Eastleigh MP Mims Davies accepted an invitation from the Hampshire-based organisation 'For Life Experiences' (FLE) to visit a summer holiday fishing project for local youngsters as part of Eastleigh Borough Council's Park Sport Programme.

She went to the Lakeside Country Park accompanied by Martin Salter, National Campaigns Manager for the Angling Trust, and FLE director Graham Mabey.

The Angling Trust is the national representative body for all forms of recreational fishing and delivers many angling participation programmes across the country. FLE are partners in the Eastleigh Council's Park Sport Summer Programme and are busy delivering angling sessions for young people every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between July 25 and Aug 28 at the Country Park.

Martin Salter said:"We were delighted when Mims Davies showed her support for Britain's most popular pastime by joining the All Party Parliamentary Angling Group and we are pleased that she is taking an interest in how young people in her constituency can get the fishing bug.

"It's also great to see local councils like Eastleigh including angling in their summer holiday activity programmes. There is no doubt that kids benefit from getting out in the fresh air and away from their computer screens and angling is just the sort of hobby that can deliver a lifetime of enjoyment."

Graham Mabey added: "For Life Experiences is a Social Enterprise dedicated to getting people from all walks of life and of all ages into the positive outdoor pursuit of angling. This summer FLE is providing fishing tuition for 540 young people through the Eastleigh Borough Council's Park Sport Programme which allows youngsters from the borough to enjoy a whole host of sporting activities over the holidays.

"We are also delivering a six-week Sportive course on Sundays for youngsters wanting to learn more about fishing. FLE is not all about junior provision though and on Sunday afternoons FLE is providing Family Fishing Sessions to local families to help them learn a new hobby that the whole family can enjoy."

Mims Davies said: "I was delighted to visit ‘For Life Experiences’ (FLE) summer holiday fishing project at Lakeside Country Park and to meet their dedicated teaching team of Graham Mabey, Tom Oliver and Michael Wickens along with Martin Salter from the Angling Trust. I joined many young boys and girls from across my Eastleigh constituency attending an hour and half’s tuition on a beautiful sunny day on the bank.
 
"It was wonderful to see how excited and engaged everyone seemed, catching and releasing a variety of fish. Fishing is a great outdoor sport for all ages, with a small set up cost for the basic equipment. It is an accessible hobby with many benefits including a break from technology and fast pace of modern life.

"My daughters were totally enchanted and are keen to try fishing again. I think FLE are delivering a wonderful project and a great introduction to the sport for young people which can turn this initial experience into a long term hobby."

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

The Angling Trust has published the results of research which provides valuable insight into why people go fishing and what can be done to get more non-anglers and their families to take part in this wonderful outdoors activity.

The report, commissioned from research company Substance, will help shape the Angling Trust's strategy to boost fishing over the next few years. England's representative body for angling has used the study to design angling participation projects this year and it will play a key role in shaping future programmes to help people start to fish, improve facilities for disabled anglers, encourage more people to come back to the sport and to get out by the waterside more frequently. This continues the Angling Trust's work to position angling as an even more attractive option for the UK's increasingly time-pressed, aging and financially challenged population so that they can become part of angling's £1 billion contribution to the English economy and the 37,000 jobs it sustains.

Work carried out by the Angling Trust to promote angling and run events to increase participation, is funded by Sport England and the Environment Agency and gets tens of thousands of people fishing each year.

This research highlights how fishing is an activity that can be done with family to relax and unwind, be close to nature and have fun with friends, as well as enjoying the personal challenges associated with catching a fish. Importantly the results of the research, which reached out to 13,000 people, endorse the Angling Trust's refocus on tactics that incorporate new and social media to speak to a population that might not have recently considered fishing, but who would love to combine it with other sports and pastimes, or include angling as an option in their holiday time.

The Angling Trust's Participation Team hopes that everyone who has an interest in angling will benefit by downloading the summary report available at www.bit.ly/AnglingInsight

Key Findings

• One third of the adult population of England have tried angling at least once
• Of those who have tried angling, around half have some interest in doing it again
• Angling attracts higher than average numbers of disabled people
• 70% of current anglers said combining angling with other activities would encourage them to go
• 45.6% said that fishing events where family can do other things would encourage them to go
• 70% said that combining angling with short breaks or other activities would encourage them to go
• 24.4% said that social media to find people to fish with and places to fish would encourage them to go
• 40.5% of current anglers surveyed said to relax and de-stress was their most important angling motivation

Clive Copeland, Head of Participation at the Angling Trust said: "This year we've developed a range of events that our team of Regional Officers can use to sustain the involvement in angling that provides so much enjoyment to those who go fishing. The research from Substance has helped shape the content of hundreds of Get Back Into and Get Into Angling days and Let's Go Family Fishing sessions. These events have already brought thousands of anglers into or back to angling this year alone. By working alongside Get Hoked on Fishing and National Fishing Month we are providing a joined-up participation campaign based on sound research. We are confident that angling will be in a better place in years to come after this investment in its future."

Will Smith, Angling Promotions Officer, for the Angling Trust added: "The insight that the surveys of 13,000 anglers and non-anglers provides, gives reassurance that the work we have initiated - which makes free fishing sessions easy to find at www.getfishing.org.uk and on our social media - will get more people fishing more often. We know that people want to go fishing and we aim to join with other sports to help make fishing a realistic choice for busy people that love spending time outdoors."

Sarah Chare, Deputy Director for Fisheries at the Environment Agency, said: "Angling is good for people's health, improves educational performance and creates 37,000 jobs, so it's important to understand what makes anglers tick and how to get more people involved. Anyone can have a go, all you need is a £27 rod licence. All of this money is invested in protecting and improving fisheries and angling. Rod licences can be bought online or by phoning 0344 800 5386"

Paul Kendall, NGB Relationship Manager at Sport England commented: "We are very encouraged that the Angling Trust has demonstrated its commitment to further understanding why people go angling and the role it plays in their lives. We are particularly supportive of the ways in which they are using this insight to shape what they do."

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

The Northumberland County Blind Association will be holding a 15th Anniversary charity cash prize fishing competition at Fontburn Reservoir on Friday, 29 July, 2016, in aid of NCBA.

Cash prizes for adults and tackle vouchers for juniors (the junior competition is for those aged 15 and under)

All entrants will receive a free golden raffle ticket to enter the draw for 10 days free fishing at Fontburn.

1st Prize £150
2nd Prize £100 and
heaviest fish Prize £50.

For juniors, there will be 1st Prize £50 tackle voucher, 2nd Prize £40 tackle voucher and heaviest fish prize £30 tackle voucher and Greg Robinson Memorial Trophy (if the heaviest fish is caught by the first or second place winners the next heaviest fish will win the prize).

Fishing lodge open from 7am. Entry fees and registration from 7am. Adults £23. Juniors £10.

Eight fish catch limit. Competition time 8am – 3pm. Normal fishery rules apply. Weigh in prize presentations and golden ticket draw from 3pm.

For further details contact the Ranger Team on 01669 621 368 or NCBA on 01670 514 316. 

Source: Northumberland County Blind Association

The Angling Trust has announced the dates for the 2016 Greys Junior Bank National. The six qualifiers will be held on small stillwaters throughout England and will begin in August and finish before the end of October. The grand final will be held at Ellerdine Fishery on 9th April 2017.

Anglers aged 17 or under on 9th April 2017 are eligible to compete and the cost of entering the competition is very attractive at just £5 per heat.

Competitors will have the chance to win prizes supplied by Greys Fishing at each of the heats and in the grand final while being recognised as the Greys Junior Bank National Champion.

The inaugural 2015 competition was won by Angus Cameron, aged 16 from Wimborne, as eight fish was enough to beat off competition from 17 other young anglers and secure the title of Greys Junior Bank National Champion 2015. Angus has since gone on to be selected for England Youth Fly Fishing and will be part of the England team that heads to Ireland to compete in the Youth International in August.

Angling Trust’s Senior Competitions & Talent Manager Ben Thompson said: “The Greys Junior Bank National is an ideal competition for young fly fishers to get their first taste of competitive action.

"Last year’s competition saw a number of experienced fly fishers compete against those dipping their toe for the first time and the final proved that skill and determination will prevail regardless of experience.”

Regional Qualifying heats:

North East
Aldin Grange Fishery, Co Durham, 20th August - 15 pegs
North West
Bank House Fishery, Lancashire, 18th Sept - 15 pegs
East Midlands
Lakeside Sporting Fishery , Loughborough, 24th Sept - 15 pegs
West Midlands
Ellerdine Fishery, Shropshire, 23rd Oct - 15 pegs
South East
Millets Farm, Oxfordshire, 16th Oct - 15 pegs
South West
Exe Valley Fishery, Somerset, 23rd Oct - 15 pegs

All heats will be run to local fishery rules

Grand Final
Ellerdine Fishery, Shropshire, 9th April 2017 - 18 pegs

Final will be run to Angling Trust match rules

How to enter:

To book your place on one of the qualifiers, simply download an entry form at www.anglingtrust.net/juniorbanknational  and send to the Angling Trust competitions team via email to corina.smith@anglingtrust.net or by post to:

Corina Smith
Angling Trust Competitions
The Old Police Station
Wharncliffe Road
Ilkeston
Derbyshire
DE7 5GF

Cost of Entry
£5 entry fee is payable on the day direct to the fishery.

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

The Angling Trust and other members of the European Anglers Alliance (EAA) and European fishing tackle trade met with Karmenu Vella, the EU Commissioner for the Environment and Fisheries, to highlight the huge social, environmental and economic benefits recreational angling brings to the EU.

The meeting in Brussels, which was arranged before the UK voted to leave the European Union, was attended by Mark Owen, the Angling Trust’s Head of Freshwater and David Mitchell, the Angling Trust’s Head of Marine – both of whom have been actively involved over many years defending fish and the rights of anglers at a European level.

Amongst topics discussed with the Commissioner were the impact of bass conservation measures on anglers and the involvement of angling in the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive.

David Mitchell, Angling Trust’s Head of Marine, said:

“It is important that the Commissioner responsible for the management of fish stocks and the aquatic environment knows the social and economic importance of angling to wellbeing and the economy.

“The UK is leaving the EU but there will be an immense amount of work to do figuring out how this will affect fish and fishing. We need to make sure angling isn’t invisible when a new relationship and agreements affecting fish and fishing develop between the UK and the EU.”

Mark Owen, the Angling Trust’s Head of Freshwater, said:

“It was apparent that the Commissioner very much valued the social and economic benefits of angling, given the 25 million anglers across Europe including the UK at present. We will be building on this recognition as we campaign to ensure that fish and fishing will not be impacted by leaving the EU.”

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

partypoker Fish ‘O’ Mania will debut a revised format of its International event this year with the launch of the International Masters to run simultaneously alongside the Grand Final during a mammoth day of angling at Cudmore Fisheries on Saturday, July 9.

partypoker Fish ‘O’ Mania International Masters will comprise six anglers representing Holland, Italy, Belgium, Germany and France, with one other nation to be confirmed shortly and will take place on the Arena Lake alongside the partypoker Fish ‘O’ Mania Grand Final.

The prize fund for the International sees the winner receive £3,000 while the second placed angler takes home £1,000.
The revised format for the International event follows in a major shake up to the format of the Grand Final, which for the first time sees 32 anglers take part, offering more opportunities to qualify.

With the field for the final expanded to 32 anglers, the main event starts on Friday, July 8, with the draw for pegs at 8am at the event hotel. The five-hour match then gets underway at 10.30am on two lakes, with 12 pegs located on Moors Canal and 20 pegs on Suez Canal.  This is a five-hour match with a single weigh-in at the conclusion and is not open to the general public.
The 32 finalists will be divided into sections of four and the top two weights in each section after the five-hour match will move forward to the 16-man televised section of the final on Saturday 9th July. The draw for the Saturday will take place at Cudmore around 5.00pm.

The second part of the final will commence at around 12.05pm on Saturday, July 9 and there will be the traditional weigh-ins every half an hour with the match concluding at approximately 5.05pm. There is a whopping £50,000 on offer to the champion with the runner-up receiving a tidy £10,000.

As well as the partypoker Fish ‘O’ Mania Grand Final and International Masters taking place on the Arena Lake, Saturday, July 9 will also the Ladies and Juniors competitions on the same day.

partypoker Fish ‘O’ Mania Ladies and Fish ‘O’ Mania Juniors will consist of six anglers competing in each match and will take place on the Suez Canal at Cudmore Fisheries. Each match will last four hours with a single weigh-in at the conclusion. The winners of the Ladies and the Juniors will receive £1,000 each.

partypoker Fish ‘O’ Mania International Masters will commence at midday, concluding at 4pm. The Ladies and Junior matches will each last four hours with the Junior competition starting at 11am and Ladies match beginning at 11:30am.

Tickets for the big day are now available from www.fishomania.net as well as the venue, and Get Hooked on Fishing.

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

A low and clear River Swale proved to be a tough nut to crack for many of the competitors in the second Angling Trust RiverFest qualifier held on Saturday 25th June. Big chub accounted for all the top weights and leading the way was Goole angler Mark Turner, on his first visit to the venue with 43-0-0 from peg 30 in B Zone.

Mark started off by landing two decent chub on legered breadflake before switching to a 6No4 stick float rig with a size 18 hook to 0.13mm hooklength. Feeding casters and hemp, with two casters on the hook, he tempted more decent fish, ending with ten chub and two trout.

Upstream at peg A2, Birmingham river expert Paul Downes float fished his way in similar fashion to the winner to record a zone win with 37-11-0 of chub.

Competition creator Dave Harrell booked the third qualifying place with 21-2-0 of chub, caught on waggler and caster from peg 4 in C Zone.

TOP SIX RESULTS:

1. Mark Turner (peg B30) 43-0-0
2. David Wray (peg B43) 38-1-0
3. Paul Downes (peg A2) 37-11-0
4. Pat Adams (peg B42) 29-12-0
5. Dave Smiddy (peg B44) 26-4-0
6. Norman Thewlis (peg A3) 25-12-0

The next qualifier takes place on the Bristol Avon on Sunday July 3rd.

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

This year the fabulous Partridge Lakes complex in Cheshire played host to the Angling Trust Cadets and Junior Angling Championships on Saturday 25th June 2016. Sadly the numbers of teams taking part was very disappointing. Whilst the Cadets event again saw 4 teams fishing, the Junior Championship had only 9 teams, which was 5 teams down on 2015, and eventually the Intermediates event, which had only 2 teams registered was ultimately cancelled when both opted not to fish.

Cadets

The Cadet National Championship was split evenly between Spey and Marsh Pools. Both are canal-type pools holding loads of carp, F1’s and plenty of silvers. They were in reasonable form following the stormy weather in the previous 24 hours and provided most anglers with a nice day’s fishing.

Individually the top weight of 25 kilos 630 gms was taken by Match Aid  angler Jake Pope from peg C1 on Spey. His catch comprised some good carp, F1’s and smaller fish. Runner-up was Ryan Kennison fishing for Sensas A4 at peg F1 on Marsh. Ryan put 18 kilos 510 gms on the scales. Worksop DAA’s Jay Gill, the 2015 Champion, secured third spot with 17 kilos 010 gms at peg E3 on Marsh. Fourth place went to Tom Pearson of Worksop with 15 kilos 710 gms.  Match Aid anglers filled the next two spots. Sonny Lynn was fifth with 13 kilos 980 gms and Billy Pitman sixth with 12 kilos 420 gms just ahead of Billy Kirk of Match Aid with 12 kilos 180 gms. 

Team honours went to Worksop DAA with 21 out of a possible 24 points.  Match Aid totalled 19 points and Sensas A4 had 13 points leaving Dawley Angling Society 4th with 6 points.

Juniors

The Junior Championship saw the six sections spread across the famous Covey pools. These tremendously consistent pools are used for all the big events at Partridge Lakes and again did not fail to deliver an exciting match for the anglers.

Top rod, fishing at peg A6, was the 2015 Junior Champion Tom Edwards of Sensas A4. Tom caught mainly F1’s to 2 kilos plus some proper carp to put a magnificent 53 kilos 690 gms on the scales. Yestyn Sephton fishing for Tameside Matrix Bait Tech clinched second spot with 45 kilos 280 gms at peg B4. Third place went to Sarah Taylor of Tameside Matrix Bait Tech Gold with 44 kilos 500 gms from A9. Sensas A4 anglers filled the next three places. Adam Swain took fourth with 42 kilos 350 gms.  Fifth place went to Sam Collett with 40 kilos 320 gms and Jack Damant sixth with 40 kilos 190 gms.

Sensas A4 were again crowned Junior Team Champions with a total of 50 points nine clear of Tameside Matrix Bait Tech with 41 points.

Other team results as follows;
3rd  Match Aid Juniors - 39 points
4th Sensas A4 Academy - 34 points
5th Tameside Matrix Bait Tech Gold - 26points (127 kilos 690 gms)
6th Worksop DAA - 26 points (114 kilos 68 gms)
7th Dawley A S Juniors - 22 points
8th Nisa Waveney Bait Tech - 15 points (74 kilos 730 gms)
9th Wakefield AS - 15 points (67 kilos 970 gms)

The top 6 section winners from the Junior category going to the Fish 'O' Mania grand final on 9th July at Cudmore Fisheries fishing Suez are; Tom Edwards, Yestyn Sephton, Jack Damant, William McCranor, Adam Swain and Sam Collett.

Once again a great day was had by all despite the intermittent heavy showers.  Thanks in no small way to the wonderful team at Partridge Lakes.

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

FISHING AND FANCY FREE by Dave Rees follows the fate of three firm friends on their annual fishing trip to Scotland. Unknown to them. and in a log cabin just yards from their own, are three very attractive women who there for the fishing as well.

The following is a short snippet from Fishing and Fancy Free.

And that wasn't all that they caught. Brian had his usual last cast which went on for at least twenty minutes after he'd tied on a weighted nymph. A short while later he let out a cry of 'Gotcha, you beautiful boy'. As it slipped into the net they huddled round to see the monster he'd caught, but it looked like a woman's handbag and really quite new at that. It also looked very expensive. They though it was crocodile skin.

'Blimey," breathed Brian, "who would have thought a trout lake like this would have crocodiles in it as well?'

Available to buy from Amazon - click here

GET HOOKED! is the most recent book by Dave Rees and is presented as a Collection of short stories previously published by a respected monthly fishing magazine and now brought together as a collection of short stories that even the curious layman will understand and enjoy. It is truly a thought provoking dip in and out bedtime storybook on which you are bound to get hooked! A treasure of fishing tales to choose from.

The following is a short snippet from Get Hooked.

If only I hadn't stopped fishing

When the skies turned stormy and red
And I went back home to the missus
Who was dozing and still in bed
I slipped quietly in beside her
And whispered the weather was bad
And to think my husband's gone fishing, she said
He must be stark raving mad

If only I hadn't been so naive
When we danced at the Fly Fishers Ball
She was gorgeous and French with a lakeside chateau
Oh, yeah! She had it all!
I only wiish she'd made it quite clear
When I accepted her invite to France
That she only wanted to learn how to fish
As for anything else - not a chance!

He had a decision to make. He could reach out a hand and receive in return unconditional love, or try to avoid those deep brown eyes that were anxiously searching his face. Which was it going to be?

Available to buy from Amazon - click here