Displaying items by tag: anglers

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.”

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The Golden Balls team strike their rods to success yet again!
That’s right anglers, it’s that time of year again for the famous golden balls charity event at Hawkhurst fish farm, Kent. 76 carp and match anglers including children from the age of 10, took to the lakes 12th-13th September to try and catch as many fish as they could in order to win the famous GB trophy and raise money for the Cancer Research UK charity.

The event included four separate matches of 1 junior match, 2 senior matches and 1 24 hour carp match over the two days. This years matches were all organised by the golden balls committee, where 12 juniors competed side by side in their match for 6 Hours. … So how did they get on?

1st     George Bolt     44lbs
2nd      Ross Macauley     42lbs 10oz   
3rd     Ash Cornish     26lb

Whilst the juniors were competing, the first senior match also made a start at 9.00 am. Dave Sage came in 1st place on Saturday’s match having a total weight of 156.9 lbs. so how did the runners up do?
1st     Dave Sage     156.9 lbs
2nd     Vic Elmer     148.0 lbs
3rd     Daren Chaston     126.12 lbs

As the sun went down, and a new day arises the second senior match got on the way. With the cloudy skys holding off the rain Paul Lamb came in fist place with the following not too far behind him:

1st     Paul Lamb     148.3 lbs
2nd     P Ollernshaw     114.14 lbs
3rd     Mark Breckall     110.4 lbs

So after these successful three matches, how were the anglers getting on in the 24 hour carp match that started on Saturday at 12pm…with the eager anglers getting their rods in and their bait scattered all round their swims, Ashley Izzard got the reel spinning catching the first fish in the match automatically taking him to the lead with a 10lb carp. But as the night drew nearer the real excitement started. The specimen lake became very popular with Daniel Warren catching a 26lb mirror and Dale Cassell catching a 29 lbs not too far behind him. So who was the lucky angler to win the famous golden balls trophy?

1st     Dale Cassell     55lb 10oz
2nd     Ashley Izzard     43lb 8oz
3rd     Frank Wheeler     31lb

Heaviest fish trophy sponsored by rigmarole also went to Dale Cassell of 29lb 2oz.

So up to the marquee for the famous raffle, presentations and grand total to be announced, all the match and carp anglers including juniors had their raffle tickets ready and braced themselves to hear that magic total they helped raise go towards Cancer Research UK. There was an overwhelming number of prizes donated for the raffle, and tombola that also took part during the day times over the weekend. The raffle wouldn't have been so successful if it wasn’t for our generous sponsors (see below). These were very much appreciated by all the golden balls team and organisers, not to mention the lucky winners who won fantastic holidays ranging from a weeks fishing holiday at Sky Lakes to a wide range of fishing equipment from Fox, Warriors and so on.

The golden balls committee along with Cancer Research UK representative Helen Waters and David and Wendy Dukes (Mayor of Tunbridge Wells) addressed the eager crowd who all took part, how much they had finally raised. The honour was left to Ben Wilkinson to announce the grand total of £17,500 as all their faces lit up with pride, from raising such an outstanding figure for the one event. What an amazing achievement and have to take our hats off to all that played a part in yet another successful weekend. Speaking to Barry Cale the founder of golden balls charity moments after said he was very thankful to everyone that took part and couldn’t believe how much they had still managed to raise with the current climate.

This is now the 4th golden balls charity event he has organised with his committee to be at the amazing grounds of Hawkhurst fisheries, Kent. Barry and his family including two daughters Stacie Hudson and Hayley Cale who also arrange their own yearly charity events based around dancing would personally like to thank everyone who played a part in the event, from people simply buying raffle tickets to our wonderful marshals Tony the tench, John Crundwell and Will Izzard. They all deserve praise for giving us their time and effort over the weekend. Not to forget our great number of sponsors and Hawkhurst fish farm for letting us use their complex. None of this could have been so successful without them, and it’s great to know all the money raised will help find a cure for the disease that effects so many of us.

Should you wish to make a donation to Cancer Research UK after being inspired by this magnificent event, you can do so by entering this link into your web browser. www.cancerresearchuk.org You can also contact them on 0207 2420200 for further details. Next years event will be taking part at the same picturesque complex of Hawkhurst fish farm 11th-12th September. If you would like to take part or would like to find out more details, please visit our new website www.gballs.webs.com or you can contact Barry cale on bnccale@hotmail.com or 07860491478. well done again to everyone and good luck for next year.

Hayley Cale
Golden Balls Secretary

The golden balls team would like to thank, in no particular order Norman Cale, Tim and Julie Sneed, Helen Waters, David and Wendy Dukes (deputy mayor of Tunbridge Wells), Tetly, Tony the tench, Trevor and Karen Dyer, Frank Wheeler, Glen Gatson, Wayne Gatson, Simon Sharp, Wendy Cale, John Crundwell, Hawkhurst fish farm, Ray Harris, Ashford Tackle, Vision Vinyls, Fresh Water Informer, Decathlon, Fox, Sky Lakes, Lake Serene, Etang Kingshaw, Spain Brothers, Venture tackle, tackle box, Kent tackle, rigmarole, smart carping, Benfleet hall lakes, Hawkhurst fish farm, strand quary café, uniform leisure, just baits, catcher baits, korda, Sparshatts, dynamite baits, crowborough tackle, any fish any where, nash tackle, acorn hire, Etang Baudy, solar tackle, CC mores, J & H lifting, rubben heaten, carp vader, tubertini, Stonnes fishery, AA Covers, fishing world of Kent.

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The Board of the Angling Trust is very pleased to have received the offer of assistance from an Advisory Panel of high profile anglers. The panel is being established by some very well known and respected names from the angling media and trade, including Martin Bowler, Keith Arthur, John Wilson, John Everard, Tim Norman, Danny Fairbrass and Ruth Lockwood. We look forward very much to working with them in a spirit of full transparency and cooperation. We welcome their expert guidance in building a successful and effective organisation to represent all angling in the future.

The Board is very grateful to these individuals for offering their time entirely free of charge and expenses and to the very many offers of support from the trade to help promote the Angling Trust to a wider audience. We hope that this Advisory Panel will attract other anglers whose knowledge, experience and influence can help the Trust grow.
Membership recruitment has increased markedly in recent days and we hope very much that this will continue so that the organisation can establish the membership base it needs to have a powerful political voice to protect, promote and defend angling.

We urge all anglers to follow the lead of the stars and join the Angling Trust today.

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Anglers of all disciplines have reacted furiously to comments by actor Robson Green about releasing fish. While publicising his new TV series, he reportedly said that he can’t understand anglers who release fish and incorrectly claimed that up to 9 out of 10 of them die.

The Angling Trust strongly disagrees with Robson Green’s views on this matter. It has been repeatedly demonstrated that fish can be caught and returned alive to the water without them suffering any significant stress or damage. In his latest series, we note that he himself returned most of the fish he caught.

If every angler followed Mr. Green’s advice, fish stocks would be decimated. Most coarse fish are not regarded as good to eat in any case, but many sea and game anglers now return most of their catch alive. Commercial fishing, illegal netting, pollution, over-abstraction and habitat damage have reduced many fish populations to critical levels and anglers do everything they can to try and protect stocks, investing millions each year on conservation initiatives.

The Angling Trust would advise all responsible anglers to release the fish they catch. We would also point out that all responsible anglers always treat their quarry with great respect, whatever they choose to do with them.

We know he has a television series to promote, but these comments are highly irresponsible, misinformed and damaging to angling. As the voice of angling, the Angling Trust is keen to ensure that the general public do not get the wrong impression about a pursuit in which millions of people participate responsibly.

Source: Angling Trust

The Angling Trust today launched an online petition to reverse a decision by Severn Trent Water which would see angling banned from the dam wall and East bank of Foremark Reservoir in Derbyshire.

Severn Trent Water has cited various reasons for the closure of more than two thirds of the reservoir to anglers, who have been fishing there for nearly 30 years. Their main concern seems to be health and safety, with concerns that anglers will hook passers-by or that they might fall over on the dam. There have been only 3 accidents in 29 years, all of them minor and none involving anglers hooking members of the public. They have even suggested that anglers fishing on the dam might affect its structural integrity.

The Trust is calling on all anglers to stand up and be counted to stop this nonsense. Signing the petition online takes less than one minute at www.anglingtrust.net/foremarkpetition.

Source: Angling Trust

The Angling Trust’s northern and southern selection matches for the England team for anglers with disabilities have now been confirmed. The re-scheduled northern qualifier will take place on 5th April 2009 on the Stainforth and Keadby Canal and the southern qualifier will be fished on 18th April 2009 at Gold Valley Fishery.

England Team Manager Joe Roberts has introduced two selection matches fished to international rules to help identify anglers who are of international calibre. A number of anglers from each regional match will be selected to fish a national trial and have the opportunity to fish for England at the World Championships in Portugal.

Any anglers with disabilities who wish to put themselves forward for the international team should contact their local Regional Officer for Anglers with Disabilities (see list below). The local officer will be able to advise them of the required style of international fishing and put them forward to fish the appropriate match.

Each angler must have at least one handicap point which is based on their disability, with the full team requiring a minimum of ten points in total to fish the World Championships. Team manager, Joe Roberts will assess each of the anglers’ disability on the day ranging from one to six points for the highest classification.

Potential anglers must also join the Angling Trust to be eligible to fish, which can be easily done via the new website, www.anglingtrust.net or by calling 0844 7700616.

Joe Roberts, England Team Manager, believes these regional contests are vital, commenting: “This year we have created a selection process that will enable us to see how anglers adapt to the style of fishing required to be successful on the international stage. We will also have more time to work with the anglers and create a team that can deliver at the World Championships.”

International Events Manager Dick Clegg supported Joe, adding: “The style required to fish at international level is completely different to the way anglers normally fish in this country. Having regional matches fished to international rules will give the selection team the opportunity to pick the very best anglers who have the necessary skills to deliver success in Portugal.”

Source: Angling Trust

Anglers who have fished Foremark Reservoir in Derbyshire for a generation held a protest outside Severn Trent Water’s Headquarters today after the water company refused to back down on its controversial plans to close two thirds of the reservoir to angling due to concerns about health and safety of the public, the anglers themselves and the structural integrity of the dam wall.

Afterwards, a meeting was held between Foremark Fly Fishers, the Angling Trust and the Operations Director of Severn Trent.

The Angling Trust and Foremark Fly Fishers will launch a petition this weekend at the Spring Fly Fair in Newark to seek the support of thousands of anglers who are angered by this decision by the privatised utility. The petition will go online next week on the Angling Trust website at www.anglingtrust.net

Earlier this week, support for the anglers case came from an unlikely source: the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), whose Strategy Division wrote to the angling club: “there are a great many myths circulating about what ‘health and safety regulations’ require; they are just that – myths. Unfortunately some organisations fall for these myths and act upon them. It does appear that health and safety is being used as a reason to limit the amount of fishing along the banks of the reservoir when the real reason may well be something else altogether.”

The HSE went on to suggest that the anglers ask the company for a copy of the risk assessment which led to the decision being taken. Despite several requests to Severn Trent, a copy has not been forthcoming and at a meeting with Peter Gavin, a Director at Severn Trent, it was confirmed that the document would not be released. This has led anglers to speculate that no such assessment exists.

David Coates, Chairman of Foremark Fly Fishers said: “I felt that the meeting was positive although no firm commitments were made, the dialogue has opened up and the company has agreed to make a ‘response with substance’ in the next two weeks or so.”

Alan Dawes, Secretary Foremark Fly Fishers and Angling Correspondent for the Burton Mail said: “it was good to meet Severn Trent face to face, and although nothing positive came out of the meeting, it was obvious that they listened to our grievances and were prepared to discuss it further in the near future.”

Mark Lloyd Chief Executive, Angling Trust said: “I am appalled by the way Severn Trent has treated their customers. There has been no consultation about this entirely unreasonable decision and no attempt to take on board our members’ suggestions for measures to mitigate any risks which might exist. It is clear that the Health and Safety Executive agrees. We will be calling on all anglers to sign our petition and, if they are shareholders or customers of Severn Trent, to write to the company and complain.”

Source: Angling Trust

The Angling Trust announced today its intention to recruit staff to 6 new posts as part of its plans to merge with the Angling Development Board in April. The Trust is looking for committed, enthusiastic new team members to help recruit thousands of new anglers to the sport, and to membership of the Angling Trust.

The new posts are: an Angling Coaching Manager (salary £30,000) and five Regional Officers (salary £22,000 to £25,000) located in the South West, South East and London, Eastern England, West Midlands and the North East regions respectively.

Funding from Sport England, totalling £1.56million over 4 years, has created the opportunity for these new posts to be created, which will be a crucial part of the Angling Trust’s strategy for increasing the number and diversity of people taking up the sport and working with angling clubs, fisheries and county sports partnerships to encourage people to keep fishing. The regional officers will help bring in additional resources at a regional and local level to help Angling Trust member clubs recruit more junior members.

The Regional Officers will also act as a point of contact in each region for Angling Trust member clubs, commercial fisheries, consultatives and individual anglers to raise their concerns about environmental and other issues affecting fishing. The Angling Trust will take action wherever possible to address these issues.

More information about the new posts and the work of the Angling Trust and the Angling Development Board can be found on the web site at www.anglingtrust.net (click on Job Vacancies for a job description and details of how to apply). A job pack including a job description and application form can be obtained from the Angling Development Board by emailing: info@anglingdevelopmentboard.org.uk

News

Our AGM & prize presentation evening will be held on Friday 27th February 2009 at Ashington Community Centre starting at 8pm sharp, the AGM will be preceded by a prize presentation for our juniors and a short update on how the juniors have fared in their match series against other local clubs this past year, starting at 7:30pm, would all match anglers in possession of trophies from last season, please return them Barry Ginnaw as soon as possible please.

Would members please note that Moor Farm will close for it's annual shut down on Monday 12th January 2009 until 7th March 2009, no fishing whatsoever will be allowed during the closure period.

Catch Report

Goose Green

Adam Tester fished peg 7 on Heron Lake at Goose Green on the 17th Feb, Adam fishing bread punch reports catching a bag of Roach, but the day was topped off by a 3-0-0 Common Carp.

Craig Burgess fished Canada lake at Goose Green on the 18th February, Craig started off using bread & sweetcorn fished on the bottom but missed the only bite he had. He then tried some floating crust towards the margins, after a few minutes Craig was into a 4lb Common carp which came in easily, Craig then lost another carp which slipped the hook straight away, not to be outdone by the fish Craig persevered with floating crust and was rewarded with a 7lb common which put up a real struggle.

Moor Farm

Closed

Duncans Pond

Reece Woodhams fished Duncan's Pond on the 17th February, Recce fishing with hair rigged corn reports the capture of a 13-0-0 Common carp on a bolt rig.

River Arun

No reports

River Adur

Mark Dibble fished the River Adur below White Bridge on the 15th February. Mark reports the river as still fining down after the flooding last week, but his speculative session did produce a fish. Using groundbait feeder fished pellet, the third cast saw the tip drop back gently in a way he didn't even recognise as a bite. A couple of minutes later Mark picked up the rod to reel in & found what he thought to be a good Skimmer hanging on the end. The Skimmer turned out to be a perfectly lip hooked & very lethargic 3lb Mirror Carp! After that it went quiet.

River Rother

No Reports

The Angling Trust is giving anglers over the age of 60 the opportunity to fish for England, with the first 2009 trial for the England Veterans team taking place on Furzton Lake in Milton Keynes on Wednesday 11th March

This will be the first of a series of trials in which England Team Manager Joe Roberts will ask all attendees to fish the match to international rules to help identify anglers who are of international calibre. The match will give anglers a unique opportunity to fish on this year’s F.I.P.S.ed organised World Championship venue using the same tactics that will be needed on 11th and 12th July later this year.

England selectors will be looking for anglers who have an excellent knowledge of bloodworm and joker techniques demonstrating their ability to fish at international level. Anglers will also need to adapt their domestic style of fishing considerably following F.I.P.S.ed rules where only float fishing with a pole up to 11.5m or waggler are permitted.

Any angler who believes s/he has the aptitude to enhance England’s standing in international fishing further and contribute to another gold medal summer should contact England Manager Joe Roberts directly on 07860 469 595 or 01604 712 897.

Any potential anglers who would like to fish the trials need to be 60 years of age on or before the 31st December 2008 and join the Angling Trust to be eligible to fish, which can be easily done via the new website, www.anglingtrust.net or by calling 0844 7700616.

Joe Roberts, England Team Manager, is expectant of a good year for 2009, commenting: “Last year we had an incredibly successful World Championship in Portugal winning team bronze and individual gold with Mark Addy. This year the eyes of the world will be upon us, especially as we are fishing on home water. The anglers that come to trial will need to be at the very top of their profession, as nothing short of gold will be expected.”

International Events Manager Dick Clegg supported Joe, adding: “There will be huge pressure on this year’s Angling Trust England Veterans team due to the venue. However, the team will be able to take nothing for granted as the skills required to fish to international rules are completely different to domestic angling techniques. This makes the series of trials that will be conducted by Joe, become even more important ensuring selected anglers have the abilities required to bring success on our home waters.”

Angling Trust Chief Executive Mark Lloyd commented: “we want the best team possible to ensure that the England veterans can continue their winning streak, and so I would encourage all eligible anglers to register with Joe as soon as possible. As the old saying goes: time spent fishing is time added onto life.”

Source: Angling Trust

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