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Fishing Republic Renews Partnership with Angling Trust in Milestone Anniversary Year

written by Hugh

Leading tackle retailer Fishing Republic has renewed its partnership with the Angling Trust in its 40th anniversary year – reaffirming a shared commitment to developing and protecting the future of angling across the UK.

Founded in 1985, Fishing Republic has become a household name among anglers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. With more than 60 stores located inside GO Outdoors, Fishing Republic plays a unique and powerful role in introducing fishing to families and individuals who otherwise might not think about heading to a tackle shop.

“Having a mainstream outdoors retailer dedicating so much space to angling is a huge benefit to the sport,” said Jamie Cook, CEO of the Angling Trust.

“If you’re not from a fishing background or don’t have a family connection to the sport, a visit to a GO Outdoors store with a Fishing Republic department might be the first time you see a wide range of tackle and bait – and the first spark of inspiration to go fishing. Fishing Republic not only serves existing local anglers, they help grow participation, too.”

As part of their renewed partnership, Fishing Republic continues to support the Angling Trust’s wide-ranging work – from grassroots club development to national campaigns for cleaner rivers and healthy fish stocks.

GO Outdoors Marketing Manager Stephanie Mann commented: “We continue to support the amazing work that Angling Trust do to protect, promote and develop fishing for all.

“The guidance they give to grass roots angling clubs is fantastic, and the campaigning work they lead for clean rivers and healthy fish stocks is inspiring, too. Quite simply, we care about the sport and the future of fishing, which is why we continue to support the Angling Trust in all that they do.”

The partnership also brings tangible benefits to Angling Trust members. All individual members enjoy a 10% in-store discount at Fishing Republic, helping make the sport more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Fishing Republic is located across the UK inside over 60 GO Outdoors stores. To find your nearest location, click here

3rd September 2025 0 comment

Angling

Angling Trust launches Best Practice Guide for Freshwater Angling

written by Hugh

The Angling Trust is proud to announce the launch of the Best Practice Guide for Freshwater Angling – a comprehensive resource designed to promote responsible, sustainable, and safe angling across the UK.

This free, downloadable guide provides anglers of all levels with clear, practical advice on how to care for fish, protect the environment, support fellow anglers, and follow legal and safety guidelines.

Produced in collaboration with major angling organisations, including Tenchfishers, The Grayling Society, and the Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain, the guide is built around six core principles:

Care for the fish you catch.
Appreciate and protect the environment.
Help other anglers and encourage newcomers.
Treat everyone with respect.
Follow the rules and always fish legally.
Fish safely and follow health and safety guidance.

The guide includes expert tips on fish handling, unhooking techniques, safe rig use, water temperature awareness, and biosecurity. It also highlights the importance of community involvement, environmental stewardship, and legal compliance.

Jamie Cook, CEO of the Angling Trust, said:

“This guide is a vital step forward in ensuring that freshwater angling continues to thrive in a way that respects fish welfare, cares for the environment, and welcomes new generations to the sport.

“There’s also great advice on ways that anglers can get involved in protecting the waters we love to fish, such as organising litter picks with fellow anglers, recycling discarded line through the Anglers National Line Recycling Scheme or getting your club involved in water quality monitoring through our Anglers Against Pollution campaign.

“Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, this guide is for you.”

Andy Horwood, Scientific Officer of The Perchfishers, said:

“The Perchfishers were delighted to be involved in the creation of such an important new document that helps protect our valuable fish stocks. Our members are passionate about perch in particular, but they care about all fish species. Hence, our organisation’s concern for the environment and how fish are caught and handled. Fish are fishing’s most valuable resource, and are too valuable to be caught just once. We appreciate the Angling Trust for producing such an outstanding, comprehensive new guide for all anglers.”

Pat Dower, Chairman of the Tenchfishers, commented:

“The Best Practice Guide is a great resource for both experienced anglers and ones starting their fishing journey. Importantly, the needs of all the differing species are covered, too. Well done to the Angling Trust!”

The Angling Trust wishes to thank the following societies for their support and advice in producing the guide:

Association of Crucian Anglers
The Carp Society
Catfish Conservation Group
Chub Study Group
The Grayling Society
Lure Anglers Society
Tenchfishers
The National Anguilla Club
The Perchfishers
Pike Angling Club of Great Britain
Wild Carp Trust
Zander Anglers’ Club

The Best Practice Guide for Freshwater Angling can be downloaded here

2nd August 2025 0 comment

Angling

Three British record fish claims ratified

written by Hugh

The British Record (rod-caught) Fish Committee (BRFC) met on 23rd June 2025 at the Natural History Museum, London.

Present were: Stephen Mardlin MBE (Chairman), Andy Nellist (Vice-Chairman), James Maclaine (Scientific Advisor, Natural History Museum), Nigel Hewlett (Freshwater Scientific Advisor), Paul Edwards (Wales Game Angling Representative), Oliver Crimmen (Marine Specialist), Paul Coulson (Freshwater Specialist) and Nick Simmonds (Secretary).

Mr David Craig (Ireland Sea Angling Representative), Mr Mat Mander (Marine Specialist) and Dr Phill Williams (Marine Specialist) participated remotely via online connection.

Apologies for absence were received from: Mr Tim Froome and Mr Richard Poole.

The committee considered and accepted the following record claims as being duly ratified:

Barbel (Barbus barbus), caught by James Crosby on 30th November 2024 from King’s Weir fishery on the River Lea and ratified at a weight of 22lb exactly. James’s capture is a great example of grabbing an unexpected opportunity. James was only able to go fishing as the result of a last-minute cancelled social engagement and he made the most of ideal fishing conditions to bank his new British record barbel.

Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) – shore-caught – by Michael Johnson on 25th February 2025 from Salcombe estuary, South Devon. Mike’s fish takes the vacant slot for a shore-caught halibut and the weight was ratified at 6lb and 12 drams. Mike also holds the shore-caught thornback ray record, also taken from Salcombe, in 2008, so he joins a very small number of anglers who hold two British records concurrently.

Tope (Galeorhinus galeus) – shore-caught – by Gareth Griffiths on 12th May 2025 from Stackpole Quay in Pembrokeshire and ratified at 86lb 13oz. This was angling guide Gareth’s fourth tope of over 70lb and topped a day when he also caught tope of 51lb and 56lb.

________________________________________

The BRFC would like to remind its correspondents of the introduction of length-based record listings for sea fish, information about which was circulated in the BRFC’s press release of 25th June 2024 and which may be found here: BRFC introduction of length-based listings

The BRFC will shortly be adding qualifying lengths for claims for length-based records to the current sea fish record listings and encourages anglers to submit claims for length-based records.

_________________________________________

The next meeting of the BRFC was scheduled for 28th November 2025.

9th July 2025 0 comment

Angling

Covid Update: Angling Trust guidelines for fishing in Tier 4

written by Hugh

New Covid Guidance for Tier 4 in England was issued on 19th December 2020, following the Prime Minister’s announcement, and the regulations were published the following day. We have taken advice and can provide these formal Angling Trust guidelines for the benefit of anglers, angling clubs and fisheries who now find themselves in a Tier 4 area or who have fisheries in multiple tiers. All national governing bodies are tasked by Sport England with this responsibility.

In drawing up these guidelines we have examined carefully what is specified in the regulations and what remains as government advice. However, we urge all anglers to act within the spirit of the collective battle against this dreadful Coronavirus which is having such a devastating impact on our lives, our economy and our NHS. We are fortunate that even under Tier 4 restrictions angling remains a permitted activity. It is important that as anglers we continue to practice our sport safely and responsibly and maintain social distancing at all times.

The Tier 4 regulations are broadly similar to the 2nd national lockdown in that it is an offence to leave home without a ‘reasonable excuse’. Among the 16 categories set out is the provision for ‘Exercise and Recreation’. More specifically ‘outdoor recreation’ in parks, countryside and outdoor public spaces with one other person, not in your household or support bubble. It is under this provision that angling remains a permissible activity and a ‘reasonable excuse’ to be outside of your home. Once again no time limits have been placed on how long you can fish, although you should return home at the end of your trip.

As in the national lockdown, the Government have banned virtually all grass roots sporting competitions in Tier 4 areas. So unfortunately, and regardless of the ability to run angling competitions with no form of ‘gathering’, the new regulations mean that any form of competition including more than two people from different households is prohibited.

The Government have made clear in their guidance, rather than in regulation, that they do not wish to see travel into or out of Tier 4 areas and we encourage anglers to respect this, notwithstanding the obvious anomalies where a County boundary might divide a fishery or separate a club carpark from the water it serves.

The guidance states that you can leave home for the purpose of: “spending time or exercising outdoors. This should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel a short distance within your Tier 4 area to do so if necessary (for example, to access an open space)”. We want anglers to continue to enjoy their fishing safely but please do so as locally as possible whatever tier you are living in.

Full Government Guidance here

Please be aware that the new Tier 4 regulations give a specific power to police constables and police support officers (PCSOs), where they ‘consider that a person is outside the place where they are living’ in contravention of the restriction on movement, to ‘direct that person to return to the place where they are living’. So even if commonsense dictates that visiting your local fishery situated just outside your Tier 4 area is more sensible than driving a further distance in the opposite direction it is possible that a police officer may take a different view. Failure to comply with a direction could make you liable for a fine.

Jamie Cook, Angling Trust & Fish Legal CEO, said:

“The Angling Trust is pleased to see that, despite the severity of the situation, Ministers have recognised the value of allowing people to continue to pursue safe, beneficial and naturally socially distanced outdoor activities such as angling and golf. Throughout this pandemic outdoor recreation has been a lifesaver for many and we know that the safest place to spend time is outside in the fresh air and as far away from other people as possible.”

IMPACTS ON ANGLING IN TIER 4

Outdoor recreation remains a ‘reasonable excuse’ to leave your home so going fishing locally with one other, outside of your household or support bubble, is permissible.
The regulations are a return to lockdown in Tier 4 meaning no sporting gatherings including fishing matches.
Travelling to fish should be local ‘wherever possible’ and entering or leaving a Tier 4 area is actively discouraged within government guidance.
Tackle shops and other stores can still remain open to operate a click and collect service.
Outdoor facilities such as fisheries can remain open.
No time limits have been placed on outdoor recreation so night fishing remains permissible, as previously confirmed in writing by both DEFRA and DCMS.
Voluntary or paid fishery management work, including bailiffing and maintenance work, remain a legitimate reason to leave home.
Charter boats can continue to operate in Tier 4 areas but with only one client.
Angling coaching and guiding can continue to operate in Tier 4 areas but with only one client.
The police have powers of direction to order people in breach of the regulations: ‘to return to the place where they are living’.

You can download a copy of these Tier 4 guidelines here.

The rules for Tiers 1, 2 & 3 remain in place and can befound here.

You can download and store on your mobile a copy of our ‘Angling and the Law in England under Covid rules’ – useful to refer to if challenged on travel or night fishing.

Details of Covid restrictions and how they affect angling in Wales can be found here.

29th December 2020 0 comment

Angling

Angling Trust submits proposal to allow game fishing competitions under COVID-19 rules

written by Hugh

The Angling Trust has put forward proposals to gain agreement for game fishing competitions to resume in compliance with the Government’s Covid-19 guidance on organised gatherings and sporting events.

It follows the announcement on Tuesday (May 19th) that the Trust has been working with leading anglers and fisheries in the coarse match fishing community to deliver proposed best practice guidelines for the safe resumption of competitions in England whilst adhering to Covid-19 requlations. Guidance on saltwater competitions is also been developed with stakeholders in the marine fishing community to ensure that the nuances of each discipline are fully reflected.

The Angling Trust has produceed best practice guidelines for game fishing competitions with input from leading game anglers and game fisheries.

The current Government guidance states:

The limit on gatherings – no more than two, unless members of the same household – means that it is unlikely to be possible to organise amateur events or competitions at this time. The Government is clear that sports participation should be restricted to participants exercising by themselves, or with members from their same household, or a minimum of two metres apart from one member of another household, observing social distancing guidelines. Venues are advised to display signs to this effect. The police have been given powers to enforce these measures.

Some competition organisers have argued that because game angling competitions can be arranged without any form of gathering of more than two persons and that individual competitors will always be at 2 metres distance, it is possible to comply with the Government’s coronavirus guidance. The Angling Trust is seeking formal clarification from the Police and Government and have submitted the new best practice guide for game fishing competitions in support of their case.

John Horsey, England’s most capped international angler, said:

“The Angling Trust has been exemplary in helping to reopen angling in a safe and responsible manner. Competition angling provides a platform for innovation and new techniques, as well as an opportunity to pit our skills not just against the fish, but against our fellow anglers. The social side of the sport is also very important. Once the Government gives the go ahead for larger gatherings to take place, this latest initiative by the Angling Trust will form the basis for running our fly fishing competitions safely and responsibly.”

Ifor Jones, of Fishery Management Draycote-Eyebrook-Thornton, called the Angling Trust best practice guidelines “a sensible approach to ensure, when the times comes, we can return to competitive fly fishing on our reservoirs not only from the bank but also from the boats.”

Ben Thompson, Senior Competitions & Performance Manager, Angling Trust, said:

“We recognise the importance of match fishing to competitive game anglers and we share the desire to reintroduce competitions at the earliest opportunity. However, the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in the participation and delivery of competitions is of paramount importance and therefore it is essential competitions are compliant with government legislation and guidelines. We believe we have developed a framework that demonstrates how fly fishing competitions can be safety reintroduced and look forward to the resumption of competitive fly fishing when it is safe to do so.”

Consultation with insurance brokers has suggested that due to the Government’s guidance on organised gatherings and sporting events it is likely that insurers would not cover fisheries or organisers who were found to be running competitions at this time. Therefore it is crucial that agreement is received from the appropriate authorities to provide a safe and compliant route towards the resumption of competitions.

The Angling Trust’s best practice document has been presented to Sport England and the Government.

Jamie Cook, Angling Trust’s CEO, said:

“Whilst sports are restricted to participation with no more than one other individual we are confident that angling competitions can be conducted without breaching social distancing guidance. We believe our best practice guidelines show how this is safely achievable and we are working on behalf of competition anglers of all disciplines to ensure that when the Government deem it appropriate they have a clear blueprint for the resumption of competitive angling.

“I want to thank the many game anglers and fisheries who have taken responsible action and particularly those who have offered constructive input. As the organiser of 360 competitions per year, the Angling Trust focus is on ensuring a return to regular match fishing as soon as we can do so in accordance with Government guidelines.”

Useful links:

Best Practice Guidelines for Competition Game Fishing under COVID-19

Angling Trust’s Angling Support Hub

22nd May 2020 0 comment