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TIME TO STAMP OUT BANKSIDE DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND LITTER

29/6/2020

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Anglers drinking on the bank has often left severe consequences
In a week that saw a fishery boss have to pull a drunk angler from his lake, senior figures from within the sport are calling for clubs and venue owners to adopt a zero tolerance policy towards bankside drug and alcohol use.
Darren Bailey, the owner of Pembrokeshire’s Yet-Y-Gors Fishery, revealed that he had to save the man’s life after he fell into the 7ft-deep margins while drunk.

He said: “Luckily another angler and I saw it happen and we raced over to pull him out of the water. 

“There were families and young children on site too, and understandably they found the incident distressing. It quickly became clear by the smell and the amount of empty beer cans that he’d been drinking heavily.  

“I hate to think what would have happened had we not been there to help, but it shows that drinking while fishing could have severe consequences. Anyone caught drinking on the bank from now on will be told to leave immediately.”

Heavy drinking on the bank is an issue that Barbel Society co-founder Steve Pope is keen to see eradicated from the sport, and believes such a move would help to strengthen the image of angling as a whole.

From day one, the Barbel Society has prohibited drugs and alcohol from being brought to the bank and we haven’t had a single issue as a result,” he said. 

“Our fish and anglers have remained safe. Excessive drinking, drugs and fishing just don’t mix, and fisheries who don’t enforce a ban are putting themselves, the fish and other anglers at risk. As fishery managers we have a responsibility to make our sport more appealing to families and future generations of anglers.

“By implementing a zero-tolerance policy in this instance we’ll be able to promote the right message and create a more positive image of angling.”

Steve isn’t alone in his feelings on the subject. When fresh cases of bankside disorder emerged after fishing’s return on May 13, hundreds of anglers took to Facebook to campaign against the issue, using the slogan: “If you’re not fit to drive, you’re not fit to fish.”  

A tighter restriction on bringing alcohol and drugs to the bank is surely a step in the right direction. 

Source: Angling Times
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HIMLEY HALL LAKE REOPENS FOR FISHING FOLLOWING CORONAVIRUS CLOSURE

16/6/2020

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Fishing is now allowed at the lake at Himley Hall, but anglers must follow social distancing guidelines.
Fishing has returned to the lake at himley hall but anglers are being urged to following social distancing rules.
Dudley Council bosses have lifted the restriction on fishing at the beauty spot and car park pay charges at the lake are also reinstated, council bosses have announced.
Additional rules are now in place as anglers must keep 15 metres apart at all times, the number of fishing pegs available has been reduced and social gatherings are not permitted.

Council chiefs have warned fishing will only be able to continue as long as people follow social distancing guidelines and have warned the situation could change if people do not follow the rules.

Councillor Ian Kettle, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: "We’re pleased to be able to re-open the lake at Himley for fishermen as we know it’s popular and has been much missed.

"As we are still in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, we have to ask anglers to respect additional rules we have had to put in place to ensure social distancing continues to be observed.

"That means no social gatherings – the lake is being opened up for people to fish, not to catch up with their friends.
​

"I am sure we will have no problems, but it goes without saying we will keep the situation under constant review to make sure people are following the rules."
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ANGLING OFFICIALLY BOOMING

10/6/2020

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UK angling has seen a sudden, then sustained spike in interest.

Venues are seeing a surge in numbers of anglers after after Covid-19 restrictions were eased. Clubs have had a surge in renewals and new members.
It's not yet known when holiday venues can welcome anglers again.

Meanwhile, tackle shops are preparing to welcome customers inside again, with safety measures, from June 15… the day before the new coarse river fishing season in England and Wales. Many are already trading again via click-and-collect, delivery or phone orders.

The Environment Agency say they have seen a boom in rod licence sales since angling was allowed again.

EA officials are still collating sales figures for the 2020 licence but predict a huge surge in England for May.

An EA spokesperson said: “We can confirm that there has been an increase in the sales of rod licences but we are unable to provide exact figures just yet.

“While we welcome the lifting of restrictions on recreational fishing and have seen an increase in rod licence applications since this was announced, it is vital that everyone stays alert and follows the social distancing rules.

“It is imperative to anglers follow the government guidance in place, limiting contact with other people and maintain a distance of two metres from other anglers at all times.”
Source: Anglers Mail
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ANGLING TRUST THANKS VOLUNTEERS WITH EXCELLENCE AWARDS TO MARK VOLUNTEERS WEEK

3/6/2020

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The Angling Trust is marking this year’s National Volunteers’ Week (June 1-7) by acknowledging the fantastic contribution to our work made by volunteers. This year, 18 volunteers have been nominated to receive
Volunteering Excellence Awards in recognition of their continued commitment.

The volunteers, members of the Angling Trust’s Voluntary Bailiff Service (VBS) and Building Bridges Project, have shown outstanding dedication to protecting fish and fisheries and educating and integrating migrant anglers.

Jamie Cook, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust & Fish Legal, said: “Volunteers are vital to the work of the Angling Trust and give up many hours of their precious time to benefit angling and society in general. This year’s Volunteering Excellence Awards winners have shown outstanding commitment and I congratulate them all on their achievements. Indeed, I want to thank all our volunteers for the work you have carried out for the Angling Trust. It is very much appreciated.”

The Voluntary Bailiff Service and Building Bridges Project are part of the Angling Trust’s Fisheries Enforcement Support Service which operates in partnership with the Environment Agency and is funded from fishing licence income.


Local Region Angling Trust Volunteering Excellence Award Winners
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Midlands Volunteer Bailiff and Area Coordinator for Shropshire, Chris Wood with police.
Chris Wood, Area Coordinator, Shropshire

Chris has been an Area Coordinator for the VBS in Shropshire for around three years now and has combined his role with that of chair of the more recently formed Shrewsbury Anglers’ Club, which has brought about positive changes to club angling in North Shropshire and built up a number of VBS members.

He takes every opportunity at local club meetings, fishery visits and through his involvement in organising joint patrols with the Police and EA in Shropshire, to spread the word about the fisheries enforcement campaign. He is a reliable person to trust with that message, and as a result of his work around Shrewsbury, he has directly raised awareness and confidence amongst anglers to report incidents, share information and to support fisheries enforcement in the area, which has consequently resulted in a number of incidents being dealt with by the authorities leading to positive results.
Chris is a very pro-active volunteer and is always putting forward new ideas on how to improve the flow of information from angling clubs, one in particular being the use of a WhatsApp reporting system taken up by many fisheries and clubs in the area which has since proved very popular amongst local bailiffs. Its success has been featured in the angling press.
Chris has recently forged new working partnerships with local Police Rural and Wildlife Crime Officers which will clearly benefit the work of VBS, angling clubs and fisheries in the county. This has assisted regional management of the VBS greatly and through this work Chris has shown himself to be a most able coordinator.
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Midlands Volunteer Bailiff and Area Coordinator for Worcestershire & Herefordshire, Anthony Wilson
Anthony Wilson, Area Coordinator, Worcestershire & Herefordshire

Anthony has been a VBS Area Coordinator for a couple of years now and goes about his role with great enthusiasm, inspiring others to play their part in local patrols and working in partnership with the EA and police.
He is a highly trusted VBS member and can be relied upon to use his initiative to organise joint patrols with partners at any time, using his experience and local knowledge to great effect in tackling current and relevant fisheries issues.
This has resulted in several excellent results arising from incidents of illegal fishing on the River Avon in Worcestershire that Anthony has reported. His patient observations and careful evidence gathering have contributed to the effective handling of the incidents by EA Fisheries Enforcement Officers despatched to the scene. Anthony is a fine ambassador for the VBS, Angling Trust and angling, liked and respected by partners in the EA and West Mercia Police for his helpfulness, unquestionable support and integrity at all times.
​He will always be one of the first to put himself forward to attend training days, meetings, AT forums, inductions, workshops and events despite him having many work and family commitments. Nothing is ever too much trouble, and he always finds time to support the Regional Enforcement Manager and his fellow volunteer bailiffs when called upon.

Source: Angling Trust
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STEP CLOSER FOR FISHING TACKLE SHOPS TO RE-OPEN?

2/6/2020

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The phased reopening of most ‘non-essential’ English shops, including tackle shops, is now scheduled to start from Monday, June 15.
That date coincides neatly with the new 2020/21 coarse river fishing season beginning the next 

day, on Tuesday, June 16.

The timetable in other nations for reopening non-essential shops, including tackle shops, is not yet clear.

Already, more and more tackle shops are offering click and collect services, or telephone orders, including for fresh bait.

The reopening of many English fishing venues has created instant, welcome demand for products after weeks of financial struggle and uncertainty.

Other dealers, such as the big chain Angling Direct, have continued trading with their normal online website sales only, mailing goods to customers.

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