Displaying items by tag: angling

Anglers have reacted with dismay to the news that Severn Trent Water is to close Draycote Reservoir to all angling until further notice. Severn Trent claims that the closure is due to the planned redevelopment of the visitors’ centre at the reservoir, but planning permission has not yet been agreed for the work. The company is not restricting access to other users during the period of the works; sailing, birdwatching and walking will all still be allowed.

Anglers are very concerned that when the work is finished, the Company will stop angling on large parts of the reservoir, as they did at Foremark Reservoir early in 2009, for what were widely regarded as spurious ‘health and safety’ reasons.

Thousands of anglers fish the reservoir each year and they are furious that this decision was made without consultation – mirroring what happened at Foremark. Severn Trent makes much of the fact on its web site that it has a CAREAG (Conservation, Access, Recreation & Education Advisory Group) with which it is meant to consult, but this group was not advised of the plans until they were finalised. The Angling Trust is calling on the Company to admit that it has failed in its corporate responsibility to the community.

Angling Trust Chief Executive Mark Lloyd said: “As the National Governing Body for angling, we are outraged that this huge water company is banning all angling without any consultation, not even with its loyal customers. Our research shows that many more people would go fishing if there were more access to waters. Anything which reduces access is therefore bad news, and disastrous for people living near the reservoir who rely on it for their fishing as well as those hotels and B&Bs which supply overnight accommodation to anglers visiting the water.”
The Angling Trust is writing to Tony Wray, the Chief Executive of Severn Trent demanding a meeting to discuss the situation and the Company’s future attitude to angling. The Trust will also be asking the Government why there is no organisation with responsibility for regulating water companies’ responsibilities with regard to provision of recreation.

The Angling Trust works alongside the Angling Development Board which is funded by Sport England to grow and sustain participation in angling. The disastrous decision at Draycote will impact on the two organisations’ work in this area and will decrease the social and economic benefits of such a major fishery to the local community. Anglers travel from all over the country to fish Draycote and the ban means that they will no longer be spending money in the area around the reservoir.

Many anglers have achieved instructors’ or coaching qualifications or awards such as STANIC and C25 dating back five or more years and which are no longer adequate to become a licensed coach. A scheme launched by the Angling Development Board (ADB) gives these anglers the chance to upgrade to the modern coaching qualification compatible with other sports and the UK Coaching Certificate.

Jackie Sheldon, Senior Development Manager for the ADB explains;

‘Through the UKCC Source Group and our Coach Steering Group, the ADB has developed ‘bridging packs’ which will enable these instructors to meet requirements for becoming ADB licensed coaches and will be accepted by Local Authorities, County Sports Partnerships and schools throughout England and eventually the UK.’

‘We are expecting at least 80 applications for this opportunity and hope it will encourage many lapsed coaches into being more active and getting involved in all the new angling initiatives starting around the country.’

Anyone holding an angling qualification or award other than the 1st4sport Certificate in Coaching Angling can apply using the ‘Recognised Prior Learning’ (RPL) forms on the Angling Trust – ADB website where the process is explained.  It usually includes one day of additional training plus a two-day assessment. The cost of the upgrade has been reduced to £80 by funding secured by the ADB and many applicants will also be eligible for grants, sponsorship and bursaries to offset this cost.  Help is available on this from the ADB office or its Regional staff.

Fishing for Charity, the brainchild of angler Tony Shaw of Lafarge Aggregates Limited, has presented a cheque for £2,000 to International Manager Joe Roberts to support the England Disabled Coarse Angling team.

Tony was amazed at the lack of support that angling at international level received from our government and in 2008 raised £650 for the team, with a similar amount going to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. He has promised to raise even more in 2010, with a big event planned for April.

With his army of friends and helpers, Tony has organised a series of charity angling matches and has raised money at car boot sales.

The Angling Trust and the Disabled International team would like to thank the following for their support of these events. Without their help it would not have been possible to raise this money.

Dynamite Baits; Richworth Baits; Limelight Marquees; Colin Thornton; Andy Hermitage; Richard Hunger; Bob, Kevin and Colin from Phoenix Weighing Services and of course the owner of Apps Court Farm, Stuart McGregor.

Apps Court Premier Fishery manager Clive Terry is also singled out for special thanks for his help by Tony who hopes to use the same venue for his final presentation day next April.

Dick Clegg, International Events Manager for the Angling Trust ( FIPSed) said: “Once again I would like to thank Tony and everyone concerned for their efforts in raising a substantial amount towards our disabled teams’ international expenses. Without their support the teams would not be able to compete at the highest level”

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust said: “We are very grateful to all the volunteers and sponsors involved in this fantastic effort. Our aim is to grow the Angling Trust membership so that we can attract greater sponsorship to help fund all our international teams.”

Anyone wishing to support Tony’s fundraising can contact him on 07900126431 or 01784248745 or e-mail him: tony.shaw777@yahoo.co.uk

2009 Has Been An Action Packed Year!

This year has been packed full of festivals, with lots of new names taking the top titles which is always great to see. Massive congratulations are extended to all the match & festival winners from throughout the year, especially to the new title holders of the Parkdean Masters, Grant Albutt and the Master of Masters, Steve Ringer.

The 2010 White Acres fishing festival calendar is out now and White Acres are looking forward to welcoming back all you anglers for another bumper season. They are very pleased that the two new festivals added this year - Garbolino Spring Classic & the Preston Innovations Parkdean Pairs - generated a lot of interest. It won’t be long before they’re as popular as the others!

Grant Albutt was crowned the 10th Parkdean Master!

Grant Albutt clinched the 2009 Parkdean Master title, securing the £25,000 winner-take-all prize. Grant, who qualified in 23rd place in the Preston Innovations festival the week before was ecstatic about his triumph. “I'm chuffed to bits,” he said. “It really hasn't sunk in yet. I knew my time would come one day. It was just when!”

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Parkdean Masters at White Acres, Grant Albutt joined the nine previous Masters winners to battle it out for the Master of Masters championship title. Steve Ringer, the Masters 2003 winner claimed first place, walking away with the prestigious giant Parkdean Masters trophy and also a fantastic prize of a luxury holiday for two to Las Vegas with an additional £250 to gamble on the slots!

Even more ladies & juniors fishing matches at White Acres

The weekly resident matches at White Acres are a great chance for anglers of all abilities to shine, giving everyone an opportunity to go head to head with other anglers and win! 2009 has not only seen even more ladies and juniors fishing the Rover matches but also entering the Gold and Silver matches, finishing with fantastic results.

What’s also very encouraging is the increased interest in the ladies & junior festivals this year plus the number of juniors and ladies entering the main festivals.

Angling Trust and Matchroom Sport announced today that entries to Fish O Mania 2010 will be open from 9.00am on 18th January 2010 for a three week period. The closing date for entries will be 8th February 2010 at 4.00pm. Tickets will be on sale at £23.00, an increase of 50p on 2009 to reflect higher peg fees. A new venue, Partridge Lakes, near Culcheth in Cheshire, will be used for a qualifying heat this year. Anglers wishing to register in this year's event will need to have a valid individual membership of the Angling Trust to register and have their membership card with them when they compete.

The Angling Trust website (www.anglingtrust.net) will be the only means by which anglers can enter Fish O Mania. Once the event is launched, competitors will have three weeks in which to enter through the on-line process. Once the entry has closed, the site software will then generate a random draw to select the 130 anglers for each of the 16 qualifying heats. The system does not operate on a first come first served basis, therefore all entries received from 18th January to 8th February will have an equal chance of obtaining a ticket. The site will also generate a reserve list for each of the 16 qualifiers with details being regularly updated on the Angling Trust website.

Anglers can sign up for membership on the Angling Trust website by following the links on the online entry process, or by clicking on “Join Here” on the home page. Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust explained the decision to make the competition members-only: "This is in line with most of the Trust’s other competitions, and other governing bodies’ policies.  It has been welcomed by all the competition anglers we have spoken to, who saw it as a way of helping the Trust to continue to grow and develop into a powerful voice for all angling, and to develop match angling in the future."  It will also ensure that all participants are covered by the Angling Trust’s free civil liability insurance, included in the membership subscription.

A spokesman for Matchroom Sport said: “Having worked with the NFA, and now the Angling Trust, for 16 years on Fish O Mania, we feel that it is important that anglers unite to give themselves a stronger voice in what are challenging times for the sport. On that basis we are happy that it is a pre-requisite that anglers taking part in Fish O Mania be members of the governing body that administers the sport. I can’t think of another sport that Matchroom operate in where this isn’t the case and it is of obvious benefit to all.”

Sandra Drew, Competitions and Events Manager for the Angling Trust said: “The importance of the Fish O Mania title is obvious from the distances some anglers travel to take part in the qualifiers each year and the huge attention that this competition attracts in the angling media and on Sky Sports. Once again there will be 16 qualifiers held around the country giving anglers a chance of winning the biggest prize in coarse angling and taking the prestigious title of Fish O Mania Champion.”

Matchroom Sport and the Angling Trust also announced the venues and dates for the Fish O Mania qualifiers for 2010:

Saturday 10th April 2010 Viaduct Fishery
Saturday 17th April 2010 Tunnel Barn Farm
Wednesday 21st April 2010 Barford Lakes
Saturday 24th April 2010 Lakeview Fishery
Wednesday 28th April 2010 Woodlands View
Saturday 1st May 2010 Maver Larford Lakes
Wednesday 5th May 2010 Monk Lakes
Saturday 8th May 2010 Stafford Moor
Saturday 15th May 2010 Moorlands Farm
Saturday 22nd May 2010 Octoplus Boldings
Saturday 29th May 2010 Partridge Lakes
Wednesday 2nd June 2010 Heronbrook Fisheries
Saturday 5th June 2010 The Oaks
Wednesday 16th June 2010 Willinghurst Fishery
Saturday 19th June 2010 Woodlands Lakes
Wednesday 30th June 2010 Lindholme Lakes

The England pair, Billy Flowers and Jamie Londers, were denied 1st place at the World Carp Championships only because the match was extended to 73 hours due to the clocks being put back. Having led from the start, they were only beaten to a silver medal position in the last 20 minutes by the South African pairing by a margin of just under 5 Kg. Instead of the competition running for the usual 72 hours, it was decided to extend it by an hour. At the 72 hour mark, our boys were 3Kg in front of the South Africans.

The team, generously sponsored by HS Works, finished in a very disappointing 9th place with two out of three pairs fishing in fishless areas. This compares with a very creditable 2nd place last year. South Africa won the overall team event, with Serbia coming 2nd and home team France in 3rd place.

The 11th World FIPSed Carp Championships were held from 21st October to 25th October 2009 at Cazaubon Barbotan in France. There were widespread complaints about the organisation of the event, which was regarded as the worst organised world championships of recent years.

Mitch Smith, England Carp Team Manager said: “the competition this year was an extremely fraught one. To see Billy Flowers and Jamie Londers take 2nd place was a bag of mixed emotions; on one hand they took a wonderful position in 2nd place that anyone would have gladly taken at the start of any competition, but on the other hand to lead a 72hr competition for 72 hrs 40 mins and then get the title taken away from you in an extended hour due to the clocks going back is just an unimaginable catastrophe.”

Mitch continued: “We tried so hard to be ready for this competition only to see the whole lot go down the pan at the draw. It was just devastating to be pitched in fishless pegs, I can only compare it to having your shoe laces tied to the starting blocks in a 100 metre running race. Well, as they say, the show goes on and it arrives here in the UK next October. We have already picked ourselves up and dusted ourselves down and are ready to select another 2 pairs to challenge the world alongside Billy and Jamie on the great Linear fisheries near Oxford, at the 12th World Carp Champs.”

Dick Clegg, International Events Manager for the Angling Trust said: "It's always frustrating in fishing competitions when the draw automatically rules out any medal chances. I know the whole team will be disappointed after weeks of practice, but the shining consolation is that were on the podium once again. It was a tremendous performance from Billy Flowers and Jamie Londers to finish in silver medal position in the individual honours. Well done guys!"

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust said: “We would like to thank the sponsors, HS Works, for all their support of the national squad, without which our team would not be able to compete in these championships. Congratulations must go to Billy and Jamie for their achievement in the pairs, but it seems that the draw and the strange decision about the match length conspired against us. We look forward very much to hosting the Championships in England next year.”

Results
Team positions
1st: South Africa 5points 171.320 kg
2nd: Serbia 13 points 100.510 kg
3rd: France 15 points 80.330 kgs

Individual positions
1st:South Africa Hennie Du Preez & Andries Maree 79.00kgs (C Section winners)
2nd: England Jamie Londers & Billy Flowers 73.190kgs (B Section winners)
3rd: South Africa Gp Nell & Kobus Van Loggerenbe 49.650kgs (A Section winners & last year’s winners)

Fish Legal has secured a swift settlement of £3,000 on behalf of its member, the Egremont & District Anglers Association, from contractors for Cumbria County Council after poorly-secured scaffolding assembled under a bridge on the River Ehen collapsed and lodged in one of the club’s prime salmon and sea trout holding pools.

Following rainfall in Egremont on the 3rd October 2008 the Ehen rose rapidly and tore down the steel girders and wooden boards which had been put in place as part of a bridge strengthening scheme at Braystones. The falling scaffold ripped out sections of the river bank and continued downstream before collecting in a tangled mass in what is known to local anglers as the Dark Corner Pool.

Tonnes of river debris gathered behind the scaffolding until the pool – which was once about 16ft in depth – shallowed to only a foot in places.

Justin Neal, the Fish Legal solicitor handling the case, said:
“The contractors set about erecting the scaffolding without giving any thought to the characteristics of the river which flowed beneath. The most basic enquiries would have revealed that the Ehen was a spate river and that both the strength and volume of water passing under the bridge following a downpour could easily dislodge any lean-to temporary structure. In fact, a similar incident occurred back in September 2007 when the river was in spate so there is absolutely no excuse for the lack of care taken by the Council’s contractors on this occasion”

The scaffolding stayed in the river for some 9 months following the incident before the contractors returned with heavy equipment to remove the structure.

Surprisingly, the Environment Agency regarded the presence of tonnes of scaffolding and debris as being of “no significant detriment to the ecology of the river”.

Roy Adams, Chairman of the Egremont & District Anglers Association, said:
“The complexity and variety of fishing in the Dark Corner Pool changes with the flow of the river and it is one of the most sought after spots by anglers on the club’s waters”.

He added:
“All manner of rubbish got caught up on the scaffolding whilst it was in the river – from old tyres to shopping trolleys to huge tree branches. Now that the scaffold has finally been removed and the depth and profile of Dark Corner Pool has returned to how it was before this debacle we hope that salmon and sea trout will collect, once again, in this stretch, during their passage upstream”.

Following on from last year's wonderful 2nd place, the Angling Trust England Carp Team are extremely excited to be taking part in the 11th FIPPSed World Carp Championships. The 72 hour event is being held on Lac De Luby in Cazaubon, Barbotan in the South of France this week (21st October to 25th October 2009).

There has been no change in the line-up representing England from South Africa last year: the Maker boys, Tom and Andy will be trying hard to increase their individual 4th place in Africa with a higher podium position this year. There will be strong competition this year also from the other two pairs, Ian Huntington and Peter Holehouse and the youngsters in the team, Billy Flowers and Jamie Londers.  Hopefully this will propel the squad to a long awaited team gold medal.

Squad manager, Mitch Smith had this to say:- " The squad this year is again the strongest group of competitive carping pairs within the UK.  The guys have just had a very good and solid practice session at the lake giving me a good feeling for this year. With the champs this year in France and the event next year on home soil here in the UK, I can't help but feel the next two years offer us the greatest chance to stamp our authority on the event.  I'm sure this year the squad will yet again do us proud and secure us another podium finish with perhaps a gold as a highlight.  Can I also take this opportunity to thank our team sponsors, HS Works, and in particular the Managing Director Mr John Newton for their unprecedented support".

The sponsors HS Works have for the second year shown superb support for the national squad.  Without their support the team would struggle to attend these championships, so huge thanks must go to them.

Fish Legal is delighted to have secured a £17,500 settlement for its member club, the Royal Tunbridge Wells Angling Society, as a result of a civil claim mounted on behalf of the anglers following the pollution of the River Grom in June 2006.

A series of equipment failures at the Tunbridge Wells sewage treatment works saw partially treated sewage pumped into the Grom over a 6 day period with a devastating effect on the river and its ecology. There was an extensive fish kill during the incident and water quality on the upper Medway was seriously affected for approximately 14km downstream of the confluence with the Grom.

Electro-fishing surveys carried out by the Environment Agency post pollution in July 2006 returned just 1 immature chub on the Grom. A year later, sampling carried out in August 2007 on the Medway upstream and downstream of the confluence with the Grom found average fish species richness for a river of type upstream, but severely impoverished populations downstream of the confluence, with a complete absence of grayling, trout and chub and only 1/7th of the expected fishery biomass.

The first problems with the sewage treatment process at the works began on the 17th June 2006. Southern Water however failed to inform the Environment Agency that the works were malfunctioning and the situation only came to the attention of the Agency on the 18th June when a member of the public phoned through reports of dead fish and pungent, cloudy waters on the Grom. The time delay meant that Agency staff were unable to respond swiftly with aeration equipment to boost oxygen levels in the river and avoid the worst effects of the pollution.

The damage of the river was compounded when back-up equipment brought in by Southern Water to help rectify the situation also broke down and it was not until 22nd June that the treatment works to be returned to full operation
Fish Legal solicitor, Guy Linley-Adams, explained:

“The Grom, which is a relatively small tributary of the River Medway, was still recovering after a similar, serious pollution incident from the Tunbridge Wells works in 1989. We were particularly disappointed that Southern Water did not respond quickly and appropriately to mitigate the environmental impact of the 2006 event. We have however been very encouraged by Southern Water’s willingness to engage with Fish Legal, to recognise the damage caused to our member club’s fishery downstream of their works and more generally, to recognise the presence of angling clubs across the Southern Water region.”

He added:

“Since the incident, Southern Water has spent in excess of £2 million on improvements at the sewage works concerned and they have extended an open invitation to all members of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Angling Society to visit the newly refurbished works to see for themselves the investment that has gone into improving the quality of discharges into the club’s waters.”

Southern Water and Fish Legal together are looking to compile a list of all angling clubs downstream of sewage works in Southern Water's area so they can be contacted immediately in the event of any problems at any of Southern Water's sites.

The Angling Trust took a big step forward this week when Sport England awarded it formal recognition as the National Governing Body (NGB) for game, sea and coarse angling.

Mark Lloyd, Angling Trust Chief Executive, explains: “At last angling has a single membership organisation recognised by government to represent the voice of anglers and the future of their sport. This builds on the recent success of the Angling Development Board in getting angling recognised and funded as a sport by Sport England. Angling clubs who are members of the Angling Trust will now find it easier to get support and funding from their local authorities and County Sport Partnerships.”

“More than 1,100 clubs and just over 10,000 individuals have joined the Angling Trust so far. This makes the Trust one of the largest NGBs already in terms of club membership. If the 250,000 anglers who are members of our member clubs were to join as individuals for just £1.75 a month, we would be the largest NGB in the country. We also need the support of all anglers to create a powerful and influential organisation which can demonstrate the importance of angling to government and other decision-makers.”

Mike Heylin, Chairman of Angling Trust said: “Governing body status is important to all of us for the funding of development plans for angling but anglers need to understand that it does not mean that Angling Trust governs angling. For anglers we remain a representative body taking the message of the importance of angling and all our fisheries to government and beyond. Angling is governed by law, regulation and byelaws, the importance of the Angling Trust is that it can speak with the law-makers and regulators and represent the views of anglers nationally, that is why it is important that anglers take up membership.”

Governing Body status will also make it easier for the Angling Trust to secure public funding to support its activities promoting angling participation and will give it the authority to govern the national angling teams fishing in international competitions. The official recognition will also help the Trust campaign and lobby on behalf of anglers on issues ranging from access to waters, local angling bans and environmental and fisheries legislation.

Anglers can sign up on the Trust’s website at www.anglingtrust.net. Clubs, fisheries, tackle shops and riparian owners should contact us on 0844 7700616 for more information about Angling Trust and Fish Legal Membership.