Lymm Angling Club are opening up registration for Academy Sessions in the popular Introduction to Angling Course. 

Each session last two hours and all equipment and bait will be provided. There is two groups of 6 on the below dates, it is open to all boys and girls aged 8-16. You will even be given a starter pack worth £10 absolutely free. The course will go through all the basics of fishing from putting on bait to setting up yourself.

Based at Woodside Pool in Dutton, Cheshire the home of our junior section. We have a purpose built fishing platform suitable for wheelchair users.

For more information visit http://lymmjuniors.blogspot.com, if you wish to book a place then please contact Chris Finneran on 07525 360 804 or christopher.finneran@gmail.com.

Dates & Times

Sunday April 15                       Academy Session 1 
Sunday April 29                       Academy Session 2 
Sunday May 13                       Academy Session 3 
Sunday May 27                       Academy Session 4 

Academy TImes                       Group 1 10:30 – 12:30
                                                Group 2 13:00 – 15:00

All events are lead by qualified and licenced Angling coaches. 

Source: Lymm Angling Club

"Water is too cheap, the public are too wasteful and politicians have been too short-sighted" is the message from the Angling Trust in response to the Drought Summit held in London today by Environment Secretary Caroline Spellman

Freshwater campaigns manager Mark Owen represented angler's interests at the summit and warned the Environment Agency that they must be geared up to mount fish rescue operations as rivers shrink and fish become trapped and stranded.

Mark Owen said:
"Whilst gardeners will moan about the prospect of hosepipe bans it is the angling clubs and our fisheries that will be bearing the brunt of this appalling drought. The Angling Trust wants to see every possible step taken to minimise damage to our precious fish stocks until such time as those rivers on the critical list return to something like normal flows."

Meanwhile Martin Salter, newly appointed National Campaigns Co-ordinator for the Trust, spent the morning with members of Action for the River Kennet at Marlborough in Wiltshire highlighting the desperate plight of the southern chalkstreams. Speaking from the dried up bed of the upper Kennet at West Overton (pictured) Mr Salter told Sky News and the BBC that anglers expected politicians to implement long term solutions to improve storage and reduce the need for abstractions from already dangerously low rivers.

Mr Salter said:
"This dreadful drought should serve as a wake up call for anyone who cares about the plight of England's shrinking rivers. Whilst the Angling Trust supports calls from the water companies to encourage people to conserve water there is much more that needs to be done if we are to prevent serious damage to the aquatic environment. We need far greater investment in storage reservoirs, better conservation of winter run-off, universal water metering and an end to unsustainable abstractions, like that at Axford in Wiltshire, which takes water from the Kennet catchment to serve South Swindon and discharges it into the Thames.

"Infrastructure investment will need both political vision and courage because it will impact on water bills. But we live in a mad world where purified drinking water is used to flush toilets and water lawns in country with a poor record for extravagant water use. Why is it that in the Thames region customers now use on average 1,000 litres of water a week for every man, woman and child?

"Despite being essential to human life we grossly under value our water resources. Quite frankly, water is too cheap, we the public are too wasteful and our politicians have been too short-sighted. This has to change if we are to protect our rivers and the wildlife that they sustain."

Action for the River Kennet (ARK) is working with the local community and Thames Water to help everybody to use less water through the Care for the Kennet campaign.

ARK's spokesman said:
"In the Kennet Valley we have had drastically low rainfall for the last 18months, with less rain and a dryer river even than in 1976. Unless we have two very wet months, a drought this summer is inevitable. Now is the time to act. Every one of us can make a difference and help to keep our river alive. The water that comes out of your tap comes from the same source as the water in the river, so by using less of it there will be more to support the river and its wildlife."

ARK have long been critical of Thames Water's abstraction from Axford to supply south Swindon, and Director, Charlotte Hitchmough, said:
"ARK is keeping up the pressure on Thames Water to honour their commitment to provide an alternative water supply for Swindon, which will help the River Kennet. Thames Water are aiming to build the new supply in 2014. But the people in the Kennet valley as well as Swindon can make a positive difference too, by using less water, and I urge everyone to sign up for the free water saving service".

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

TV host Chris Tarrant and UK Music boss Feargal Sharkey to join petition handover to Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon.

Campaigners from the world of angling will be joined by celebrities Chris Tarrant and Feargal Sharkey when they handover a 16,000 signature petition on Wednesday (22nd Feb) calling for action to limit the devastating impact of the UK’s rapidly increasing cormorant population and its effect on inland freshwater habitat and ecosystems.

Scientists have calculated that each cormorant needs at least a pound of fish a day to survive, and there are now an estimated 23,000 non-native invasive cormorants over-wintering in the UK from Holland, Denmark and other parts of Europe compared to a couple of thousand in the 1980s. This means that at least 23,000lbs of our freshwater fish get eaten EVERY DAY throughout the winter – a total and unsustainable loss of 2,760,000lbs of fish every winter causing damage to our native bio-diversity.

The petition has been organised by the Avon Roach Project headed by Trevor Harrop and Budgie Price and ably assisted and supported by internationally renowned wildlife film maker Hugh Miles who are working to try and re-establish healthy roach populations in their local river Avon after heavy cormorant predation contributed to numbers crashing to critical levels between Salisbury and Christchurch. Their efforts are strongly supported by the Angling Trust as the single representative body for angling in England and the Salmon and Trout Association.

DEFRA fisheries minister Richard Benyon has ordered a review into the current ineffective and bureaucratic licensing regime that allows for limited controls on the numbers of cormorants and other fish eating birds. The review group is expected to report in the summer.

TV host and lifelong angler Chris Tarrant said:
“It has taken absurdly long for people to realise the damage to fish populations, other wildlife and the whole environment that cormorants have been doing for too many years. Many of our finest, most beautiful and most famous waterways have been skinned by these predatory birds.

Some of the flocks are enormous and the current regulations are hopelessly inadequate to control them. Whole fisheries have been virtually wiped out, resulting either in jobs lost or thousands of pounds spent in restocking.

In other instances once thriving waters are now virtually devoid of fish which threatens other bird populations like the kingfisher and the grebe. It is time to redress the balance before it becomes too late.”

Wildlife Film maker Hugh Miles added:
"Non native cormorants have invaded our freshwater rivers and lakes from Denmark and Holland and threaten to wipe out our fish. Scientific estimates reckon that 23,000 visit here for the winter and that they each need one pound of fish a day to survive. That's 23,000 pounds of fish EVERY DAY. This adds up to a total of 1,200 tons of fish in four months, twice the total annual production of the largest trout farm in the UK. This level of predation is totally unsustainable and a direct threat to the survival of our precious bio-diversity".

Avon Roach Project co-ordinator Trevor Harrop said:
“We’ve seen the numbers of cormorants increase at an unimaginable rate. We simply could not stand by and watch as the last of the small and fragile populations of roach was decimated in our local Hampshire Avon, one of the country’s most iconic rivers. We have a responsibility to protect our ecosystems from non-native invasive species and the influx of freshwater dwelling cormorants from Europe represents a massive threat to many of our own fragile inland fish populations across the entire country.”

Martin Salter, former parliamentary spokesman for angling and now National Campaigns Co-ordinator for the Angling Trust said:
“Our rivers are suffering from over-abstraction, habitat loss and diffuse pollution. Freshwater fish stocks cannot withstand the rapid growth in numbers of cormorants that we have seen over the past decade. These birds are doing great damage to angling, which supports 37,000 jobs and generates £3.5 billion for the UK economy. The Angling Trust is pleased to have encouraged the Minister to undertake a review into the impact of fish eating birds such as cormorants on our freshwater fisheries and congratulates our colleagues from the Avon Roach Project for their sterling efforts both to mobilise the angling community and to try and repair some of the damage done to one of England’s most famous rivers.”

The petition calls on the government to place cormorants on the general licence allowing fishery managers and angling clubs to better protect their fisheries from excessive and unsustainable predation. The campaigners will also be handing a letter to Mr Benyon and a report entitled ‘Bio-Diversity in Danger’ which demonstrates that there is no viable alternative other than to allow the legal right to defend our native fish populations against this non-native invasive predator.

Petition Wording
"The current Cormorant licensing regime is woefully inadequate as it stands. Therefore, we the undersigned call upon the Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries to change the licensing law and include the Cormorant on the 'General Licence', allowing the legal control of Cormorant numbers where they pose a threat to fish populations. In so doing, this will allow the vital link in the food chain to be maintained, and the protection of not only our freshwater fish species, but also species such as Kingfishers, Grebes, Bitterns, and more. We should have the right to protect our environment, but the current law does not allow this."

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

Mr. Crabtree goes fishing, written by the late Bernard Venables, began life in the Daily Mirror where it was serialised for over 25 years. It remains the largest selling fishing book of all time. The Mirror Group, in conjunction with Toast Entertainment Group, the Angler’s Mail and Anglers’ net is launching a search for a new ‘Peter’. A nationwide search to find four boys or girls, aged 8 to 14 who will join angling legend John Bailey, as he fishes in the footsteps of Mr. Crabtree in a forthcoming TV series due to broadcast late 2012.

Fergus McKenna, Head of Syndication and Licensing, Mirror Group says:
“Along with our creations like Andy Capp and Mr. Digwell, Mr. Crabtree was a great favourite, not just with the angling audience but for all of our readers.  Capturing the essence of taking pleasure from the simple things in life, and promoting a love for outdoor living and sporting pursuits, the lessons that Mr. Crabtree taught are equally as relevant today.  We’re delighted to be involved in bringing this Mirror Group creation back to life for a new generation to enjoy.”

Captivating literally millions of young anglers, anyone who grew up on Mr. Crabtree will know Peter, the son of Mr. Crabtree in the books and long running comic strip. Possibly you identified with him whilst fishing alongside your own mentor, and will now understand how vital that relationship can be in developing a love for fishing, growing an appreciation of the natural environment, and learning all of those tricks that we carry with us to our dotage.

John Bailey, a Norfolk-based angling expert and ex-teacher is the ideal presenter for ‘Fishing in the footsteps’.  He says:
“The original Crabtree inspired millions of anglers through two, three or even four generations to take up a sport that is exciting, challenging and leads to a truly profound understanding of the aquatic world.

“Fishing in the footsteps will show how techniques have changed but its core values remain the same. We will be teaching the sport from the fundamentals up, but will also be portray the white knuckle thrills, the fun & friendship and the deep respect for the environment every proper angler feels.”

The values conveyed in the long-running series are still as relevant today as they were way back when. The Mr. Crabtree heritage conjures up a wealth of nostalgia for any angler, all illustrated by a back-to-basics approach to fishing using simple kit, unencumbered by the modern penchant for expensive gadgets.

Mr. Crabtree fished using his head and heart, never blanked, and instilled in Peter a love for the natural environment, respect for his surroundings and an enviable level of knowledge of angling techniques.

TEG is looking for modern-day ‘Peters’, children who have at the very least an interest in angling and either want to extend the knowledge they already have, or are willing to pay close attention and pick it up as they go.

Executive producer, Lester Holcombe says: “I’ve been producing TV programmes for the last ten years and I started fishing at an earlier age than even Peter did, with my late dad and my uncle, so getting to make this series and to be a part of Mr Crabtree's re-introduction to a new TV and angling audience, is a dream come true.

“Only rarely has an angling show or series reached out to an audience beyond those people that already go fishing. Crabtree and its key messages will not only appeal to all anglers, but to a wider TV audience, who will get to see the magic of fishing and why it is the favoured pastime of millions of people in Britain.”

There will be high expectations of the ‘Peters’ and they will be expected to follow a Code of Behaviour.  This will be supplied to all semi-finalists (and their parents).

This brilliant opportunity has some very simple entry requirements; full terms and conditions are available at www.mrcrabtreegoesfishing.com as well as an online entry form.

1. 'Peter' needs to be aged between 8 and 14
2. 'Peter' can be a boy OR a girl
3. 'Peter' doesn't have to be able to fish already, but should be very interested - This is NOT about getting on the TV at all costs
4. 'Peter' will be expected to adhere to certain standards of behaviour – TEG is looking for a role model for other children

Entry closes on 2nd March 2012, followed by a shortlisting and screening process where 12 semi-finalists will be chosen and interviewed by a panel of judges. The winning four ‘Peters’ will be announced by the end of the month and filming will commence

Source: The Carp Society

pen the conference said:

'Lottery funded research must have practical use - to inform policy and to improve practice. This research has demonstrated real benefits to community organisations as well as national bodies by showing how angling can help improve people's lives.'

Website: Mr Crabtree Goes Fishing

The Carp Society Adult MasterClass is held annually especially for carp anglers who want to expand their knowledge of carp fishing in a safe environment. The programme will cover best practice to help anglers catch, care for, and return carp of all sizes. We aim to teach respect for the quarry, other angler,s and the waters we fish.

When is it?

The 2012 Adult MasterClass will be held from Friday 10 August and finish on Sunday 12 August. During the event students will fish afternoon, evening and nights always with an instructor present, the ratio is 2:1. Instructions include fishing, demonstrations on the bank and in the fishing Lodge. Instructors are from a mix of famous ‘name’ anglers and by other less famous anglers all of whom are experts on the water.

Horseshoe Lake has some of the best facilities in the UK; there are onsite catering facilities, a fully equipped tackle shop, as well as toilets and showers.

What will I be taught?

During your stay at Horseshoe Lake you will be guided through all aspects of carp fishing. This will include:

• Bank side safety
• Casting, improving technique and accuracy
• Feature finding set up
• Spods and spod set up
  
• Rigs
• Safe fish handling
• Particle use
  
• Knots
  
• Carp care
  
• Photography
  
• Playing fish
  
• Baits and bait application
• PVA bags and rigs
  
• Ground baits and stick mixes
  
• Floater fishing

Date:

10 to 12 August
Arrive Friday afternoon, leave Sunday afternoon.

Venue:

Horseshoe Lake

Price:

£200 all inclusive

What do I need to bring?

You need to bring a full carp fishing kit for three days and two nights fishing (you will fish through the night as well as the day), this will include a bivvy, bedchair, sleeping bag, two rods & reels, bite alarms, landing net, weigh sling, unhooking mate, spare clothing, water proofs, wash kit and a valid EA rod licence. You will need to bring bait with you, or alternatively you can buy CC Moore bait from our on-site shop.

What does it cost?

The cost of the three day event is £200.00, this includes all fishing, three meals a day and all tuition.
Spaces are limited so it is sold on a first come bases.
To secure a place you will need to pay a £50 deposit and then an option to pay the balance by three instalments each of £50 in March, April and May 2012.

For further details contact the Carp Society office on 01367 253959 or email us at info@thecarpsociety.com

Source: The Carp Society

pen the conference said:

'Lottery funded research must have practical use - to inform policy and to improve practice. This research has demonstrated real benefits to community organisations as well as national bodies by showing how angling can help improve people's lives.'

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

A landmark research report to be launched today by the Minister for the Natural Environment and Fisheries, Richard Benyon MP, has lifted the lid on the role that angling plays in our communities.

The three year research programme by Substance has surveyed and interviewed thousands of anglers and demonstrates the valuable contribution angling makes to communities by improving the environment, helping young people gain new skills and contributing to the local and national economy.

The report has been welcomed by the Angling Trust who called for a more joined up approach in government to maximise angling's social impact. Mark Lloyd, Angling Trust Chief Executive said:

'This work, by the independent and highly-respected research team at Substance, provides invaluable evidence that angling is really important to millions of people and their communities. What is clear is that anglers not only protect and improve the water environment, but that their sport plays a vital role in contributing to well being, social cohesion and keeping young people out of trouble. We call on the Home Office, and the health and education departments to embrace angling as a mechanism for improving wellbeing and skills.'

Fishing for Answers, is the final report from a three year study of angling by research company Substance funded by the Big Lottery research fund. It is to be launched at a conference in London today sponsored by the Angling Development Board. It will outline how angling is about far more than fishing:

• 25% of anglers said that they were involved in environmental improvement work
• 22% volunteered in teaching or coaching formally and informally
• The UK is a leader in the field in angling based youth education and inclusion work
• Angling organisations have helped restore and develop local waters as genuine community assets, bringing people together and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour
• Angling can stimulate the economy in rural areas and coastal towns through tourism, particularly outside of the traditional season. In one case study angling tourists contributed around £1 million a year to a remote rural area

David Moore, Chair of the Angling Development Board which is sponsoring the conference explained:

'This groundbreaking research by Substance has collected and analysed a wealth of information and personal experiences and demonstrates that angling is about far more than catching fish, it has vast un-tapped potential for improving people's lives their health and wellbeing.'

The research also reveals that angling, one of the nation's most popular pastimes:

• Can assist good health and well being - as a preventative measure helping to reduce stress and as a treatment to restore health after strokes, cancer treatment, mental illness, inactivity or trauma.
• Can involve intense physical activity - although often thought of as a sedentary sport, the research found that 34% of game anglers surveyed said that their fishing involved high levels of intensity physical activity; and around half of all anglers saying that it involved moderate physical activity.
• Is a gateway activity that can lead to participation in cleaning up the environment, rivers and beaches - over a quarter of anglers surveyed said that they took part in some environmental improvement work.
• Helps young people reconnect with education and avoid crime.

The Big Lottery Fund Head of UK Policy, Chris Butcher, who will open the conference said:

'Lottery funded research must have practical use - to inform policy and to improve practice. This research has demonstrated real benefits to community organisations as well as national bodies by showing how angling can help improve people's lives.'

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

When the mighty crack appeared to create what is now Monsal Dale, it must have frightened the living daylights out of the residents. It was so long ago they were not two-legged, but even the four have feelings. Have you seen its scale and glory? I have...and the limestone fed clear waters, alive with insects, of the beautiful River Wye runs through it en route to join the Derwent, then the Trent, and out via the Humber to the North Sea

I have seen and learned to appreciate that there is beauty in flatlands and that the Cambridgeshire and the Lincolnshire Fens, with their ‘big skies’ have an attraction all of their own; that there is nowhere on the planet matching the colour of the wild flower filled banks of the narrowest  lanes you must use to reach the streams tumbling off the Devon moors; and that urban trout are to be cherished.

Life today is pacey, and in my Executive life, moving around Britain, involved either the cramp of the  Shuttle, or of flying landside at subsonic speeds on our motorways slowing only for police cameras. The idea that there was something down there, was often masked at the window seat by cloud; or impossible to consider in the need to preserve one’s own skin amongst the millions of wheels on similar missions on an M-something.

But there is, and so much, and only the era of semi-retirement (for we must never STOP!) yields some time to find it and marvel at it. And fish!!

I have always kept a record of my fishing days. I presume that the hope of an increase in my catch rate would suggest that my angling skills were improving, and that was the motivation for doing this. But I think it was more than that, and symptomatic of a personality which thrives in variety, and enjoys the challenge of the same.

Also, I have always insisted that there is more to fishing than catching fish, and over time, that has consisted of buying fishing books, both contemporary, quite a few, and a small number of older editions; the odd bit of old tackle, mainly wooden reels; religiously reading my monthly  subscriptions to Trout & Salmon, and Fly Fishing & Fly Tying; planning our  annual overseas trip with great pal, David Fraser; plotting and planning my next season...and searching out new waters!

So the latter evolved naturally into my ‘quest’.

Establishing at the outset, that I had already fished in a number of counties, the attack on the remainder began in earnest. This entailed use of the internet in the main, and also Fish & Fly’s outstanding, ‘Where to fish’ directory. Fly Fishing Forum was another great source of information, once one has learned to filter out the nonsense banter which some correspondents seem obsessed by.

I soon learned that, having established a Blog, this served as a point of reference to those who may, initially, have been undecided by the unexpected request for permission, or information!
It is February 2012, and I have ‘netted’ thirty seven [37] of the forty six English counties.

I have a contacts book of dozens, without whom, I would be floundering. It is a testament to the extraordinary fraternity (and sorority) of anglers that so many have expressed interest and encouragement, passed on their knowledge, and offered invitations and given their time to my ‘mission’. I have to thank the Conservation Officers (Tim, Paul, and Andy) of the Wild Trout Trust, Fisheries Officers of the Environment  Agency, for much helpful advice....they, and the chaps I have fished with, are all acknowledged in my Blog.

Which are my favourite rivers?

I think urban streams are special, for these are in need of constant care, and thanks to the efforts of such organisations as the Wandle Trust in South London, and Greenstreams (and Sprite) in Yorkshire,  it is now possible to fish what were distressed waters, such as the Wandle, the Colne and Holme.

The care of privately owned water such as Paul Jenning’s beat on the Chess has produced a small fishery of real class; the Shep in Cambridge is a triumph of regeneration, as is Andrew Flitcroft’s stretch on the Gwash in Rutland.

So I guess my preference is for those intimate streams, as opposed to the pristine or the wide spate!

As season 2012 approaches, I am plotting.

I expect the three counties of the North East to be conquered. I have identified accessible waters in Cheshire, West Midlands (surprisingly) and the Isle of Wight. I will struggle with Merseyside and Bedfordshire, but Essex will be difficult, but achievable.

Author: Tony Mair

Keep reading www.afishermansjourney.com to see how Tony get's on.

Etang de Planchon’s first season started on the 18th March 2011, it opened its doors to three cracking guys, Dean Forster, Gary Johnson and Andy Bohane.  The carp in the lake had never been caught before and the first line dropped into the lake at around 3pm, it was quite a tense time waiting for that first carp to come out. Within 30 minutes it happened and the first carp came out to Andy at 31lb, closely followed by Dean & Gary at 23.8 lb and 22lb.  Another five came out in quick succession and the season was off to a great start.

The season saw 86 anglers gracing the banks, not all of whom did full weeks, and it also saw 1115 carp landed totalling over 11.5 ton of fish of which 173 were commons and 74 were 30's.

The biggest carp to come out in the first season was 39 lb and landed to both Gary Johnson on the first week and Trevor Horne on the fourth week. 
The biggest common to come out also landed to Gary Johnson on the first week at 34 lb 10 oz.

The first season also saw a few memorable moments outside of the fishing, the first of which was on the first week.  The guys wanted to meet the locals for a few drinks and Dean told us he would show the French how to drink, then proceeded to wobble back to his bivvy mumbling the phrase “they done me” no fishing was done that night. Let’s not forget that Gary also set the lake record at 39 lb & the Common record at 34.10 lb

Week 4 saw the Happyhookers arrive (a carp forum of course) and catch 68 carp 7 of which were 30’s. In that same week Steve (Roadie) was offered the stock pond if his luck didn’t change, Shirley (Mrs HH) stole John’s (Happyhookers) first 30+ from his rods while he was in the loo (I think he took his sounder box with him every time after that), Mark (Codger) ribbing everyone, Happyhooker telling jokes every time he was at the table, Jenni (Mrs Honka) telling a few stories maybe she shouldn’t have and of course we must not forget Trevor (Happy Honka), alongside matching the lake record, he also informed the locals that he caught a blow job (he was trying to say “Petit pike” and instead he said “Petit pipe”, let’s just say he may need to brush up on his French for next year.

Week 5 saw Chris and Paul Wenham smash the lake by landing 86 fish between them, this gave Chris the record for the most carp in one week by any one angler, he landed himself 56 fish and let’s just say he was very tired when he left and he was doing his best not to fall asleep in the car on the way back to the airport.

Week 11 had three lads from Cumbria caught 42 fish between them, but one of the lads managed to catch too much sun despite being advised to cover up or sit in shade, I think I must have gone through a couple of bottles of after sun. 

Week 13 saw the first local French angler grace the banks of the lake, Johan Bonnefond from Limoges stayed for two nights and managed to land himself a 30 lb fish, a PB for Johan.  He enjoyed himself so much he decided on another visit a few weeks later.

Week 15 (June) delivered the lake a mini heat wave, with the temperature steadily climbing to 40 Degrees, but despite the heat the five guys on the lake managed to land themselves 29 fish between them.

Following the hot spell, week 18 was very wet, it showered pretty much all week, in fact it rained so much that one of the lads on that week (Chris) needed me to take him to Decathlon for some waterproof clothing.  That week also provided a few pranks between the guys, including Clinton hiding behind a bush and tugging on Jacks line, I have never seen anyone run so fast for a bite only to find out there was no fish.

Week 24 saw Andy Lane and his son Sam arrive for a second visit, he upped his catch from his first visit five weeks earlier and has booked for next year with his entire family.
It also saw Tom Suckling and Ian Dixon have a mad few days, their early evening catches went mad on two occasions when all four of their rods went screaming off within 30 minutes, at one point they were not in a position to land one of their fish and I had to land it for them.

Week 30 arrived along with four guys from Sheffield, one of which (Wim Snape) had been in the movie the full monty.  The guys managed to land 107 fish in the week, the most fish caught by any one group. A fantastic time was had by all with some great banter, laughs to the point some of us got a belly ache (Wim and his imitation accents are to blame for that one and Mark Trippett (Trip) and his numerous costume changes).  Trip almost managed to break the record for the most fish in a week with 52 fish, however a last night of celebrating meant he slept rather than cast his rods out.

A great year for the lakes first season, now the lake is closed the carp will be fed the maximum they need to continue growing as long as the weather permits and I can’t wait to see how next year starts and see how the carp have grown.

The lake opens its gates on the 31st of March next year and I can’t wait to see what the second season brings.

Thanks to everyone who supported the lake and to those of you who came and fished the lake, I couldn’t have asked for more for my first year.

Check out the catch reports for the year: http://www.carp-fishinginfrance.com/catch.htm

Check out the catch Gallery for the year: http://www.carp-fishinginfrance.com/gallery_catch.htm

Check out Previous news feeds for the catch report write ups over the year: http://www.carp-fishinginfrance.com/news.htm

Also check out the reviews the lake has received the first year: http://www.carp-fishinginfrance.com/comments.htm

The beautiful Channel Island Of Alderney once again plays host to the Annual Angling Festival which this year takes place between Saturday 13th October 2012 and Saturday 20th October 2012.

This event attracts around 150 competitors from the UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney, each hoping to land the biggest fish, or the one that got away last year and break another British record.

Teams and pairs of anglers each year take to the rocky shore line of Alderney to compete for the largest catch, within a number of categories.

For more information about this event contact telephone Dick Smith on 01481 822198 or Mark Harding 01481 824884

Source: Visit Alderney

The Angling Trust's legal arm Fish Legal has won an important victory in its campaign to make England and Wales' biggest polluters come clean about what they put into our rivers, lakes and seas, as well as what they pump out.

Following a 3 year battle and concerted attempts by water companies to prevent an appeal, Fish Legal has finally managed to get the case referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). The Judge at the Upper Tribunal (UT) in London has prepared some legal questions to ask the CJEU to help decide whether water companies are "public authorities" under European legislation, and therefore subject to public scrutiny.

Fish Legal acting on its own behalf and as the legal wing of the Angling Trust with its 350,000-strong membership of angling clubs and individuals, has been battling to challenge a series of decisions, firstly by the Information Commissioner, and then the Upper Tribunal in an earlier case which held that water companies are not public authorities and therefore not covered by European Legislation and UK law - which meant their filing cabinets could remain shut.

As long ago as 2009, Fish Legal asked water companies for information on sewage discharges and clean-up operations at the thousands of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in England and Wales. Two companies - United Utilities and Yorkshire Water - said they were not "public authorities" and therefore did not need to provide the information by law. United Utilities took about 2 years to get the complete information to Fish Legal, whose lawyers believe the information should be available by right and not just at the whim of the water companies.

The Judge's decision to refer the case to the European courts is exactly what Fish Legal wanted and is the next step in getting the companies to open up to inspection by anyone who wants to know what their local company is doing to their watercourses or beaches.

The Judge will ask the Court of Justice of the European Union to answer questions which help to understand what a "public authority" is in European legislation and whether bodies like water companies are included.

Justin Neal, Head Solicitor for Fish Legal said: "it has taken 3 years to get to this position and we may have to wait another two years for the European Courts to provide answers to these questions. Nevertheless, we hope that common sense will prevail and that they will conclude that the privatisation of the water industry didn't take information out of the hands of the general public."

Leading barrister, David Wolfe, who provided the legal advice and representation for FL, commented, "I have been pleased to assist Fish Legal in getting the case the CJEU. I am optimistic that the CJEU will give an answer which will help everyone wanting information from water companies and other privatised utilities."

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust and Fish Legal said: "Water Companies should not be able to hide what they are getting up to. Water quality and quantity affect us all, and our legal team are committed to doing all they can to get access to this vital information not just for anglers, but for everyone who cares about the state of our rivers and coasts. This case could take five years for us to win, but it will be of benefit to generations of anglers and environmental campaigners."

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News