The total value of the funded projects, including match funding and in-kind contributions, is nearly £200,000, all of which will contribute to the delivery of the National Angling Strategy.  15 of the projects are coarse angling oriented, including one benefiting canal anglers, with 2 club projects improving access to wild trout streams in North Yorkshire and in Devon.  The funded projects are expected to generate in excess of 17,000 additional fishing visits/ trips per year and 7 projects plan to install accessible pegs for disabled users and families.

Launched in January, the fund received a huge response, with more than 200 applications.  Due to the success of the scheme, plans are now being put in place for another round in the summer of 2015.

Individual highlights include:

• creating an entirely new angling venue in a residential area;
• money to purchase storage facilities for a canal-based club;
• fish refuges and other measures to control cormorant predation;
• otter-proof fencing and gates at a club stillwater;
• restoring a traditional tench fishery;
• opening a disused stretch of the Severn to angling;
• Improving access to brown trout river fishing for elderly, beginners and military veterans.

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust & Fish Legal said:

“The Environment Agency and the Angling Trust hope to be able to repeat the Fund in spring 2015 if there is sufficient rod licence income available to pay for it.  Thank you to all the organisations that applied - it clearly demonstrates the demand across the country for better facilities and the desire of clubs and fisheries to make these happen, through their commitment of match funding.”

Rick Warner, the Angling Trust’s National Angling Strategy Manager said:

“We plan to streamline the process to make it easier to submit an application and will be delivering workshops around the country to help clubs, fisheries and angling projects with their funding bids.  We will contact previous applicants who met all the criteria and invite them to apply again at that time.”

Sarah Chare, Environment Agency Head of Fisheries, said:

"We were delighted with the number of applications the Angling Trust received. There are some really good projects planned, from new fish refuges and revitalising disused stretches of river to improving access and creating new angling venues. This is just one way in which the Environment Agency uses rod licence money for fisheries and it is great to see it go further by working in partnership.”

Buy A Rod Licence Today

You can buy your rod licence online from the Post Office at www.postoffice.co.uk/rod-fishing-licence, at your local Post Office or by phoning 0344 800 5386.

Buying a rod licence online from the Post Office website is easy, and saves both time and administration costs, meaning that more of the income can be spent on improving fish stocks and fishing.

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

The event was the first opportunity for the many Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) present to meet representatives of the European Anglers Alliance (EAA) and the European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA) to hear about the importance of angling to the economy, environment and rural development. 

The Angling Trust played a lead role at the launch which took place in Brussels on the 25th of March and which follows the publication of the Angling Trust’s Manifesto for Angling, which was sent to all major UK political parties last week.

The event was chaired by the President of the Forum, MEP Norica Nicolai (Romania, ALDE).

Angling Trust Vice-President Mike Heylin, who is a Board Member of EAA said in his speech at the event:

“25 million people regularly fish across the EU, the biggest EU constituency. They must be better taken into consideration by their EU representatives”. 

Mark Owen, Head of Freshwater at the Angling Trust, gave a presentation on the role of anglers as “guardians and protectors of the aquatic environment”, using the Voluntary Bailiff Service as an example of partnership working with the Environment Agency in England.  He also pointed out the social role of fishing organisations through projects such as Get Hooked on Fishing to benefit young people and those with physical and mental disabilities.

Jean-Claude Bel, CEO of EFTTA explained the purpose of the establishment of this informal Forum in the EP and stressed the economic and social importance of angling in the EU.  He highlighted some important economic figures about the sector (1 kg of fish caught by a recreational fisherman brings 200-300 EUR to the economy and the economic ripple effect sees more than 39 billion EUR annually and 800,000 jobs).  Mr. Bel then explained how the development of these low-environmental impact activities can be an important tool for rural development: “Angling tourism brought 280 million EUR into the Irish economy in 2012, more than golf”.

In her presentation, Anna Gueorguieva, senior Advisor at the World Bank presented the World Bank development strategy currently being implemented in the Danube delta region, in which recreational fisheries proved to be a sustainable driving force to tackle the fisheries management and rural desertification problems.

MEP Norica Nicolai concluded the event by insisting on the economic potential of recreational fisheries: “Our passion can also be a key for job creation and economic development”, she declared.

The next event of the Forum, “The European sea bass recreational fisheries and its long term management”, is scheduled on the 14th April. It will be chaired by MEP Alain Cadec and the Angling Trust’s Marine Campaigns Manager David Mitchell will be attending the event.

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

Subject to all tickets being sold, there will be 10 main prizes in the final ranging from £500 for 10th place, up to £12,000 to the winner. Section prizes of £250 will also be paid out every six pegs on both of the final days. A teams of three prize has been introduced for 2015. The teams will be made up of the three anglers who get through from each of the 24 qualifying matches with £450 paid to the winning team.  

There are some major changes in the way tickets will be allocated for this year’s competition. Due to the incredibly high demand in 2014, the Trust has introduced a three-week window for applications which will open 23rd March and close on 12th April. This means no tickets will be allocated until after the closing date and entrants do not make payment when they submit their entry.

A random computerised draw will determine ticket allocation for each of the qualifiers and the Competitions team will publish the list on the website then contact entrants for payment. There is a caveat to this process, to prevent abuse by anglers applying for all tickets with the intention of only fishing a few. The Angling Trust has stipulated that anglers must pay for each successful entry. Failure to do so will result in their full allocation of tickets being withdrawn. Any tickets remaining after the random draw will be sold on a first come first served basis.

TICKET APPLICATION AND ALLOCATION PROCESS
23/03/15 – 12/04/15  Open for entries
13/04/15 – 14/04/15  Random draw and publish list on website
15/04/15 – 25/04/15  AT contact entrants for payment for tickets
27/04/15 – 01/05/15  Tickets issued via post

Angling Trust Ambassador Dave Harrell, the creator of the competition, said, "We are delighted to have been able to increase the size of the competition, giving an additional 240 anglers the chance to qualify for the final. We've got some great new venues as well as established favourites and we'll have an additional 12 anglers in the final this time. It's going to be a great competition!"

Ben Thompson of the Angling Trust said “The demand for tickets for this competition is huge and we have acted to make the process as fair as possible to those who want to enter. We are in the process of developing an online entry system meaning it will be even easier to apply for RiverFest and our other competitions in future.  We expect the online system to be live by the summer of 2015.”

The final will take place on the River Wye at Hereford over the weekend of 14th/15th November and an additional section below the old river bridge will be included for the first time. Spectators will be welcome to watch the final, free of charge and there will be a bookmaker present on both days for competitors and public to have a flutter.

QUALIFIER VENUES AND DATES
1. Sat 20th June – River Calder, Mirfield
2. Sat 27th June – River Swale, Morton
3. Sun 5th July – Bristol Avon, Newbridge to Saltford
4. Sun 12th July – River Trent, Newark Dyke
5. Sun 19th July – River Tyne, Corbridge to Wylam*
6. Sat 25th July – River Trent, Holme Marsh*
7. Sat 1st August – River Weaver, Northwich
8. Sat 15th August – River Soar, Sutton Bonnington
9. Sun 16th August – River Yare, Langley
10. Sat 22nd August – River Tees, Bowsfield to Yarm
11. Sun 23rd August – River Nene, Orton*
12. Sat 29th August – River Don, Sprotborough
13. Sat 5th September – River Severn, Bewdley*
14. Sun 6th September – Great Ouse, Littleport
15. Sun 13th September – River Wye, Breinton to Eign
16. Sat 19th September – River Severn, Bridgnorth
17. Sun 27th September – River Trent, Burton
18. Sat 3rd October – River Thames, Medley
19. Sat 10th October – River Severn, Upton
20. Sun 11th October – River Medway, Barming*
21. Sat 17th October – Warwickshire Avon, Eckington
22. Sun 18th October – River Severn, Shrewsbury*
23. Sat 24th October – Yorkshire Ouse, Hunters Lodge to Linton-on-Ouse
24. Sun 1st November – River Nene, March
 
*NEW VENUES

Final
14th/15th November – River Wye, Hereford
1st Reserve Weekend  21st/22nd November – River Wye, Hereford

The competition is open to Angling Trust members only. Entry fee is £25 per qualifier. Closing date for entries is 12th April 2015, entries received after this date will not be processed in the random draw. To download an entry form and to find out more information visit www.anglingtrust.net/riverfest

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

The anglers were joined at Barston by some of the world’s top match anglers such as Des Shipp, Matt Godfrey, Callum Dicks, Joe Roberts, Tom Scholey, Frankie Gianoncelli and Sensas U18 manager Steve Sanders. Day one of the event was all about learning international style tactics and techniques as anglings' equivalents to Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and the like delivered a series of workshops and masterclasses in the morning covering pole and waggler fishing, feeding styles and presentation, bloodworm and joker fishing as well as terminal tackle and preparation required to compete at international level. The afternoon saw the anglers take to the water and put into practice all they had learned during the morning session.

Day one prepared anglers for Sundays match, North v Midlands v South and with temperatures dampened by a cold East wind, the fishing was expected to be tough. Despite the inclement weather anglers caught an impressive 191lb 13oz. Skimmers and roach made up the majority of the anglers weights, along with the odd F1 and tench. Barston Lakes proved to be the perfect venue for both anglers and parents. 

Team Midlands prevailed and won the match with 14 points with Team South and Team North finishing with 17 points apiece, Team South nudging into second with a combined weight of 59lb 12oz against Team North’s weight of 58lb 0oz. Midlands angler Samuel Claydon took individual honours with a weight of 18lb 3oz followed by Team North’s Lewis Burrows bagging 14lb 2oz and team mate Kristian Jones finishing third with a net of 12lb 6oz.

England’s Sensas U18 Manager Steve Sanders and Drennan U23 Manager Mark Downes attended to run the rule over the talent on show in advance of U18 trial to select the squad to compete in Serbia at the World Championships in August this year. Fourteen anglers from the Talent Pathway programme have since been invited to attend the trial and they will be joined by two anglers previous pathway anglers including 2013/14 graduate Jacob McNeil, who helped England to a silver medal at the 2014 World Championships. 80% of the anglers to be considered for an England squad place in 2015 have engaged in the England Talent Pathway and given the quality, commitment and dedication shown by the Trust’s team of the talent coaches and international anglers, it’s not hard to see why.

Angling Trust’s Competitions & Talent Officer Frankie Gianoncelli said;

“The progression of the Talent Pathway over the past couple of years has been incredible. This programme offers a young match angler a fantastic opportunity to develop their skills and learn from the very best in the sport! If you are a young match angler and dream of fishing for England or want to become the best angler you can be then I’d highly recommend this programme. The Talent Pathway WILL make you a better angler and improve your ability no end!

On behalf of the Angling Trust I'd like thank our team of talent coaches and the elite anglers for their unwavering support and dedication to the programme. They all give up their time for free to support the next generation of our angling superstars and we are extremely fortunate to have such a strong team. The programme would not be as strong or successful as it is today without their invaluable efforts.”

With the 2014/15 coarse angling programme now coming to a close, the Angling Trust is now planning the next instalment of the programme. Nine regional selection events will begin in June 2015 followed by a series of coaching sessions from late summer through to spring 2016.

For young game and sea anglers, the Angling Trust also run a programme covering loch style angling and shore fishing. To find out more about the programme and how to get involved, contact the Angling Trust by email at talentpathway@anglingtrust.net or visit the website www.anglingtrust.net/talentpathway

.

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

SCC residents over the age of 19 are able to enrol on our highly regarded Fishing For Skills Angling and Personal Development course.

During this course participants will progress through several different disciplines of angling over a six week period these include:

• Pole Fishing
• Float Fishing
• Feeder Fishing
• Carp Fishing
• Surface Fishing (weather permitting)

The course is themed around Personal and Team Development.  Participants will not only learn new Fishing Skills but will also take part in several Team Challenges.

FLE’s experienced staff will facilitate learning based on the following theories.

• Comfort Zones
• Learning Cycles
• Levels of Awareness
• Leadership Styles 
• Looking to the Future

This course is far more than just going fishing and past participants have developed greater confidence and self esteem, helping them to better prepare for lifes challenges and look ahead to the future in a positive way.

During the course there will be a small amount of written work and extra support is available from FLE tutors for anyone that may need it.

On the final day of the course we visit the famous Sparsholt College and are privileged to be able to fish on their exclusive lake.

After fishing at the lake we take a guided tour of the National Aquatic Training Centre with the view to opening people’s eyes to the alternative forms of higher education available to them.

The courses will be running on a TUESDAY or WEDNESDAY throughout the SPRING and SUMMER.

We will be running one course which is open for SCC residents to book directly onto, and have another 4 courses which we are looking to offer out to LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS.  So if you or a friend have wanted to learn to fish, or if you work with a group who you think would benefit from learning a positive outdoor activity please get in touch with Graham or Tom on 07595 024 363 or email teamfle@icloud.com.

AVAILABLE COURSES

TUESDAYS COURSES

24TH MARCH – 28TH APRIL

5TH MAY – 16TH JUNE

23RD JUNE – 28TH JULY

WEDNESDAY COURSES

8TH APRIL – 13TH MAY

3RD JUNE – 8TH JULY

Please spread the word about this amazing offer.  Spring is just around the corner and it is a wonderful time to be on the bank.

Source: FLE

One angler to also catch was Paul Hands, who followed last weeks 9lb 10oz Zed with a stunning fish weighing 10lb 3oz which he caught just as light was coming off the water.

The Verulam AC Predator Day on Sunday saw members make the best of the improving conditions landing Zander to 10lb 8oz.

Source: Bury Hill Fisheries

Slovenia will host the FIPS-ed World Championships from 6th – 13th September and manager Mark Downes has retained the same squad who fished in Croatia in 2014.

Mark Downes said “2015 looks like being a good but difficult year for our teams, we travel to Slovenia in September for the World Championships on a venue that is notoriously peggy but full of fish. Despite poor World Championships last year, we are retaining the same team. Young Callum Dicks, after a good showing last year, deservedly retains his place.

Drennan Team England World Championship Squad 2015
Alan Scotthorne, Sean Ashby, Des Shipp, Will Raison, Steve Hemingray, Callum Dicks.
Travelling with Mark Downes and Mark Addy will be Lee Kerry and Matt Godfrey.

The FIPS-ed European Championships will be staged in Minsk, Belarus on 21st–28th June with the championships being held on a rowing course in the capital. Making his debut at full senior level after a stunning career so far at U18 and U23 level is 3 time World Junior Champion and recent individual winner of the Sensas Challenge 2015, Matt Godfrey.

Mark Addy said “Matt is an outstanding young angler, we have been monitoring his progress for some time and Mark Downes and I both feel we must get him involved at senior level as quickly as possible.”

Drennan Team England European Championship Squad 2015
Sean Ashby, Matt Godfrey, Steve Hemmingray, Will Raison, Des Shipp, Alan Scotthorne.
Travelling with Mark Addy and Mark Downes will be Callum Dicks and Cameron Hughes.

England will be looking to defend their title at the Fish 'O' Mania International on Sunday 19th July at Cudmore Fishery. Will Raison and Des Shipp will compete and attempt to make it 3 successive wins for Drennan Team England.

Drennan Team England Fish O Mania International Team 2015
Will Raison and Des Shipp

After a break from the match angling calendar the Home International Championships is back and Drennan Team England will travel to Innescarra, Ireland. The England management feel that this competition provides an opportunity to blood new talent and England have selected 3 former under 23 anglers in the squad to fish alongside established internationals.

Drennan Team England Home International Championship Squad.
Matt Derry ( former U23), James Dent (Former U23), Cameron Hughes (Former U23), Lee Kerry, Will Raison, Alan Scotthorne, Simon Willsmore, Manager: Mark Downes and Mark Addy

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

People who fish illegally are poachers. The police understand that poachers are often involved in wider criminality, including theft and drugs and that several million anglers represent a valuable source of rural intelligence. This is why it is increasingly important for all stakeholders to work together, sharing intelligence and mounting joint operations accordingly.

The VBS remains a pilot project in SE England, but all anglers throughout England can contribute to the process, regardless of location, by reporting offences in progress or any information either to the EA on 0800 80 70 60 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Angling Trust's National Enforcement Manager, retired police officer Dilip Sarkar MBE, said: "The VBS exists to principally support the EA in the fight to protect fish and fisheries, and we are delighted to have the police's support in this endeavour. Likewise, if we can help the police in the fight against Rural and Wildlife Crime - we will."

Adrian Brightley, VBS Project Manager for the Environment Agency, said: "It is great to see everyone working together like this - which sends out a powerful message to offenders. We are all very keen for this to continue."

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

In this role Nevin will continue to support the Angling Trust's multi-agency approach to fisheries enforcement and its encouragement of partnership working and intelligence-sharing, in order to ensure that fisheries enforcement becomes embedded within the wider framework of Rural, Wildlife, Business, Hate and Organised Crime.

Nevin's volunteer assistance will help the Trust maintain and developed momentum to ensure that Angling Enforcement - one of the sports hot-topics, and a frequent source of frustration amongst anglers - remains at the forefront of its work to protect fish and fishing.

Dilip Sarkar MBE, National Enforcement Manager for the Angling Trust said:
"That Nevin is now an Angling Trust Key Volunteer speaks volumes of his personal commitment to making a positive difference to Wildlife Crime issues - and the very positive way in which the Angling Trust Fisheries Enforcement Campaign is viewed by such professionals. Whilst Head of the NWCU Nevin was very supportive of the Fisheries Enforcement Campaign, and that this continues beyond Nevin's retirement from the police service is a massive bonus for us all."

Nevin Hunter added:
"Throughout my time as a Police Wildlife Crime Officer I was constantly involved with tackling illegal angling related offences. Most recently this was part of conceiving and setting up Project TRESPASS to tackle the scourge of poaching in all of its forms.

"I am keen to bring my skills and experience to support the Angling Trust. Anything I can do to help the organisation bring anglers together and train law enforcers about protecting and conserving fisheries will be time well spent and I am looking forward to working with the Trust and my former colleagues in the law enforcement community."

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

Many opted to target the large head of skimmer bream and ignore the roach with any carp that were caught, as in previous years, counting for just 1lb regardless of size. As the festival neared its conclusion, the event turned into an out and out feeder match with anglers offering dead maggots or pinkies over groundbait fed via small cage feeders in an effort to compete with near gale force winds experienced on the chalet bank in particular.

Overall winner of the 2015 Larford Silver Fish Festival was Jamie Harrison. Jamie fished a superb festival finishing with a perfect four point score overall taking four section wins out of four.

The opening day of the event saw Jamie draw peg 26 in 'B' section on the burr bank. A difficult section saw just two weights into double figures recorded with Jamie sharing the section win with MAP's Matt Pillay, each offering 10lbs 6oz to the scales.

Jamie drew peg 14, again on the Speci burr bank, on day 2 - this time in 'A' section. Fishing a small cage feeder with single dead red maggot on the hook, Jamie ended proceedings with 18lbs 9oz, which confirmed a comfortable section win more than doubling the weight of his nearest challenger on the day, Adrian Quoroll.

By the midway point of the competition, Jamie was in the lead with a perfect two point score, closely chased by Maver's own Matt Blackmore and Mark Jones (Tredegar Angling Centre). Matt Blackmore enjoyed an excellent first days fishing winning 'D' section on the chalet bank from peg 66 with 20lbs 6oz. This was then followed by a second in section on the Tuesday with a 6lb 2oz effort from peg 16 in 'A' section to give him three points. Tredegar's Mark Jones also found himself on three points at the midway stage. Like Matt, Mark recorded a section win on the opening day from peg 58 in 'C' section on the chalet bank followed by a second in section finish from 'B' section on the Speci burr on day two.

Day three confirmed another section win for Jamie, who finished the day with 17lbs 7oz from peg 72 in 'D' section and, once again, established himself as a comfortable winner. Both Matt Blackmore and Mark Jones lost a little ground following a fourth in section finish from them both. It was at this point that Maver's Dave Smiddy and Richard Vaughn managed to creep into contention, each finishing second in their respective sections to earn a cumulative score of six points.

Going into the final day, Jamie was a clear leader with Dave Smiddy and Richard Vaughn behind on six points and Matt Blackmore, Mark Jones, Mark Warne (Maver) and Andrew Murphy all on seven points. Jamie was odds on favourite to win the festival overall with few betting against whether he could manage a fourth section win out of four. Jamie drew peg 58 in 'C' section on the chalet bank - the very peg rival Matt Blackmore had drawn the day before and struggled from.

Undeterred with a less than favourable draw, Jamie needed a fourth place finish or better to top the festival. Fishing a small open end feeder with groundbait and dead reds on the hook, Jamie found skimmer bream and odd roach to finish the day with a modest 10lbs 2oz and a fourth straight section win. Maver's Dave Smiddy also won his section to finish three points behind in second place overall, beating Richard Vaugh by a single point, who claimed third place on weight just ahead of Maver's Chris Bradney.

A huge congratulations to Jamie, who fished a fantastic festival. In fact, his perfect four point score has never been achieved by anyone else since the competition first began! Speaking to Jamie after being confirmed 2015 Champion, he commented "It's been a difficult week with weather conditions and all, but I kept things simple throughout. I had no intention of fishing the pole at any stage during proceedings and felt confident that fishing the feeder at around 30m would produce the results. In fact, my shorter 15m line did not produce at all throughout the week".

Jamie went on to say "I think the key to my success was fishing with a lighter feeder than most, which meant my presentation was much better than those who were using heavier feeders given the nature of the soft, silty bottom. It was a difficult trade-off between using a feeder with the weight needed to reach the fish, but also trying to ensure presentation was not adversely affected by using to heavier-a-feeder. I also feel that by using braided line I had much more control and was able to pick up on the tiniest of bites. I also fed very little getting through just half a pint of maggots all week. All these factors combined gave me a slight edge I feel".

Jamie has been actively seeking a place in the England feeder team and, by his own admission, has fished nothing other than the feeder for around eighteen months. Given his performance on this year's Larford Silver Fish Festival, he is more than on his way to breaking into the team!

A big thank you to all the anglers that took part.

Source: Larford Lakes