Angling

The Angling Trust has announced the England squad that will head to Slovenia to compete in the 14th FIPSed Coarse Angling World Championships for U25’s on the 6th and 7th August 2022.

The competition will be held on the River Sava in Slovenia, a fast flowing river with depths up to 20ft. England’s management team are familiar with the venue and anticipate a wide range of skills will be required to be competitive, big flat floats at one end of the scale down to whip fishing for bleak at 3 metres.

The team was selected following a trial event which was held on the River Wye in Hereford, prospective team members were assessed under the watchful eye of team manager Mark Downes and former u25 world number one Rory Jones.

Following the trial Mark Downes and Darren Bickerton selected the experienced trio of Andrew Cranston, Jordan Holloway and Josh Newman, while Owen Robinson and Dean Jaques have been rewarded for their progress in recent years and receive their first international call up.

Manager Mark Downes said:

“We had a great session on the Wye and we learned a lot about the anglers. The secret of  the Sava is accurate feeding and presentation. The lads now know what to expect and I am sure they will all be putting in the time and practice that is needed to hit this venue full on.

“Thanks to Rory for all of the help he gave the lads on the day, I am sure they will all be trying to emulate his great youth international achievements.”

England are ranked number two in the world and a strong performance in Slovenia will see them close the gap on current world number one France.

‘Keep us fishing’ is the Christmas message to Government ministers from the Angling Trust following the refusal of the Health Secretary, Saijid Javid, to rule out further Covid restrictions or even a fourth lockdown as is occurring right now in parts of Europe.

Angling Trust CEO Jamie Cook has written to senior members of the Government, including Michael Gove and the Secretaries of State for Environment, the Cabinet Office and Culture, Media and Sport, to remind them of how angling continued successfully and safely through the last two lockdowns and to press for similar treatment should new restrictions be introduced.

Speaking to the BBC on Sunday morning, the Health Secretary made clear that he did not rule out new coronavirus measures before Christmas – saying there are “no guarantees” in the pandemic.

In his letter to ministers, Jamie Cook said of previous lockdowns:

“We were pleased that the Government agreed to permit and encourage individual outdoor recreation to continue so that those who were initially restricted in the first lockdown could once again participate in individual, socially distanced outdoor recreational activity. This delivered huge benefits to those whose recreation is not narrowly confined to running, walking or cycling. Experience has shown that socially distanced outdoor recreation such as angling is a safe and responsible activity and that its continuation does not contribute to the spread of infection.”

He added:

“Whatever decisions you have to make in the coming weeks we urge you to allow angling to continue for all the reasons set out above and in the attached report. We stand ready to guide our sport through these difficult times in a safe and responsible manner as we have done throughout.”

Back in February, as the government prepared its stepped approach to easing lockdown provisions, the Angling Trust submitted it’s ‘Fishing out of Lockdown’ paper outlining the advantages of keeping people engaged in angling and the measures that were taken to keep people safe and to ensure that our sport delivers economic and social benefits and makes a significant contribution to improving mental health outcomes.

The paper, which has been resubmitted to ministers, outlines other reasons for permitting angling to continue including:

• a largely solitary sport where social distancing occurs naturally
• proven benefits for mental health and physical well-being
• appealing to people of all ages and backgrounds
• evidence that non-contact outdoor activities will not increase infection rates
• a reduction in pressure on other public open spaces

Martin Salter, Head of Policy at the Angling Trust said:

“Angling has proved both popular and beneficial throughout this dreadful pandemic with more people getting closer to nature and enjoying a safe, healthy and naturally socially distanced activity within Covid secure guidelines. While other sports like golf were locked down, anglers were able to get out in the open air presenting no risk to themselves or anyone else. The Angling Trust is determined to do what we can to ensure that this remains the case through the difficult period that lies ahead.”

NEW: Winter Fishing Campaign to run from
Friday 17th December 2021 to Sunday January 2nd 2022

Registration for a FREE fishing licence is open now at
www.anglingtrust.net/takeafriendfishing

December and January are a fantastic time of year to get outdoors and enjoy some time next to the water. Taking a friend or family member for a winter fishing trip is the ideal opportunity to catch-up at Christmas.

Getting outside in the countryside is a great way to relax and lower the stress level during what can be a busy time of year for many people. Angling is the perfect fit for staying active outdoors, and with physical activity playing a vital role in both our physical and mental wellbeing, a fishing trip with a mate or family member means you can stay active, and fish safely.

At this time of year there are still loads of fisheries, lakes, stretches or river and canal open all over the country that are perfect to visit even in colder weather, and a catch-up with a friend can easily be combined with a quick ‘Take a Friend Fishing trip’.

The free fishing licence will be sent with a confirmation email, so please remember to have the angler’s fishing licence and both people’s email addresses plus a few other details handy when you pre-register to Take a Friend Fishing.

Registration is open now so that anglers and their friends who want to get a date between 17th December and 2nd January (inclusive) booked in advance can visit www.anglingtrust.net/takeafriendfishing to register for the FREE fishing licence.

The Take a Friend Fishing campaign is a partnership between the Angling Trust, Environment Agency and Angling Trades Association – it’s designed to give more people the chance to get into fishing.

Following a relaunch in 2020, and despite the challenges of national lockdowns, over 6,000 people have taken part in Take a Friend Fishing these past two years. The initiative will show people it’s still just as easy to get into angling, especially with a friend to show you how, and a free fishing licence from the Environment Agency usually worth £6.

Clive Copeland, Head of Participation at the Angling Trust, said “Winter fishing holds special memories for me – I’m reminded of family get-togethers where it was always my goal to get out pike fishing with my brother and mates, no matter what! Because last winter was so restricted, I’m now determined to make the most of what feels like a reinvigorated approach to the outdoors and all the benefits of spending time doing what we all now know is good for us. That is; being outside, noticing nature, taking time to appreciate how fishing is so easy to show a friend or relative, and now, is even easier with a free fishing licence during Take a Friend Fishing Winter 2021.”

Heidi Stone, Environment Agency Fisheries Partnerships Manager, said: “Angling is a sport to be enjoyed all year round, so we’re delighted to see that Take a Friend Fishing is back for the winter. Despite the colder weather, angling is a perfect opportunity to get outside into the fresh air, reconnect with nature and stay active.

“Getting to grips with fishing alongside an experienced angler is a great way to learn. We hope that anglers will have an opportunity to head out to the bank with a friend over the festive period.”

Andrew Race, Chairman of the Angling Trades Association (ATA), added: “The fact that we have yet another window of opportunity for the Take a Friend Fishing programme speaks volumes about the level of stakeholder commitment to growth of the industry. Angling Trades Association along with the Angling Trust and Environment Agency are fully committed to angling growth and promotion of the health benefits it brings. I for one am looking forward to going fishing in the run up to Christmas and a day out fishing is the ideal gift for a friend or family member. Angling is something that doesn’t cost the earth, improves mental health and connects people to the environment at a time when awareness is paramount.”

The new Take a Friend Fishing offer runs from Friday December 17th to Sunday January 2nd. That means that during the festive period there are three weekends to take a friend fishing, including Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year – traditional dates for a get-together.

This December look out for reminders that there are free fishing licences available to make long lasting memories of this wintertime together out on the bank.

For more information and to get a free one-day fishing licence to Take a Friend Fishing, fishing licence holding anglers just need to go to www.anglingtrust.net/takeafriendfishing and provide some simple contact details including their fishing licence number and the date of the fishing trip.

Members of the Angling Trust’s Voluntary Bailiff Service have continued to help protect fish and fisheries during the Covid-19 crisis, carrying out 2,649 patrols during the recent national lockdown and reporting 124 incidents of illegal fishing and wider crime to the Environment Agency and Police.

They also carried out 38 joint patrols with the EA and 17 with the Police.

During the lockdown, which ran from 4th January to 29th March, 201 Volunteer Bailiffs were able to patrol their local waterways. Anglers have been able to continue to go fishing locally during the lockdown, thanks to the success of the Angling Trust’s When We Fish Again campaign.

Nino Brancato, Angling Trust National Enforcement Support Manager, said: “The fact that fishing was allowed to continue in Lockdown 3 is down to the action of the vast majority of anglers who behaved in a responsible manner during the previous lockdowns, and the campaigning efforts of the Angling Trust. Covid -19 breaches amongst anglers were rare, with only a few cases being brought to our attention.”

Heidi Stone, Environment Agency Fisheries Manager, said: “The vast majority of people fish with a licence but there will always be some who try to fish illegally. I’m pleased to see continued collaborative efforts by our enforcement officers and the Voluntary Bailiff Service. Sharing intelligence and carrying out joint patrols significantly helps protect income that we re-invest directly back into angling. This funds vital improvements to ensure we can offer the best possible service to all anglers and those looking to try out the sport.”

Incidents of illegal fishing should be reported to the Environment Agency incident number 0800 80 70 60 or the Police on 101 to report a crime that does not require an emergency response or 999 to report a crime in progress.

The Voluntary Bailiff Service is part of the Angling Trust’s Fisheries Enforcement Support Service, which is funded from freshwater fishing licence money as part of the National Angling Strategic Services contract with the Environment Agency.

Image courtesy of https://anglingtrust.net/

The Angling Trust is pleased that the Government has confirmed the resumption of grassroots sports from today (Wednesday, 2nd December) but disappointed that the Government’s travel  guidance has not included sport or outdoor recreation as an acceptable reason to leave or enter a Tier 3 area. This means their much vaunted pledge to allow the resumption of grassroots sports in all tiers has turned out to be rather hollow.

By not including travel for sport, thousands of sporting enthusiasts, covering around a third of the country, could find themselves unable to compete in regional competitions or national qualifiers for fear of breaching the Covid travel guidelines. Both the Angling Trust and England Golf have written to DCMS Secretary of State Oliver Dowden calling for the travel advice to be amended.

In a recent Government press statement Oliver Dowden said:

“This is a big step forward for sport. Bringing grassroots sport back was my number one priority so I’m pleased we are reopening sports and gyms in every tier, in recognition of the significant health benefits.”

The reality is for residents in Tier 3 areas that their return to grassroots sport is confined within their own local authority areas making many competitive activities, which require an element of travel, simply unviable. The Government’s current travel guidance states:

“…avoid travelling to other parts of the UK, including for overnight stays other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities.”

The amendment suggested by the Angling Trust and England Golf would add the words [organised sport and outdoor recreation] which would include match fishing and golf tournaments.

Whilst club matches and open competitions can run in all tiers, the Government’s new shifting system of tiered restrictions makes it unviable to run national competitions fairly without falling foul of the travel guidance against entering or leaving a Tier 3 area. Qualifying matches could only continue for competitors in Tiers 1 and 2 which would be unfair. Even if special Tier 3 qualifiers were organised, these would be restricted to local authority areas with a Tier 3 designation which are subject to a review every two weeks, making forward planning impossible. Unless the travel guidance is changed, qualifying for a national final from Tier 3 would be pointless since these competitors would technically be unable to leave their area to take part.

The Angling Trust Winter Leagues are part way through but the current travel restrictions make many of these problematic due to the wide areas from which the teams are drawn. However, should circumstances and Government guidance change it may be possible to resume the programme.

Martin Salter, Head of Policy at the Angling Trust commented:

“The Government clearly hasn’t thought this through properly as it’s a nonsense to think that competitive grassroot sports, like golf, angling and many others, can operate properly if confined within tightly drawn local council boundaries. It’s one thing being restricted to an entire county but quite another if people are told they shouldn’t leave a built up urban area to take part in a safe, socially distanced sport like fishing.

“You can’t have many grassroots sports without grass and we certainly can’t expect anglers in these areas to welcome or respect travel guidance that is illogical and unfair. For many outdoor sports people in Tier 3 the new regime is actually worse than the recent lockdown.”

Jamie Cook, Angling Trust Chief Executive, said:

“I want to be clear that Club and Open matches remain entirely permissible within all three tiers. However, in common with other responsible national governing sporting bodies the Angling Trust cannot be seen at this time to be organising events which would result in travel into and out of Tier 3 areas. And we certainly cannot continue to run national competitions culminating in a final where qualifiers from a third of the country could not attend. This would be monstrously unfair.

“Therefore, it is with regret that I must announce the suspension of all national Angling Trust competitions for two months or until travel guidance is amended, when the situation will be reviewed. This aligns with the new tier restrictions which expire on February 3rd.”

The Angling Trust will be contacting all participants and automatically roll over all ticket monies for postponed events or offer refunds where cancellations prove to be permanent. A review in early February of a hopefully improving situation would allow for the resumption of the Winter Leagues, Silverfish, Pike Championships and Fishomania. We will continue to review our programme of competition and update our competition pages with any events we are able to run compliantly.”

Andre Grandjean, Chairman of the AT Coarse Competitions Committee, said:

“The AT Competitions Committee have discussed this at length since the new tiers and restrictions were announced and we are in agreement that it would be totally irresponsible to continue with running matches that may encourage participants to travel across Tier 3 boundaries.  It was also considered grossly unfair on many, that matches in Tiers 1 and 2 could go ahead and matches in Tier 3 were either restricted or cancelled.  Therefore, we have come to the only rational and fairest conclusion possible and that is to postpone all Angling Trust matches until we can see a clearer path ahead.

“Match fishing is permitted in all areas on a local basis, you can still compete in the sport we all love. Take care and stay safe.”

Following the Government’s announcement at 12.30pm today, the Angling Trust is pleased that the government has not sought to place further restrictions on healthy outdoor activities such as angling.

Through our ‘When We Fish Again’ campaign earlier in the year we demonstrated to ministers that by following sensible COVID-19 guidelines anglers could enjoy their sport in a safe and responsible manner.

We have been delighted with the response from angling clubs, fisheries and the wider angling community and it’s important that nothing is done that would damage our reputation for acting sensibly and in the wider public interest.

Jamie Cook, CEO of the Angling Trust added:

“We are still fishing and there’s no reason why that won’t continue as long as anglers remember to follow the Angling Trust COVID-19 guidance and remember to be careful and protect each other and our sport. By working effectively and responsibly the Angling Trust has ensured that angling is seen as part of the solution and not the problem – let’s keep it that way. “

The latest Angling Trust COVID-19 guidance for all anglers from every discipline can be found at the Angling Support Hub section of our website here.  The latest COVID-19 information from the Fishing In Wales website can be found here.