Blackcountryfishing - Angling News

THE EVESHAM ANGLING FESTIVAL RETURNS – AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY 2026

24/8/2026

The Evesham Angling Festival will be returning to Crown Meadow, Evesham this August Bank Holiday weekend, brought to you by Bluebell Events.

Saturday 29th – Monday 31st August 2026

Crown Meadow, Evesham, Worcestershire

FREE ENTRY – no tickets required

FREE PARKING

Set along the River Avon, the festival brings together angling, countryside living, and family-friendly fun in one relaxed riverside location.

Angling competitions & fishing trade stalls

Country & craft stalls

Street food vans & food stalls

Bar on site

A welcoming atmosphere for all ages

VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR MAJOR EVENT

19/8/2026

The Canal and Rivers Trust is searching for volunteers to help out at this year’s National Celebration of Young People and Fishing. Staged on the Shropshire Union Canal over the weekend of 12-13 September, the event aims to build on the success of last year, in which over 500 anglers

between the ages of six and 20 took part. With many of the attendees sure to be fishing their first match, help is required on the bank, and Simon Mottram, canal-fishing expert and leading technical coach for Let’s Fish, is keen for anyone who’s able to offer support to get in touch.

It’s hoped that more than 500 anglers will be in attendance.

“We’ll be assisting with the basics – the things that we all take for granted – such as mixing groundbait, plumbing up and picking the right hooks and hooklinks,” he said. “Even if you can just do a morning or an afternoon, it’ll make a big difference.”

For more info or if you can help out, please contact Simon on 07811 840759

ANGLING CLUBS: TIME TO PREPARE FOR DBS RULE CHANGES

11/8/2026

Fisheries and angling clubs that work with young people are being urged to review their safeguarding arrangements ahead of changes to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) legislation coming into force. From September 1st 2026, the long-standing exception for certain supervised volunteers will be removed, meaning that some people who did not

require the highest level of DBS check may now require an Enhanced DBS check.

For clubs running junior coaching sessions, matches, events or regular youth activities now is the time to review roles and ensure the correct checks are in place. Whether a role requires an Enhanced DBS check depends on the duties carried out and how frequently they are undertaken.

In general, a role is more likely to require an Enhanced DBS check with children's barred list information where someone teaches, trains, coaches, instructs, cares for or supervises children on more than three days in any 30-day period, or overnight.

For example, a volunteer helping at a junior coaching session every week is likely to meet the frequency test, whereas someone helping on a one-off supervised open day may not. However, every role should be assessed individually. Di Murray, Safeguarding Lead Officer, Angling Trust, says: "These changes are about making sure the right safeguarding checks are in place for the right roles.

Thousands of volunteers give their time to introduce young people to fishing in a safe, supportive environment, and we want to help clubs understand what the new rules mean before they come into force.” For safeguarding advice, contact Di Murray at safeguarding@anglingtrust. net

ANDY BENNETT MAKES HISTORY WITH RECORD THIRD FISHOMANIA TITLE

19/7/2026

Andy Bennett etched his name further into FishOMania folklore after becoming the second angler in history to win the prestigious title three times, claiming the 2026 CarpLife Competitions FishOMania Grand Final at Westwood Lakes, with a commanding winning weight of 78.600kg – the biggest winning total at the venue since 2021.
Returning to the top for the first time since his back-to-back triumphs in 2019 and 2020, Bennett pocketed the £50,000 top prize and joined Jamie Hughes as the only anglers to lift the coveted trophy on three occasions.

Final Standings

The early stages belonged to Ted Wheeler, who set the pace after the opening weigh-in, while defending champion Bradley Lucas remained firmly in contention after the second weigh-in. Bennett, fishing from Peg 4, quietly positioned himself in third as the leading trio began to separate themselves from the chasing pack.

The turning point arrived at the sixth weigh-in as Bennett surged to the top of the leaderboard with an impressive total of 51.900kg. Momentum firmly swung in his favour before he delivered the catch of the day in the following weigh-in, adding a huge 11.675kg to his net. The remarkable haul not only strengthened his advantage but also saw him surpass Lucas’ 2025 winning weight of 54.225kg before the competition had even reached its conclusion.

From there, Bennett never looked back. He closed out the afternoon with a winning total of 78.600kg, finishing 16.650kg clear of 2022 champion Kristian Jones, who claimed second place with 61.950kg and the £10,000 runner-up prize. Wheeler completed the podium in third after leading the competition through the opening stages.

As the final whistle sounded, Bennett celebrated in trademark fashion, diving into the lake alongside his bank runner, Sam Slockett, for the third time to mark another unforgettable FishOMania triumph.

History Made

Six years after his last FishOMania success, Bennett returned to the summit of the sport to write another chapter in the event’s illustrious history. Already the only angler to win back-to-back FishOMania titles, the victory now sees him join Jamie Hughes as just the second three-time champion in the event’s 33-year history.

His winning total of 78.600kg also marked the biggest winning weight recorded at Westwood Lakes since 2021, underlining the dominant display that secured his place in FishOMania history.

Additional Highlights

Despite being unable to successfully defend his title, Bradley Lucas produced another impressive display to finish sixth overall with 50.325kg, while also topping his respective lake section.

Section victories also went to 2024 runner-up Keiran Marsden and Jordan Holloway, alongside Lucas, as they each collected £2,000.

The youngest ever Junior National Champion to qualify for FishOMania, Jenson Ludgate, gained valuable experience on his Grand Final debut, finishing 23rd with a total weight of 29.725kg.

Away from the main leaderboard, title sponsor CarpLife Competitions staged its own challenge, offering £500 to the first angler to land a barbel. Andy Power claimed the bonus prize after landing the first barbel during the opening weigh-in.

Also in attendance at the 33rd edition of the event was Matchroom Sport President Barry Hearn, who reflected on FishOMania’s enduring legacy.

“This event is a big part of my life. It was one of the first big shows we did on Sky when they launched in the UK, and everyone said it would be a one-hit wonder. But here we are over 30 years later and it’s still the greatest fishing show in the world.”

TAKE A FRIEND FISHING DURING 25TH JULY – 31ST AUGUST 2026

17/7/2026

Running from Saturday 25th July to Monday 31st August (inclusive), existing fishing licence holders can register for a free one-day fishing licence from the Environment Agency at www.takeafriendfishing.co.uk to take someone they know fishing for the first time.

Half terms, National and family holidays all provide opportunities for us to unwind, be with friends and interact with the environment around us. Taking a friend or family member on a fishing trip is a great way to spend time outdoors.

Escaping modern life to build friendships, create lasting memories and just enjoy some time next to the water, is the ultimate in relaxation.

Simply visit www.takeafriendfishing.co.uk/register-free-friend-fishing-licence select the date of your fishing trip, enter some basic information about you and your friend, and away you go!

FISH ‘O’ MANIA SATURDAY 18TH JULY 2026

16/7/2026

Fish ‘O’ Mania, now over a quarter of a century old, is one of the great summertime sporting occasions. Known as the ‘FA Cup of Fishing’, the competition involves 30 anglers who have qualified through qualified through heats across England, fishing off for a massive

£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.

Date: Saturday 18th July 2026

TV Hours: 5.5 hours live on Sky Sports Mix

Prize Fund: £50,000

Venue: Westwood Lakes,Boston, England

The Field

Bradley Lucas (Defending Champion)

Age: 21
Favourite fishing method: Mugging
Best FishOMania finish: 2025 Champion

Matt Redman

Qualifier: Tunnel Barn Farm 1
Age: 43
Favourite fishing method: Don’t have a favourite (whatever gets the job done)
First FishO memory: Being a bank runner for John Alexander in 2022

Jake Fowles

Qualifier: Boldings Pool
Age: 34
Favourite fishing method: Short pole and margin fishing
Best FishOMania finish: Debut

Jake Dye

Qualifier: Hallcroft Fishery
Age: 31
Favourite fishing method: Pole shadow or feeder fishing
Best FishOMania finish: Debut

Chris Barley

Qualifier: Decoy Lakes
Age: 63
Favourite fishing method: Big carp shallow
Best FishOMania finish: Debut

Jamie Hughes

Qualifier: Old Hough 1
Age: 43
Favourite fishing method: Waggler
Best FishOMania finish: Three-time FishOMania Champion

Harry Campbell

Qualifier: Partridge Lakes
Age: 20
Favourite fishing method: Pole fishing
Best FishOMania finish: 13th

Chris Reilly

Qualifier: Tunnel Barn Farm 2
Age: 35
Favourite fishing method: Castor shallow
Best FishOMania finish: 7th

James Fuller

Qualifier: Westwood Lakes 1
Age: 37
Favourite fishing method: Casters short with a worm on the hook, or edge fishing for big wobble carp
Best FishOMania finish: Debut

Steve Openshaw

Qualifier: Springvale Fishing Lakes 1
Age: 65
Favourite fishing method: Castor shallow
Best FishOMania finish: 2025 Runner-up

Art Hilmi

Qualifier: Weston Pools 1
Age: 46
Favourite fishing method: Shallow fishing
Best FishOMania finish: 3rd (2022)

Kristian Jones

Qualifier: The Oaks
Age: 27
Favourite fishing method: Shallow fishing on the pole
Best FishOMania finish: 2022 Champion

Jordan Holloway

Qualifier: Old Hough 2
Age: 27
Favourite fishing method: Shallow fishing
Best FishOMania finish: 4th

Dale Shepherd

Qualifier: Makins Fishery
Age: 37
Favourite fishing method: Pole fishing
Best FishOMania finish: 6th

Sam Brown

Qualifier: Springvale Fishing Lakes 2
Age: 34
Favourite fishing method: Margin fishing
Best FishOMania finish: Runner-up (2021)

Andy Bennett

Qualifier: Moorlands Farm 1
Age: 40
Favourite fishing method: Mudline fishing
Best FishOMania finish: Two-time Champion (2019, 2020)

Harry Michael

Qualifier: Partridge Lakes 2
Age: 19
Favourite fishing method: Shallow or big carp fishing
Best FishOMania finish: 8th

Ted Wheeler

Qualifier: Lindholme Lakes 1
Age: 26
Favourite fishing method: Pellet waggler
Best FishOMania finish: Debut

Kieran Marsden

Qualifier: Weston Pools 2
Age: 38
Favourite fishing method: Feeder fishing for skimmers and bream
Best FishOMania finish: Runner-up (2024)

Ryan Lidgard

Qualifier: Westwood Lakes 2
Age: 33
Favourite fishing method: Loves all types of fishing
Best FishOMania finish: Three previous finals

Ashley Blunt

Qualifier: Gold Valley Lakes
Age: 36
Favourite fishing method: Pellet waggler
Best FishOMania finish: Debut

Andy Power

Qualifier: Heronbrook Fisheries
Age: 38
Favourite fishing method: Waggler
Best FishOMania finish: Three-time Runner-up

Lewis Ray

Qualifier: Moorlands Farm 2
Age: 43
Favourite fishing method: Short fishing meat
Best FishOMania finish: Debut

Mikey Williams

Qualifier: Tunnel Barn Farm 3
Age: 40
Favourite fishing method: Can’t choose, loves them all
Best FishOMania finish: 12th

Les Marshall

Qualifier: Lindholme Lakes 2
Age: 34
Favourite fishing method: Caster shallow
Best FishOMania finish: 8th (2016)

Andy May

Qualifier: Tunnel Barn Farm 4
Age: 47
Favourite fishing method: Stick float on rivers
Best FishOMania finish: 2016 Champion

Philippe Vervloesem

Qualifier: International Qualifier (Netherlands)
Age: 42
Favourite fishing method: Carp fishing with the pole
Best FishOMania finish: Debut

Dennis Thoben

Qualifier: International Qualifier (Germany)
Nationality: German
Favourite fishing method: Float fishing or margin fishing
Best FishOMania finish: Debut

Jenson Ludgate

Qualifier: Angling Trust Youth National Champion
Age: 15
Favourite fishing method: Shallow or mugging
Best FishOMania finish: Debut (Youngest angler in the field)

Sam Sim

Qualifier: Women’s National Champion
Age: 40
Favourite fishing method: Winter bread punch on canal
Best FishOMania finish: Four-time Women’s National Champion and four-time FishOMania qualifier

WARRENS HALL FISHING POOLS AND CANAL UPDATE

11/7/2026

IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM WARRENS HALL FISHING POOLS REGARDING THE RUNNING OF THE POOLS:

On Wednesday 8th July 2026 I had a meeting at Warrens Hall Nature Reserve, with both the Green Spaces Manager and a Cabinet Councillor for the borough of Sandwell.

The outcome of this meeting has been a verbal agreement by both the council representatives and myself, that I shall with support of the council start a new Angling Club for Warrens Hall pools, managed by anglers for the anglers.

This is the first step in getting the pools back to how they should be, if not even better.

I first have to write a constitution of how the club will be run. This will include our aspirations, rules and intentions, abiding by legislation, local and government.

Once this is complete and approved by the council, we shall have a written agreement by the council to form an Angling club and manage the pools, maintenance, bailiff, fish protection and wellbeing.

My intention will be to keep membership costs to the minimum and that all monies received through membership and day permits, will be retained for use in maintaining, restocking and improvements that benefits all.

I have over five hundred people who have been following my page and many have asked if I could get the pools back for the club.

It is now your opportunity to become a member, to say that these are your fishing pools. To help retain and care for the fish, to make this somewhere young and old, new and experienced anglers can enjoy a day’s fishing in wonderful surroundings.

I have mentioned before that I would like to restart contests for juniors and adults.

Making the top pool a community silver fish pool, allowing light tackle to be used, for both in pleasure and match fishing.

We are in early days, but the future looks bright.

With your help, your membership to the club, we can go forward in creating a little piece of Heaven.

If interested in becoming a club member, help maintain the pools and pegs, Bailiff the water, coach or help in contests.

Please leave a message on the Facebook page Warrens Hall Fishing Pools

And as soon as the agreement has been finalized and accepted by the council, I will contact you all.

Thanks

Warrens Hall Fishing Pools

SPORTING LEGENDS TO RAISE £40,000 IN CHARITY FISHING SHOWDOWN

10/6/2026

A host of top sports stars will battle it out in a fishing match this summer, aiming to generate serious cash for charity.
The Target Sports Stars Fishing Championship returns for its 14th year on July 28, when 32 big

hitters from the sporting world will compete at Tunnel Barn Farm, in Warwickshire.

Although there are more names still to be announced, darts world champ Luke Littler and England goalkeeping legend David Seaman are among those due to fish, alongside Matchroom Sport founder Barry Hearn, British boxer Tony Bellew and England rugby player Ellis Genge.

Organiser Jess Harding said: “We’re privileged that titans from the sporting world want to get stuck in and, although it’s a charity event, the competitors are used to operating at an elite level, so everyone wants to win!”

This year the match, which is due to be broadcast on ITV, is expected to generate £40k.
This will be shared among charities including The Willow Foundation, St Francis Hospice, and the Ricky Hatton Foundation.

Bob Wilson, the former Arsenal goalkeeper who founded the Willow Foundation, said: “We thank all the competitors and sponsors for creating this special day. It allows us to provide hope, smiles, and an experience to remember for young adults living with life-threatening illnesses."

VOLUNTEER BAILIFFS THREATEN TO QUIT OVER ENFORCEMENT SHAKE-UP

1/6/2026

Existing Voluntary Bailiff Service (VBS) members have voiced great apprehension towards the recently revealed plan to move away from the system, with some labelling the decision a ‘backwards step’.
Early last month, the Environment Agency (EA) and Angling Trust

announced proposals to replace the VBS with a service incorporating a broader network of volunteers, in which people from fishing clubs and the non-angling community will be encouraged to take part.

When the announcement was initially made, it was hoped that existing volunteer bailiffs would play a key role in the evolving network, but sources have revealed that this isn’t the intention for a number of current bailiffs.
According to reports, we understand that numerous VBs are planning to resign, with some leaving already.

Additionally, we have been informed of significant decline in patrol hours and incident reports since the proposed changes were announced.
We asked the Angling Trust for a response to the reports, and they, working with the EA, provided the following:

“The Angling Trust is aware that existing volunteers have concerns about the change, and we are continuing to listen and engage with them,” they stated.
“Changes to a long-standing volunteer programme will raise questions, particularly among people who have dedicated significant time and commitment over many years.

“The VBS has made a valuable contribution to fisheries enforcement over the past decade, and the Angling Trust is very clear that the experience and knowledge built up through the VBS will continue to support fisheries enforcement.

They added: “This change to volunteer enforcement support was requested by the Environment Agency. It is intended to build on what has already been achieved by committed volunteers by extending training, awareness and reporting capability, broadening volunteer participation and encouraging long-term reporting.

“There are also fishing clubs and fisheries that have not engaged with the VBS over the past decade, so there is a significant opportunity to involve more volunteers from across the angling community.
“The objective remains the same: to provide effective eyes and ears on the bank, and to support the Environment Agency and police in tackling illegal fishing and fisheries crime.

The Angling Trust remains committed to working with existing volunteers and the wider angling community to protect fish, fisheries and the waters anglers care about.”

Heidi Stone, EA Fisheries Manager, affirmed their position on the matter:
“This is an evolution of the Voluntary Bailiff Service; we are not a stopping a service that where it works well and makes a big difference.
The intention is to boost what is already being offered and encourage volunteers to do more for their local environment.

Going forward, by increasing awareness we will have more people able to recognise illegal activities or environmental concerns that can be usefully reported.

“We also recognise that clubs need more support with the increasing demands, so with the Angling Trust we offer training and advice on health and safety, welfare and project management enabling them to operate professionally and attract new and younger anglers.”

Source: Angling Times

VOLUNTARY BAILIFF SYSTEM SET TO EVOLVE UNDER NEW PLANS

17/5/2026

The Angling Trust and Environment Agency (EA) are set to replace the current Voluntary Bailiff Service (VBS) model with a broader network in which people from fishing clubs and communities will be encouraged to take part.

Formed over a decade ago, the VBS reports evidence of illegal fishing and fisheries-related offences to the EA, and has gained recognition from police for its contribution in helping to deter wildlife crime. Under the new approach, the Trust and EA aim to build on these foundations by extending training to club and fishery bailiffs, individual anglers, and non-angling members of the public who care about their local waterways.

This training and guidance will be delivered free through the Angling Trust’s FishNET Learning Hub. Reporting routes will be standardised, with details of ‘incidents’ being directed to the EA through online reporting, a dedicated hotline, and Crimestoppers, whichever is appropriate.

Continued support

Currently there are over 900 volunteer bailiffs, and Jamie Cook, the Trust’s CEO, outlined their continued role in the changing service.
“The volunteer bailiffs will remain central to this work,” he said. “This change is about building on the foundations they’ve created.
“By opening training and guidance to a broader volunteer network, we can involve more anglers, clubs, fisheries and communities, and help more people to understand how to identify and report fisheries crime. The commitment to protecting fisheries has not changed. What is changing is the way we organise, support, train and connect club and community volunteers.”

Broader potential

Additionally, Jamie Cook explained the wider aims of the new programme, for which he has already received a positive response.
“Some angling clubs don’t engage with the VBS – between Reading and Oxford, for example, while there are lots of big clubs, none of them really get involved,” he said. “But there’s no reason why we can’t roll out the training to every club, fishery and angler for free. That’s what we’re focused on now.
“The bit that excited me most is that, having spoken to clubs that don’t currently engage with the VBS, they’ve now said that they will put all their bailiffs through the training, as it makes sense. There will always be a bit of trepidation from some, wondering why we’re changing something that was working. But there are others who will look at it and say well, I was never a part of the VBS, but I’m now keen to do the training.”

Engaging a wider audience

From the EA’s perspective, an expanded network of people who know how to report fisheries crime correctly will allow them to be more effective, as Kye Jerrom, the EA’s National Fisheries Enforcement Manager, explained.
“The VBS has raised awareness of illegal fishing among anglers and enforcement partners, and more than half of illegal fishing reports currently come through volunteers,” he said. “As digital reporting has made sharing reports easier, and training platforms such as FishNET develop, we have an opportunity to build on that success and extend knowledge, guidance, and reporting to a wider Angling Trust volunteer network.
“Our Fisheries Enforcement Officers can’t be everywhere all the time, but we have a million anglers out there that could help us to be more efficient,” Kye added. “Of course, we want anyone out there that witnesses illegal fishing to let us know what’s happening, but if they don’t know how to report it properly, it’s not particularly useful for us.

“So, we now want anyone – be they an angler or a member of the public – to feel they can become part of a community in which members are equipped with the skills and knowledge to protect fisheries.”

Non-angler influence

Over recent years, the increasing number of non-anglers with an interest in the health of our rivers has not gone unnoticed. Peter Devery, Angling Trust Head of Communications, said: “Water quality issues and reports of pollution or fly tipping have made the general public more aware of the issues our rivers face. The bottom line is that getting more eyes and ears on the water, be they of anglers or non-anglers, is a good thing. It will help to better protect our fisheries.

“And if we can deliver training for anyone to do that properly, we not only generate quality intelligence for the EA, the police and other partners, but we are also helping the non-angling community to understand the work that anglers do to take care of our waterways, which is a key objective over the next few years.”

Kye added: “Anyone that can help in some way, be it giving up a day, an hour or a minute, is a massive benefit to me and my team.
“I want to thank the voluntary bailiffs and let them know that, moving forward, they are valued by my team. Their work makes us so much more effective.”

Source: Angling Times