RiverFest 2016 gets underway on Saturday 18th June at Mirfield on the River Calder. The twenty four qualifiers will run from June through to the end of October, each with sixty anglers competing for a place in the Grand Final on the River Wye at Hereford over the weekend of 19th and 20th November 2016.

Angling Trust Ambassador Dave Harrell, the man who created the competition has worked closely with our competitions team to ensure a good spread of qualifiers all around the country.
“I continue to be delighted with the response of river anglers for this great competition,” said Dave. “This year we have five great new venues and I’m sure all of the qualifiers will be sellouts as every serious river angler wants to be in the prestigious final!” 

Subject to ticket sales, the Angling Trust expects to pay out a whopping £34,000 over the course of final weekend with ten main prizes in the ranging from £500 for 10th place, up to £12,000 to the winner. Section prizes of £250 will also be paid out every six pegs on both of the final days with the team prize of £450 retained.

How to Apply – The competition will open for ticket applications on Wednesday 23rd March 2016 at 9.00am and close at 4.00 pm on Wednesday 13th April 2016 (3 week window to apply). Angling Trust members will log on to  RiverFest 2016 and follow onscreen instructions to apply for their chosen qualifiers. The random computerised draw will take place from 14th April and a list of successful anglers will be published for each of the qualifiers on the Angling Trust website shortly afterwards, with tickets sent out to all qualifiers from the end of April 2016.
 
QUALIFIER VENUES AND DATES

1. Sat 18th June – River Calder, Mirfield
2. Sat 25th June – River Swale, Morton
3. Sun 3rd July – Bristol Avon, Newbridge to Saltford
4. Sun 10th July – River Tyne, Corbridge to Wylam
5. Sat 16th July – River Tees, Bowesfield to Yarm
6. Sun 24th July – River Trent, Laughterton to Dunham*
7. Sat 30th July – River Weaver, Northwich
8. Sat 6th August – River Soar, Sutton Bonnington
9. Sat 13th August – River Trent, Newark Dyke
10. Sun 14th August – River Yare, Langley
11. Sat 27th August – River Don, Sprotborough
12. Sun 28th August – River Nene, Orton
13. Sat 3rd September – River Severn, Bewdley
14. Sat 10th September – River Trent, Holme Marsh
15. Sun 18th September – River Wye, Breinton To Eign
16. Sat 24th September – River Severn, Bridgnorth
17. Sun 25th September – River Thames, Clanfield *
18. Sun 2nd October – River Trent, Burton
19. Sat 8th October, River Thames, Culham *
20. Sun 9th October – River Medway, Barming
21. Sun 16th October – Warwickshire Avon, Stratford  
22. Sun 23rd October – River Severn, Shrewsbury 
23. Sat 29th October – Yorkshire Ouse, Hunters Lodge to Linton
24. Sun 30th October – Warwickshire Avon, Warwick *
         
*NEW VENUES

Final
19th/20th November – River Wye, Hereford
1st Reserve Weekend  26tht/27th November – River Wye, Hereford

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

This vibrant and fun Championship will be held on Saturday 29th October on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, from Penkridge to Acton Trussell hosted by Wolverhampton Angling Association.

Entry forms are available from the Angling Trust competitions department by contacting 0115 9061 301/323 or email sandra.drew@anglingtrust.net or corina.smith@anglingtrust.net .  This Championship is for anyone aged from 10 to 16 years and is FREE to enter. Pegs are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Entry forms have automatically been sent to anyone who supported the event last year. 

Sandra Drew, Competitions & Events Manager, said: “The Angling Trust is happy to be working alongside the Canal & River Trust to run the Junior Canal Championship again which has proved to be a really enjoyable event for all the youngsters taking part each year. This year, the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal is a fantastic venue to get more on the bank fishing and getting involved.”

John Ellis, National Fisheries & Angling Manager for the Canal & River Trust said: “We’re really looking forward to the Junior Championship, it’s been a great success in previous years and 2016 should be no exception. It’s a brilliant way of getting young people to experience the buzz of a match and discovering the great fishing that can be found on the nation’s canals.”

In conjunction with this Championship is the Angling Trust and Canal & River Trust Pairs Championship which has expanded this year with more regional qualifying heats in Wales, Scotland and Ireland as well as 12 heats across England. Entry fee is £40 per pair per qualifier, and applications are available from the Angling Trust on 0115 9061 301/323. There are places available to book on to the qualifiers. The inaugural 2015 Championship proved a great success with over 300 pairs from London to Lancashire taking part.

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

As the match got under way, reality soon dawned that that the cool wind and was having an effect, with most anglers struggling for early bites in the conditions. As last year, the aerator on Little Adams had a fair number of carp around it, and those anglers who could fire a pellet waggler close to it started to catch fish.

Alex Lill and James Stones on pegs 31 and 32 respectively had the breeze behind them and were soon catching carp, as did pegs 16, 17 and 18 opposite. Chris Kitchin on peg 17 where last year’s winner came from seemed to be taking an early lead, fishing close to the aerator with his pellet waggler set between 5 and 6 feet deep.

Meanwhile many anglers were struggling for bites, with fish only showing in tight pockets. Those in  the high 50’s on Dannie’s had such a pocket of fish and early reports showed a close contest was developing, with Marc Rodger, Shaun Sanders, Andy Oldham, Andy Butler and Jason Smith all catching carp on pellet waggler . Others on Dannie’s were finding the going tough.  

Adam Playford and Ryan Bennett were catching a few carp on 12 and 13, but didn’t look to be a treat to those in the 50’s. Big Adams told the same story with Lynden Grimmett, Steve Cooke and Geoff Keeling amongst the few to be catching odd carp.
It was clear that the carp were hanging in mid water, and those with carp coming to pellet waggler found that a change to pop up boilie fished at up to 5 feet off the bottom would bring in a few extra fish.  Paul Christie on Adams 16 netted 3 decent carp in consecutive casts on this method to give Chris Kitchin on peg 17 something to think about.  Chris, however carried on catching carp to 10lb on 8 and 10mm pellets, despite having difficulty reaching the aerator with his feed as the wind had picked up.

Shaun Sanders, Andy Oldham and Jason Smith in the 50’s on Dannie’s were in close competition too, with Jason Smith edging ahead to finish with 89 lb and second overall. Andy Oldham was close behind with 74-8 for third place, and Shaun Sanders weighed in 67-15 for fifth.

On Adams Alex Lill had 73-14; 10 lb more than the next peg James Stones, giving Alex 4th place. Opposite these two, the battle was won by Chris Kitchin on peg 17. The civil servant from Leeds put 97-12 of carp to 10lb to win the match outright and take the third qualifying place for the Fish ’O’ Mania final in July. Chris was especially delighted to qualify, and the day erased the bad memory of the previous Wednesday, when a 500 mile round trip to Viaduct only yielded a blank!

Despite some disappointingly low weights, where many anglers failed to weigh in, Hayfield showed it’s potential as a well maintained and well managed venue where better weather conditions and warmer water temperatures would give considerably better results.

Thanks go to Robin and the enigmatic Noelie for a friendly and colourful atmosphere, and good luck to competitors hoping to emulate Chris on the next qualifier at Solhampton on Saturday 19th March.

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

Three new leagues have been added for Spring 2016 ensuring anglers in North Yorkshire, Humberside and Surrey will have the opportunity to get involved.

In total, 10 leagues each containing four fixtures will be held on commercial fisheries spread throughout England, with some leagues beginning this month.

The competition is open to anglers aged 16 or under on December 31st, 2016 and the cost of entering the league is still only £1 per week. Competitors will have the chance to win prizes supplied by Preston Innovations and the top three anglers from each league will win a day with Preston Innovations' consultants while earning the title of regional champion. The competition ends in June.

Angling Trust’s Senior Competitions & Talent Manager Ben Thompson said: “Over 100 youngsters fished in the leagues last year and we hope that more will get involved in 2016. It’s a fantastic opportunity for any youngster wishing to get into match angling and make new friends while the more experienced anglers can pit their wits against other like-minded anglers.

“At only £1 per week entry plus the price of a couple of pints of maggots, it is affordable access to match fishing in a fun and friendly environment and there are some fantastic trophies and prizes up for grabs, including a day's fishing with some of the best anglers in the country.”

To find out more about the competition, venues, schedules and entry form click HERE

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

For many, this resulted in a hard day's fishing. However, as temperatures rose and with the wind dropping a little, alongside some sunshine going into the last hour of the match, the venue's shoals of carp and F1s fed remarkably well.

It was Jamie Hughes, an Angling Coach from the Wirral, who was installed immediately as favourite when he drew end peg 2 on Canal pool. He didn’t disappoint either, winning the event easily with 141lbs and being the first qualifier for Fish ‘O’ Mania 2016. Amazingly, his catch of 50 fish - carp and F1s up to 8lbs - were caught dobbing bread punch to a series of lines without feeding any bait at all for four hours of the match, and even then 40 maggots was the total bait used.

Canal pool was the place to be and further along the bank on pegs 6 and 8 Andrew Mann and Andrew Neal – Wales-based travelling partners and stable mates under the Milo Bait Tech banner – fought out a peg-to-peg battle. It was Andrew Mann who came out on top catching 83lbs 14oz of carp and F1s across and short, using the same dobbing bread and maggots short tactics as the winner down the edge with Andy Neal also fishing the same and finishing in third with 65lbs 8oz.

The second Fish ‘O’ Mania qualifier moves to Viaduct Fishery, Somerset on Wednesday 9th March 2016.

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

The 2016 event is scheduled for the 28th/29th August and is likely to take place in Spain, although the venue is not yet confirmed, it could be at Merida.

England Ladies Manager Dave Brooks is looking for anglers who are capable of fishing to World Championship rules and therefore the submitted CV should indicate the style of fishing used.  Pole, waggler or slider are expected to be the best methods at this Spanish venue, but bleak may play a part so whip fishing, and a short line long pole approach may be needed.

Because the team is unfunded, any successful applicant will be expected to help raise funds or contribute towards the costs themselves.

Last year in Belgium, the team did not make the podium but Dave is convinced that 2016 will see them bounce back to their winning ways as in 2013 when the Ladies won Gold in Slovenia.

All applicants must have individual membership of the Angling Trust and the closing date for submissions is March 31st.  Please post or email to Sandra Drew, Competitions & Events Manager, Angling Trust, Strelley Hall, Nottingham. NG8 6PE, or email; sandra.drew@anglingtrust.net

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

Tadworth carper Chris Bailey who only joined the Specimen Carp Club on Saturday, decided to fish the night and was rewarded for his efforts with a monster 36 lb Mirror. Chris fished the shallow water between the islands in front of peg 3 and tempted the fish on a Cell wafter which he fished in conjuction with a PVA bag filled with crushed pellet.

Harry Krishnan from Carshalton also fished Temple at the weekend breaking his PB with a superb 35 lb mirror known as 'The Sargeant'. Harry fished the nearside margin from peg 9 and used a cocktail of red maggot and corn on the hook over some dead maggots.

Harry's previous PB from Temple was 34lbs 2oz which he caught in November 2014.

With the mild weather set to continue Spring is almost here, so expect to see further Temple lumps reported!

Source: Bury Hill Fisheries

Representatives of four police forces – Northumbria, Durham, Cleveland and North Yorkshire – and senior fisheries officers from the Environment Agency, Northumbrian Water, the Tyne Rivers Trust, the Wear Rivers Trust and the Angling Trust have agreed to work together to help tackle the problem.

It follows a meeting in Newcastle upon Tyne co-ordinated by Giles Evans, Angling Trust’s Regional Enforcement Manager for the North East, highlighting the link between fisheries-related crimes and other forms of crime, such as wildlife, rural, business, organised and hate.

Giles explained how multi-agency partnership work involving the Fisheries Enforcement Support Service and the Voluntary Bailiff Service was making a difference in other parts of the country. These initiatives form part of a contract from the Environment Agency won by the Angling Trust and funded by the income from angling rod licences.

The new partnership in the North East will extend Operation Traverse – a multi-agency agreement already operating in East Anglia and East Midlands to clamp down on illegal fishing, poaching and other fisheries-related crime – and will formally be rolled out before April 1st.

Dilip Sarkar MBE, Angling Trust’s National Enforcement Manager, said: “This is excellent work to build on the existing partnership approach in the North East  that is also happening elsewhere in England.

“This is all about a shared responsibility and working together with a bigger picture very much in mind. Building on the success of the Environment Agency local enforcement team and partners, this is an exciting development, further protecting fish and fisheries in North East England, contributing to both the Rural Crime Strategy and the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit’s ‘Project Poacher’, aimed at raising awareness of the wider criminality connected with poaching in all its forms.

“The Angling Trust and the Environment Agency very much welcome the support of our partners and look forward to working together on Operation Traverse in particular.”

Chief Inspector Martin Sims, Head of the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit, added that “with an increasing amount of stakeholders working together on a more coordinated basis, there is a real chance that fishery crime, poaching, wildlife crime and other related criminal activity has more chance of being tackled effectively. I look forward to the on-going collaboration arising from this very positive energy.”

Giles Evans said: “I am really pleased that Operation Traverse will be rolled out in the North East. There was genuine desire among everyone involved to make this a success.”

Dave Edwardson, Environment Agency Enforcement Team Leader, added: “We have enjoyed considerable success working with police and others over the years to combat illegal fishing. This new initiative is very welcome, reinforcing and extending the partnership approach and securing ongoing protection for our freshwater fisheries.”

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

This time the Veterans will travel to the Czech Republic in a bid to retain the double gold they won in Cabecao, Portugal last year. The £1,800 raised from the two events held in 2015 was a tremendous help towards the cost of competing and the squad would like to thank everybody concerned for their contributions.

Once again this year's competition will be fished on the same lines as last year's event with 40 anglers per side fishing against each other on a total weight basis.

The Red Rose team will be managed by Danny Sixsmith and the White Rose team by Dick Clegg, OBE, both of whom are now recruiting members in a bid to win this second event.

Entry for each 5 hour match will be £25 which includes pools and there will be a raffle each day with lots of prizes to be won.

Last year the Lancastrians easily won at Partridge Lakes but the Yorkies bounced back with victory at Lindholme so there is everything to fish for in 2016.

The two fisheries concerned are amongst the best in the country and everyone can expect some fantastic catches. The Lindholme event is a week before a Fish ‘O’ Mania competition and should attract anglers practising for that match. Remember you don't have to live in Lancashire or Yorkshire to join up, anyone can take part.

Thanks to Neil Grantham at Lindholme and David Ikin at Partridge for their help in the use of their fisheries for our fund raiser.

• 1st Match: Wednesday 6th April  Lindholme Lakes Draw 9am, fish 11am to 4pm
• 2nd Match: Wednesday 4th May  Partridge Lakes  Draw 9am, fish 11am to 4pm

  Contact;
Red Rose team manager Danny Sixsmith  07917 320244
White Rose team manager Dick Clegg OBE 07534 267512

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News

World Championships 2016, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 18/19th September:

The team has previously fished this venue and secured a silver medal.

At present, nobody knows the species they will be fishing for, as in the winter the venue is sometimes drained and re-stocked.

The venue is a 2,000m rowing course and with up to 40 teams competing both banks will be used.

Team England scraped home with a bronze medal last year winning the second day in Slovenia, so team managers have stuck to the same squad.

Alan Scotthorne
Will Raison
Sean Ashby
Des Shipp
Steve Hemingray
Callum Dicks

European Championships, Almere Canal, Holland, 23/24 July:

A notoriously difficult venue which saw the Russians scoop gold here in the Worlds six years ago.

Bream and roach are the predominant species, but they are not evenly spread. This year the two England managers are adopting a different approach.

The team will consist of 3 senior squad members,
Will Raison
Alan Scotthorne
Sean Ashby

Joining them will be 4 of the next generation of young England hopefuls;
Lee Kerry
Matt Godfrey
Matt Derry
Cameron Hughes

All four have a wealth of experience fishing across Europe at both Club and International level (U18s and U23s) plus all shone in last year's 4 nations event in Newry Ireland where Matt Derry and Cameron Hughes made the top 3.

Matt Godfrey was unlucky last year. He was named in the squad for the Europeans in Belarus but England ended up not travelling because of the difficult border crossings.

Lee Kerry is also included after great performances in the World Clubs events for Barnsley.

Four Nations Championships

At the moment England look like hosting the event, this team will be named once the full go-ahead for the event is given

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News