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Birmingham Anglers Association subscriptions frozen again for 2020

18/12/2019

As a result of continuing healthy finances, the BAA is pleased to be able to hold membership rates for 2020, unchanged since 2015.

2020 membership covers the period 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020,

irrespective of when you buy it, so go on don't wait until the middle of 2020, buy it now and get a full years access to our waters.

If you buy it before the end of 2019, you can also use it during the remainder of this year.

A car sticker will also be included with your membership card.

Full Membership
(Adult Male / Female of 17 years and under 65 years) £40.00

Senior Membership
(Adult Male / Female of 65 years or more) £30.00

Junior Membership
(Child of 10 years and under 17 years) £15.00

Family Membership
(Husband, Wife or partner, two children under 17 years)* £80.00

Infant Membership
(Child under 10 years) £2.00

Non-Fishing Membership
(Male / Female of any age, allowed to be present at Association waters but not allowed to fish)** £5.00

To get your memebrship go to https://www.baa.uk.com

Source: BAA

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BIG CHANGES FOR RIVERFEST 2020

17/12/2019

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After two finals on the River Severn at Shrewsbury, RiverFest is on the move next year to a different river and will be fished earlier in the season. RiverFest 2020 will take place on the River Trent at Burton Joyce over the weekend of Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th October.

The Angling Trust is delighted to announce that highly respected River Trent expert Wayne Swinscoe will be working closely with competition creator Dave Harrell to ensure that the final is a success.

“I have known Wayne for many years and I am delighted that he is going to help me for the 2020 final,” Dave said. “His knowledge of the Trent is second to none in my opinion and we are both on the same wavelength when it comes to pegging and the need for long swims. We will be walking the whole match length in the closed season to get a feel for the final pegging and there will also be a qualifier on the stretch to enable anglers to become more familiar with it.”

Wayne is equally as excited as Dave about the new final venue and said, “The Trent at Burton Joyce is a fantastic stretch of river. All sorts of methods work there including pole, waggler, stick float, feeder for bream and feeder for barbel. The 72 finalists will need to have all bases covered but with parking available behind the pegs, they will be able to take plenty of kit with them and not worry about big walks.”

Source: Angling Trust

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Ian Ward is 2019 RiverFest Champion

16/12/2019

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The Angling Trust RiverFest Final 2019 was held on the weekend of Saturday 7th and 8th of December on the River Severn in Shrewsbury. In the run up to the event, the river had been out of sorts with several unfortunate cancellations, but the tricky river made for an incredibly close final, which was watched by thousands around the country!

It was Ian Ward affectionately known as Speedy who took the esteemed title and rushed into the arms of his partner in an emotional embrace, showing just how much the feat meant to him. After drawing poorly on day one, amassing just 4oz, Ian put in a sensational display on day two from peg 44, netting 14lb 10oz of dace, chub, perch, and even a rogue skimmer!

Ian was delighted to take the title after 'All these years' of chasing, although his reaction showed it was meant much more than the nearly £50,000 prize pool on offer over the weekend.

Running him close in the final hour was Matt Maginnis who added huge drama to the weekend. Matt hooked a huge bonus barbel of 8lb or more and this skyrocketed his two day total to 11lb 7oz and was well deserved after waiting patiently on pellets on the tip.

Rounding out the top three was Ian Courtney who slipped his net under three big perch on day two, which he'd craftily kept under the radar, catching on maggots short for a combined 10lb 1oz.

4. Wayne Swinscoe 8lb 2oz 8drams

5. Cameron Hughes 7lb 3oz

6. Adrian Piggott 6lb 10oz 8drams

7. Stuart Northrop 5lb 14oz

8. Mike Bedding 5lb 7oz

9. Dave Hollands 5lb 5oz 12drams

9. Benjamin Rendall 5lb 5oz 12dr

Source: Angling Trust

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Brian Watts Angler's Mail contributor Passes Away

11/12/2019

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Tributes were paid to Angler's Mail contributor Brian Watts after he passed away last week.

Proud Yorkshireman Brian moved down to the Midlands and wrote reports for the Mail in the 1970s and '80s.

His daughter. Christine. said: "He covered both river match fishing and in fact many aspects of river fishing, and kept his gear right to the end. He died at Russell's Hall Hospital in Dudley West Midlands, at 84, and has gone fishing in that big river in the sky.'

Anglers Mail editor Tim Knight said: "When I first started working on the magazine, Brian told me a swim to fish when I visited the River Severn at Bewdley, and he was spot-on. I had half a dozen barbel. RIP Brian, a real nice guy."

Source: Anglers Mail

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ANGLERS UNITE TO KEEP VETERAN FISHING BROTHERS ON THE BANK

10/12/2019

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A Facebook fundraiser has collected more than £1,000 to help buy winter clothing for two elderly brothers struggling to get out fishing in the cold weather. The money-making campaign was organised by matchman Steve Jackson, who fishes regular club matches with Albert and Bill Pearce, but

noticed they had started missing events since temperatures dropped.

Steve said: “I’ve fished with Albert and Bill for the last 15 years and they’ve never missed a fishing match until now.

“All anglers who participate in our matches wear full Gortex clothing which keeps them warm at this time of year, so I’d thought I’d create a fundraiser to raise money for two full Gortex suits and matching wellies – just to ensure Albert and Bill can keep fishing throughout the winter.”

Steve’s Facebook was soon embraced by warm-hearted anglers, and most of the £1,400 target has already been raised.

But it’s not just cash that has been donated, as Steve revealed:

“The response has been incredible and it’s really restored my faith in people,” Steve added.

“Since it’s been live, £300 has been deposited a day with donations spanning from £1 to £100.

“Some people in the industry have even donated hoodies, joggers, beany hats and snoods.”

“Albert and Bill have been fishing three times a week in the Tamworth and Bonehill over 50’s matches for years.

“Despite both being in their 80s, come rain, wind, sleet or snow they are there at the draw.

“They’re both widowers and they live for each other and fishing – it’s inspirational to see that they both still want to attend these fishing matches and hopefully their new clothing will ensure they keep going for years to come.”

Source: Angling Times

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Building Bridges Project Completes the Recruitment of 12 Volunteers across England

7/12/2019

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The Angling Trust’s Building Bridges project has achieved its target of recruiting two key volunteers in each of six English regions.

The new volunteers will be essential in helping build and

develop relationships with local angling communities, accelerating education, integration and increasing lawfulness on our waterways.

Janusz Kansik, Building Bridges Project Manager said:

“Our Building Bridges key volunteers will be a massive help to our small team of Project Officers. The fact we have attracted both British and migrant volunteers is clear evidence that the message about angling integration is being positively received loud and clear. Our volunteers will help us spread the message and multi-lingual materials far and wide. I would like to say a big thank you to all who contributed into setting up this volunteer programme.”

Karen Sarkar, Angling Trust National Volunteers Manager said:

“This is a great initiative, and we will be doing everything possible to provide our new Building Bridges volunteers with the best ongoing support and resources. Hopefully, over time, we can increase their number, providing yet more volunteering opportunities for the benefit of angling.”

Many fisheries have already been visited, receiving free multi-lingual signs and leaflets. Volunteers will be supporting Project Officers in their engagement work and some are already members of the Voluntary Bailiff Service, emphasising the great value and wider benefits of this highly successful initiative.

The Building Bridges project is part of the Angling Trust's Fisheries Enforcement Support Service and funded by freshwater fishing licence income through the National Angling Strategic Services contract awarded to the Angling Trust by the Environment Agency.

Source: Angling Trust

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Angling Trust host inaugural Area Coordinators Conference with support from police and EA

4/12/2019

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Some of the delegates at the Area Coordinators' conference

The Angling Trust has hosted the inaugural Voluntary Bailiff Service Area Coordinators’ Conference, supported by Gloucestershire and West Mercia Police, and the Environment Agency.

Thirty Area Coordinators from across the country attended the event held in Worcester on Saturday, 9 November, which covered a range of topics including strategy, intelligence, volunteering resources, Building Bridges Project, social media and organising joint patrols. There was also a presentation on new policing operational technology, including drones and body-worn cameras.

The Voluntary Bailiff Service (VBS) at Phase 1, in which 500 volunteers are ‘eyes and ears’ and trained to report incidents and information to a high evidential standard, is distributed throughout all six English regions. The VBS then sub-divides those regions into areas, overseen by an Area Coordinator, who liaises with Volunteer Bailiffs and the Fisheries Enforcement Support Service Regional Enforcement Manager.

Area Coordinators are volunteers and help maintain regular communication with Volunteer Bailiffs, cascading information and coordinating things like joint patrols with the Environment Agency and Police, and VBS contributions to inductions, training and distributing information to the angling community.

National Enforcement Manager Dilip Sarkar MBE said:

“Our Area Coordinators are essential to the efficient and effective delivery of the VBS. Last year we began providing professional training, so this important Conference builds upon that, helping create a sense of community nationally amongst our ACs, providing an opportunity for networking, sharing best practice and learning more about the strategy and ongoing work behind the scenes.

“Rome was not built overnight, and things take time – we are totally committed to the VBS being the best we can be and providing the best and most productive volunteering experience possible. This is further evidence of our commitment to those endeavours. Further, ongoing, training will be provided to all our volunteers as we move forward.

“The fantastic thing about the VBS is that the contribution being made benefits the entire community and shows anglers and angling in the best possible light. This can only be good for angling as a whole – and Area Coordinators are key to this.”

PC Cath McDay and Mel Campbell represented Gloucestershire Police, presenting on new policing operational technology, including drones and body-worn cameras.

PC Cath McDay said:

“Drones are relatively new to Gloucestershire Police. However, we look forward to using them more often in the combatting of rural crime and it’s encouraging to see the interest from the angling community. I look forward to future patrols with the VBS and EA along the riverbanks and lakes. It was interesting to see the good work being done by the VBS across the country and what’s to come.”

PC Sarah Smith of West Mercia Police said:

“I found the day very informative and was impressed at the professionalism and enthusiasm of the Angling Trust staff, members and volunteers in tackling fisheries and related crime.”

Warren Andrew, Area Coordinator based in the North West region, said:

“It was fantastic to meet everyone, the REMs and other ACs. Great evening and a cracking conference confirming the immense value of the VBS. I am privileged to be part of the ongoing positive change that the VBS continues to bring to angling throughout the country.”

Angling Trust National Volunteers Manager Karen Sarkar said:

“The Conference was an invaluable opportunity for our volunteer Area Coordinators to discuss challenges and share best practice face-to-face, whilst receiving updates and further training from the partnership, especially regarding the help and resources the Angling Trust and FESS can provide. It was both a totally positive and most memorable day.”

The Voluntary Bailiff Service is part of the Fisheries Enforcement Support Service which is funded by English freshwater fishing licence money through the National Angling Strategic Services contract with the Environment Agency.

Source: Angling Trust

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Birmingham Anglers Association subscriptions frozen again for 2020

BIG CHANGES FOR RIVERFEST 2020

Ian Ward is 2019 RiverFest Champion

Brian Watts Angler's Mail contributor Passes Away

ANGLERS UNITE TO KEEP VETERAN FISHING BROTHERS ON THE BANK

Building Bridges Project Completes the Recruitment of 12 Volunteers across England

Angling Trust host inaugural Area Coordinators Conference with support from police and EA

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