40 high profile and respected anglers from all disciplines of angling have volunteered to support the Angling Trust by becoming Angling Trust Ambassadors and encouraging every angler in the country to become a member of the Trust. They have given their backing to support the single representative body for all anglers and will be helping support its campaigns to protect fish and fishing.

The Ambassadors include angling TV stars Matt Hayes, Mick Brown, John Bailey and Jeremy Wade as well as top carper Terry Hearn, actor Paul Whitehouse, singer Fergal Sharkey and gold-medal winning athlete Dean Macey.

England anglers Bob Nudd MBE, Chris Clark, Sandra Scotthorne, and Wendy Lythgoe-Clark have lent their support, along with angling authors including Charles Jardine, Jon Beer, Luke Jennings, Charles Rangeley-Wilson and Chris Yates. Sea anglers including Leon Roskilly, Malcolm Gilbert, Henry Gilbey and Jim Whippy have united with specialist anglers Neville Fickling and Jan Porter to support the work of the Trust.

Their new roles were announced last week at three launch events on the last day of the coarse fishing river season.

Des Taylor and Dave Harrell joined the Trust's National Campaigns Co-ordinator Martin Salter at the iconic coarse fishing haven of Bewdley on the River Severn. Jim Whippy, Leon Roskilly and Chris Clark met up to fish at Pevensey Bay on the South Coast while Angling Trust chief executive Mark Lloyd joined game angler Charles Jardine on the River Wye near Builth Wells.

Mark Lloyd said: "We have been overwhelmed and extremely grateful with the strength of support from so many big names from the world of angling and beyond. The Angling Trust is honoured to have HRH the Duke of Edinburgh as our Patron, but to have the equivalent of angling's royalty sign up to support us is very humbling. A massive thank you must go to all the Ambassadors for offering to help us campaign to promote angling and protect it from threats such as pollution, abstraction, predation, hydropower, poaching and commercial overfishing."

Martin Salter, the new National Campaigns Co-ordinator for the Angling Trust said: "It is now time that all anglers who care about the future of their sport got behind the Angling Trust so that we can have the mandate and the resources we need to persuade politicians and others in power to take action to protect and improve our fish stocks and fishing. As a former MP, I know that numbers matter to politicians. The Angling Trust needs far more individual members if it is going to compete with organisations like the RSPB for the attention of Ministers. The support of this veritable army of ambassadors is all the evidence anyone should need that the Angling Trust is the only show in town and is going places."

Jeremy Wade, Author and TV presenter (River Monsters) said: "I'm supporting the Angling Trust because it's only interest groups that can put forward a united and coherent message who stand any chance of making any impact."

Matt Hayes, Angling Writer and Broadcaster said: "The reasons I've joined the Angling Trust are simple and straightforward, it represents me as a fisherman, whether I am a game fisherman, a coarse fisherman or a sea fisherman. We are all anglers and the Angling Trust is driving our sport forward and if you don't join you're not a fisherman!"

Top carp angler Terry Hearn said: "It's time that all carp anglers join the Angling Trust to protect their fish and fishing from fish theft, fish disease, the taking of fish for the table, predation and angling bans. Get behind the Trust now. I'm a member and you should be too!"

John Bailey, Angling Writer and Photographer said: "The successes achieved by the Angling Trust are only possible because of the thousands of anglers who pay their subscriptions to support its vital campaigning and legal work. I was privileged to be the Vice President of the Angling Trust's legal arm when it was known as the ACA and I'm going to be a supporter of the Angling Trust for a very long time to come."

Brian Clarke, Times Fishing correspondent, and Former President, the Wild Trout Trust said: "The Angling Trust is the most important development in angling in my lifetime. For the first time it has given the sport the single, coherent voice it so long lacked. The trust speaks for us all in the face of ever-mounting pressures: environmental pressures (pollution, abstraction), social pressures (increasing detachment from the countryside, a consequent shifting of public attitudes to field sports of all kinds, reduced recruitment) - and the direct attacks of those who would see angling banned. To any angler who is not a trust member I would say join now, join today: protect the heritage that you have enjoyed - and keep it safe for your children."

Expert fly fisherman and illustrator Charles Jardine, said: "If you are committed to angling; then you should be committed to this organisation. The Angling Trust exists for us: now, in the future and children's future. Just support them, please."

Charles Rangeley-Wilson, President The Wild Trout Trust, Trustee The Norfolk Rivers Trust and Patron The Wandle Piscators said: "The environmental, economic and social pressures on our rivers and lakes come from all sides and will not go away anytime soon. Anglers are the custodians of this national heritage and we need to speak with one voice to be heard and to be influential."

Paul Whitehouse, Comic Actor and Writer said; "As long as individual voices can be heard within an organisation, it helps to have a single focus and point of contact for our concerns. The Angling Trust deserves the support of all anglers."

Andrew Herd, Executive editor of Waterlog magazine said: "Angling has a rich past and a promising future - but only if fishermen unite behind the Angling Trust."

Chris Clark, International Match Angler said: "Being fragmented will only multiply the numerous problems for all anglers but having a strong unified body speaking with one voice will send out a clear message to those in power, it's the only way forward to protect the sport we love. Continuously complaining and moaning from the outside without any real goal will achieve nothing, it has a negative impact."

Henry Gilbey, TV presenter, Angling Photographer and Journalist said: "Ask any sea angler what they would like to see in the future and I bet you that 99% of the time the answer is a collective more and bigger fish to catch. That is exactly what I want to see myself, and I firmly believe that now is the time to align ourselves behind the Angling Trust and give them the chance to make this a reality. I worry hugely about the future of UK saltwater fishing, so the least we can do is to give the UK's one professional organisation the best possible go at protecting our sport."

Jim Whippy, Sea Angling Writer and Boat Fishing Guide said: "It's already shown that the strength in unity has given the Angling Trust the ear of various department of the government. One voice speaking for all anglers has got to be the only way we will be heard and taken notice of."

Malcolm Gilbert, President The Wild Trout Trust, Trustee The Norfolk Rivers Trust and Patron The Wandle Piscators said: "The environmental, economic and social pressures on our rivers and lakes come from all sides and will not go away anytime soon. Anglers are the custodians of this national heritage and we need to speak with one voice to be heard and to be influential."

Des Taylor, said: "Waters like my river, the Severn, need to be looked after for the future of angling and I see that protection coming from the Angling Trust. I am honoured to be asked to be an Ambassador for the Trust."

Dave Harrell, said; "Fishing has been a massive part of my life since I was five years old and the thought of not being able to fish my favourite rivers in the future is something I don't even want to consider. I know many other anglers all over the country feel the same way and by supporting the Angling Trust we can ensure that we have the very best support in terms of fighting pollution issues, predation and poaching. I'd urge everyone to join so that we can continue to enjoy the places that we all love going to."

The full list of the first 40 Angling Trust Ambassadors:
Alan Scotthorne, Andy Little, Andrew Herd, Bob Nudd MBE , Brian Clarke, Charles Jardine, Charles Rangeley-Wilson, Chris Clark, Chris Yates, David Hall, Dave Harrell, Des Taylor, Dean Macey, Feargal Sharkey, Graham Mole, Henry Gilbey, Hugh Miles, Jan Porter, Jeremy Wade, Jim Baxter, Jim Whippy, John Bailey, Jon Beer, Keith Arthur, Keith Elliott, Leon Roskilly, Luke Jennings, Malcolm Gilbert, Malcolm Greenhalgh, Martin James, Mick Brown, Neville Fickling, Oliver Edwards, Paul Whitehouse, Roy Marlow, Sandra Scotthorne, Steve Collett, Steve Ringer, Terry Hearn, Wendy Lythgoe-Clark, Will Raison.

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

Barry Richards is running a charity fishing competition on 12th May at Greenacres Fishery in Biddenden, Kent in aid of Cystinosis Foundation http://www.cystinosis.org.uk. This competition will be held on the 12th May 2012.

What Causes Cystinosis?

The cystine content of cystinotic cells averages 50-100 times the normal value. The cause is a defect in the transport of cystine out of a cell compartment called the lysososme, in which cystine accumulates. Because of cystine's low solubility, this amino acid forms crystals within the lysosomes of cells, and this is probably what destroys the cells. Only approx 2000 people in the WORLD! have this so we need to do all we can.

A old school friend of my missis ..her son has this condition so we need to make the effort here guys.

The Fishery:

Greenacres Farm Fishery, Sissinghurst Road, Biddenden, Kent TN27 8EH
Tel: 01580 291116 or 07939 207 411

Rules

• minimum 32" landing net
• minimum 40" unhooking matt
• barbed hooks only
• no leadcore
• no fixed leads
• no braided mainline
• no nut or partical unless from dinamite and still in orignal contaner
• no leads over 2.5oz

Additional Information:

• The competition will take place on Heron Lake. Arrival time is 8am with a 9am start and finish at 5/6pm rods down, for a 6/7pm finish. Raffles & prizes as well as trophies for biggest fish and biggest weight 1st/2nd/3rd
• There is a £10 deposit. NON REFUNDABLE you dont turn up you dont get it back it goes to the charity .. someone else could have had that spot.
• The price of the swim will be £15. All deposits to be sent to richards.barry@rocketmail.com via paypal.
• It will be a 1 rod per person rule that means any rod, ledger/float/pole its up to you.
• You will need to abide by the chosen lakes rules.
• There will be trophies for 1st 2nd and 3rd and biggest fish as well as the odd prize.
• Please please have a good time, and bring some money with you because there will be a raffle and no doubt a bucket.
• If you want a place or know anyone that would be willing to send some fishing items towards the raffles etc you need to contact me on impyinc@yahoo.co.uk 
  

Source: Impy Inc Fishing

Angling Trust chief executive Mark Lloyd visited the Shropshire Meres to meet fishery owners and angling clubs to hear about the problems they were facing from predators such as cormorants and otters, and solutions they had found to managing these problems.

He visited the Shropshire Anglers Federation controlled Dorset Pools, which have been successfully fenced off to keep out otters which had taken 35 large valuable fish in 2010. 600 metres of bank were fenced with recycled materials for less than £1,000. He also visited two meres with multiple streams flowing in and out of them, ringed with reeds and trees and with complex multiple ownership that could not practicably be fenced. These are typical of the ancient meres that can be found throughout Shropshire and Cheshire.

In a meeting convened by Predation Action Group Chairman Tim Paisley, Mark met a fishery owner who had lost more than £50,000 worth of carp to otter predation and angling clubs whose match catches on the Upper Severn had been ruined by cormorant and goosander predation.

Mark Lloyd said:
"We will keep pressing for more protection for fish from abstraction, pollution and hydropower developments which prevent the recruitment of juvenile fish to rivers to replace those lost to predation but there's no doubt that predation has also had a catastrophic impact on some still water fisheries and livelihoods. The Angling Trust is working hard to identify practical help and funding for fishery owners to keep predators out. We are doing all we can to persuade government to take radical action on fish eating birds through the Review Group that was set up last year following pressure from the Angling Trust. We recognise the real damage that otters and mink can do to some fisheries, particularly when nearby natural fish populations are struggling for other reasons. I've asked our new national campaigns coordinator Martin Salter to lead on this important piece of work."

Tim Paisley said:
"We were all delighted that Mark was able to take time out from his hectic schedule to come up to Shropshire to assess the escalating predation problems waters in that area are suffering from goosanders, cormorants and otters. The PAG is keen to be seen to be supporting the work of the Angling Trust and this meeting was a sign of the growing understanding between the Trust and the PAG. As a carp angler I see this as a clear and encouraging sign that the Trust has the interests of carp anglers at heart."

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

The Angling Trust is calling on the government to start taking bio-security issues far more seriously following news released this morning that the Killer Shrimp (Dikerogammarus villosus) has been found in Barton Broad, Norfolk.

The Angling Trust described this news as a devastating blow for anglers who had hoped that the spread had been contained at Grafham Water in England and 2 sites in South Wales. This highly invasive non-native shrimp originates in the Caspian Region and has spread to other European countries. It predates on native aquatic insect life and fish eggs and could have a major impact on fish stocks and other wildlife. The Angling Trust has been working hard with government and other users of the water environment to encourage bio-security measures across all sectors to prevent another incident occurring, this new discovery is very unwelcome news after all this work.

Only last week, the Angling Trust included a stark warning to MPs about the potential impact of the spread of the Killer Shrimp on wildlife, fisheries and angling when the Trust’s senior staff gave evidence to the Environmental Audit Select Committee on Wildlife Crime.

Angling Trust Chief Executive Mark Lloyd said:

“We do not know how the Killer Shrimp was spread to Barton Broad and we will be continuing to ask all water users, including anglers, to follow the ‘Check Clean Dry’ procedures to stop it spreading further. In an open system like the Broads with thousands of visitors a day this will be a huge task and we will be meeting with the Broads Authority to discuss ways of doing this. There is now a very real danger that this pest could be spread throughout the country with disastrous consequences for fish, fishing and a host of wildlife.”

The Angling Trust’s Freshwater Environmental Campaigns Manager Mark Owen added:

“The government needs to wake up to the huge threat to our waters from invasive species from Europe the Killer Shrimp is only the tip of the ice berg. We call on government to ratify urgently the Ballast Convention to stop these species being moved by shipping and to take a lead in forcing European countries to take action by backing a new European Directive on Invasive Non Native Species”.

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

Angling Trust chief executive Mark Lloyd is celebrating landing his personal best freshwater fish, a river pike of 22lb 13oz from the River Wye.

Mark spent a cold day pike fishing on the middle reaches of the Wye accompanied by Wye and Usk Foundation Deputy Director Simon Evans and was rewarded with a hard fighting beauty in excellent condition.

Mark was using a herring deadbait fished in one of the few slacks available in the heavy flows under an old bob float he used to use as a kid in the 70s when piking in Somerset on his local river Yeo.

Mark said:
"People like Martin Salter, who has recently come to work for the Trust, are forever nagging me to spend more time coarse fishing. My job at the Trust has stopped me getting out to do much fishing of any sort over the past three years, so I was really pleased to get the chance to fish the Wye for pike. This is my largest freshwater fish to date and was very welcome after a 6am start in freezing fog. I am very grateful to Simon Evans from the Wye and Usk Foundation for his expert guiding skills and the only let down was that he didn't land the fish he hooked after it snagged him in a fallen tree. A great day's fishing on a great river with a great friend, that reminded me what it is that we are fighting to protect."

Martin Salter, new National Campaigns Coordinator for the Angling Trust added:
"Fair play to Mr Lloyd. He gets quite a bit of ribbing from me for his fluff-chucking habits but he has shown us the way. Sadly for me my personal best pike is a couple of pounds smaller so further teasing of the boss will have to be put on hold for a while!"

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

Lymm Angling Club are opening up registration for Academy Sessions in the popular Introduction to Angling Course. 

Each session last two hours and all equipment and bait will be provided. There is two groups of 6 on the below dates, it is open to all boys and girls aged 8-16. You will even be given a starter pack worth £10 absolutely free. The course will go through all the basics of fishing from putting on bait to setting up yourself.

Based at Woodside Pool in Dutton, Cheshire the home of our junior section. We have a purpose built fishing platform suitable for wheelchair users.

For more information visit http://lymmjuniors.blogspot.com, if you wish to book a place then please contact Chris Finneran on 07525 360 804 or christopher.finneran@gmail.com.

Dates & Times

Sunday April 15                       Academy Session 1 
Sunday April 29                       Academy Session 2 
Sunday May 13                       Academy Session 3 
Sunday May 27                       Academy Session 4 

Academy TImes                       Group 1 10:30 – 12:30
                                                Group 2 13:00 – 15:00

All events are lead by qualified and licenced Angling coaches. 

Source: Lymm Angling Club

"Water is too cheap, the public are too wasteful and politicians have been too short-sighted" is the message from the Angling Trust in response to the Drought Summit held in London today by Environment Secretary Caroline Spellman

Freshwater campaigns manager Mark Owen represented angler's interests at the summit and warned the Environment Agency that they must be geared up to mount fish rescue operations as rivers shrink and fish become trapped and stranded.

Mark Owen said:
"Whilst gardeners will moan about the prospect of hosepipe bans it is the angling clubs and our fisheries that will be bearing the brunt of this appalling drought. The Angling Trust wants to see every possible step taken to minimise damage to our precious fish stocks until such time as those rivers on the critical list return to something like normal flows."

Meanwhile Martin Salter, newly appointed National Campaigns Co-ordinator for the Trust, spent the morning with members of Action for the River Kennet at Marlborough in Wiltshire highlighting the desperate plight of the southern chalkstreams. Speaking from the dried up bed of the upper Kennet at West Overton (pictured) Mr Salter told Sky News and the BBC that anglers expected politicians to implement long term solutions to improve storage and reduce the need for abstractions from already dangerously low rivers.

Mr Salter said:
"This dreadful drought should serve as a wake up call for anyone who cares about the plight of England's shrinking rivers. Whilst the Angling Trust supports calls from the water companies to encourage people to conserve water there is much more that needs to be done if we are to prevent serious damage to the aquatic environment. We need far greater investment in storage reservoirs, better conservation of winter run-off, universal water metering and an end to unsustainable abstractions, like that at Axford in Wiltshire, which takes water from the Kennet catchment to serve South Swindon and discharges it into the Thames.

"Infrastructure investment will need both political vision and courage because it will impact on water bills. But we live in a mad world where purified drinking water is used to flush toilets and water lawns in country with a poor record for extravagant water use. Why is it that in the Thames region customers now use on average 1,000 litres of water a week for every man, woman and child?

"Despite being essential to human life we grossly under value our water resources. Quite frankly, water is too cheap, we the public are too wasteful and our politicians have been too short-sighted. This has to change if we are to protect our rivers and the wildlife that they sustain."

Action for the River Kennet (ARK) is working with the local community and Thames Water to help everybody to use less water through the Care for the Kennet campaign.

ARK's spokesman said:
"In the Kennet Valley we have had drastically low rainfall for the last 18months, with less rain and a dryer river even than in 1976. Unless we have two very wet months, a drought this summer is inevitable. Now is the time to act. Every one of us can make a difference and help to keep our river alive. The water that comes out of your tap comes from the same source as the water in the river, so by using less of it there will be more to support the river and its wildlife."

ARK have long been critical of Thames Water's abstraction from Axford to supply south Swindon, and Director, Charlotte Hitchmough, said:
"ARK is keeping up the pressure on Thames Water to honour their commitment to provide an alternative water supply for Swindon, which will help the River Kennet. Thames Water are aiming to build the new supply in 2014. But the people in the Kennet valley as well as Swindon can make a positive difference too, by using less water, and I urge everyone to sign up for the free water saving service".

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

TV host Chris Tarrant and UK Music boss Feargal Sharkey to join petition handover to Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon.

Campaigners from the world of angling will be joined by celebrities Chris Tarrant and Feargal Sharkey when they handover a 16,000 signature petition on Wednesday (22nd Feb) calling for action to limit the devastating impact of the UK’s rapidly increasing cormorant population and its effect on inland freshwater habitat and ecosystems.

Scientists have calculated that each cormorant needs at least a pound of fish a day to survive, and there are now an estimated 23,000 non-native invasive cormorants over-wintering in the UK from Holland, Denmark and other parts of Europe compared to a couple of thousand in the 1980s. This means that at least 23,000lbs of our freshwater fish get eaten EVERY DAY throughout the winter – a total and unsustainable loss of 2,760,000lbs of fish every winter causing damage to our native bio-diversity.

The petition has been organised by the Avon Roach Project headed by Trevor Harrop and Budgie Price and ably assisted and supported by internationally renowned wildlife film maker Hugh Miles who are working to try and re-establish healthy roach populations in their local river Avon after heavy cormorant predation contributed to numbers crashing to critical levels between Salisbury and Christchurch. Their efforts are strongly supported by the Angling Trust as the single representative body for angling in England and the Salmon and Trout Association.

DEFRA fisheries minister Richard Benyon has ordered a review into the current ineffective and bureaucratic licensing regime that allows for limited controls on the numbers of cormorants and other fish eating birds. The review group is expected to report in the summer.

TV host and lifelong angler Chris Tarrant said:
“It has taken absurdly long for people to realise the damage to fish populations, other wildlife and the whole environment that cormorants have been doing for too many years. Many of our finest, most beautiful and most famous waterways have been skinned by these predatory birds.

Some of the flocks are enormous and the current regulations are hopelessly inadequate to control them. Whole fisheries have been virtually wiped out, resulting either in jobs lost or thousands of pounds spent in restocking.

In other instances once thriving waters are now virtually devoid of fish which threatens other bird populations like the kingfisher and the grebe. It is time to redress the balance before it becomes too late.”

Wildlife Film maker Hugh Miles added:
"Non native cormorants have invaded our freshwater rivers and lakes from Denmark and Holland and threaten to wipe out our fish. Scientific estimates reckon that 23,000 visit here for the winter and that they each need one pound of fish a day to survive. That's 23,000 pounds of fish EVERY DAY. This adds up to a total of 1,200 tons of fish in four months, twice the total annual production of the largest trout farm in the UK. This level of predation is totally unsustainable and a direct threat to the survival of our precious bio-diversity".

Avon Roach Project co-ordinator Trevor Harrop said:
“We’ve seen the numbers of cormorants increase at an unimaginable rate. We simply could not stand by and watch as the last of the small and fragile populations of roach was decimated in our local Hampshire Avon, one of the country’s most iconic rivers. We have a responsibility to protect our ecosystems from non-native invasive species and the influx of freshwater dwelling cormorants from Europe represents a massive threat to many of our own fragile inland fish populations across the entire country.”

Martin Salter, former parliamentary spokesman for angling and now National Campaigns Co-ordinator for the Angling Trust said:
“Our rivers are suffering from over-abstraction, habitat loss and diffuse pollution. Freshwater fish stocks cannot withstand the rapid growth in numbers of cormorants that we have seen over the past decade. These birds are doing great damage to angling, which supports 37,000 jobs and generates £3.5 billion for the UK economy. The Angling Trust is pleased to have encouraged the Minister to undertake a review into the impact of fish eating birds such as cormorants on our freshwater fisheries and congratulates our colleagues from the Avon Roach Project for their sterling efforts both to mobilise the angling community and to try and repair some of the damage done to one of England’s most famous rivers.”

The petition calls on the government to place cormorants on the general licence allowing fishery managers and angling clubs to better protect their fisheries from excessive and unsustainable predation. The campaigners will also be handing a letter to Mr Benyon and a report entitled ‘Bio-Diversity in Danger’ which demonstrates that there is no viable alternative other than to allow the legal right to defend our native fish populations against this non-native invasive predator.

Petition Wording
"The current Cormorant licensing regime is woefully inadequate as it stands. Therefore, we the undersigned call upon the Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries to change the licensing law and include the Cormorant on the 'General Licence', allowing the legal control of Cormorant numbers where they pose a threat to fish populations. In so doing, this will allow the vital link in the food chain to be maintained, and the protection of not only our freshwater fish species, but also species such as Kingfishers, Grebes, Bitterns, and more. We should have the right to protect our environment, but the current law does not allow this."

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

Mr. Crabtree goes fishing, written by the late Bernard Venables, began life in the Daily Mirror where it was serialised for over 25 years. It remains the largest selling fishing book of all time. The Mirror Group, in conjunction with Toast Entertainment Group, the Angler’s Mail and Anglers’ net is launching a search for a new ‘Peter’. A nationwide search to find four boys or girls, aged 8 to 14 who will join angling legend John Bailey, as he fishes in the footsteps of Mr. Crabtree in a forthcoming TV series due to broadcast late 2012.

Fergus McKenna, Head of Syndication and Licensing, Mirror Group says:
“Along with our creations like Andy Capp and Mr. Digwell, Mr. Crabtree was a great favourite, not just with the angling audience but for all of our readers.  Capturing the essence of taking pleasure from the simple things in life, and promoting a love for outdoor living and sporting pursuits, the lessons that Mr. Crabtree taught are equally as relevant today.  We’re delighted to be involved in bringing this Mirror Group creation back to life for a new generation to enjoy.”

Captivating literally millions of young anglers, anyone who grew up on Mr. Crabtree will know Peter, the son of Mr. Crabtree in the books and long running comic strip. Possibly you identified with him whilst fishing alongside your own mentor, and will now understand how vital that relationship can be in developing a love for fishing, growing an appreciation of the natural environment, and learning all of those tricks that we carry with us to our dotage.

John Bailey, a Norfolk-based angling expert and ex-teacher is the ideal presenter for ‘Fishing in the footsteps’.  He says:
“The original Crabtree inspired millions of anglers through two, three or even four generations to take up a sport that is exciting, challenging and leads to a truly profound understanding of the aquatic world.

“Fishing in the footsteps will show how techniques have changed but its core values remain the same. We will be teaching the sport from the fundamentals up, but will also be portray the white knuckle thrills, the fun & friendship and the deep respect for the environment every proper angler feels.”

The values conveyed in the long-running series are still as relevant today as they were way back when. The Mr. Crabtree heritage conjures up a wealth of nostalgia for any angler, all illustrated by a back-to-basics approach to fishing using simple kit, unencumbered by the modern penchant for expensive gadgets.

Mr. Crabtree fished using his head and heart, never blanked, and instilled in Peter a love for the natural environment, respect for his surroundings and an enviable level of knowledge of angling techniques.

TEG is looking for modern-day ‘Peters’, children who have at the very least an interest in angling and either want to extend the knowledge they already have, or are willing to pay close attention and pick it up as they go.

Executive producer, Lester Holcombe says: “I’ve been producing TV programmes for the last ten years and I started fishing at an earlier age than even Peter did, with my late dad and my uncle, so getting to make this series and to be a part of Mr Crabtree's re-introduction to a new TV and angling audience, is a dream come true.

“Only rarely has an angling show or series reached out to an audience beyond those people that already go fishing. Crabtree and its key messages will not only appeal to all anglers, but to a wider TV audience, who will get to see the magic of fishing and why it is the favoured pastime of millions of people in Britain.”

There will be high expectations of the ‘Peters’ and they will be expected to follow a Code of Behaviour.  This will be supplied to all semi-finalists (and their parents).

This brilliant opportunity has some very simple entry requirements; full terms and conditions are available at www.mrcrabtreegoesfishing.com as well as an online entry form.

1. 'Peter' needs to be aged between 8 and 14
2. 'Peter' can be a boy OR a girl
3. 'Peter' doesn't have to be able to fish already, but should be very interested - This is NOT about getting on the TV at all costs
4. 'Peter' will be expected to adhere to certain standards of behaviour – TEG is looking for a role model for other children

Entry closes on 2nd March 2012, followed by a shortlisting and screening process where 12 semi-finalists will be chosen and interviewed by a panel of judges. The winning four ‘Peters’ will be announced by the end of the month and filming will commence

Source: The Carp Society

pen the conference said:

'Lottery funded research must have practical use - to inform policy and to improve practice. This research has demonstrated real benefits to community organisations as well as national bodies by showing how angling can help improve people's lives.'

Website: Mr Crabtree Goes Fishing

The Carp Society Adult MasterClass is held annually especially for carp anglers who want to expand their knowledge of carp fishing in a safe environment. The programme will cover best practice to help anglers catch, care for, and return carp of all sizes. We aim to teach respect for the quarry, other angler,s and the waters we fish.

When is it?

The 2012 Adult MasterClass will be held from Friday 10 August and finish on Sunday 12 August. During the event students will fish afternoon, evening and nights always with an instructor present, the ratio is 2:1. Instructions include fishing, demonstrations on the bank and in the fishing Lodge. Instructors are from a mix of famous ‘name’ anglers and by other less famous anglers all of whom are experts on the water.

Horseshoe Lake has some of the best facilities in the UK; there are onsite catering facilities, a fully equipped tackle shop, as well as toilets and showers.

What will I be taught?

During your stay at Horseshoe Lake you will be guided through all aspects of carp fishing. This will include:

• Bank side safety
• Casting, improving technique and accuracy
• Feature finding set up
• Spods and spod set up
  
• Rigs
• Safe fish handling
• Particle use
  
• Knots
  
• Carp care
  
• Photography
  
• Playing fish
  
• Baits and bait application
• PVA bags and rigs
  
• Ground baits and stick mixes
  
• Floater fishing

Date:

10 to 12 August
Arrive Friday afternoon, leave Sunday afternoon.

Venue:

Horseshoe Lake

Price:

£200 all inclusive

What do I need to bring?

You need to bring a full carp fishing kit for three days and two nights fishing (you will fish through the night as well as the day), this will include a bivvy, bedchair, sleeping bag, two rods & reels, bite alarms, landing net, weigh sling, unhooking mate, spare clothing, water proofs, wash kit and a valid EA rod licence. You will need to bring bait with you, or alternatively you can buy CC Moore bait from our on-site shop.

What does it cost?

The cost of the three day event is £200.00, this includes all fishing, three meals a day and all tuition.
Spaces are limited so it is sold on a first come bases.
To secure a place you will need to pay a £50 deposit and then an option to pay the balance by three instalments each of £50 in March, April and May 2012.

For further details contact the Carp Society office on 01367 253959 or email us at info@thecarpsociety.com

Source: The Carp Society

pen the conference said:

'Lottery funded research must have practical use - to inform policy and to improve practice. This research has demonstrated real benefits to community organisations as well as national bodies by showing how angling can help improve people's lives.'

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News