Displaying items by tag: angling

Contrary to the story in today's Times newspaper, the Angling Trust has not called for a cull of otters. This part of the story is completely untrue and we wish to reassure anglers and the general public about this urgently.

The person quoted as being an Angling Trust spokesman is not an employee or spokesman of the organisation, and says that he has never spoken to The Times. The journalist did not contact the Trust to verify the 'story'.

The Angling Trust office has received many e-mails and telephone calls about this subject today, all of which have expressed dismay at these reports. The comments on the Times web site and from members of the public demonstrate the strength of public feeling about this issue, and the damage that would be done to angling if anglers were ever to call for a cull.

Mike Heylin, Chairman of the Angling Trust, has written to the paper's editor demanding a retraction and apology.

Angling Trust is campaigning vigorously on behalf of all anglers to ensure that our rivers are healthy enough to support populations of both otters and fish. We have also lobbied the Environment Agency to release funds to help fisheries to fence their waters, and otherwise deter otters, if practicable. Notes for Editors: Angling Trust is the national governing body for all angling in England. It represents its membership of more than 1,300 angling clubs and 13,500 anglers.

The original story in the Times is here: www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment

Preston Innovations have signed a 4 year, £50,000 deal with the Angling Trust to sponsor a new coarse angling match – Preston Innovations World Club Classic – for teams finishing in the top ten of the Division 1 National Championships.

Ten teams of six anglers will compete on 25th and 26th of September 2010 for the chance to represent England in the FIPSed World Club Championships in Serbia in 2011. The winning team will receive £7,000 to help them represent their country and the winning individual a cheque for £1,000.

Although England is widely recognised as the leading coarse angling nation in the world, our team has never won the FIPSed World Club Championships and the generous support of Preston Innovations will give the teams a financial boost to help them fish more competitively. The competition is intended to give a new focus for the elite end of the sport and will also attract the interest of the Team England selectors.

The venue and rules will be circulated by the Angling Trust Competition and Events Manager to all the teams who will fish in this year’s Nationals and will be posted on the web site.

Ricky Teale, Director of Preston Innovations said:
“We are very pleased to be involved with this style of event would like to thank the Angling Trust for allowing Preston Innovations to be part of what could be one of the biggest weekends in the angling calendar. Match angling is going through a change in the UK and events like this should help increase interest both with anglers and the angling press.”

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust said:
“we are very grateful to Preston Innovations for their generous support of this new competition which we hope will attract even more teams to compete in the Divisions in future. It is every match angler’s dream to have a chance of representing England. We hope that the event will help drive membership and increase the profile of the Angling Trust.”

Dick Clegg, International Events Manager of the Angling Trust said:
“This event is just what we have been waiting for. The match format and sponsorship money will help us to send a team to the FIPSed World Club Championships both financially and technically better equipped than ever before. England have not won the event since Essex County in the early 80s when it was then the Browning World Cup. To fish a competition weekend to World Championship rules will give the successful team an insight into the way our continental rivals fish every week. The prize money of course is essential to reduce the costs of competing abroad and thanks to Preston Innovations this problem has been resolved.”

Mark Downes, England Team Manager said:
“This will be a fantastic event, just what we needed. The more international style events we get here in the UK improves our chances of remaining at the top of the international standings. It will also encourage national teams to go that extra mile to achieve top ten status to gain qualification.”

Following discussions arising from uncertainty about the accessibility of the Fishomania Competition for disabled anglers, the Angling Trust and the British Disabled Angling Association (BDAA) have agreed to work closely together. They will be meeting up to identify ways in which disabled anglers can have greater equality of access to venues for leisure and competition fishing where safe and practical to do so alongside non disabled anglers.

The two organisations have agreed to meet the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS), the national body responsible for developing sport for disabled people in England with a view to drawing up an action plan to increase the number and quality of accessible fisheries to serve the 44,000 Environment Agency concessional licence holders in England and Wales. This will include setting objectives for improved access, identifying funding to help fisheries with the cost of the works and seeking sponsorship for new and existing competitions.

The Angling Trust is already working with the Angling Development Board to draw up a competitions and performance pathway which will include the needs of disabled anglers and which will assist in securing funds from Sport England in the future.
Disabled anglers wishing to fish in this year’s Fishomania competition should contact the Angling Trust on 0844 7700616 and speak to the Competitions and Events Manager to seek advice about the most accessible fisheries. If they are successful in securing tickets, they should contact us to let us know of their needs so that we can take all reasonable steps to accommodate them at the relevant fisheries.

Terry Moseley, President of the BDAA said: “access and facilities are extremely important for disabled people regardless of the sport or activity to participate equally, we are looking forward to working with the Angling Trust to ensure there is increased equality and informed choice to enhance the future of angling for all disabled people”

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust said: “There are about 10 million people in this country with some form of disability. Nearly all of them could enjoy angling alongside non disabled anglers. The Angling Trust will be advising all our member clubs and fisheries about the requirements of legislation in this area, and also highlighting the commercial benefits of reaching out to this significant market. Commercial fisheries in particular offer a fantastic opportunity to provide safe access for all.”

In a ground-breaking Decision, over three years in the making, the Information Commissioner has overwhelmingly endorsed Fish Legal’s case that hitherto secret and redacted Environmental Risk Assessments of pyrethroid sheep dip must be disclosed in full.

Although currently suspended from the market, pyrethroid sheep dips have been responsible for huge damage to invertebrate and fisheries in upland streams and rivers across the UK.

In his Decision (FER0137609), the Commissioner has ruled that the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA):

- did not deal with Fish Legal’s request for information according to the law;
- did not deal with Fish Legal’s request within legal time limits;
- unlawfully withheld information relating to emissions to the environment;
- unlawfully refused to disclose information in order to protect the commercial confidentiality of sheep dip manufacturers;
- was not entitled to refuse to disclose information to protect manufacturers’ intellectual property rights;
- was not entitled to refuse to disclose information on grounds that it was the subject of internal communications

Guy Linley-Adams, Head of Legal at Fish Legal said:
“We believe this decision now drives a coach and horses straight through the cosy licensing procedure for all veterinary medicines and pesticides in the UK.

If residues of these or any other pesticides can find their way into the wider environment, they are to be considered as ‘emissions’ under European law. This has the effect of lifting the cloak of commercial confidentiality that has for so long shrouded the licensing of pesticides in the UK.

Public authorities cannot by law keep secret environmental information relating to emissions to protect manufacturers’ commercial confidentiality.

Over the three years this has taken, we have always believed that this would be the Commissioner’s decision.”

Fish Legal, acting on behalf of anglers across the UK, believes that the risk to the aquatic environment of the use of synthetic pyrethroid dips in real farm situations is just too great and now calls on the Government to make the current temporary suspension permanent.

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of Fish Legal and the Angling Trust said:
“Fish Legal, and the Anglers’ Conservation Association before it, has battled for years on behalf of our members to win access to this information, which is vitally important to the investigation and assessment of environmental damage from these pesticides.”

A full copy of the Decision is available from guy.linleyadams@fishlegal.net

You're getting ready for you carp fishing expedition to France.  Now all you need to know is what you should take along with you.  Of course you know the obvious like the bait and tackle.  What some fishermen do not realise is the essential items needed for carp fishing in France.

Yes there are some very important items that are on the “must take with me” list.  Knowing what they will ensure that you’re well prepared to catch that big carp while fishing in France.  Of course every angler should take into consideration the health and care of the fish.

The Must Take List

1. A good quality un-hooking mat. 
   With care for the carp in mind the use of a un-hooking mat becomes essential for fishing in France.  The ground itself can damage the fish’s eyes, scales or even break bones. 
   
   Using a un-hooking mat with handles you can carry the fish back to the water and release it with care. 
   
   
2. 50 inch landing net. 
   A good landing net should have a 50” mouth or opening.  This will allow you to easily get the carp into the net.  Landing the fish with a big net will also lessen the stress on the fish.  Proper use of the net is a must, especially for fishing in France.  Always grab the net halfway down the handle.  It allows for better control and there is a less chance that the landing net handle will break.  With better control you will be able ensure that you don’t bump the net into the fish’s head thus causing more damage then necessary.
   
   
3. Klinik carp care antiseptic. 
   Using the antiseptic will give your catch a head start recovery.  This is very important when it comes to the proper care of your catch.  One shot after removing the hook will sterilize the wound.  Klinik also speeds up the natural healing process.  One bottle has enough antiseptic to treat 300 carp.
   
   
4. Good variety of bait.
   This is important for obvious reasons.  If you’re using a single type of bait and get nothing, you’re going to want to change.  Well if you don’t have what is needed to get the big ones to bite you're in for long fishing trip.  So, always carry a variety of carp bait.
   
   
5. Marker rod. 
   You want to know where to place your bait.  Sure there are the obvious places like overhanging trees and weed beds but what about the sand bars and rock beds.  You need to know where these areas are and a target is nice to have.  With the use of a marker rod while fishing in France you will have this much needed target.  Just place your bait near it and your sure to bring them in.
   
   
6. PVA bags, netting and string. 
   A favorite among many carp fishing is the PVA bag.  This method can be red hot if done properly.  There are many anglers who will spend hours preparing their bags prior to the carp fishing trip.  Using PVA bags can be successful for you while the rest of the anglers on the lake are left with nothing.
   
   
7. Catapult. 
   A catapult is great for short distance baiting and making a good spread of bait around your hook. They are not so useful at long distances, so you may want to consider a spod rod. This will bring the carp near your hook and hopefully improve your catch. 

There are of course other items that you might want to bring along with you on your carp fishing trip to France.  The biggest thing to keep in mind is the care of the fish prior to releasing it back into the water.  Always take care of the fish and they can increase your fishing experience for years to come.