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Closed River Season clampdown catches illegal fishing rogues

31/7/2018

The Environment Agency enforcement officers and Angling Trust voluntary bailiffs caught 87 anglers red handed on rivers during the Close Season, between March 15 to June 15.

And they also clocked up 115

other fishing offences including fishing without a licence on flowing waters as part of their sixth annual Operation CLAMPDOWN campaign.

Kevin Austin, EA deputy director of fisheries said: “I’d like to thank the Angling Trust volunteers for the significant role they play in stopping illegal fishing through their work on Operation CLAMPDOWN.

“The vast majority of anglers fish legally but sadly there are a small number of anglers who cheat others by fishing during the Close Season.
“It is still possible for anglers to fish during this time on many stillwaters and canals, which are open all year round.

“We respond to the intelligence we receive about illegal fishing by ensuring our patrols are targeted at the right places – and the right people.”
In total, officers undertook 729 targeted patrols and as well as the rod and licence offences, found several illegally set traps.

Dilip Sarkar MBE, Angling Trust national enforcement Manager, said: “These figures show that volunteer bailiffs throughout England are demonstrating their massive commitment to protecting fish and fisheries and cracking down on illegal fishing.

“All anglers can help this process, in fact – at any time of year – by reporting information and offences in progress to the EA on 0800 80 70 60, or the police on 101/999.”

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ANGLERS URGED TO HELP SAVE FISH STOCKS!

27/7/2018

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The UK is currently enjoying one of the hottest summers in years but as temperatures hit upwards of 30°C, angling clubs and authorities are taking measures to ensure their river fish remain safe.
The country has seen little or

no rain over the last five weeks and this has started to impact on river levels and the fish living in them.

Some river levels have got so low that the Environment Agency has had to step in to intervene – and has recently carried out a fish rescue on a section of the River Teme in Worcestershire after a number of trout and salmon were cut off due to the receding water.

Jason Grant, a communications specialist for the EA, issued a report stating: “The rescue is part of annual response to reports of fish in distress due to natural processes that reduce oxygen levels in the water. Where necessary, fish will be rescued and transferred to another river. During dry spells it’s not unusual for some rivers and lakes in fast-responding catchments to deplete quickly, even during short periods of low rainfall, although they tend to recover quickly when the rain returns.

At this time of year the Environment Agency is always ready to respond to pressure on rivers caused by low flows, and we continue to monitor the water situation.

If anyone sees any fish in distress, or a suspected river pollution, we ask they please call 0800 80 70 60 so the Environment Agency can respond to protect the environment.”

River anglers are also being urged to take extra care when returning fish to the water during the hot weather.

The situation has become a cause for concern, particularly for the Barbel Society, which has now closed its river venues until conditions improve.

Chris Jones is the membership secretary for the Society, and he said: “Our waters are among some of the best remaining barbel fisheries in the country. The decision to temporarily close our waters was made by a unanimous committee decision on the July 6... in the best interests of the fish, our members and the fisheries themselves. As it happened, we were pleased that many of our members had already ceased fishing, and all have supported our decision. With such low dissolved oxygen levels, barbel will struggle to regain oxygen into their bloodstreams after the exertions of being caught.
Further, normal reduction of river plant photosynthesis, or algal blooms, during low light and darkness means sub-surface plants consume more oxygen – only adding to the problem".

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National Fishing Month 2018 offers free fishing fun for everyone

24/7/2018

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There are events nationwide over the weeks ahead, giving everyone the chance to give angling a go under the guidance of specially-trained experts.

National Fishing Month 2018 begins on Saturday, July 27 and runs right through until September 2.

The annual jamboree is now in its 26th year, and it has helped to introduce hundreds of thousands of people to a lifelong sport and the huge happiness it brings.
This year there are more than 250 National Fishing Month events nationwide, listed online.

The website to visit is www.nationalfishingmonth.com – and there’ll be a participating venue close to everyone.

The website can be searched by entering your postcode. The nearest events and their details will then be shown and you will be able to book a coaching time to suit you.

Taking part is simplicity itself – you just need to register online and then turn up.

Everything will be provided without charge, and most people will experience the ultimate thrill of catching their first fish under the watchful guidance of their coach.

Everyone who takes part will go home with presents… a National Fishing Month goody bag containing the ‘Get Into Fishing’ booklet.

It’s full of information on how to get started and advice on different types of fishing.

There’s also a log book to make a note of first catches and a special certificate as a memento of the day’s free fishing.

Naidre Werner, chairman of the Angling Trades Association, which
organises National Fishing Month , said: “July and August really will be focused on angling. There are hundreds of events going on nationwide, beginning with a launch event at The Game Fair at Ragley Hall, near Evesham, Worcestershire (on 27th, 28th and 29th July). National Fishing Month will have its own fly and coarse teaching areas.”

Across the country, leading tackle company supporters such as Daiwa, Dinsmores, Fladen, Middy, Leeda, Pure Fishing and Angling Direct are involved.

They have all donated products and time in support of National Fishing Month so that kit can be used on the bank for coaching and as prizes at events.

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ANGLERS HAVE VOTED TO SCRAP THE CLOSE SEASON AS IT STANDS

20/7/2018

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Anglers have voted to scrap the close season on rivers.

But just a quarter of those rod licence holders polled by the

Environmental Agency took part in the survey.

The EA rolled out the questionnaires to a selected 20,000 anglers asking for their view on the closed season and released the figures today.

The returns revealed that out of those 20,000 only 5,147 anglers took part, 2,553 (49.6%) of said the closed season should be scrapped from rivers and 2,190 (42.5%) preferred to see it remain in force.

Out of the 2,553 anglers who wanted to scrap the close season, 1,695 of them wanted it totally abolished with the remaining 858 wanting a change to the starting and closing date on rivers.

The number of anglers who voted for a change to the close season means the EA will now open up a further consultation process to all anglers and other parties with an interest in fishery management.

Kevin Austin, Deputy Director for Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment at the EA, said: “We are grateful to all those that took part in the survey. The fact that so many did shows how important this is to anglers. It also means the results are statistically robust and is a true reflection of anglers’ views.

“We plan to hold a consultation later in the year which will examine all the arguments and evidence, to help inform any future change in the close season byelaw.”

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust, welcomed the EA’s decision to carry out a full consultation of all anglers.

He said: “The Angling Trust will not take any formal position in lobbying for or against any changes in the river close season but we strongly believe that the views of all anglers should be taken into account and are pleased that this important issue is now going out to full consultation.

“It will doubtless arouse some strong feelings on all sides but as an angling community we shouldn’t be frightened to debate, scrutinise and examine the evidence for the laws that affect and govern our sport.”

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Smith Successfully Defends Fish’O’Mania Ladies Title

16/7/2018

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Kayleigh Smith, the 27-year-old England International from Leeds defended the Fish’O’Mania Ladies title as she beat Emma Pickering by 4 kg to claim the crown. It was Kayleigh’s fourth trip to Fish’O’Mania.

She said, “I had a big fish with 15-20 minutes to go that has probably been 12 or 13lbs and probably won me the match. I feel a bit sorry for Emma, she lost one around the same time which would have probably have put her in front.

“I went out and within the first half hour had one but then it died and I didn’t get any fish. I fed down the edge and had four bigger carp down there. I had to wait for them and I lost a couple of foul hookers but I managed to get a couple of big ones and that’s won me it.

“I have had a good year and hopefully it will continue – we have Ladies National next year, but defending this title I didn’t think I’d be able to do on a venue like this – it’s mainly carp and I prefer F1 fishing but it shows if you are in it, you can win it.”

COMPETITORS

Kayleigh Smith

Emma Pickering

Sandra Scotthorne

Abbi Kendall

Samantha Sim

Julie Abbot

PEG

6

3

4

1

2

5

TOTAL kg

21.210kg

17.050kg

16.600kg

11.250kg

10.800kg

5.325kg

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Black Is Fish’O’Mania XXV Champion

16/7/2018

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Pete Black, 21, became the youngest ever winner of the Fish’O’Mania title as celebrated the event’s return to Hayfield Lakes with a commanding performance, winning with a total of 51.35kg, over 12 kilos ahead of his nearest rival.

Hailing from King’s Norton, Black works at Foster’s, a Birmingham tackle shop and he will be sure to receive a hero’s welcome when he returns to work on Monday. Fourth after the first weigh in, Black stormed into the lead in the second 30 mins with a big bag and it was a position he maintained throughout the match. He was challenged at times but kept the fish flowing sufficiently to land the £50,000 prize.

He said, “You have to be confident when you’re fishing for a mega amount of money, you can’t sit down on your peg and think, oh I’ve drawn next to so and so and they will beat me.

“It is a dream to win Fish‘O’Mania. I have been putting in a lot of hard work in the last few weeks and it has paid off. Mid-match I lost my way a bit – I went on the waggler and only really caught a few.

“I said to Adam (his bank runner), if I’m going to win this I am going to carry on catch on the pole and I stayed on that then for the rest of the match.

“You have to keep your head, it’s a fishing match at the end of the day. Everybody here is good enough to win so you have to just enjoy the day.

“I will enjoy quite a bit of the money and probably look at buying a house.”

In front of a huge crowd, estimated to be around 6,000, second place and a cheque for £10,000 went to Andy Power, repeating his feat of 2017.

COMPETITORS

Peter Black

Andy Power

Steve Ford

Scott Gollings

Steve Openshaw

Dave Shires

Jason Brown

Oliver Scotthorne

Ryan Lidgard

Richie Hull

Jamie Hughes

Adam Major

Kristof de Busser

Shaun Cooke

Adam Richards

Markus Billen

Russell Berryman

Dave Romain

Andrew Dargue

Andrew Bailey

Dale Whelan

Nathan Watson

Dan Squire

Franek Staniuszko

PEG

7

22

6

10

5

24

19

8

23

9

21

14

15

4

18

2

17

1

11

3

20

12

16

13

TOTAL kg

51.350

39.225

36.925

31.150

28.750

24.100

20.675

17.725

16.825

15.225

14.400

13.925

13.875

13.300

12.200

10.800

10.400

8.400

8.050

7.650

6.425

5.850

2.975

1.025

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Fish ‘O’ Mania XXV - Saturday 14th JUly 2018

9/7/2018

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Fish ‘O’ Mania will be celebrating its 25th year in summer 2018 and once again will be broadcast for over five hours across the UK.

Known as the ‘FA Cup of Fishing’, the competition will involve 28 anglers who have qualified through heats across England and Europe, fishing off for a whopping £50,000 first prize.

The event gains much of its excitement by abandoning the traditional weigh-in at the conclusion of the match, and instead features weigh-ins every 30 minutes which gives the event a changing leader board that makes the action easy to follow.

Fish’O’Mania XXV - 14 July 2018 - 5.5 hours live on Sky Sports

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Closed River Season clampdown catches illegal fishing rogues

ANGLERS URGED TO HELP SAVE FISH STOCKS!

National Fishing Month 2018 offers free fishing fun for everyone

ANGLERS HAVE VOTED TO SCRAP THE CLOSE SEASON AS IT STANDS

Smith Successfully Defends Fish’O’Mania Ladies Title

Black Is Fish’O’Mania XXV Champion

Fish ‘O’ Mania XXV - Saturday 14th JUly 2018

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