This year’s Angling Trust Division One National Championship took place on the Bristol Avon between Chippenham and Keynsham on Saturday 18th August 2012. The river was about twelve inches above normal level and very coloured following some heavy rainfall.

The team event demonstrated the talent and strength of Team Daiwa Dorking who retained the title they won last year on the New Junction Canal. Without delving back into the history of the old NFA Nationals no one can remember this feat being achieved before. They had an outstanding score of 433 points out of a possible 510. Nine of the team finished in the top ten in their respective sections. The team are going from strength to strength following their successful win in the Angling Trust Winter League final held at Partridge Lakes last weekend.

Second place came from another fine team performance by Maver Image who scored 401 points and reputedly did not practice for this event. All their anglers finished in the top twenty in their sections. Third place went to the consistent Barnsley and District team with 387 points.

The top ten teams all won a place in the Preston Innovations World Club Classic weekend to be held on the last weekend of September on the Newark Dyke.

1) Daiwa Dorking 433 points
2) Maver Image 401 points
3) Barnsley and District 387 points
4) Garbolino RAF 375 points
5) Garbolino Blackmore Vale 373 points
6) Daiwa Gordon League 371 points
7) Starlets A.S. 370 points
8) Maver Bathampton 341 points
9) Browning Hotrods 323 points
10) SPRO Dorset Raiders 318 points

There were some excellent individual catches with many weights in excess of 5 kilograms. All the winning weights were made up of bream catches especially in Newbridge and Bathford sections of the river.

First individual was Steve Priddle fishing for SPRO Dorset Raiders. Steve drew peg E23 and after a quiet first hour caught 25 bream between 1.5 and 3 kilograms for a fantastic winning weight of 52.200 kg. He caught all his fish using a groundbait feeder in nine metres of water using worm as a hookbait.

Runner up on the day was Alan Brown fishing for Mosella Lostock Tackle. He was drawn next peg to the winner and used similar tactics for a weight of 35.680 kg. Third place went to Paul Cannon fishing for Hull works Sports Association on peg C2 with another bream weight of 30.550kg.

Top Ten Individuals:

1) Peg E23 Steve Priddle SPRO Dorset Raiders 52200kg
2) Peg E22 Alan Brown Mosella Lostock Tackle 35.680kg
3) Peg C2 Paul Cannon Hull Works Sports Ass 30.550kg
4) Peg C21 Dave Massey Sam’s Tackle Wigan 22.930kg
5) Peg E24 Graham Jones Yarm Angling Ltd 16.430kg
6) Peg B51 Steve Clegg Collins Green 15.150kg
7) Peg D49 Gary Miller Maver Image 14.340kg
8) Peg C22 George Robinson Scunthorpe and District 12.820kg
9) Peg C1 Andy Pollard Daiwas Gordon League 12.670kg
10) Peg D46 Aaron Goodchild Maldon A.S. 12.640kg

Silver medal section winners:

Section A Peg A50 Andrew Bush Team Mosella Selby 6.400kg
Section B Peg B51 Steve Clegg Collins Green 15.150kg
Section C Peg C2 Paul Cannon Hull Works Sports Ass 30.550kg
Section D Peg D49 Gary Miller Maver Image 14.430kg
Section E Peg 23 Steve Priddle SPRP Dorset Raiders 52.200kg
Section F Peg 37 Dave Norwood Scunthorpe and District 10.960kg
Section G Peg 51 Michael Bernsten Garbolino Blackmore Vale 4.600kg
Section H Peg H7 Jon Adkins Garbolino Blackmore Vale 6.120kg
Section J Peg J32 Rob Perkins Matrix Dynamite Trentmen 7.100kg
Section K Peg K 17 David Smiddy Yarm Angling Ltd 12.600kg

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

Luton AC offers fantastic fishing for most species with Carp to 37lb+, Tench 8lb+, Bream 10lb+, Chub 7lb+, Zander 16lb+, Pike near 30lb, Perch 3lb+ and Roach and Rudd over 2lb. All of the clubs stillwaters including 12 miles of the Grand Union Canal are open all year round and alot offer secure parking close to the venue. Unlike some clubs Luton AC do not charge a premium for night fishing or fishing between March and June.

Luton Angling Club Weekly Report 12th August 2012

Please visit our Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/LutonAC (remember to 'Like' us please) for catch reports as they are received or follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/LutonAC

All postal applications for renewals and new membership should be sent to Luton AC 4 Stratton Gardens, LUTON LU2 7DS and telephone enquiries to 01582 879382.

Luton AC are looking for reliable bailiffs to cover their canal sections from Pitstone near Tring through to Stoke Hammond near Milton Keynes, even if you can only do a small amount please contact Fergal at Luton AC 07552707393.

A reminder once again of the EA Hotline number should you suspect people are stealing fish from any of our waters 0800807060. The more calls that are received about possible incidents the more likely the EA are to increase patrols in the area concerned.

The Club have been kindly informed by the contractors that there will be road closures to install a new Gas Infrastructure main along the Fordfield Road, Flitwick. This passes our entrance to Beckerings Reservoir. We have been informed a full Diversionary route will be implemented, which will be via the A507 with works due to start 06-08-12. It is the intention that access will be granted at all times via the Millbrook end or the Flitwick end but, may change on a daily basis due to the nature of the works. As we find out more information, we will keep you informed. Temporary traffic lights in place and operational, some form of works have already started just after the cross roads.

Last season we received many of your fishing holiday snaps so please send them in again this year!

Craig Mason fished North House Lake and was rewarded when he landed the mirror known as The Wanderer at a spawned out 28lb 8oz. Also at North House lake Chris Dix landed an 18lb 7oz common, Garry Edwards a 20lb 8oz common and Ashley Irvine three commons of 20lb 2oz, 16lb 14oz and 16lb 4oz.

At Beckerings Reservoir Paul Angel managed a 19lb common and young Maisie Iles caught an 18lb 8oz mirror off the top.

The winner of our August 2012 photo competition which closes on 31st August 2012 will receive a terrific Starmer Baits bait package. It is open to anyone (members and non members) submitting a digital photo taken on any Luton AC controlled water and it can be of absolutely anything eg a sunset on the canal, a nice fish, wildlife etc. The photos submitted cannot be over a month old, the judges decision is final and no correspondance will be entered into regarding the result. So get snapping and forward your pictures to our usual email address catchreports@lutonac.org or send from your mobile to 07704462635.

We are pleased to announce a new photo competition purely for the predator angler sponsored by King of the Pond. It is open to anyone submitting a digital photo of a pike, zander, chub, perch, eel or catfish caught from a Luton AC controlled water. The photos must have been taken on or after 1st June 2012 and the closing date for entries is 31st March 2013. The judges decision is final and no correspondance will be entered into regarding the result.

The lucky winner will receive the following fantastic prize from King of the Pond:

x2 Rubber perch lures
x2 Rubber baby pike lures
x2 Predator rattles (black and red)
x2 25lb trace wire
x2 20lb trace wire
x2 15lb trace wire
x2 Packets of wire crimps
x2 Packets of single predator hooks
x2 Boxes of size 8 treble hooks
x2 Boxes of size 6 treble hooks
x1 Packet of size 8 rolling swivels
x1 Pair of rig scissors

PLease phone/text your catch reports from Luton AC waters to 07704462635 or email catchreports@lutonac.org and if you have pictures taken on your phone send picture messages to 07704462635. Remember to always use an unhooking mat when targetting specimen fish, keeping the fish as low to the ground as possible when taking photos.

Source: Luton Angling Club

The Angling Trust and Preston Innovations England Feeder Team Manager, Tom Pickering is looking for talented anglers to compete in a Feeder trial on Saturday 22nd September 2012.

The trial will take place at Larford Lakes & River Severn complex, Larford Lane, Larford, Near Stourport, Worcestershire. DY13 0SQ.

Anglers who wish to apply for the trial must be of open match standard, and MUST be able to cast 80 yards minimum with mono line and not braid. The trial will be fished to FIPS international rules.

The trial will help to select anglers to fish alongside the team from 2012. The trial is to show the management the angler’s skills, and whether they have the temperament, drive and desire to join the squad for the future.

If anyone is interested in taking part in the trial please supply a CV to include; full name, address, email address, date of birth, home and mobile contact telephone numbers, and the last 3 years of feeder fishing and any results and send to Sandra Drew, Competitions & Events Manager, Angling Trust, Strelley Hall, Strelley, Nottingham. NG8 6PE or email; sandra.drew@anglingtrust.net.

The closing date for all applications is by no later than 7th September.

Please note in order to take part in the trials you must also be an individual member of the Angling Trust.

Anyone successful to be invited for a trial will be contacted by email with further details.

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

Angling's representative body, the Angling Trust, has secured anglers a voice at a national and local level in the Canal and River Trust (CRT), which is the new name for British Waterways since it became a charity on 1 July. The Trust warmly welcomes this new opportunity for one of the largest waterway user groups to have a say in the management of the canal and river network.

At a national level, Angling Trust Board Member David Kent has been nominated by the Trust to serve on the CRT's 30-strong Members Council, with representatives from most waterway-related activities, local government and a selection of NGOs.

The Trust has also encouraged anglers to put their names forward to serve on the thirteen Partnership Boards. So far, five of these have been successful, and there will be opportunities for new applicants to put themselves forward in the coming months and years.

Angling is represented in the following regions:

• North East.
  Eric Bootland who has a detailed knowledge of the big Yorkshire waterways;
• East Midlands.
  Glyn Williams, former Angling Development Board (ADB, now part of Angling Trust). National Coaching Development Manager. Glyn has a long time involvement with the Chesterfield Canal and the Witham and Fossdyke navigations;
• Central Shires.
  Brian Hull, formerly Education Officer with the ADB. Knows the Grand Union North and the River Soar very well.
• South East.
  Dick Pilkington, who for many years has worked tirelessly on the Grand Union South Consultative and knows all about the Tring Reservoirs;
• Kennet & Avon.
  Angling Trust Board Member Terry Fell, a retired Justice of the Peace, with a massive knowledge of the K & A system.

These appointments, alongside David Kent's national seat on the Members Council, will ensure that angling has a strong presence within the charity from the outset.

This is the most high profile example of the Government's push towards the Big Society. Therefore, one of the cornerstones of CRT's strategy is to encourage greater involvement from the wider community in the management and well-being of our waterways.

David Kent said: "I am delighted to be able to represent anglers on this new charity's Members Council. The canal and river network controlled by the charity extends to more than a thousand miles of bank and towpath, and our aim is to improve the opportunities for anglers to enjoy this fantastic resource to the full. Anglers and their clubs should contact me via the Angling Trust to let me know of any problems or suggestions they have to improve fishing on the canals. We will be working with our member clubs and consultatives to encourage knowledgeable anglers to volunteer to serve on the remaining local partnerships when vacancies arise."

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

With nearly 30,000 anglers completing the National Angling Survey in less than a month, the Angling Trust and Environment Agency have today launched the second phase of the research, this time targeting organisations. Anyone who is involved in angling participation projects, angling clubs, fisheries, tackle shops and trade or who has worked with angling for wider social benefits is encouraged to take part.

The Angling Organisation Survey asks detailed questions of those running angling projects and will take about 20 minutes to complete. It aims to find out what techniques have been most successful in getting more people fishing more often, and where more support is needed for the growing number of organisations involved in angling participation and social projects. The survey remains open until the end of August and is hosted on the Angling Trust web site at www.anglingtrust.net/anglingorganisationsurvey

Angling Projects, Get Hooked on Fishing, Dreamstore, Fishing for Heroes, Fishing for Forces, Casting for Recovery and Fishing For Schools are all examples of highly successful programmes that are boosting angler numbers and also boosting health, wellbeing and community cohesion through angling. The number of people working in this sector at a local level has exploded in recent years; now there are hundreds of people working locally and nationally to increase angling participation and to use angling to improve people’s lives.

Along with the National Angling Survey, this research with angling organisations will help inform a National Angling Participation Plan (NAPP) for England and Wales, which is being co-ordinated by the Angling Trust, as the National Governing Body for angling in England. The Plan aims to encourage greater partnership working between many organisations taking part, and to create pathways for new anglers to follow so that when they leave one project they are able to take the next steps to taking up angling for life. The NAPP will also create an impressive overall picture of all the pieces in the angling jigsaw to potential funders.

More than 40 professionals from the angling world, including large national organisations such as the National Trust, the Canal and Rivers Trust and The Rivers Trust met up in Birmingham with staff and volunteers from bodies such as the Albrighton Trust, the Masonic Fishing Charity, the Wheelyboat Trust and the Community Angling Regeneration Project (CARP) at an event organised by the Angling Trust last week. At a very positive and constructive meeting, these experts provided important input to the development of the NAPP, which will be completed in the autumn.

Mark Lloyd, chief executive of the Angling Trust said: “We are delighted with the response to the individuals survey and also from the many people who gave up their time to support the event last week. There is so much fantastic work going on around the country to improve and increase angling, but far too often the hard work of volunteers and staff is not reported outside angling and so it doesn’t get the support it deserves. We want to shout about angling’s achievements from the rooftops, and this Plan will help us do that.”

Richard Wightman, Angling Manager at the Environment Agency said: “Holding such a positive, collaborative meeting as the one we had last week would have been unthinkable a decade ago. We might have got forty people in a room but there wasn’t the agreement or capacity to deliver ambitious programmes afterwards. Angling has achieved a huge amount in recent years through the dedication and co-operation of a wide range of organisations. The NAPP aims to continue that process and to develop a clear strategy for the future of angling for the next generation. We are very pleased to be able to support its development and look forward to seeing the final report in the autumn.”

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

Following the hot muggy weather, the recent cooler weather has seen carp catches improve significantly with both Temple and Old Lake starting to produce some excellent sport.

Following a tough few weeks on Temple, the last week or so has seen some excellent catches reported which has included a few thirties and increasing numbers of twenties. The recent cooler weather has also seen a marked improvement in catches on the Old Lake with last weekends 48 hour Olympic Carp Challenge being won with over 300lb whilst session anglers have also reported bumper catches which has also included a good number of 20’s as well as a stunning 31lb mirror.

The following are just a few of the catches reported over the past couple of weeks.

Mike Gibbons stormed to victory in last weekends 48 hour Olympic Carp Challenge which was held on the Old Lake. Drawn in peg 2, Mike made no mistakes putting 27 carp on the bank for a well-deserved 316lb 15oz. Shane Mc Donagh fishing peg 11 took second place with 148lb 10oz whilst Dan Wood fishing peg 5 was third with 106lb 13oz and John Mason fishing peg 24 was fourth with 106lb 2oz. You can read full details of the event in this weeks catch report.

Old Lake regular Graham Cocks who fished peg 2 fishing one line straight out to mid water and one tight to the bushes on the left. Graham managed 9 fish in total although lost several others. Grahams biggest fish was a 20lb 10oz Mirror. Graham caught on double mainline cell sinking dumbells with small corn stop and single 15mm cell boilie with one standard size pop up corn, all fished over a scattering of 15mm cell boilies.

Another angler to do very well on the Old Lake was James Chanut who was on holiday from Bordeaux and just happened to be staying with Bury Hill carp expert Chris Maltby. Needless to say, being a keen carper Chris suggested that James had a session on the Old Lake, which resulted in an impressive 14 carp being banked topped by a very impressive 31 lb 8 oz mirror. All of James fish were taken on Carp Company Icelandic Red boilies cast into open water from peg 3.

Also fishing the Old Lake was Dave Auburn who bagged 14 carp up to 21 lb in a busy 24 hours session. Dave fished peg 42 on the Long Bank fishing Mainline Cell Dumbells in open water.

Turning to Temple catches, Jim Paveley managed a couple of stunning fish during his latest session, the biggest was a 33 lb mirror called Nemo, with the smaller fish being a 29 lb 6 oz mirror. Jim was fishing peg 9 and using a Carp Company Condensed Milk Pukka pop-up topped off with a 10 mm Coconut Pukka pop-up.

Dan Mayne also managed a thirty during his recent session, which weighed 31 lb 8 oz being part of a four-fish catch. Having moved from peg 14, success came from peg 11 where Dan caught this thirty plus three other fish weighing 24 lb 6 oz, 24 lb 10 oz and 28 lb 8 oz. Three of his carp came from the channel in front of the swim and one from tight to the reeds on the island to the left. The session brought Dan's tally to 12 fish from Temple since March, two of which have been thirties, and he has since added a 25 lb 4 oz mirror at 11.30pm from peg 10, casting to the reeds on the island.

Source: Bury Hill Fisheries

Do you have a few hours per week to spare to befriend a person with dementia who has a passion for fishing to enable them to carry out a once loved hobby?

Alzheimer’s Society is developing a new Befriending Service in the East Antrim area for people living with dementia. We are currently recruiting volunteers for this new service and specifically need a male volunteer who has an interest in fishing and would like to take a person with dementia out fishing on a weekly or fortnightly basis. Volunteer expenses and training will be provided.

Befriending volunteers offer companionship, support and social inclusion to individuals in the early stages of dementia and help individual’s to maintain and develop their hobbies and interests.

If you are a caring, empathic and reliable person passionate about making a real difference to people living with dementia we would love to hear from you.

Interested?
For an application pack or more details contact:
Alison Rankin, Befriending Manager on 07511 174 099 or Email: alison.rankin@alzheimers.org.uk

The Angling Trust Cadet, Junior and Intermediate National Championships took place on Saturday 30th June 2012 at Garbolino Lindholme Lakes Fishery, Epworth, Doncaster. This prestigious event saw over 250 youngsters taking part which was an increase on 2011.

Unfortunately wet and windy conditions greeted the teams at the draw in the morning, but by the time the fishing commenced the sun was shining and it stayed with the competitors for the duration of the match. Sadly the damp weather conditions returned just in time for the weighing in.

Suffolk County took the Team Championship title in the Cadets category with an impressive 21 points (26.82kg) to beat Matrix Tameside with 15 points (17.84kg) into second place. Current Champions Smartbait Leeds were third with 14 points (25.04kg), and with 10 points and (17.52kg) Worksop & District AA finished in fourth place. Adam Thorne of Smartbait Leeds took the individual title for the gold medal from peg F1 with 9.06kg. In second place was Ben Fry, Worksop & District AA from peg B3 with 7.24kg, and in third and fourth places were Suffolk County anglers Jamie Marriott from peg D3 with 5.60kg, and Oliver Saunders on peg F4 with 4.88kg.

The Junior Championship attracted 23 teams of six anglers with Worksop & District AA Red taking the gold medal to come out as team Champions with 122 points (79.96kg). In runner up position were Pride of Derby Juniors with 112 points (64.94kg), and in third place Barnsley & District Red with 101 points (57.88kg). In fourth place was Matrix Tameside with 97 points 58.80kg. In the individual category it was Boston & District AA angler Tom Morretti who won the Championship title from peg D6 with a fantastic winners weight of 23.700kg. In second place was Liam Harrison of Pride and Derby Juniors from peg B17 with 19.280kg and in bronze medal position was Connor Morris of Worksop DAA Blue team on peg E1 with 18.760kg. In fourth place was Matrix Tameside angler Joe Kent from peg C17 with 17.400kg.

The top six junior anglers from the National Championship can now look forward to Sunday 15th July 2012 where they will be competing for the Fish ‘O’ Mania Junior Championship title at Cudmore Fishery, Newcastle under Lyme. They are; Tom Moretti (Boston & District AA), Liam Harrison (Pride of Derby Juniors), Connor Morris (Worksop & District Blue), Joe Kent (Matrix Tameside), Kyle Lockwood (Barnsley & District Red) and Shane Seeley (Worksop & District AA Red).

The Intermediate category saw Sensas A4 walk away with the team Championship title for 2012 with 65 points (120.06kg). In second place winning the silver medal with 62 points (103.94kg) were Matrix Tameside and in third place Suffolk County Red with 57 points (101.52kg). Finishing in fourth place was Warrington AA with 55 points 91.46kg. Two of the Sensas A4 anglers took two of three placings in the individual category with Ben Lockwood, taking the gold medal position with a fantastic weight of 33.100kg from peg F5. In runner up position was Luke Butterworth of Barnsley & District AAS from peg B1 with 31.300kg. In third position with 30.600kg again from the winning team was Harry Marsh on peg A4, and in fourth place Dan Elliot of Suffolk County Red from peg D1 weighed in with 28.900kg.

In 2013 the Cadet, Junior and Intermediate National Championships moves to Tunnel Barn Fishery in Warwickshire on Saturday 29th June.

The Angling Trust would like to express their appreciation and thanks to Neil and Bev Grantham and all their staff and helpers at Garbolino Lindholme Lakes for all their help and support not only on the day of the event, but in the build up to the Championship.

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

On Tuesday 7th August, Cleveley Bridge Fisheries is holding a fun filled day aimed at introducing youngsters to the sport. Starting at 10am until 4pm. A day of demonstrations, information stands and lots more.

Cleveley Bridge Fisheries is set within an area of outstanding natural beauty in Preston, Lancashire. Coarse and carp fishing is available at Cleveley Bridge Fisheries on three main lakes and four Stock ponds. Cleveley Bridge Fisheries & Leisure Park also provides fishing holidays.

For more information on the fishery and its grand opening, please visit www.cleveleybridgefisheries.com or telephone Hazel on 07958 797117 or 01524 791637

While the country prepared to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee the Angling Trust celebrated a rare event in the fishing world, the opening of a new tackle shop.

Angling Trust National Campaigns Coordinator Martin Salter joined Charles Jardine, the legendary fly angler and Pallatrax baits boss Simon Pomeroy for the opening of the Newbury fishing superstore on Saturday June 2nd.

Experience Fishing is a new concept in fishing retail. This amazing 6,000 square foot store caters for all types of fishing including carp, match and fly fishing with specialist sections for both barbel and predators.

It has been set up by Ben Bangham, England Rivers Champion 2010, OCA guide and Level 2 coach and David Wrigley, fisherman and retail expert. All the staff are experienced fishermen and include former Kennet barbel record holder and local expert Paul Smythe and Lewis Hendrix a Level 2 coach, England fly-fishing junior and current England rivers finalist.

Experience Fishing caters for all budgets and levels of angling experience. The store is perfectly situated in Newbury, the heart of fishing country with good transport links to the A34, M4, A303 and M3.

It has everything the fisherman needs, including: bait, bivvys, tackle, clothing and a pole alley, giving people the opportunity to try out poles at full length.

In the store there are sections for fly, carp, match, pleasure, barbel and predator angling.

Martin Salter, who attended the launch on behalf of the Angling Trust, said: “At a time when tackle shops are closing how great is it to be celebrating the opening of not just a fishing shop but a 21st century Fishing Superstore that caters for all branches of our sport. The facilities are top class and the Angling Trust wishes Ben and Dave the best of luck in their new venture.”

Dave Wrigley said: "It's fantastic to be able to open a fishing shop in the heart of such a great fishing area. Things have started well and we are looking forward to getting to know both the fishing and the people better over the coming years."

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News