Blog Archives

MATT AND MICK ARE BACK!

28/1/2021

Matt Hayes and Mick Brown Are Back

Angling stars Matt Hayes and Mick Brown have announced they will be returning to TV screens to launch a new show - and they need your help

Filming for the show, which has been given the provisional title of 'Rod Race: Reloaded', is set to start in Autumn 2021 and will follow the duo as they tackle a selection of angling challenges during a whistle stop tour of the nation'.

While some challenges will be penned by the series production team, the pair are inviting viewers to have their say on the trials they'll face and the venues they'll visit.

Matt said: ''We'll be taking our lead from the suggestions made by Rod Race fans on my Facebook page, or by email.

Early responses hint that we'll be trying to catch a variety of species, one big fish or a mixture of fish!"

• To forward your challenge, email rodrace@icloud.com, or visit Matt's Facebook page.

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BUILDING BRIDGES PROJECT RELEASE A POCKET GUIDE FOR ANGLERS

23/1/2021

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Over the past eight years the Building Bridges Project has made huge progress towards the successful integration of migrant angling communities in England – providing positive education and advice to help anglers understand our angling laws and customs.

At ‘grass roots’ level, the Building Bridges team assist and support angling clubs and fisheries by translating their rules into different languages and offering free multi-lingual signage and leaflets.

Working together with key partners and clubs, the staff host integrated angling events, bringing together anglers from different countries and cultures in addition to organising school visits and coaching days – giving many youngsters from diverse backgrounds an introduction to fishing in the UK.

The Building Bridges team have produced a useful guide to help anglers understand the freshwater fishing rules in England. Funded by income from fishing licence sales, the guide covers essential information including where to buy fishing licences, the close season, fishing from boats, illegal fishing, enforcement and answers to frequently asked questions. The guides are available in English, Lithuanian, Polish and Romanian.

Click here to download a copy of their Pocket Guide for Anglers – available in English, Lithuanian, Polish and Romanian

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THE WEST MIDLANDS ACCOUNTED FOR THE BIGGEST RISE IN NEWCOMERS TO ANGLING IN 2020, NEW FIGURES HAVE SHOWN.

7/1/2021

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At the end of November 2020, there were just over 151,000 full licence holders in the region, a rise of 17 per cent over 12 months, with the region of Greater Manchester and Merseyside showing the next biggest increase

(up 16.4 per cent to 86,000), followed by Cumbria and Lancashire (up 15.5 per cent to 45,000).

The figures, released by the Environment Agency, revealed that a further 12 regions showed an increase in participation wring that timeframe, helping to contribute to an overall rise of 108,000 in the number of rod licence holders.

The West Midlands remains the region with the most overall licence holders, followed by East Anglia (1033,000) and Yorkshire (1005,000). The EA also revealed how the overall growth in sales has continued in the months leading up to Christmas, in spite of the Covid pandemic and unfavourable weather conditions.

A spokesperson for the Agency said: "Despite traditionally being a quieter time of year for fishing, in October, 36,851 people bought a fishing licence, and a further 18,928 licences were sold in November."

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ANGLING TRUST STATEMENT: FISHING IS NOW ALLOWED AGAIN DURING NATIONAL LOCKDOWN

7/1/2021

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The Government have now formally responded to the representations made by the Angling Trust.

We have promoted the huge benefits of fishing on individual health and wellbeing and have been able to present a case to which the Government have listened.

On this basis I am pleased to announce that fishing will be permitted during the third national lockdown in England.
The Head of Sports Participation at DCMS confirmed the following;

“fishing is allowed as exercise so long as participants adhere to the rules on staying local, gathering limits, social distancing and limiting the time spent outdoors”

This has also been confirmed by DEFRA;

“Cabinet Office have now officially confirmed that angling / fishing (incl. sea fishing off private boats, water sports) can be considered exercise and are hence permitted.”

We have worked extremely hard to reach this position and we as anglers have a duty to abide by the strict conditions under which fishing is once again permitted. With infection rates and death tolls rising we must stick to the Government’s rules and ensure that angling remains part of the solution and does not cause problems.

Please bear in mind these key points which will be reflected in the new Angling Trust guidelines which we will publish shortly:

- This is a strictly limited resumption of LOCAL fishing and very different to how we have been allowed to operate since May
- We are in a National Lockdown and this must be respected. The law requires a ‘reasonable excuse’ to leave your home or penalties will apply.
- The government has recognised that fishing can be seen as exercise, which is expressly permitted under the lockdown rules, although outdoor recreation is not.
- Organised sporting gatherings are prohibited so no match fishing.
- The exercise is limited to once a day so no overnight fishing whatsoever.
- To remain within the law you should follow the government’s guidance, and only fish locally within the district where you live. If you have no local fishing available then you will have to take your daily exercise in other ways.

We are once again able to enjoy the sport we love at a time when many others can not and we must ensure that every angler adheres to the rules.

I would ask all anglers who are not members to join the Angling Trust and give us your support. We have worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome and that is only possible thanks to the support of our new and existing members.

I would ask all anglers who value their ability to go fishing to make the same commitment as your fellow anglers have and join the Angling Trust. We are stronger together!
Membership - Angling Trust https://anglingtrust.net/membership/

Stay safe and very best fishes

Jamie Cook
CEO – Angling Trust

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ANGLING TRUST: FISHING NOT ALLOWED DURING NATIONAL LOCKDOWN

6/1/2021

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The government has put up the 'no fishing' signs, confirms the Angling Trust.

Fishing will not be allowed in England during the current Covid-19 national lockdown, starting from 6th January 2021.

Angling was the first recreational activity allowed to return to action during the first lockdown forced by the coronavirus pandemic, and the sport was given the nod to continue during the November lockdown.

But the suspension reflects how serious the situation surrounding the second strain of Covid-19 is being taken.

"Whilst the regulations have not yet been published we have been informed this evening by the Cabinet Office that the Government have taken the decision that fishing in England will not be permitted during this national lockdown period," said Jamie Cook, chief executive of the governing body, the Angling Trust.

"Whilst this is disappointing news I would ask anglers, fisheries and clubs to respect these rules and the reason they have been put in place; to help save lives and support the NHS.

"Individuals should not go fishing from midnight tonight (5th January) and clubs and fisheries should close their waters to anglers. We will be publishing more detailed guidance on specific areas like bailiffing and fishery maintenance once the Government regulations have been published."

Cook outlined that the case for fishing to continue had been presented.

"Over the past few weeks we have been in communication with the Government at the highest possible level," he explained.
"We have presented a strong case on how fishing could continue safely during the third national lockdown.

"We have explained that fishing benefits physical health and mental wellbeing and that it is regularly the only form of activity individuals undertake.

"My team and I have consistently presented the arguments ahead of the changing Government guidelines, which have allowed fishing to remain permitted continuously since the first national lockdown was lifted in May.

"We have been successful when other sports have not as all anglers will know.

"However, with 60,000 new infections announced today, the Government have taken the decision that leaving home for recreation or leisure, including all forms of recreational fishing, should be prohibited in England during this third national lockdown period."

And in a message to members he said: "I thank you for your support and for being a credit to our sport. As members, you can rest assured that the Angling Trust will continue to represent our sport at the highest level and will present proposals for the resumption of angling when it is safe and sensible to do so.

"We will come through this period of national crisis. We will fish again, but until then, please, stay safe."

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NEW 100K FUND TO BOOST ANGLING PARTICIPATION

5/1/2021

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The Environment Agency and Angling Trust have announced a new £100k ‘Get Fishing Fund’ to encourage more people to give fishing a go for the first time, or get back into angling after a break from the sport.

Funded from rod licence sales, grants of up to £500 to benefit small-scale projects and up to £5,000 for larger projects will be available.

The funding will help the delivery of future angling participation events, including any additional equipment needed to ensure fisheries are following Covid-19 safety guidelines, PPE and signage. It can also cover the costs of fishing equipment, terminal tackle and bait, as well as event resources including promotional material, gazebos and basic storage facilities.

The easing of lockdown restrictions in May 2020 led to a huge increase in popularity for angling as people sought the wellbeing benefits the sport can offer.

The new buzz around fishing looks set to continue, with latest rod licence sales currently showing more than 900,000 people have bought or renewed their fishing licence since April this year, with 100,000 new anglers taking up the sport.

This additional income has allowed the Environment Agency to offer increased investment to support projects that will run safe angling participation events throughout 2021.

Graeme Storey, Fisheries Manager for the Environment Agency, said: The Get Fishing Fund will support organisations to put on a range of fishing activities to encourage new anglers through the 2021 season. We are always looking for ways to support our angling community and the Environment Agency has invested £1.5M of the additional income from this year’s licence sales back into projects that improve fisheries.

The increased interest in fishing over the summer proves that people are not only rediscovering angling but more people are trying angling for the first time. We want to see this continue and hope that these new projects will encourage more people to give fishing a go.

Clive Copeland, Head of Participation at the Angling Trust added: We work with a great network of coaches, clubs and fisheries across the country which this fund will help but this also a fantastic opportunity for new partners to get involved in angling participation too.

We’ve worked with the Environment Agency to make this a short, easy process and we’ve got friendly staff with lots of experience ready to help anyone who needs it.

The Get Fishing Fund is available to angling clubs, coaches and fisheries but also to non-angling organisations such as schools, local authorities or charities based in England.

To apply for funding visit: grants.anglingtrust.net

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MATT AND MICK ARE BACK!

BUILDING BRIDGES PROJECT RELEASE A POCKET GUIDE FOR ANGLERS

THE WEST MIDLANDS ACCOUNTED FOR THE BIGGEST RISE IN NEWCOMERS TO ANGLING IN 2020, NEW FIGURES HAVE SHOWN.

ANGLING TRUST STATEMENT: FISHING IS NOW ALLOWED AGAIN DURING NATIONAL LOCKDOWN

ANGLING TRUST: FISHING NOT ALLOWED DURING NATIONAL LOCKDOWN

NEW 100K FUND TO BOOST ANGLING PARTICIPATION

ANGLING News Articles

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