Angling Coach and Angling Trust member Graham Cridland has won the BBC Unsung Hero award for the South East.

The aeronautical engineer from Crawley in West Sussex has helped hundreds of kids and adults turn their lives around through learning to fish at his West Sussex and Surrey Angling Academy which, despite funding being withdrawn in 2006, he has kept going with the help of 15 volunteers and his own money.

Graham only turned to angling coaching in 2004 after many years coaching rugby. It's a sign of the impact he has had in the lives of so many people that he was also a national finalist in this year's ITV Pride of Britain awards. Despite missing out on the national Unsung Hero award he was a guest at December's BBC Sports Personality of The Year awards

Daniel Williams, Regional Development Officer in the South East for the Angling Trust, the national representative body for all angling in England, said, "This is not a one off, but one in a line of awards that Graham and the West Sussex and Surrey Angling Academy have picked up in the last couple of years. He really has done some good work and a great deal on our behalf including supporting National Fishing Month, Kingfisher Awards, Angling Sports Leaders, Dads & Lads programs and coming in at the last minute to run a For Fun Casting Program at the Bexhill Sea Angling Festival. There will be, I'm sure, much more to come."

Graham still doesn't know who nominated him for the award. "The fact that someone thought I was worthy enough speaks for itself, who it was isn't important. I'm still amazed that people think that the work we do warrants this kind of recognition", he said.

Graham and the West Sussex and Surrey Angling Academy have won supporters in high places with the Fisheries Minister, Richard Benyon MP, recently agreeing to become a patron of the organisation.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for the Academy contact Graham via the website or email him at CWSAA@aol.com

If you or a friend might be interested in becoming an angling coach yourself you can find out more on the Angling Trust websiteor by calling Angela Woodgates at the Angling Trust Approved Centre on 0115 9061 313.

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

After ten years as chief executive of British Waterways and (since July 2012) the Canal & River Trust, Robin Evans has decided to step down at the end of May 2013. Robin said: “I want to pursue other interests and opportunities and now the Trust is firmly established I feel it’s the right time for me to move on and a perfect time for the Trust to have a new leader.”

After ten years as chief executive of British Waterways and (since July 2012) the Canal & River Trust, Robin Evans has decided to step down at the end of May 2013. Robin said: “I want to pursue other interests and opportunities and now the Trust is firmly established I feel it’s the right time for me to move on and a perfect time for the Trust to have a new leader.”

He added: “It has been a privilege to lead these two great organisations and I am very proud of what we have achieved over the past ten years. Having agreed the transfer of the waterways into the Third Sector together with £500m of endowment property and a 15 year funding agreement from government, the Trust is on a more secure financial footing with a more positive outlook than we’ve probably ever had.

“I will always be grateful for the encouragement and support of a great many people both inside and outside of the Trust who have helped lay what I believe are the foundations for a strong and vibrant future for our much loved waterways.”

Tony Hales, chair of the Canal & River Trust, said: “Robin told us in November that he intended to step down in May and we will be very sorry to lose him. He has served with great dedication and inspirational vision. His determination to see that vision realised in the foundation of the Trust, has transformed the long term prospects for the waterways. The former Board of British Waterways and the current Trustees wish him well and thank him for his outstanding contribution to the canals and rivers we all love.”

The Trustees will now begin the search for a new chief executive and more details will be announced shortly.

Tony Hales has been asked by Trustees to stay on as chair to help ensure a smooth transition and he has kindly agreed to do so.

Source: Canal & River Trust

The Angling Trust has welcomed the announcement today from Sport England that it has been successful in securing £1.8 million in funding over the next four years for some specific programmes of work to grow angling participation.

This award represents an increase on the £1.56 million that was paid over the last four years to build an infrastructure of 1,400 coaches, 35 County Angling Action Groups and 91 Club mark-accredited clubs.

While the award is less than the £2.35 million maximum bid submitted by the Angling Trust, most sports have had reductions in their funding due to cuts in the grant to Sport England from the Government.

Sport England has asked the Angling Trust to focus particularly on growing the number of anglers who go fishing once a week, and on older and disabled anglers.

The Angling Trust is also working with the Environment Agency to secure funding to support growing the number of anglers, in particular young children. As part of the National Angling Strategy launched this year – Fishing For Life – the Trust will be working with others to build the case for other funding organisations to support angling participation and to maximise the social and economic benefits of going fishing.

The Angling Trust will use Sport England’s funding to:

• Support angling clubs and fisheries through its Club Fish national development programme to offer participation programmes over the four year period
• Focus on older and disabled anglers through the Let’s Fish group angling programme, delivered by Angling Champions at partner fisheries.
• Establish a club and fishery competition framework at national, regional and county level to reward regular participation across all disciplines, age groups and abilities.

Sport England is also providing £138,000 to support up to 800 talented young anglers at regional and national level across the disciplines of game, coarse and sea angling. This investment will help reinforce the sport’s talent development programme which is still in its infancy.

Sport England’s Director of Sport, Lisa O’Keefe, said: “The Angling Trust has a huge opportunity to increase the number of regular anglers and it is great to see that it has developed its knowledge and insight into their market to get more people fishing more often.

"We are pleased to be working alongside the Environment Agency which supports the sport in getting more people fishing as well as on educational and environmental projects. I’m confident that angling will continue to develop over the next four years with our support.”

The Angling Trust’s Chief Executive Mark Lloyd said: “While we are disappointed not to have secured the maximum amount in our bid, this continued funding is extremely welcome at a time when government funding is extremely tight. This success reflects the fact that the Trust has set a new standard in professionalism and governance, and that our development team have achieved real progress over the past four years.

“There is a huge amount of work to do to grow angling participation, and it needs to be done at a very large scale to have an impact. Sport England have set us some very challenging and specific targets, and we will focus on achieving them as part of an ambitious programme of work to improve angling and the environment on which it depends.”

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

For anglers and their families it’s very important to find not only a beautiful and fruitful fishing spot but also an area that everyone will enjoy. Planning a weekend away with the family can be difficult at the best of times, so we have found the top five places where you can go fishing and entertain the kids all in one.

Rutland Water, Leicestershire

Rutland Water is a reservoir and a nature reserve designated as a ‘site of special scientific interest’ and children will relish the chance to see all sorts of wildlife species. You can fish from the bank or take a boat out to deeper waters and find rainbow trout, roach, bream, pike and zander. Spend a day exploring Leicester, as there are many activities and museums perfect for inquisitive kids.

Whitby, North Yorkshire

England’s winding rivers and expansive lakes provide superb fishing opportunities but if you and your family are up for an adventure why not try fishing at sea? You will find pollock, ling and mackerel off the coast.  After a day skimming the ocean there are plenty of cosy Whitby pubs for you to enjoy the perfect family roast and rest your aching arms. This gorgeous little fishing town also has an abbey, which is one of the famous settings for Bram Stocker’s novel Dracula.

The Lake District

With an astonishing selection of lakes, tarns and rivers the Lake District is a fisherman’s nirvana. The larger lakes include Windermere, Ullswater and Coniston, which are all great places to fish but if you desire something quieter try some of the lesser-known tarns. The renowned Eden and Derwent lakes are reputed to be superlative for salmon fishing. Young ones can roam the enchanted countryside, climbing trees and looking out for wildlife.

Draycote Water, Warwickshire

This reservoir is the largest expanse of water in Warwickshire, stretching for about 700 acres. Draycote is one of best trout fisheries and home to a huge population of brown and rainbow trout. Kids will delight in spotting the alpaca herd and birds, local to this area. There are many bed and breakfasts dotted around the reservoir, which makes a quick break feasible and homely. Bird watching, cycling and country walks all make for fantastic family days out.

Dungeness Beach, Kent

For an unmatched fishing holiday why not plan for a trip on the UK’s coast? Explore this famed cod spot on the Dungeness Beach, where the oceans are replete with fish so you wont leave empty handed. Plus the shores often reward you with seasonal catches such as bass, flatfish, sole flounder and dab. The tawny beachfront is encircled by chalky white cliffs where doll-sized cottages perch, and seabirds squawk. As well as fishing there are other water sport activities available. This beach is the ideal mix of relaxation and action that the whole family will appreciate.

PLEASE NOTE:
The rescheduled British Carp and Angling Show is taking place this weekend (16th-17th March 2013) at the Royal Norfolk Showground in Norwich. They will be honouring all past tickets and vouchers at the new event. Much of our line-up will remain the same with Nash and Korda already confirming their attendance once again, John Wilson and Bob Nudd still on the celebrity guest list, as well as the Grand Raffle, Rigging Clinic, Casting area, bivvy zone, Bait Kitchen and much more to keep visitors busy.

Maddie Rustman of Aztec Events certainly thinks so as she explores the what, why, when, where and how of the British Carp & Angling Show…

• What other show in the UK provides an interactive rigging clinic for youngsters, taught by John Wilson?
• When do you get the chance to shake hands and have your photo taken with fishing legend Matt Hayes?
• Why shop around for fishing gear when all of the world’s top manufacturers can be found all under one roof?
• Where else can you re-tell your stories from the riverbank alongside other keen anglers and fishing celebs in our on-site bar?
• How can we make this show even better?

With some of the UK's best known angling celebrities set to attend the British Carp and Angling Show, taking place at the Royal Norfolk Showground, Norwich on January 19 and 20, 2013 – the weekend is set to blow the minds of all those attending. After the outstanding success of the first event in January 2012, which attracted over 10,000 visitors, the 2013 event is expected to be twice as big and attract twice as many visitors – making it one of the biggest shows not only in the UK, but also in Europe.

Set in Norfolk Showground's enormous 50,000 sq. ft. Exhibition Hall, which was recently re-furbished to an even bigger, more impressive stature – the British Carp and Angling Show will cater for anglers of all ages, abilities and disciplines including carp, general coarse, game, sea and fly fishing.  

The show will offer an array of attractions from product launches by well-known companies to the opportunity to meet some of angling's best known celebrities and experts who will be on hand to give advice and demonstrations as well as take part in promotional launches, book signings and 'Question and Answer' sessions.

With over 120 Trade Stands there will be plenty of products at bargain prices and lots of special offers including discounted bait from some of the industry's leading manufacturers including popular brands such as Korda and Nash – who will have their expert consultants on hand for advice and questions on your fishing or tackle.

Amongst the angling celebrities at the show will be Matt Hayes signing copies of his new book ‘Fish-eye’ as well as carrying out talks and seminars in the Theatre Hall. Last year Matt was unveiling his new clothing range and addressing an enormous audience with talks about ‘What it’s like to be Matt Hayes’ which explored his youth and career.

Matt first made his name on TV programme 'Total Fishing with Matt Hayes' and later went on to star in programmes such as 'The Great Rod Race' and 'Mainstream'. Also famed for his literal skills, Matt writes a column in Angling Times and has also written a book called 'Coarse Fishing'.

Famous angler John Wilson has featured in many TV angling shows, DVDs and videos over the past 20 years. John is a keen author who has written for many angling publications over his career and has penned a great number of books on all aspects of angling.
As a local Norfolk fisherman, John is a great household name in the area with a huge fan-base and following. Humble and filled with great fishing stories, John will host a rigging clinic for youngsters in the Pro-Theatre as well as carry out an informal Q&A wit guests and sell his own branded range of fishing gear, which includes many items from rods to sunglasses.

Also amongst those present will be 4 x Coarse Angling World Champion and writer for ‘Improve Your Course Angling’ Magazine Bob Nudd who will be available to meet and greet over the weekend of the show and Keith Williams who will host a Bait Kitchen on the Main Line stand.

Amongst the exhibitors will be those who run local fisheries and providers of angling holidays in the UK and abroad including teams from Carp Fishing Holidays and Carp Fishing Trips. Visitors can also pick up some brilliant subscription deals to their favourite angling publications with Big Carp, Carpology and Maximum Carp all holding stands at the weekend.

The expanding list of exhibitors now includes Ace Baits, Advanced Technology Tackle, Baitcraft, Bait Zone, Carp Alley, Carp Craze, Carp Hunter, Carp Zone, Carp4U, Catmaster tours, Eric's Angling Centre, Fishing Republic, FOX, Vale Royal Angling Centre, French Carp Adventures, I-Carp, Jex Silt Pumping Plant Ltd, Korda, Latham's Fishing Store, MCF Carp Fishing, Nash, Navarra Fishing Adventures, Norfolk Anglers Conservation Association, Peg One, PT Baits and Tackle, Redwood Tackle, Rigmarole, Sky Lake Fisheries, Sonik, Strikemaster Tackle, The Firm, Trakker, Vale Royal Angling Centre, Wisbech Angling and many more.

Tickets are available in advanced at £8.00 for adults (£10.00 on the day) and £2.00 (£5.00 on the day) for accompanied children under 16. There is no charge for children under five years old.

The British Carp and Angling Show 19th and 20th January 2013
at the Royal Norfolk Showground, Norwich, Norfolk NR5 0TT
Open: Sat 10:00am-5:00pm, Sun 10:00am-4:00pm
For more info: Telephone 01702 549623 website www.britishcarpshow.co.uk

A strategy to get more people fishing and help projects that use fishing to provide support to people in need was launched at the Angling Summit in London today.

The new strategy, Fishing for Life, was launched by Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon to encourage more people to try angling. The Environment Agency and Angling Trust developed the strategy that builds on angling's proven ability to promote wellbeing, support local communities and contribute to the economy.

As part of the development of the strategy, two national surveys were carried out by research organisation Substance which involved more than 29,000 anglers and 780 organisations working in angling. The results of these surveys were presented at the Summit.

The Summit heard:

• how fishing is helping young people learn to concentrate, take responsibility and achieve better results at school;
• the benefits that people derived by disabilities, recovering war veterans and the mentally ill from learning how to fish, and how to meet their needs;
• the need for access to local waters so that people can regularly benefit from going fishing, and the possibilities for community groups to build angling into regeneration plans;
• the importance of healthy freshwater and marine fish stocks to the future of angling participation;
• the need to promote the benefits of angling to a wider audience.

The strategy will be delivered over the coming years by a wide range of organisations working together to develop plans to deliver the four elements of the strategy:

• Encouraging people to take up and continue fishing so it becomes a habit for life - getting the fishing habit;
• Recognition of angling's role in improving the nation's health, increasing educational attainment and reducing crime and anti social behaviour - transforming and changing lives;
• Improving people's lives by using angling as a catalyst for bringing people and society together - focus on people and places;
• Recognising that fish and fishing are at the heart of a better environment - hands up for the environment;

Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon said:
"As a keen angler myself, I am delighted to be involved with such a worthwhile project. Angling is a great sport for men and women of all ages - it's enjoyable and it gets you outside, enjoying our wonderful waterways and seas and getting all the health and wellbeing benefits from being outdoors."

Mark Lloyd, chief executive of the Angling Trust said:
"working on this strategy has been an inspirational experience for us all. There is so much fantastic work being done throughout the country to use fishing to transform people's lives and to protect wonderful watery places. Our job now is to use the strategy to make other people aware of angling's many benefits and to encourage organisations to work together locally and nationally. We are very grateful to the tens of thousands of anglers and the hundreds of angling organisations which have contributed to creation of this exciting new strategy."

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

This year saw an increase of competitors taking part in the Angling Trust British Pike Final on the 20 Foot River, and Glassmoor Bank on Whittlesey AA’s waters with a total of 225 entrants. Difficult weather conditions greeted the competitors with an overnight frost, and rain settling in for most of the morning of the match.

Darryl Moore from Hinkley won the Championship title on Saturday 3rd November 2012 with two pike weighing 22lb and 14lb 4oz from peg 132 on the 20ft to give him an overall winning weight of 36lb 4oz. Runner up Tony Billson was only 2oz behind the winner with a total weight of 36lb 2oz and two pike caught of 17lb 14oz and 18lb 4oz from peg 296 on the 20ft, and managed to catch his last pike with only a minute remaining. In third place was Chris Preen of Bicester who caught one fish for 18lb 2oz on peg 286 on the 20ft.

Fish catches were slightly down on previous years, but the number of competitors made up for any disappointment showing that this Championship is going from strength to strength.

Wayne Gorrange and Stuart Parker from the British Pike Squad were in attendance for the presentations to invite the top 10 anglers from the British Pike Final to fish alongside the British Pike Squad early next year on their waters from Bedlam bridge to the three holes bridge on the 16ft, to offer coaching sessions and to introduce the individuals to their way of fishing.

Top 10 individual results
1st Darryl Moore, Hinckley – 36lb 4oz (two fish 22lb and 14lb 4oz) Peg 132 on 20ft
2nd Tony Billson, Essex – 36lb 2oz (two fish 17lb 14oz and 18lb 4oz) Peg 296 on 20ft
3rd Chris Preen, Bicester – 18lb 2oz (one fish) Peg 286 on 20ft
4th Dwayne Williams, Cambs – 16lb 8oz (one fish) Peg 65 on Glassmoor.
5th Barry Southgate, Chelmsford – 15lb (two fish 9lb 12oz and 5lb 4oz) Peg 99 on Glassmoor.
6th Kenneth Edgson, Notts – 12lb (one fish) Peg 69 on Glassmoor.
7th Mark Salter, Southampton – 10lb 8oz (two fish)
8th Barry Putnam, Kenilworth – 10lb 6oz
9th Wayne Lees, Oxford – 10lb 1oz (3 fish)
Joint 10th Pete Smith, Burnham on Slough - 10lb
Joint 10th Derek Northrop, Great Beddow – 10lb

Top Lady
Jean Lloyd, Mansfield – 2lb 4 oz (one fish)

Top Junior
Lucy McCourt

The Angling Trust would like to offer their appreciation and thanks to Ted and Ann Rowe, Event Organisers for all their hard work and also to Dave White and Whittlesey AA who worked very hard to ensure that all pegs were accessible on the day.

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

The Bolton Co-Operative Angling Club has received £10,000 in compensation from a farmer who polluted their coarse fishery in 2010 thanks to the efforts of Fish Legal's expert lawyers.

In June 2010, thousands of carp, perch, roach and bream in the Hesketh Lodge, one of the club's lakes at Astley Bridge outside Bolton, were wiped out when silage liquor from storage facilities at nearby Harricroft Farm escaped into Astley Brook which fed into the anglers' prized fishery.

As members of Fish Legal, the Bolton Co-Operative Angling Club was able to obtain free legal representation, and approached Fish Legal after the pollution to help them claim for the cost of restocking and for their loss of amenity. Once presented with the threat of legal proceedings, the farmer's insurers reluctantly negotiated an out of court settlement. Fish Legal is delighted to agree a substantial pay-out for its member club and to send a strong deterrent to potential polluters in the future.

William Rundle, Fish Legal solicitor, said:
"Farmers are required by law to store silage liquor in secure facilities away from waterways precisely because it poses such a danger to aquatic life. Silage is essentially pickled grass used as a cattle feed through the winter months. Unfortunately, the liquor that drains off it is a highly noxious pollutant, more harmful than pig or cattle slurry and many times more potent than domestic sewage. In fact, DEFRA likens the polluting effect from just 100 tonnes of silage to the equivalent of the daily sewage output of a town of 25,000 people.

He went on:
"In this case, the silage liquor which poured into Hesketh Lodge caused oxygen levels to plummet and the fish in there quite literally suffocated. It just goes to show that farmers need to be extremely careful when it comes to storing silage because of the risk their operations pose to the environment. The cost of reparation when they fail to do so properly can be substantial. Angling clubs that are close to such facilities or other industry should join Fish Legal in case they suffer pollution in the future. We can then act for them free of charge to seek compensation for the damage to their fishery and loss of fishing - clubs cannot rely on the Environment Agency to do this for them, it simply isn't their job to provide the free service we do when obtaining compensation for member clubs."

Niven Peacock, Secretary for the Bolton Co-Operative Angling Club, said:
"Thanks to Fish Legal Bolton Co-op Angling Club now have compensation for the pollution incident and the club can get on with the task of re-stocking to get the lodge back to what it used to be and hopefully get our membership back as well."

Source: Fish Legal Fishing News

Tony Mair's ridiculous mission (his words, not ours) to catch a trout from every river in the UK has continued throughout 2012. You may think he's mad, we think he's an inspiration to angler's everywhere! Tony contacted us after the season closed on 30th September with some brief thoughts on the mission so far. Check out his website ... it's well worth a read.

My season has ended, as it should (for a Northern Hemisphere Troutman) on September 30th. The UK has had the crappiest Summer, and we flyfishers all have had to grin and bear it!

My ridiculous mission continues, and with six more Counties ‘netted’ I have the finishing line in my sights(!?)...I have Bedfordshire, Cheshire and Merseyside, still to capture.

The ’close season’ is one for optimism, for 2013 beckons and will be a spectacular year for us, so now we plot and plan! I hope you enjoy reading of my exploits this year.

Source: A Fisherman's Journey

Update: 1st October 2012
Due to a major pollution incident on the Erewash Canal in Derbyshire the National Angling Match due to take place on the 13 October along this stretch of waterway will be postponed until 2013.

A major fire broke out at the Stanton IronWorks site located alongside the canal in Stanton-by–Dale which has resulted in pollutants entering into the canal causing a sudden decline in oxygen levels. The Environment Agency and Canal & River Trust are on site carrying out an emergency fish rescue and are currently transferring the fish to unaffected areas further along the canal. Whilst the rescue has been a great success with over 5000lbs of fish being safely relocated elsewhere on the canal sadly there have been some fish deaths as a result of the pollution.

John Ellis, Fisheries & Angling Manager from the Canal & River Trust said “I am really sorry to disappoint anyone who was planning to come along but in light of this incident we have taken the difficult decision to postpone the fishing match. The pollution site is not far from the area where we were planning on holding the angling match and we need to allow the fish population time to naturally recover and re-populate areas of the waterway”

To help celebrate the launch of the new waterways charity, the Canal & River Trust, a National Angling Match is being held along the Erewash Canal in Derbyshire on Saturday 13 October from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

The match, which is open to anglers of all ages and abilities, is a chance for anglers from across the waterways to come together and compete against each other in this one off competition to celebrate our canal network.

Angling on Britain’s canals and rivers is more popular than ever with around 290 angling clubs established across the 2,000 mile network.

John Ellis National Fisheries & Angling Manager from the Canal & River Trust said “This match is a great opportunity for other anglers to compete with other club members and help celebrate the launch of the Canal & River Trust. The all day match is open to all keen anglers and clubs should be a competitive but fun day”

The match will be along a stretch of the Erewash canal from Ilkeston to Long Eaton which is a distance of about six miles and is home to a wide variety of fish. Anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including Roach, Perch, Bream, Chub and Bonus Tench.

David Kent, Chair of the National Angling Advisor Group “We wanted to do something to get anglers involved in the launch of the Canal & River Trust and what better way than to hold a National Angling competition. We have 400 pegs available and I expect there to be a great response from the angling community so I urge anyone interested in coming along to arrive early to avoid disappointment”

The competition will be divided into three groups; under 16’s, teams of four and individual matches. Entry fees are £20 per team and £15 for individuals. To book your place in the competition please contact Alan Wright on 0115 9728041 or John Johnson on 07931 552691

Source: Canal & River Trust