UK Fisherman COARSE & GAME FISHING NEWS - APRIL 2007:

April 14th 2007 - Join the Angling Development Board

The Angling Development Board is currently recruiting for a team of professional development staff to realise the aspirations of the Angling Whole Sport plan. There is still one vacancy available for the Coach Development and Education Officer with a closing date of 27th April 2007.

The Angling Development Board (ADB) is a partnership between the three Angling Governing Bodies in England; the National Federation of Anglers (NFA), the National Federation of Sea Anglers (NFSA) and the Salmon & Trout Association (S&TA) and replaces the Joint Angling Development Board (JADB).

The partnership produced the Whole Sport Plan for Angling in 2005 that set down objectives aimed at helping to meet targets for increased participation in outdoor activities as identified in the Government’s Game Plan (2002). The partnership has recently become an incorporated body, with the objective of applying for charitable status soon afterwards.

This change is the latest step in the process of transforming angling development and for the first time Development Officers will work across the whole of the sport of angling rather than within each discipline. Each of the officers will have an area of responsibility relating to 1) Coaching and Coach Development, 2) Clubs, Angling Organisations other than Clubs, and Volunteers and 3) Equity and Ethics and for the first time be managed by a Senior Development Manager who will coordinate the work of the officers report to the key stakeholders and partners.

The new company will receive the whole of the Sport England grant with a contribution from the Environment Agency and will be governed by six directors, two from each discipline and led by an Independent Chairman and Finance director.

Jackie Sheldon, Senior Development Manager for the Angling Development Board stated "I am looking forward to working with the Angling Development Board to establish a coordinated and sustainable development programme for the three angling disciplines. Working together, angling has an exciting opportunity to move the sport forward, combining effort, resources and sharing partnerships to benefit the sport as a whole."

Paul Baggaley Chief Executive of the National Federation of Anglers stated that
“This represents a significant step forward in the development of angling and will save and redirect money towards delivering on our key aims of increasing participation and diversity across the whole of the sport."

Paul Knight, Executive Director of the Salmon & Trout Association, agreed, and remarked,
“the S&TA is greatly looking forward to working with our colleagues in the other angling Governing Bodies, alongside Sport England and the Environment Agency, to produce world class coaches and deliver increased angling participation through clubs and individuals.”

David Rowe Development Officer of the NFSA welcomed the new cooperation between the three Governing Bodies and the need to re focus on developing the sport through increased participation was understood and welcomed. There were issues around the support for national teams that had yet to be addressed, but he was confident that these would be resolved and thus enable the sea anglers to have opportunities appropriate to their needs.

Richard Wightman, Angling Development Manager for the Environment Agency added: “The new jobs in the Angling Development Board will help us to make sure that the work we want to do through our 10 year plan, Angling in 2015, is properly joined-up with the Whole Sport Plan and all the other important projects like Get Hooked on Fishing or Dreamstore. That way angling, anglers and wider society will benefit most".

Lisa Wainwright, Head of National Sport for Sport England commented that
"The creation of the Angling Development Board is a major step forward for the sport. Sport England will soon be able to focus its investment in a single organisation, which will in turn assist the sport in driving forward development and increasing participation."

Related Articles:

NFA Support for ‘Introduction to Angling & the Environment’ qualification
Transforming Angling Development
Coaching key to Angling’s Future

Source: www.nfadirect.com Contact: tom.goldspink@nfadirect.com

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April 11th 2007 - England Youth Trial Nominations Deadline Extended

The NFA has extended the deadline for applicants for the England Youth Trials to 30th April.

The application forms for the 2007 England U16s and U21s Youth Trials are available for download from the NFA website, www.nfadirect.com.

Following the successes of Portugal 2006, where the England U16s won Bronze and the U21s came home with a Silver medal, the standard of angler needs to be high. Applicants must impress both Mark Downes and Steve Sanders, the England Youth Team Managers, who will once again be tasked with the search for the finest young talent this country can provide.

Successful applicants will represent England in this year’s World Championships taking place in the Czech Republic. The venue, a powerful deep river, is full of Bream and Bleak, and the successful candidates will need to be expert on the long pole and speed fishing for small fish.

This year’s trials will take place in May on a venue yet to be decided. The format of the trials will be split into four as the U21s have to include two under 18s in the squad, and the U16s two under 14s. The U21s must be under 21 years of age on the 31st December 2007 and the U16s under 16 on the 31st December 2007.

All completed application forms including nominations plus references must be at the NFA by no later than 30th April 2007.

Forms should be sent to: National Federation of Anglers, The National Water Sports Centre, Adbolton Lane, Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham, NG12 2LU

Related News Articles:

The Sun Shines on Viaduct
FREE NFA Newspaper available now
NFA Support for ‘Introduction to Angling & the Environment’ qualification
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Transforming Angling Development
Coaching key to Angling’s Future

Source: www.nfadirect.com Contact: tom.goldspink@nfadirect.com

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April 10th 2007 - The Sun Shines on Viaduct - NFA press release

The race for the biggest prize in Angling kicked off this Bank Holiday Weekend with Neil McKinnon taking victory in the inaugural Fish ‘O’ Mania qualifier at Viaduct Fishery in Somerset.

With the Easter weekend providing bags of sunshine for the first of the sixteen qualifiers, conditions were perfect for spectators but not so great for the anglers trying to bag up their catches. The field of 130 anglers was made up of some high quality anglers who were well rehearsed in the Fish ‘O’ Mania set up and fought hard to claim their place in the final at Doncaster.

However, it was Neil McKinnon the Design Engineer from Gloucester who managed to work through the sun and put in a superb catch to take first place. Neil who is a member of the Shakespeare Superteam was fishing Peg 19 on Spring Pool taking mostly carp up to 12lb on Pellet waggler giving him a winning weight of 147lbs.

Ironically for Neil in 2006 he only received a ticket for Tunnel Barn Farm, although he was also allocated a ticket for Viaduct through the reserve list he was unable to fish making his successful visit to Viaduct all the sweeter in 2007.

In second place was Steve Mayo, a member of the Daiwa Dorking team and a man well experienced on the Fish ‘O’ Mania circuit. Steve who was fishing on the same Spring Pool as Neil weighed in with 139lbs catching Carp up to 18lbs. The second place at Viaduct adds to Steve’s second he received at White Acres in 2006. With a number of qualifiers still to go, Steve will be pushing hard to go one further and claim a ticket for Doncaster in 2007.

Third place fell to Kieron Rich who recorded 121lbs and Ben Leach who received 100lbs 6ozs and Anthony Page with 94lbs 03ozs. Upon claiming his victory Neil stated, “I had a good chat to some of the local anglers who gave me some good information on the venue which helped me out a lot. I caught mostly Carp but managed to get one Tench as well. I was fishing on the same pond as Steve Mayo and could see that he was having a lot of success. When we came to weighing in, I was sure that I wouldn’t have enough as he seemed to have a great catch. However, it turned out to be my day and I just managed to get the win ahead of him. It still hasn’t settled in and I am really looking forward to fishing my first Fish ‘O’ Mania final.

Neil is pictured with the NFA’s new, ‘I’m a Fish O Maniac’ t-shirt which is available for only £9.99 by calling the NFA directly on 0115 981 3535.

Related News Articles:

FREE NFA Newspaper available now
NFA Support for ‘Introduction to Angling & the Environment’ qualification
West Midlands Community Centre Get Hooked.
Transforming Angling Development
Coaching key to Angling’s Future

Source: www.nfadirect.com Contact: tom.goldspink@nfadirect.com

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April 7th 2007 - James Pond - Licensed to Fish

Are you licensed to fish? – That’s the question that’s going to be asked to thousands of North West anglers this year.

In a new campaign, fronted by James Pond – Licensed to Fish, the Environment Agency aims to raise awareness of the need for North West anglers to have a rod licence and the important work that is funded by the fees.

Cameron Durie, North West Fisheries Specialist, said:
"James Pond is a fun reminder of the serious message that anyone aged over 12* who fishes for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels in England, Wales or the Border Esk in Scotland is required to have a rod licence by law. The money generated from rod licence sales is very important as it is ploughed directly back into improving fisheries, protecting vulnerable fish stocks, improving access for disabled anglers and other programmes to encourage more people into this popular sport."

All previous rod licences expired on 31 March 2007 and James Pond will be out in various disguises over the next few months to remind people to get a valid licence before heading out to one of the North West’s many fishing venues.

Rod licences cost as little as £3.25 for one day’s coarse and trout fishing and there is also a range of weekly, full year, concessionary and junior licences.

For more information log on to www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence or call 0870 166 2662 (lines open 8am – 8pm until October 2007).

Related News Articles:

Local Man Netted for Fishing Offences
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EA officers boost fish stocks in South Yorkshire

Source: www.environment-agency.gov.uk Contact: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

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April 1st 2007 - Rivers stocked for summer

The River Weaver and Wheelock look set to delight south Cheshire anglers this summer thanks to the generosity of Lymm Angling Club who have donated 6000 fish through the Environment Agency.

Earlier this week (27 March) the Environment Agency released 5000 roach, bream and perch into the River Weaver above Beam Bridge, Nantwich, an area whose fish stocked were severely affected by a pollution incident last year.

Also on the same day 1000 roach where released in the River Wheelock between Middlewich and Sandbach, replenishing stocks after a similar fish kill last year.

Paul Blake, Fisheries Officer, said:
"Lymm Angling Club approached the Environment Agency asking if we could find suitable homes for a number of fish from an over populated pond owned by the club. After giving the fish a clean bill of health we moved them to our depot in Northwich and got them in training for life in a river by installing flow units that create a current in the ponds"

"Restocking both rivers went well and when the fishing season opens on 16 June * I’m sure Nantwich Anglers and Elworth Angling Society will enjoy catching these fish."

Before heading out to catch these new fish anglers must ensure they have a valid rod licence. Anyone fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish and eels in England, Wales, and the Border Esk in Scotland must have a licence from the Environment Agency.

Those caught fishing illegally face tough penalties, which could include a fine of up to £2,500 or even a ban from fishing. Don’t get caught out. You can buy you licence from any Post Office, Direct Debit, phone sales or online. Log on to www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence or call 08708 506 506 for more information.

* The close season on fishing lasts from 15 March to 15 June inclusive each year. Its purpose is to protect fish during the breeding season. It applies to all rivers, streams and drains in England & Wales, but does not apply to most still-waters.

Related News Articles:

Environment Agency restocks Oxford Lake
EA officers boost fish stocks in South Yorkshire

Source: www.environment-agency.gov.uk Contact: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

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