Drennan Team England’s medal-winning management duo of Mark Downes and Mark Addy is no more after Mark Addy announced his retirement from the international scene.
With his 70th birthday approaching, Mark believes that now is the right time to call it quits and he’ll be a hard act to follow after a glittering co-management career stretching way back to 2001 and taking in six World Championships wins on top of a host of European and Six Nations/Home International titles.
Add to that a successful tenure as former boss Dick Clegg’s right hand man in the late 90’s and it’s no understatement to say that the diminutive Manchester angler has been a key part of England’s continued success. Enough though, is enough or Mark as he hands the reins over solely to Mark Downes for 2017’s campaigns on foreign soil.
“I’ve had enough and to be frank, things aren’t like they used to be,” Mark told AT. “Most of the managers who were in charge of the other countries have now finished and nothing lasts forever so I think it is time to step down. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had a great time working with Mark, Dick and the various anglers down the years and have made some great friends around the world but I simply don’t get the buzz anymore.”
“I started to think about it after September’s World Champs and it took a long while to be certain because it is so hard to break away from something as good as this England team have been,” he continued. “However, the future is very bright for the team. Mark is a brilliant manager and he’s got a lot of young, hungry anglers around him to work with who have all fished at international level and know the score.”
Mark’s England involvement began in 1995 when he fished the World Champs in Finland and then in 1996 in Italy before stepping down to help Dick Clegg. When Dick retired, Mark and Mark Downes were appointed at joint bosses ahead of the World Champs in 2001 when England beat France and the rest of the world in Paris, a result Mark rates as his finest.
“Beating the French in my first shot as Co-Manager was a hard act to follow but looking back, we’ve had days when we were untouchable – I’m thinking Spinadesco in Italy in 2008 and Poland in 2013 when we obliterated the field,” Mark recalled. “I’ve also been blessed to work with brilliant anglers. Alan Scotthorne and William Raison remain head and shoulders above anything I’ve seen both at home and abroad in terms of ability, dedication and big match pedigree.”
Mark’s World Champs management record
2001 – First (France)
2002 – Fourth (Portugal)
2003 - Fifth (Slovakia)
2004 – Second (Belgium)
2005 – First (Finland)
2006 – First (Portugal)
2007 – Fifth (Hungary)
2008 – First (Italy)
2009 – Fifth (Netherlands)
2010 – First (Spain)
2011 – Fifth (Italy)
2012 – Sixth (Czech Republic)
2013 – First (Poland)
2014 – Sixteenth (Croatia)
2015 – Third (Slovenia)
2016 – Third (Bulgaria)
Medals total:
Gold – six
Silver – one
Bronze - two