Blackcountryfishing - Angling News

TAKE A FRIEND FISHING COULD BE ROLLED OUT INTO WINTER

1/10/2021

This summer’s Take a Friend Fishing (TAFF) scheme has been hailed as a huge success, with a record number of people taking part every day it was in operation. But the drive to attract new blood into the sport isn’t stopping there.

Organisers are revealing that it could even be extended next year to attract more newcomers.

Run as a partnership between the Angling Trust, Environment Agency and Angling Trades Association, the scheme allows rod licence-holders to receive a free one-day licence to take a friend along, and this year it ran from July 23rd until September 5th.

More than 2,100 people got involved, with 50 per cent more taking part daily than last year. This followed an increased promotional push aided by a raft of ‘angling influencers’ including Paul Whitehouse, Bob Mortimer, and Jeremy Wade.

More women than ever before also took part, an aspect which particularly pleased the Trust’s angling promotion manager, Will Smith:

“The success of this year’s TAFF shows just how high the nation’s appetite for fishing is after the joys of the great outdoors were rediscovered over the Covid lockdowns,” he said.
“Anglers of all ages took part, with people between 13 and 90 years old involved! There was also a huge boost in the number of females, with a third of those introduced to fishing being women and girls.”

The Angling Trust has every confidence in the event’s future and hopes it can continue to grow. Clive Copeland, the Trust’s head of participation, said:

“This year saw a different approach, with the event going on pretty much all summer. We’d like to run the campaign throughout summer next year, but I’d also like to propose another one in winter. We could then show that fishing is a sport for all seasons and introduce people to the joys of targeting different species and venues”.

ILLEGAL ANGLERS CAUGHT USING CRUEL FISHING LINES THAT CAUSE 'LINGERING DEATH'

16/9/2021

The 'shallow rig' uses a bent nail and dead fish as bait

Two men who appeared to have been drinking were caught using a "disgraceful and cruel" fishing line in a river running through Staffordshire.
They were caught on the River Dove, at Tutbury, with what is known as a 'shallow rig' for

poaching. It has a bent nail that gets caught in animals' stomachs and is baited with a dead fish.

Any animal that eats the fish ends up suffering a 'lingering miserable death'.

John Anderson, of the Burton Trent Partnership, was made aware of the illegal anglers and after trying to get in touch with nearby fishing clubs, he went out to see what was happening for himself.
When he got there, he found two men who he described as 'drunk and inebriated', who had a bag of dead fish next to them on the riverbank.

He told them it was illegal to fish with the line they had, but he says they became abusive and only left when he threatened to call the police.

Mr Anderson also informed the Environment Agency hotline about what he had witnessed.

He said: "They were very verbally abusive, but when I threatened to call the police, they went and took everything with them apart from the line as it got caught in the undergrowth.

"The swallow rig is used for poaching. A fish (pike) swallows this and the bent nails wedge on the stomach. Of course since it’s baited with a dead fish, any animal that eats fish could be caught and left to have a lingering miserable death.

"It is disgraceful and cruel and it makes me really angry. This is why we are trying to do something about it.

"We've had a lot of people getting in touch asking how they can help as I think the cruelty aspects shocks people when they see it.
"I have to tell them that they are often not very pleasant people and the best thing to do is call the Environment Agency hotline."

The Burton Trent Partnership was set up to stop illegal and dangerous activity along the River Trent in and around Burton.

It has carried out four sting operations so far, one of which led to a recent prosecution.

An angler caught coarse fishing in the closed season was fined £435 for illegal fishing on the River Trent, having been caught by the partnership back in March.

ILLEGAL ANGLING OPERATION CARRIED OUT ON RIVER TRENT BY POLICE

5/9/2021

Officers from Staffordshire Police carried out checks on anglers along the River Trent

Police have been carrying out checks to catch those fishing illegally in Burton in the act.
Officers from Staffordshire Police have been working with Burton Trent Angling Partnerships over the past few months, tackling illegal fishing on the River Trent.

As part of that, checks were carried out at the weekend to check that all anglers have the correct paperwork to be catching fish along the river.

Officers checked 11 anglers as part of the operation and they were all found to have valid, in date rod licenses, memberships and the right to fish.

A spokesman for the force added that they had really positive engagement with the local community as the checks were carried out.

The Burton Trent Partnership group was set up after rising incidents in the town in a bid to catch people breaking the laws - and the regular patrols seem to be working. It has vowed to continue its work too.

The first operation was a big success as a group of anglers fishing illegally was caught behind a clump of trees at the Meadowside Leisure Centre fishing when they should not have been.

All of the fishing rights along the banks of the Trent through Burton are owned by fishing clubs so anyone fishing there must be a member of the club.

The Burton Trent Partnership is made up of groups including the police, the Environment Agency, Staffordshire Borough Council's community civil enforcement team, six Coors Angling Club bailiffs, one Ferry Bridge Angling Club bailiff and five Angling Trust VBS bailiffs.

The partnership was founded in 2020 as a collaborative body for organisations and individuals with an interest in the River Trent and surrounding areas in Burton.

COULD PAPER ROD LICENCES BE ON THE WAY OUT?

3/9/2021

The Environment Agency has launched a countrywide survey to help shape the future of rod licences – and it could include the scrapping of our famous paper permits.

Undertaken by a market research company on behalf of the EA, the survey also seeks opinion from anglers on the creation of a ‘young persons’ concessionary permit, and a potential 10 per cent annual price rise on yearly tickets.

Since 2017, the cost of the standard, two-rod licence has been frozen at £30.00, but the considered changes could see the price rise to £33.00 in time for the 2023 season. It’s believed the new cost would help offset funds lost by the creation of a new permit aimed at encouraging 17 to 24-year-olds to keep fishing.

One angler who took part in the research and reckons it’s the switch from a paper licence – featuring images from celebrated artist David Miller – to a digital record which will cause the biggest upset.

He said: “I don’t mind paying an extra £3.00 a year, and I really like the idea of a young persons’ concession. The people doing the survey told me that there’s been a dramatic fall in licence sales among people aged 16 to those in their early twenties, so anything to encourage them would be great. The only thing I don’t like is scrapping paper licences. They’re part of our angling heritage”

An EA spokesperson said: “No decisions have yet been taken, but any changes to the current fishing licence will not come into effect until 2023, and will be formally communicated to all anglers”.

WASSELL GROVE FISHERY NEW POOL UNDERWAY

16/8/2021

Update on the new pool situation from Paul at Wassell Grove Fishery.

All tree stumps out, new overflow complete, new patch liner installed where we believe the initial leak was and now just a final clean up.

Should start filling her up tomorrow and providing that the pool holds water, we will call it the Grove Pool.

The pool will be a new match lake and wait for it, no islands! Fingers crossed that, all being well and the pool holds water, we will be stocking over the winter and it should be ready for use next year.

A quick thanks to all that have worked on it over the past 12 months.

EVESHAM ANGLING FESTIVAL 2021

10/8/2021

Evesham Angling Festival, is a three day event fished over August Bank Holiday (from Saturday 28th - Monday 30th August 2021), it remains the UK’s premier river fishing competition, celebrating its 43rd year in 2021.
Evesham Angling Festival’s tented retail village will once again be attending The

Crown Meadow site. The angling qualifiers are well under-way with a number of top anglers already securing their place in this prestigious annual event.

Naturally, the emphasis of this year’s event will be the safety of everyone who attends, the organisers will be following stringent precautions to protect everyone involved, in accordance with government guidelines and an approved risk assessment with the council.

The exhibitors are returning this year after missing last year due to Covid restrictions, along with some who have not attended in a while and some new exhibitors.

Fred and his brilliant team are planning quality food at an affordable price and Rich returns with a fantastic choice of beers, ciders etc. all at low show special prices.

The Craft Fair and Fun Fair will also be on site.

There will be a confectionery stall (food, candy floss, etc.) and a limited number of retail spaces available.

Entry once again is free and onsite parking (with a designated disabled area) is just £7.00 for any vehicle.

RECORD SUM RAISED AT OLLY WILKES MEMORIAL FISHING CONTEST

1/8/2021

A record sum of nearly £2,000 was raised for charity at the fourth annual Olly Wilkes Fishing Contest.
The event, remembering 22-year-old Olly Wilkes from Brierley Hill who passed away in 2017, was blessed with

sunshine although hit by Covid which meant a number of participants had to drop out.

But the fundraiser at Elmbridge Fishery, Droitwich, which also included a raffle, raised a whopping £1,891.35 for Acorns children's hospice.

Organiser Simon Wilkes, Olly's dad, said: "It went really well. I just can't believe how much money a fishing contest has raised. Not everyone caught fish, but all had a great day - yet again in Olly’s memory.

"It was such a shame that quite a few had to drop out through having to isolate or actually having Covid. We would just like to thank everyone who made this another special event in Olly's memory."

The contest was won by Josh Potter for the second time, with Josh Hill taking second place and Mark Potter - third.

BIGNELL IS FISHOMANIA CHAMPION 2021

24/7/2021

Harry Bignell won Cazoo FishOMania by the biggest winning margin in the competition’s history as he landed the £50,000 title with 85.225kg, 63kg more than second-placed Sam Brown.

The 30-year-old Yorkshireman never seemed to stop catching, and after taking the lead at the two-hour mark continued to extend his advantage as every weigh-in went by. His total catch was a shade over 10kg short of FishO’s biggest ever winning weight – Neil Machin’s 98.69kg in 2006.

“The peg has been really, really good,” said Bignell. “I had one short to start with and then went long at 16 metres. It was a bit too deep so I came back to 14 metres and stayed on that line all day.
“I struggled at times; I had a half hour period without a bite, but it’s been really good. I wasn;t nervous beforehand; it’s just another fishing match. If all of these people had been [around my peg] at the start I definitely would have been but because I was catching, it was great.

“I will be giving some of my prize money to my bank runner, will spend some on my daughter and probably save the rest.”
The battle for second place was a compelling one but at the end of the five-hour match it was Sam Brown who pipped Zac Brown to the £10,000 Runners-Up prize. Consolation for Zac was one of three £2,500 section winner prizes, with Robert Taylor and Ben Lockwood also topping their six-angler sections.

Before the match it was defending back-to-back champion Andy Bennett who was most fancied; a record short price of 2/1 was the best available on the Manchester man, who had drawn a favourable peg 4. However, he eventually finished 10th despite leading afyter the first weigh-in, while FishO legend Jamie Hughes finished 12th on his 10th consecutive appearance.

Owen Newman was crowned 2021 NXTGEN champion by just 25grams, the tightest NXTGEN contest FishOMania has ever seen. A mammoth first hour saw him net 7.625kg, although Josh Paling moved to the top of the leaderboard at the halfway stage of the four-hour match. Paling kept hold of top spot with an hour to go, with Sarah Taylor not too far behind in third.

However, it was Newman who took it in the final hour, winning from peg 8 to collect the £2,500 NXTGEN Winners’ cheque.

“I am speechless,” said Newman. “It has been so close, everyone has fished well, but it’s fantastic. I thought Josh or Sarah were going to take it but it’s fantastic to win.”

Following the NXTGEN match, it was announced that as of next year there will be a direct qualifying match for the NXTGEN, and the winner of NXTGEN 2022 will qualify for the 2023 FishOMania grand final.

FishOMania was broadcast live on Sky Sports and will return in 2022. Details on the dates and qualifying events will be available later this year.

CAZOO FISHOMANIA TOP 5

1. Harry Bignell | 85.225kg (Peg 12)
2. Sam Brown | 22.225kg (Peg 11)
3. Zac Brown | 21.550kg (Peg 15)
4. Robert Taylor | 21.150kg (Peg 19)
5. Ben Lockwood | 20.550kg (Peg 5)

TAKE A FRIEND FISHING IS BACK AND WILL RUN FROM FRIDAY 23RD JULY 2021 UNTIL SUNDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER 2021

20/7/2021

Take a Friend Fishing was relaunched in 2020 when over 4,000 people took part – this partnership initiative is designed to give more people the chance to get into fishing.

This summer’s campaign aims to get even more people back out by the waterside. The initiative will show people it’s still just as easy to get into angling, especially with a friend to show you how, and a free fishing licence from the Environment Agency usually worth £6.00 to £12.00.

WHY SHOULD I TAKE PART?

Here’s three great reasons…

1. The summer holidays are a fantastic opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy some time next to the water. Taking a friend or family member for a fishing trip is the ideal opportunity to spend time outdoors and escape your screens this summer.

2. Getting outside in the countryside is a great way to be with family and friends and angling is the perfect fit for staying active outdoors, especially if you are staying in the country this summer.

3. With physical activity playing a vital role in both our health and mental wellbeing, a fishing trip with a mate or family member means you can stay active, and fish safely following guidelines on the Angling Trust website.

WHERE CAN I TAKE A FRIEND FISHING?
There are fisheries, lakes, stretches of river and canal open all over the country near to where you live that are perfect to visit for a catch-up with a friend during a quick Take a Friend Fishing trip together.

WHEN CAN I TAKE A FRIEND FISHING?
Due to its massive success throughout 2020, Take a Friend Fishing is back for the summer holidays. Between Friday 23rd July 2021 to Sunday 5th September 2021 (inclusive), existing fishing licence holders can register for a FREE one-day fishing licence from the Environment Agency to take someone they know fishing.

DO ME AND MY FRIEND NEED AN EMAIL ADDRESS?
Yes. You both have to have a working email address. This offer is only available online via this web page. You cannot register anywhere else. The free one-day fishing licence can only be issued by email. Both you and your friend need a separate email address and it must be working. This is a condition of the offer and there is no other offer or alternative available. If you or your friend need to get an email it’s quick and easy to get one free by using a service such as Gmail from Google – using this example it takes less than 5 minutes to setup a free Gmail email address here at www.accounts.google.com/signup – of course, other free email services are available!

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I REGISTER?
You’ll receive an email with your free licence. You need to bring a copy with you on your phone or device so that you can show it to any Environment Agency Officer, Fishery Owner or Club/Syndicate Bailiff if requested.

You can sign-up here for a free one-day Environment Agency fishing licence: https://anglingtrust.net/takeafriendfishing/

Source: Angling Trust

BARBEL SOCIETY CHAIRMAN GIVES ANGLERS A WARNING ABOUT FISHING IN HIGH TEMPERATURES

20/7/2021

Barbel Society Chairman, Steve Pope

Barbel Society Chairman, Steve Pope, has called on anglers to stop fishing for barbel in the current heatwave to help protect fish stocks.
Steve said: “In temperatures like these, you really shouldn’t fish for barbel.
"I’ve cancelled my guiding days, which isn’t ideal, but the fish have to come first.

"When the water gets over 20 degrees, dissolved oxygen drops off the scale, and at the moment some of our rivers are 22 degrees!

"Even if you think a fish you’ve landed has swam off alright, it’s so hard to be sure they are in such temperatures, so it’s best to leave them alone.

"There’s rain forecast next week, so hopefully by then things will be safer.”

Source: Angling Times