Becky, who is a member of Swanage & District Sea Angling Club, was delighted to receive her official team colours from Chris, who is himself a multiple world champion and has coached the junior England sea angling team to numerous medals at world championships. Chris was selected to carry the Olympic torch this year on behalf of the sport of angling.

Becky will take part in the first ever Home International Ladies Championships, which will be held in North Wales in early July 2013, and is one of two new ladies caps this year.

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust said:
"Many congratulations to Becky for reaching the pinnacle of the sport. We wish her and the whole of the ladies sea angling team the best of luck as they fish against the other home nations this summer. I hope that Becky comes back to Swanage with a gold medal in July, but whatever happens she should be very proud to have been selected to represent her country."

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

The Angling Trust has joined the Thames Tunnel Now coalition of environmental and amenity groups to urge the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to put his weight behind the Thames Tunnel project ahead of its submission to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate on February 28th.

Thames Tunnel Now (TTN) is calling for the final progression of the tunnel to tackle the on-going sewage pollution of the River Thames, which has only worsened during 10 years of research and debate.

TTN member and Chairman of the Thames Anglers Conservancy, Dave Harvey said:
“A solution to the devastating raw sewage discharges is long overdue, and that solution is the Tideway Tunnel. To walk the foreshore after a discharge is to see human faeces, sanitary towels and condoms floating in the margins, its London’s dirty secret and we need to act now.”

The Mayor was an early supporter of the Thames Tunnel project, and TTN urges him to stand his ground and to not be swayed by the small number of highly vocal groups that oppose this essential project.

Boris Johnson wrote in his Telegraph column in September 2011:
“Unless we act, neither man nor beast will survive the Thames in 10 years’ time... We are facing the long-term deterioration in Thames water quality, and unless we act now I am afraid no one in their right mind will be swimming this river in 10 years’ time....it is time to recognise that we can no longer rely on Victorian capital, and why Thames Water is right to be consulting on its proposed super-sewer, known as the Thames Tideway Tunnel. It is a breathtakingly ambitious project, on a scale that would have attracted the approval of Brunel and Bazalgette themselves.”

London’s sewerage system, founded over 150 years ago, was future-proofed for a maximum of 2 million Londoners. Today, we are now almost 8 million and rising. Overflows pumped into the Thames were originally designed as a last resort in times of unnaturally high rainfall. Now however, our overloaded sewerage system forces untreated sewage into the River Thames after as little as 2mm of rain. London’s iconic river, which is used by over 30 watersports clubs and thousands of tourists and walkers each day, is contaminated with harmful pathogens, viruses and bacteria, such as E coli, hepatitis A and faecal streptococci. Indeed, these sewage discharges breach the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive; the UK would face the prospect of hefty fines, if the tunnel is not built.

Chief Executive of Thames21 Debbie Leach said:
“The Thames has made significant recovery in recent years, but we must have no doubt about the severity of the current situation; raw sewage is entering the river at least once a week, threatening not just the many fish, birds and mammals that depend on it, but human health too. We cannot afford to delay this desperately needed action any further if we want the Thames to maintain its role as a vital wildlife nursery, global tourist destination and source of recreation and respite for Londoners.”

Mark Lloyd, chief executive of the Angling Trust added:
“Thames anglers have been waiting 40 years for action to stop sewage pouring into the tideway and killing tens of thousands of fish each year. Millions of anglers will be watching to see that Boris doesn't wobble from his position of support for this vital project just because of a few riverside Nimbys.”

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

Because of the decline in fish numbers on these rivers, clubs and businesses are losing members, day ticket and tackle sales on a daily basis. These are important rural businesses which rely on healthy fish stocks to continue employing staff and providing benefits to the local economy and to people and communities.

The letter to Dafydd Evans, Area Manager at the Environment Agency is copied below.

Andy Jones, Secretary of Montgomery Anglers Association and Assistant Manager at Total Angling, Shrewsbury said:

"We have been asking the Environment Agency questions about the downturn in match and pleasure angling catches for over five years and not one representative from the Agency has been able to answer us or has seemed willing to do anything to improve the situation. The Environment Agency just will not admit that there is a serious problem with fish stocks and they continue to ignore a simple fact, which is how good the fishing has been on the river Severn in the past and how poor it has become now. Local anglers fully support this letter from the Angling Trust and hope that now, at last, something will be done to improve things. Our club memberships, retail income and the local economy have been affected by fewer anglers coming to fish the Severn here and that's a real shame because in the past the river has produced amazing catches of roach, dace and chub. If the Environment Agency act now then things can get better."

Sir John Roberts, Chairman of Shropshire Anglers Federation commented on the decline in fishing on the Severn:

"It is now time for anglers to shout and shout loud. This has to stop. Summer floods have played a part in natural egg and fry losses and the constant onslaught of predation cannot be accepted by us." Sir John continued "The competition scene in Shrewsbury has seen income in the £1,000s five years ago reduced to less than £100 in 2012. Local clubs and Federations alike have seen their revenue halved."

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

Angling’s representative body agreed to support a ban on the taking of eels by rod and line three years ago, asking at the same time for a complete ban on the commercial exploitation of the stock. Eels have a lifecycle of between 10 and 40 years and very little is known about the factors affecting their numbers so it is just not possible to know whether a commercial harvest is sustainable.

Eels are a vital part of the aquatic ecosystem and a favourite food of cormorants and otters. It is thought that the decline in eels may have contributed to increased predation on other fish species.

Eels are highly valuable and it is thought that far more eels and elvers are taken than the licences allow. The continued licensed commercial fishing of eels and elvers makes enforcement more difficult; if it were banned entirely then anglers would be able much more easily to report any eel or elver fishing as being illegal, and puts remaining stocks at risk.

The Trust’s view is that elvers should only be caught for the purpose of supporting dedicated re-stocking programmes.

The Angling Trust and Fish Legal campaign and take legal action to tackle pollution, over-abstraction, migration barriers and damaging hydropower schemes which are being promoted and licensed by the Environment Agency.

The 2007 EC Eel Regulation required member states to develop and implement eel management plans to restore the escapement of silver eels to at least 40% of historic, “pristine” levels. Plans were published in 2009 covering each of the 11 river basin districts in England and Wales. The EC Regulation required states to report on the latest condition of eel stocks and on progress in delivering the management plans in 2012 and at 3-yearly (until 2018) then 6-yearly intervals.

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust & Fish Legal said: “we were recently asked for a view of the Environment Agency’s eel management plans at the England & Wales Fisheries Group which oversees the work of the Agency in this area and we emphatically called again for an end to commercial netting and trapping of all eels and elvers.

"There is some good work being done by the Agency to build fish passes and to stop eels being sucked into water intakes, but its value is diminished because they are still being slaughtered and exported. To prosecute an angler for killing three eels while licensing the harvest of many tonnes of eels each year by commercial fisheries is wrong. All commercial fishing for eels and elvers must stop, and it must stop now.”

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

These foreign invaders have caused huge damage to coarse and game fisheries in rivers, canals and lakes because they smother the water surface preventing light getting into the water. When they die and rot, they suck oxygen out of the water which can lead to fish kills and a decline in invertebrate numbers. Managing the rapid spread of these species costs the taxpayer billions of pounds each year – money which would be better spent tackling pollution, over-abstraction and barriers to coarse and game fish migration.

They have been sold in garden centres for decades and have escaped from garden ponds through flooding and when people have cleared out their ponds without understanding the damage that they can do. By banning them, the risk of outbreaks will be greatly reduced.

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust & Fish Legal said: “This is very welcome news and a strong decision from a Minister who has demonstrated that he has a good understanding of the issues affecting the water environment and in particular non-native invasive species.

"Other island nations around the world take biosecurity very seriously and the sale of these plants has gone on far too long. We urge all gardeners who have any of these species in their ponds to remove and destroy them.”

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

Last Wednesday 6 fish came out in the space of an hour and half from all over the lake. Adrian Evans fished with his dad Alan who had a 14lb mirror and a 15.6 common both caught on Richworth Esterberry pop-ups. But bragging rights goes to Adrian who had a 18.2lb common also caught on a esterberry pop-up. Plymouth rod Martin Ling, had a brace of commons at 17lb and 15lb. The biggest fish of the day went to Rob Keen who had a stunning 20.8 lb mirror. Rob also had a nice looking 15lb mirror, caught on Bombers boilies. Matt Skelly of Euro Angling,Torquay fished with his friend Martin and where rewared with some stunning fish - bragging rights go to Matt who had 2 mirrors just over the 18lb mark. Martin had a lovely looking common of 15lb.

Plenty of other anglers have been catching but no catch reports have been handed in so please could anglers fill in catch reports and hand them in to the shop.

On the other lakes Bob Bartrum fished Island Pool for a couple of hours and had some good sport with roach, rudd and perch all taken on maggot. The shop is having a sale with many items upto 40% off. Call in for more details.

Rado said:
"Through the Building Bridges project we have made great strides in educating Polish anglers in the rules, regulations and customs that govern fishing over here. However, there will always be some anglers who need help understanding not only the EA by-laws about catch and release but also the specific club rules that are in place. Hopefully by getting club rules translated into Polish, future problems will be more easily solved and our communities can jointly enjoy the great sport of angling without unnecessary friction."

The Polish Anglers Association in the UK was established a few months ago by seven anglers from Poland including Rado and Pawel. They have a website and facebook page which provides an excellent source of information for Polish anglers:
http://www.polish-anglers-association.co.uk

There is a forum on the website where anglers of all nationalities can ask questions and get useful information about fisheries and their rules and regulations. The PAA is committed to promoting best practice in fish welfare and conservation and are members of angling's governing body, the Angling Trust.

The Polish Anglers Association is also keen to organise competitions and fishing get-togethers with any angling clubs or groups - contact Rado to set something up.

Clubs requiring rule translation for their website or rule books should contact either Rado or Pawel on:
radoslaw.papiewski@anglingtrust.net
pawel.nycz@anglingtrust.net

Angling Trust Campaigns Coordinator Martin Salter said:
"This is a brilliant initiative and the Angling Trust is urging all clubs from areas with a significant Polish angling interest to take advantage of the new free translation service offered by our Building Bridges team. The Poles love their fishing at least as much as we do but our cultures and practices are different which is why it is important to get over the message that fish should be returned safely in accordance with our by-laws."

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

The date this year will be the 4th-7th June and the event will start with the wonderful International flag parade through the ancient streets of Chiprana, leading competitors to the Opening Ceremony. Several new exciting changes for the forthcoming event which the organisers believe will make the event more tactical and challenging for competitors.

• Boat or shore - the choice to fish from either a boat or the shore. Decision to be made by registration.
• No more rowing - Motors allowed for shore anglers to place their baits.
• Team event combination - Teams - comprising of 3 pairs of anglers/trios - can be a combination of anglers fishing from shore or boats.
• Zone draw during Opening Ceremony for both shore and boat anglers which decides the zone order for the three day event.
• Shore anglers - a draw for their daily peg will be done each morning at Welcome Breakfast.
• Boat anglers - will leave from designated slip way at 9 am leaving them an hour to get to the zone they want to fish being a 100 meter clear of any other competitors.

Other changes:

• No bait restrictions other than live bait and dead fish - Squid, worms, Lure fishing, clonking and halibut pellets now allowed.
• Daily total fish allowance - Anglers will be allowed to weigh a total of 6 fish in a day.
• Tactical decision required - which fish to weigh or release as fish will not be allowed to be retained after capture. You have to weigh or release.
• Marshals on hand - both shore and boat anglers will have easy access to marshals to weigh their catch.

Remains unchanged in 2013

• 3 zones/3days - each pair/trio will fish a different zone each day
• Entry fee -
  • Pair (2 anglers): £1,100 per Pair
  • Trio (3 anglers): £1,500 per Trio
  • Team Entry: 3 Pairs/Trio can form a Team and represent a sponsor or a country for an added entry fee of £360 per Team (£120 per pair). Best three teams to share an additional prize table.
  • Team Runner: £150 - Important to read carefully their role in the rules.

Event Details in short:

• 4th to the 7th June 2013 - River Ebro, Spain
• Places available: 42 either from shore or boat
• The venue will be divided into 3 zones and all competitors will fish in a different zone each day be it from shore or boat.
• Pair's entry fee remains unchanged
• Opening Ceremony to take place after a National Flag parade through the ancient town of Chiprana led by officials followed by a Fiesta
• Daily draw and Results update at Welcome Breakfast (3)
• Daily presentation during Welcome Breakfast to defending King Cat garnments and scale
• Closing Ceremony with Champions' Dinner.
• The overall event winners will be the captors of the greatest weight of catfish caught over the 3 days (total of 6 fish per day to count)
• Competition is a no kill best practice angling
• No live or dead baits allowed

The British Carp and Angling Show, due to take place at the at the Royal Norfolk Showground, Norwich on January 19 and 20, has had to be postponed due to the expected bad weather this weekend.

"Due to the extreme weather conditions and the forecast for heavy snow all day Friday and Saturday, the show has now been rescheduled for a later date. Advanced tickets will be permitted at the new show date (to be announced soon).

Because of the severe weather situation health and safety regulations have made it impossible to run this event safely – thank you for your understanding and the show will be rescheduled soon.

Any enquiries please email Maddie@aztecevents.co.uk please do not call the office as you can appreciate the lines are extremely busy