THE Environment Agency has just stocked ten of thousands of fish to help river sport for 2018.
Biggest stocking was 34,781 chub, dace and roach stocked into the River Leadon in Gloucestershire.
And a big boost went to the River Cut at Jocks Lane recreation ground in Bracknell, Berkshire, following its recovery from recurrent pollutions. It included 1,700 chub, 1,000 dace, 1,000 roach and 300 tench.
They also stocked 250 specially marked barbel to the Rowley DAS section of River Severn at Coalport, Shropshire, as part of a scientific study.
Alan Henshaw, fisheries team leader at the EA said: “Our rivers have improved dramatically in water quality over the last 30 years and our annual restocking from Calverton has boosted natural fish stocks, benefiting rivers and lakes across England.
“All of this work is funded by money from rod licence sales to protect and improve fish stocks.”
GOT SOME NEWS OR CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could appear in the brilliant weekly magazine.
MATT SWAN has had limited time to fishing this season due to work pressures but has enjoyed a great season on Cambridgeshire’s Monks Pit and topped it off with this lake record 55 lb mirror carp, known as Porky.
The 29-year-old Nash field tester from Leicester said: “It’s been my first season on Monks and I couldn’t wait to start my limited time campaign.
“My season got off to a flier, catching fish on every available session boosted my confidence and in turn, I fished better each and every time.
“I had caught 48 fish in 25 nights prior to this session so was full of confidence despite it being -1 and the frost was crunching beneath my feet and the pit was similar to a mill pond.
“My first fish was a 37 lb 2 oz stunning mirror and a very welcomed capture.
“I was then looking at a picture of ‘Porky’ which is the biggest fish in the lake and has previously broke that magnificent 50 lb barrier.
“The evening came and went with very little action other than a single bleep at 6 am.
“I then a friend rang to check in on my session and I was telling him how I’d had 49 fish in total and joking around I said my 50th fish will be a fifty. We laughed about it and he wished me luck.
“Another uneventful night unfolded, not a single bleep. At 6am a single bleep came through the receiver followed up with a slow and steady take… one of a big fish, I thought. The clutch was slowly ticking away and I lifted into what felt big, very big in fact. The clutch just kept peeling out line and I was struggling to control the fish.
“Eventually I managed to turn the fish, I kept pumping until I gained control. I got the fish back to the margin, it surfaced and I knew I had one hell of a fish on the end but I was never sure of which fish it was. I gained on the fish again, I slipped the net, it’s lips touched the spreader block but it’s tail was still hanging over the net cord.
“I peered over the net, took one proper look and I knew what was going down! Porky is now sulking in my cage and I can’t believe it. I rang my friend for help and within 20 minutes he was in my swim ready to take some pictures.
“The photoshoot felt like nothing else, I struggle to even remember what happened from the time the fish went in the net to the time I slipped her back. It’s all a cloud, a big blur of excitement and I’d like to thank all those that helped and offered congratulations,” added Matt, who offered maggots and Nash Key Cray boilies.
CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could appear in the weekly print magazine.
DAVE NEWMAN beat his PB pike by 15 oz with this 31 lb 13 oz beauty from a small Nottinghamshire gravel pit.
The 38-year-old from Sleaford, Lincolnshire, who works in the construction industry, used a drifted small roach at 4 ft in around 15 ft of water. He added four other predators.
Dave said: “It has been a great season and I have now had three new personal bests including my first zander of 7 lb and a river pike PB of 23 lb 9 oz.”
CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could appear in the weekly magazine.
AN ANGLER nearly died after the bank of a deserted river gave way – but a jogger luckily heard his screams for help.
Mike Drewett (pictured above) was fishing the River Tone at Ham in Somerset when the ground gave way underneath him.
The 63-year-old and machinist from Bridgwater said: “I was stuck in the river for over 90 minutes, saved by the fire brigade after a jogger found me and raised the alarm.
“I was fishing the river alone when the bank gave way throwing me into the water.
“I fished one of my regular pegs, so I knew the swim well. But someone had dug the bank away and thrown out the mud in front of the swim.
“When I started trotting my shadow was being cast on the water. So I decided to set up my chair, and when I went to sit on the chair, the bank gave way, throwing me and the chair in.
“I went in head first and found I was up to my waist in freezing cold water and could not get out due to the height of the bank.
“I could not phone for help as my mobile was in my pocket and was instantly damaged.
“I must have been in the water for 90 minutes when a jogger ran past and heard my shouts for help. He was approximately three-quarters of a mile away but the wind carried my voice and he came to investigate.
“He telephoned 999 and a fire engine was dispatched. It took four fire fighters to pull me out and an ambulance came to check me over.
“Thankfully I only lost my fishing chair, and thermal suit and boots.
“I want people to be aware of the dangers of fishing alone, and especially in such secluded spots but to also ask fellow fishermen to be mindful of their actions when digging the bank.
“I’m now banned from going out on my own to the rivers,” he added.
GOT SOME NEWS OR CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the brilliant weekly Angler’s Mail magazine.
SUBSCRIBE NOW IN THE MAGAZINE JANUARY SALE!
Here’s a new year resolution that makes sense, and is easy to stick to. Subscribe NOW to one of the top January Sale deals online at magazinesdirect.com.
You’ll then get Angler’s Mail print magazine delivered to your door, at discounted rates from just 96p per week!
ONE of the biggest pike of the season has been captured by an angler giving his dad a birthday treat.
The ‘39 lb-plus’ specimen fell to 39-year-old Ben Booth using a Savage Gear small eel lure at Cambridgeshire’s massive Grafham Water. It doubled his previous PB which was just over 19 lb.
Watford, Hertfordshire-based Ben explained: “I’m usually a carp specialist but had a stinker of a year doing 35 all-night sessions on a new syndicate I had joined… and not landing a single fish!
“So when the colder weather came I got the pike gear out and, as it was my dad’s birthday, decided we would have a change from our usual venue at Blenheim and book a boat at Grafham.
“We did the same last year and blanked but went again in the hope of catching a twenty. Little did I know that I would have the fish of a lifetime, one I will never likely top.
“It was very cold and windy, the temperature never going above 2 degrees but at least fishing lures kept us active.
“We had tried various spots in the day but then noticed a more sheltered bay where the sun was shining and went over there mainly to warm up.
“On only my second cast the fish took but when I struck I thought I might have hooked the bottom as the line went solid and the fish didn’t move.
“She stayed deep for ages and took getting on for 15 minutes to land. By the time I managed to get her in and weigh and release we had drifted close to 400 yards from our original position.
“When we weighed her the scales hovered between 39 lb 8 oz and 12 oz but I said I was more than happy to settle for 39 lb and not worry about ounces.
“We did consider going back to the shore to do a more accurate measurement but after such a long fight I was more interested in helping the fish recover and get her safely back in the water.
“One of the wardens told me after that it was a venue record, the biggest previously being just over 38 lb.
“Sadly my dad didn’t catch at all but he was delighted to have been present to witness my great achievement. We work together in his own air conditioning business, so it was wonderful to share this special moment as well,” Ben concluded.
GOT SOME NEWS OR CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could appear in AM print magazine.
CONCERN about the encroachment of canoes onto fishing venues has been heightened by British Canoeing trying to recruit an ‘access officer’.
AXAEWR canoeists river water sport kayaks training helmet river medway yalding kent. Image shot 11/2007. Exact date unknown.
The job – that pays up to £30,000 a year – is primarily to improve waterway access for canoes and other paddlers.
The role involves managing a team of ‘Waterway Volunteers’ providing guidance to ensure a consistent application of British Canoeing access policy.
This will include organising local access and environmental forums to encourage and engage local paddlers and volunteers to raise concerns and address access issues.
The canoes post based at the National Water Sports Centre, Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham, follows hard on the heels of the Welsh Government consultation on a proposal to have open access to all their rivers.
Mark Lloyd, chief executive of the Angling Trust and Fish Legal responded: “British Canoeing and Canoe Wales are continuing to cause problems for anglers all over the country by suggesting that the law about access is not clear and effectively encouraging members of the public to trespass on private waters.
“The Angling Trust & Fish Legal has spent thousands of pounds on legal advice to demonstrate that the law is clear.
“We have responded robustly to the consultation in Wales which was proposing open access to all rivers.
“We attended government workshops to present evidence of the potential damage to angling from these proposals and helped organise a strong campaign against them with the angling community and supportive MPs and Assembly Members.
“We are hopeful that no legislation will come forward, particularly as the government in Wales is very occupied with Brexit, but there remains a serious threat.
“We need more support from individual anglers if we are to fight this and many other threats to angling as we know and love it,” he added.
A former Environment Agency bailiff, who did not want to be named, said: “This is how Sport England money is being spent. Angling needs a similar role in protecting fisheries to combat such unwarranted intervention.”
GOT VIEWS, NEWS OR HAVE YOU CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the magazine.
SUBSCRIBE NOW IN THE MAGAZINE JANUARY SALE!
Here’s a new year resolution that makes sense, and is easy to stick to. Subscribe NOW to one of the top January Sale deals online at magazinesdirect.com.
You’ll then get Angler’s Mail print magazine delivered to your door, at discounted rates from just 96p per week!
ROACH don't get much better looking that this! Kevin Palmer notched this 2 lb 11 oz redfin to set a new PB - and get himself on the front page of the must-read Angler’s Mail print magazine.
The 37-year-old tempted the giant roach from Hampshire’s River Test… after a lovely day of grayling fishing.
Swindon-based Kevin explained: “After the day trotting for grayling, I decided that I was going to set up a maggot feeder and spend the last hour in a swim that looked good for a roach.
“I was using a size 18 hook with a single red maggot to a 2 lb hooklength, fished to a steady inside run, and had a classic roach bite.
“I connected to what I immediately knew was a large roach.
“After a heart-stopping fight I finally pulled her over the net with a great big yelp of joy,” concluded Kevin.
CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the brilliant Angler’s Mail print magazine.
SUBSCRIBE NOW IN THE MAGAZINE JANUARY SALE!
Here’s a new year resolution that makes sense, and is easy to stick to. Subscribe NOW to one of the top January Sale deals online at magazinesdirect.com.
You’ll then get Angler’s Mail print magazine delivered to your door, at discounted rates from just 96p per week!
THIS could be Britain's fittest veteran angler - and he's about to show what he's made of on a fitness/fishing mission for charities.
At an age when most people are putting their feet up, Fishing 4 Schools founder Charles Jardine and top flight angler is taking on his biggest ever fundraising challenge.
He aims to catch trout in three fisheries in 24 hours that are 60 miles apart…. running between them!
The 65-year-old will start fishing at Clatworthy Reservoir in Somerset at 10 am on March 10, and once he has caught a trout he will run 14 miles to Hawkridge Reservoir where he will catch another one.
Then it will be off on a 46-mile double marathon to the next fishery at Sutton Bingham Reservoir, running through the night in order to net another fish by 10 am on March 11.
Charles, from Downton, Wiltshire, is an international fly angler, who coaches the England Youth Fly Fishing team, and has run the London Marathon three times, but says this is by far and away his biggest challenge.
He will also be running in memory of his beloved constant companion black labrador, Midge, who died recently aged 12.
Charles said: “It offers me the perfect way to celebrate the amazing qualities of a labrador – not just Midge but most of them, and I will need those qualities to complete this.
“To be honest I would rather do this, hurt, suffer and just get behind and shove my sport forwards – the one that I have loved for a lifetime – than, simply just talk or worse just sit idly, shaking my head and doing absolutely nothing. Actions always did speak louder than words.
“This is something that the entire angling community can really get behind – two marathons plus in 24 hours and a bit of fishing in between, what can possibly go wrong?
“It is really scary! I have an expert cartographer on the case, helping me to plot the best route, but it is going to be a very, very long way and I really do not know how long it will take me to run.
“Then there’s the fishing – as any angler knows you never know what to expect when you pick up a rod, so that could also be a challenge.”
Charles continued: “I really believe in what we are trying to do with F4S and Casting for Recovery. Angling can have amazing, restorative results for the young people we work with, many of whom have had really challenging starts in life and find school so difficult.
“We are excited that we have new F4S regions setting up and new schools and groups joining the F4S family – and the results of Casting for Recovery are truly inspirational.
“By sponsoring me you will help ensure that many more people can benefit from these amazing initiatives,” he concluded.
Dubbed The Wessex Water Challenge it will raise funds for Fishing for Schools – the initiative set up by Charles ten years ago, which introduces children to fishing and nature through short courses which are integrated into the National Curriculum.
It will also assist Casting For Recovery, which offers healing fishing retreats to women who have or are recovering from breast cancer.
GOT SOME NEWS OR CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the magazine.
SUBSCRIBE NOW IN THE MAGAZINE JANUARY SALE!
Here’s a new year resolution that makes sense, and is easy to stick to. Subscribe NOW to one of the top January Sale deals online at magazinesdirect.com.
You’ll then get Angler’s Mail print magazine delivered to your door, at discounted rates from just 96p per week!
GARY NEWMAN, the globetrotting big fish ace and former Angler's Mail reporter, had a fantastic trip to Thailand, when he notched his eighth different freshwater species over 100 lb.
During an eight-day session at Gillhams Fishing Resorts, Gary Newman landed 25 Siamese carp.
Eight of them topped the 100lb mark, and he broke his PB several times.
The big fish spree culminated in a monster of 158 lb, in a brace with another of 125 lb.
Gary, 41, from Chesham, Buckinghamshire, explained: “I’ve been after a Siamese over 100 lb for quite some time, as prior to this session I’d caught them up to 96 lb, but since my last trip they have grown a fair bit.
“Things got off to a bad start when I got cut-off on my first bite and someone else caught the fish trailing my line – it was over 12 lb! But things came good later that day when I landed a cracker of 110 lb.
“I ended up moving swim to an area where I was less likely to get cut-off, and the fishing just kept on getting better as I built the swim up by feeding a mixture of Gillhams 8 mm pellets and Mainline Essential Cell Response pellets.
“I broke my PB several times – with fish of 116 lb and 120 lb – and then on the penultimate day I landed one of 110 lb in the morning and in the afternoon I had a giant of 147 lb, which I thought would take a long time to beat.
“But my last day was even better, kicking things off with a ridiculously wide fish of 125 lb, and then around 4pm I had my fifth bite of the day and it turned out to be an absolute monster of 158 lb!
“It had been raining for most of the day and I’d still been recasting my rods every 45-60 minutes, as well as regularly topping the swim up with bait, but it was definitely worth getting soaking wet for!” added the Korda TV production manager.
CAUGHT A BIG FISH OR GOT SOME NEWS? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the magazine.
SUBSCRIBE NOW IN THE MAGAZINE JANUARY SALE!
Here’s a new year resolution that makes sense, and is easy to stick to. Subscribe NOW to one of the top January Sale deals online at magazinesdirect.com.
You’ll then get Angler’s Mail print magazine delivered to your door, at discounted rates from just 96p per week!
ANDY JOHNSON and pal Lee Bennett had a brilliant day on a marina as the main river pushed past as Andy nabbed this 28 lb pike in a great haul.
The Bedworth, Warwickshire-based pair were afloat on the River Thames when they enjoyed the hectic predator spell from the marina.
Andy added others of 23 lb 2 oz, 17 lb 6 oz and 12 lb 10 oz plus a PB perch of 3 lb 8oz as Lee chipped in with two stripys of 2 lb 6 oz each.
Andy explained: “The main river was pushing through and carrying a lot of water.
“My previous PB pike was 21 lb 8 oz so it was great to catch two over that.
“The three smaller pike were taken on float legered sardines in a mid morning feeding spell in 6.5 ft of water.
“We moved and just as I was beginning to think that was it and I went and beat my PB again with the 28-pounder.
“At the end of the day and into the witching hour we decided to have a bash for the perch on some light jigs and we both caught so it was a great end to the day,” he added.
CAUGHT A BIG FISH OR GOT SOME NEWS? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the magazine.
SUBSCRIBE NOW IN THE MAGAZINE JANUARY SALE!
Here’s a new year resolution that makes sense, and is easy to stick to. Subscribe NOW to one of the top January Sale deals online at magazinesdirect.com.
You’ll then get Angler’s Mail print magazine delivered to your door, at discounted rates from just 96p per week!
SPESSY ace Vince Cater teamed up with pal Matthew Tann and had a brilliant dace session on his local Hampshire Avon.
The pair nabbed 18 dace over 10 oz including this brace of 14 oz and 12 oz to Vince.
Corsham, Wiltshire-based Vince added chub to 4 lb in the prolific session.
Vince said: “I met Matt by the river and his face told the story. The river was up and rising, chocolate brown and thundering through.
“On any other day most anglers would have headed for the hills. But with time so precious for both of us – we had booked this session in our diaries weeks ago – we weren’t going to let a little rainwater affect our fishing.
“We walked the river looking for swims that might be fishable and put a plan together dropping in liquidised bread and maggots.
“After an early chub, our baits remained ignored except for a few nuisance trout we were becoming less and less hopeful.
“And then the sky become dark, the wind rose and suddenly there was a loud rumble of thunder above in.
“Things became biblical, we were hit hard by a brief hailstorm, then rain and we could visibly see the river continuing to rise.
“With only a couple of hours of the day left we headed out to the final swim of the a day.
“We were beginning to think about calling it a day, so I decided to try something different. I shallowed my float up to 3 ft and cast into the flow under a bridge, within seconds the float sunk.
“The next 45 minutes were a blur but possibly the finest I’ve ever been part of.
“Between myself and Matt we managed 18 dace over the magical 10 oz , three over 12 oz topped by a huge specimen of 14oz.
“I beat my PB twice in one session. Dreamland,” he concluded.
CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the brilliant weekly print magazine.
MARK CORPS had an interesting session when he tempted four stillwater Atlantic salmon plus tiger trout of 17 lb and 14 lb.
Fishing at Leicestershire’s Palm Springs Fishery, Mark used his own fly invention of a ‘Corps shrimp’ tied on barbless carp hook.
The tigers – a man-made sterile hybrid of a brown and brook trout – were both over the 11 lb 8 oz British record.
Mark enquired about claiming an official best from the British Record Fish Committee but they confirmed they no longer maintain record listings for cultivated fish, so couldn’t consider a claim.
CARP ace Mark Pitchers followed up a 2 lb 9 oz grayling with this stunning brace of 2 lb 13 oz (top) and 2 lb 5 oz.
The 39-year-old carp ace, from Stokesley, North Yorkshire, nabbed the new grayling PB from a local river.
Mark, who was a top match prospect in his youth, said: “These grayling were caught on two consecutive casts. I also landed a 2 lb 1oz a short while later. That makes it five two-pounders in three short day sessions.
“All the fish fell to trotted double red maggot on a size 16 hook tied to 4 lb line beneath a 5AA Avon.
“This is my first winter of fishing for other species, normally I carp fish right through the colder months but I will be fishing for grayling until March. My goal is a 3 lb-plus grayling.
“I have caught big coarse fish whilst carp fishing, albeit by accident, so I’ve never photographed them as it seems like cheating to me if they haven’t been caught by design.
“I’ve caught roach to 3 lb, bream to 17 lb 6 oz and a few years ago I caught a tench of around 13-14 lb from Linear in Oxford.
“That tench remains my biggest regret in angling actually as I unhooked it in the water without weighing or taking a photo,” concluded Mark, whose The Challenge videos are hugely popular on YouTube.
CAUGHT A BIG FISH OR GOT SOME NEWS? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the must-read print magazine.
SUBSCRIBE NOW AT AM MAGAZINE’S SALE PRICE!
There’s still time to subscribe to one of the top Sale deals online at magazinesdirect.com.
You’ll then get Angler’s Mail print magazine delivered to your door, at discounted rates from just 96p per week!
THE first fishing trip of 2018 proved tragically fatal for a young angler who fell into his local canal and drowned.
Canal angler Liam Fairbrother (pictured above) was aged just 20, and from Tamworth, Staffordshire.
He suffered from epilepsy, and is believed to have had a seizure while fishing the Tamworth Canal and he toppled into the water.
A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: “We were called at 1.50pm to the canal following reports of a body in the water. Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service were also called to the scene and a body was pulled from the water.
“There was nothing to suggest that the death was suspicious. There was fishing tackle at the side of the bank that may have belonged to the deceased.
“As there we no suspicious circumstances the matter has been referred to the Coroner’s Office,” he concluded.
Now a Facebook page set up to raise funds for his pregnant fiancée has gone viral amongst the angling community.
The 20-year-old was a keen angler, especially for predators, who liked using traditional tackle, and was a member of several Facebook fishing groups including Pike (Lure) and Predator Fishing UK and Traditional Angling, Retro Tackle (TART).
Jaimie Leigh, Liam’s bereaved fiancée who is only 18, set up the Facebook group ‘Catch A Fish For Liam’ to raise funds for their baby, and to raise awareness about epilepsy.
And it is clearly something that has touched people’s hearts…
In the few days since it was established, over 1,000 members have joined and getting on for 400 photos posted from around the world, including from as far away as Australia, mostly of fish but also of items of tackle being auctioned to raise funds.
Jamie Redfern, from Angling Direct in Sheffield, posted: “A fish for Liam and hope many more to come dude. Amazed at the support on this page for a bloke many of us don’t know or never met but through the brotherhood of just enjoying catching fish. A life cut short but a legacy continued R.I.P Liam. And tip of the cap to the rest of you. Tight lines.”
Members of the TART group have set up a donation page on PayPal which is quickly raising funds.
One of them, Mark Brassington, of Hunstanton, Norfolk, explained: “I had never met Liam, my only contact was through Facebook when I donated him a split cane rod, but he seemed such a genuine guy and it is such a tragic story that we all thought we should try to get the fishing community to do something to help.”
RETIRED Kennie Murray had a lucky escape when he fell into a flooded sidestream during a fishing session.
It is the second case in weeks after angler Mike Drewett was saved by a jogger after falling into the River Tone in Somerset.
Hove, East Sussex-based Kennie (pictured above) was fishing a sidestream or the River Adur run by Henfield AS in West Sussex.
The 70-year-old angler told Angler’s Mail: “My seat gave away in the boggy ground and I somehow slipped backwards into about 7 feet of water.
“I was wearing a full thermal suit and this became waterlogged and started to drag me down in the strong current.
“There was a moment when I said ‘game over’ but I actually shouted ‘I am not ready to go yet’… and managed, God-knows how, to get to the side. I clung on to some nettles and gradually worked my way to a wooden footbridge where I held onto a support and felt a firm bottom underneath me.
“I’m 5 ft 10 in. and the water was about 5 ft and I said to myself I am not going to die. I then suddenly realised I am miles from anywhere and nobody is likely to come along and I couldn’t get out because of the weight of my clothing.
“Luckily my mobile phone was in my fishing bag and I managed to grab my rod by the reel-end and hook my bag towards me with the reel handle.
“I got the phone and, desperately not trying to drop it in the water, called 999 and was then cut off twice as the emergency services were trying to locate my position.
“But due to the brilliance of the operator I was found by two young police officers who pulled me out and probably saved my life.
“I was suffering from hypothermia and had a head injury where I hit my head on the bridge trying to pull myself out and was taken to the hospital where my distraught partner Hayley met me. I think I must have been up to my neck in fast flowing water for over 30 minutes.
“Ironically I wrote a letter to Angler’s Mail a few years back about safety when winter river fishing after a member of Hassocks DAC tragically drowned on the same stretch of river I was fishing.
“It was the scariest moment in my 60 years of being a fisherman and certainly made me think about safety on the bank. One lapse of concentration and I nearly paid the ultimate cost,” concluded Kennie.
CAUGHT A BIG FISH OR GOT SOME NEWS? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the magazine.
SUBSCRIBE NOW IN THE MAGAZINE JANUARY SALE!
There is still time to subscribe to one of the top Sale deals online at magazinesdirect.com.
You’ll then get Angler’s Mail print magazine delivered to your door, at discounted rates from just 96p per week!
FORMER Angler’s Mail carp columnist and then Angling Adventurer Andy Little is having some brilliant chub on his local Hampshire Avon including this 6 lb 15 oz 8 dr beast.
Andy Little, who has just been inducted into the ‘Carp Fishing Hall Of Fame’, said: “I found myself with a couple of hours spare, I was soon looking into a very clear and low Hampshire Avon.
“After a fair bit of walking I settled into a swim that I know quite well where there is usually a decent shoal of chub.
“After 20 minutes drip feeding some maggots I was surprised when the float didn’t bury first trot through. I was fairly sure that the chub were feeding but I couldn’t buy a bite.
“After playing around with the float rig I eventually found a set up that got me a few bites. I ended up with the olivette right beneath the float and no shot down. Bingo!
“Six bites in the next hour and a half ended with me bumping two off but landing fish of 5 lb 8 oz, 5 lb 12 oz 8 dr, 6 lb 2 oz and this donkey of 6 lb15 oz 8 dr.”
CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the must-read print magazine.
SUBSCRIBE NOW IN THE MAGAZINE JANUARY SALE!
There is still time to subscribe to one of the top Sale deals online at magazinesdirect.com.
You’ll then get Angler’s Mail print magazine delivered to your door, at discounted rates from just 96p per week!
COMPANY director Dave Broady obliterated the River Thames barbel record with this 19 lb 8 oz beast.
Fishing a deep secret stretch, Dave added 7 oz the old River Thames best set by Gary Teer last November (2017) at 19 lb 1 oz.
The 58-year-old from Walkern, Hertfordshire, explained: “I set out for an evening session with colleges, arriving at the river around midday.
“It looked like it was dropping from the recent high water but still had a lot of colour in it and was pushing through, and the temperature was quite low at 5.5 degrees.
“I started by fishing boilies over a few loose offerings using a large running ring with a break-away feeder attached.
“This was stopped by a tapered tulip bead pushed over leger stops to act as a buffer and I fish straight through with 10 lb Maxima line to a size 10 Pallatrax’s Barbel Hook, with a hair rig.
“I fed the upstream rod during the afternoon, but shortly after dark I switched the upstream rod to a chunk of meat and packed the feeder to give off a scent trail over the baited area.
“Shortly after the bait was picked up, a solid lump dropped downstream on a really steady run.
“After turning the fish, it seemed ages before it turned in front of me and went sideways into the net first time.
“At first you never know how big. But I know it was a good fish but until I went to lift and it turned on its side, I thought I had something really special and was about to smash my PB.
“Up on the mat the profile of this fish was amazing and it took a while to sink in just how big this fish was and what it meant.
“The fish was witnessed by two other anglers, plus it was weighted separately by two sets of scales.
“My old PB was 14 lb 10 oz from the Kennet at Burghfield, and from the Thames I have had them to 13 lb 12 oz.
“I have been fishing since a small boy and for at least the last 20 years or more, I’ve been fishing mainly for barbel all over the country, most weekends and spare time. I have had doubles form quite a few different venues over the years.
“I know from leg work we did, there was reports of larger barbel in this section of the Thames and seen others in the summer, so for the last two or three winters I have put time in on this section hoping for a big one, without much success.
“I fished a deep section and put my baits just off the main flow over a gravel and mussel bed. I have always said ‘it only takes one bite’,” concluded Dave.
CAUGHT A BIG FISH OR GOT SOME NEWS? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the must-read print magazine.
SUBSCRIBE NOW IN THE MAGAZINE JANUARY SALE!
There is still time to subscribe to one of the top Sale deals online at magazinesdirect.com.
You’ll then get Angler’s Mail print magazine delivered to your door, at discounted rates from just 96p per week!
DAVE LITTLE was bit sceptical of catching anything after finding a big otter in his swim on his previous visit - but he bagged this stunning 16 lb 8 oz zander.
He was in double luck as the specimen fell to his pike rod… while his zander rod remained motionless during the trip to the lower reaches of the mighty River Severn.
Gloucester-based Dave, 59, said: “I have fished this spot a few times this season and always produces some good pike, but the last time I fished it there was a large otter in the swim and I blanked.
“After getting up a bit late I decided to try the swim again as it is only 20 minutes from my house.
“I arrived with the field to myself. I set up two rods, one on a horse mackerel (scad) for pike and one on roach for zander.
“And needless to say I caught the zander on the horse mackerel.
“I also had three jacks to make a great day,” added Dave, who is a production supervisor making conservatory roofs.
CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in AM print magazine.
SUBSCRIBE NOW IN THE MAGAZINE JANUARY SALE!
There is still time to subscribe to one of the top Sale deals online at magazinesdirect.com.
You’ll then get Angler’s Mail print magazine delivered to your door, at discounted rates from just 96p per week!
HOT on the heels of the Angling Trust’s announcement of the Riverfest Final switching to the River Severn at Shrewsbury, dates and venues for the big money event’s 2018 qualifying rounds have been unveiled.
Riverfest has moved its mega money final after five years on the River Wye at Hereford.
The Angling Trust Riverfest final will switch to the River Severn at Shrewsbury in 2018.
The brainchild of former England International Dave Harrell, Riverfest was launched in 2001.
It rapidly achieved status as the pinnacle of running water match fishing, with a £13,000 champion’s jackpot plus a total prize pot approaching £40,000.
The final was won this year by Shakespeare Superteam’s Mike Bedding with 50 lb 7 oz. He is pictured above with Dave Harrell.
In 2018, Riverfest will still be concluded by a two-day event decided on total weight, fished by 72 anglers who top their 20-peg zone in 24 qualifiers spread across the country.
Riverfest changes explained
Angler’s Mail quizzed Dave Harrell about the reasons behind the venue change, and his hopes for future Riverfest years.
“The Wye at Hereford was never intended to host the final forever. We review the competition after the final every year, and this time we felt it was time for a change
“Much as I love the Wye, my personal belief is the river is in a slow decline – in large part due to predation from cormorants and goosanders which have drastically reduced numbers of roach in particular.
“Big weights from pegs where fish are tightly shoaled can mask a decline, as can matches on a flooded river where everyone fishes ‘big fish or bust’ tactics,” continued Dave.
“But in this year’s final, with Day 1 fished in as close to perfect conditions as you’d get at the time of year, the poor results from the upstream section were a telling yardstick.
“I cringed on day two when the 250 quid top prizes in two six peg sections had to be drawn from a hat, with the next section as won with a single fry,” he admitted.
“As founder and organiser of Riverfest, its success is personal to me. I want to provide a final where everyone still stands a chance of winning at the halfway stage. Overall weight format allows that, a switch to points wouldn’t.”
Although Dave acknowledges that a summer final would open up a wider choice of venues with prospects of better and fairer sport, the downside would be splitting the event between different calendar years in order to fit in all the qualifying rounds.
The Wye won’t host the 2018 Riverfest final… but has a qualifier scheduled not long before all eyes turn to the Severn.
Meanwhile, before dates and venues for 2018 Riverfest qualifiers are released in March 2018, all thoughts surround the Severn at Shrewsbury – where the final is scheduled.
It’s due to be fished over the weekend November 3-4, but the following three weekends are also reserve dates in case of adverse conditions.
Dave said: “Shrewsbury has recovered from a slump over recent seasons.
“The host club have been busy, and all 104 pegs on the Quarry and County Ground match stretch will be in fishable condition for the first time since the 1990s by the time of next year’s final so we can select those for the best sport.
“As with the Wye, much will depend on river conditions. In low water, dace could be shoaled up on the shallows with 30 lb bags possible. Roach have made a good comeback, plus there’s barbel and chub.
“ After a very positive meeting with the council who appreciate the economic benefits Riverfest will bring their town, we’ve secured car parking behind almost every peg too,” concluded Dave.
2016 Riverfest champ Paul Bick commented: “Although I’m disappointed to see the final leave the Wye which has been very kind to me over the years, I respect the organisers’ decision which will bring a new fresh challenge to the competition.”
Dave Harrell and the Angling Trust thanked Hereford DAA for all their help during the five years of hosting the final.
Riverfest 2018 qualifiers
Riverfest 2018 will see four previously unused venues are included in the 24-strong roster.
Up to 1,440 anglers will compete for a shot at the £13,000 champ’s cheque, from a prize pot of almost £40,000.
Like Fish’O’Mania tickets, RiverFest tickets will be released in two stages via the Angling Trust website’s online events booking system, which ensures that every applicant can secure at least one ticket for a qualifier. Stage one starts on Monday, March 26.
The full dates and venues list is as follows:
Sat, June 16 – River Calder, Mirfield.
Sat, June 23 – River Swale, Morton.
Sat, June 30 – River Weaver, Northwich.
Sun, July 1 – River Nene, North Bank (new venue).
Sat, July 14 – River Medway, Barming.
Sun, July 15 – River Tyne, Corbridge to Wylam.
Sun, July 29 – Bristol Avon, Newbridge to Saltford.
Sat, Aug 4 – River Thames, Clanfield.
Sun, Aug 5 – River Soar, Loughborough.
Sun, Aug 12 – River Yare, Langley.
Sat, Aug 25 – River Don, Sprotbrough.
Sat, Sep 1 – River Severn, Bewdley.
Sun, Sep 2 – River Trent, Burton Joyce (new venue).
Sun, Sep 9 – Tidal Trent, Laughterton to Dunham.
Sat, Sep 15 – River Thames, Abingdon to Appleford.
Sat, Sep 22 – River Severn, Bridgnorth.
Sun, Sep 23 – River Dee, Holt and Farndon (new venue).
Sat, Sep 29 – River Thames, Reading (new venue).
Sun, Sep 30 – Warwickshire Avon, Stratford.
Sat, Oct 6 – River Tees, Yarm.
Sun, Oct 7 – Warwickshire Avon, Warwick.
Sat, Oct 13 – River Trent, Burton.
Sun, Oct 14 – River Wye, Hereford.
Sat, Oct 27 – Yorks Ouse, Hunters lodge to Linton. RIVERFEST 2018 FINAL: Sat, Nov 3 and Sun, Nov 4 – River Severn at Shrewsbury. Reserve final dates: 10/11, 17/18 and 24/25 Nov.
CAUGHT A BIG FISH OR GOT SOME NEWS? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could appear in AM print magazine.
SUBSCRIBE NOW AT AM MAGAZINE’S SALE PRICE!
There’s still time to subscribe to one of the top Sale deals online at magazinesdirect.com.
You’ll then get Angler’s Mail print magazine delivered to your door, at discounted rates from just 96p per week!
FISHOMANIA 2018 will be fished at Hayfield Lakes… and Angler's Mail can tell you all you need to know here about qualifiers and the final itself.
Andy Geldart on his way to winning Fish'O'Mania in 2014.
Fishomania will see a return to the South Yorkshire complex that hosted the big money Sky Sports-televised event for 11 years between 1997 and 2007
A whopping £50,000 winner’s cheque will again be the coveted top prize, on Saturday July 14, 2018.
And the co-organisers Matchroom Multi Sport and the Angling Trust released dates and venues for the qualifying rounds (22 in the UK and two overseas).
Their switch back to Hayfield marks the end of Cudmore Fishery’s ten-year tenure of the Fishomania Final on the Staffordshire venue’s Arena Pool (pictured above).
Popular venues have extra 100-plus peg qualifiers in the 2018 Fishomania calendar – and ‘where appropriate’ numbers of pegs at other qualifiers have been reduced, creating space for better matches.
Tickets will again be sold via website anglingtrustevents.net There will be two ‘rounds’ to get tickets.
The first ticket rush started on Monday, January 29 and saw massive rush demand. The second round starts at 10.30am on Tuesday, February 13.
And due to the high demand the Angling Trust has introduced a process that ensures all anglers who want to fish in the competition can book at least one ticket per qualifier.
Prices are still £25 per qualifier, and anglers (16 years and over) must have individual membership of the Trust, available on 0343 5077 006 or via their main website.
There’s a ‘How to Book Fish’O’Mania Tickets’ guide and short video at on the Trust’s website.
Hayfield used to host Fishomania and has in the last two year’s been the home of Maver Match This, with mega money payouts.
2018 Fishomania qualifiers
Here’s the full list of Fishomania qualifiers in England. There will also be some international qualifiers to be announced:
Wed, March 14 – Viaduct Fishery, Somerset.
Sat, March 17 – Tunnel Barn Farm, Warks.
Sat, March 24 – Heronbrook Fisheries, Staffs.
Sat, April 7 – Viaduct Fishery, Somerset.
Wed, April 18 – Lindholme Lakes, S. Yorks.
Sat, April 21 – Woodland View, Worcs.
Wed, April 25 – Tunnel Barn Farm, Warks.
Wed, May 2 – Heronbrook Fisheries, Staffs.
Sat, May 5 – Partridge Lakes, Cheshire.
Wed, May 9 – Larford Lakes, Worcs.
Sat, May 12 – Tunnel Barn Farm, Warks.
Sat, May 19 – Monk Lakes, Kent.
Wed, May 23 – Messingham Sands, N. Lincs.
Sat, May 26 – Colemans Cottage, Essex.
Wed, May 30 – Makins Fishery, Warks.
Sat, June 2 – The Oaks, N. Yorks.
Wed, June 6 – Boldings Pools, Shropshire.
Sat, June 9 – Woodland Lakes, N. Yorks.
Wed, June 13 – Partridge Lakes, Cheshire.
Wed, June 20 – Lake View, Leics.
Sat, June 23 – Gold Valley Lakes, Hants.
Wed, June 27 – Lindholme Lakes, S. Yorks. FISHOMANIA 2018 FINAL: Sat, July 14 – Hayfield, S. Yorks. Spectator entry will be free for the Final at Hayfield Lakes, with car parking priced £5.
Jamie Hughes collects the £30,000 big cheque and trophy at Cudmore after winning his second Fishomania Final. He won it again, for a third time.
Reactions to Fishomania 2018 Final move
JAMIE HUGHES
Jamie Hughes became the first angler to win the Fish’O title three times, after lifting the trophy in 2017 following victories in 2015 and 2013, gave the move his thumbs-up.
“My Fish‘O’Mania era has all been at Cudmore, but it’s all about looking ahead. Hayfield’s Island Lake has been a good venue in the past two Maver Match This Finals and I’m sure it will be for Fish‘O’Mania 2018. I’ll be going all-out to qualify,” MAP-backed Jamie told Angler’s Mail.
“People watching Fish‘O’Mania on TV never fully realise how the disturbance caused by TV crews and crowds affected sport at Cudmore. Everyone bagged up during practise. It’s a good lake that I’ll always have fond memories from, but I think everyone felt it was time for a change.
“Hayfield has several advantages, most importantly the size and volume of water,” continued the Wirral, Cheshire-based pro angling coach. “Island Lake has 70 pegs with depths to over 10 ft. Mature carp in the 5-10 lb range are the main targets; there’ll be little point in targeting anything else. It’s quite a simple venue to fish.
“In mid-July I’d expect a very open match with several pegs capable of winning. Long pole and waggler, both shallow and full depth, are the likely tactics,” he concluded.
MATT HALL
Matt Hall, the only other angler with more than one Fish‘O trophy in his cabinet, also expressed his approval.
Shakespeare Superteam stalwart Matt’s victories spanned both venues, with 2003 glory at Hayfield followed by a 2009 triumph at Cudmore.
“I’ve always liked Hayfield since I first fished it in 2003. It’s a happy venue for me. I fished two other Fish’O Finals there, including the amazing 2006 match when I caught 100 lb but only finished eighth or ninth,” recalled Matt, 55, from Awsworth, Nottinghamshire.
“As match anglers we can all get a bit blinkered. But workmates and club anglers who watch the Final on TV every year started saying it had got a bit boring recently. It was definitely time for a change.
“I’m not as driven as I once was for this event. But I still believe that if I can qualify then draw the right peg I could win it for a third time. I’ll certainly be trying again this year,” concluded Matt.
BARRY HEARN
Event creator, Matchroom chairman Barry Hearn, said: “We are thrilled that Fish‘O’Mania will return to Hayfield Lakes in its 25th year. Along with the team at Hayfield Lakes and our colleagues at Sky Sports, we’re determined to make this the best Fish‘O’ yet.”
ROBIN GOFORTH
Hayfield’s Robin Goforth said: “Maver-Dynamite Hayfield Lakes are delighted to welcome home the ‘FA Cup of Angling’ on its 25th anniversary. We’ve really missed this prestigious event and will work tirelessly to create an unmissable live event for the participating anglers, spectators and viewers on Sky Sports.”
JAMES LEWIS
Angling Trust competitions Development Manager James Lewis added: “We’ve listened to feedback from anglers last year and made several changes to qualifier dates, locations and pegging, in order to make the matches as fair and competitive as possible.”
Andy Geldart (centre) was crowned Fishomania champ in 2014 and is seen here with Barry Hearn (right) who helped make the event the huge success it has been.
5 Hayfield Fishomania Facts
Hayfield first hosted the Fishomania Final in 1997, when Devizes, Wiltshire, matchman Kev Rowles won with 17 kg 590 g of skimmers and roach… without a carp in sight!
Northamptonshire’s Steve Ringer won the 1998 Final. Two years later his dad, Geoff, brought the trophy back to the family home!
Fishomania’s record winning weight of 98 kg 690 g was set at Hayfield in 2006 by Stoke’s Neil Machin in a scorching hot Final when average weights neared 100 lb.
Hayfield owners, colourful couple Robin and Noelie Goforth, are no strangers to tabloid TV and newspaper stardust, having featured in episodes of Channel 5’s Britain’s Flashiest Couples and Channel 4’s Wife Swap series.
Hayfield is a venue that has always attracted corporate sponsors from within the angling world. Maver and Dynamite Baits are the current partners. Past backers include Preston Innovations and Spro.
CAUGHT A BIG FISH OR GOT SOME NEWS? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could appear in AM print magazine.
SUBSCRIBE NOW AT AM MAGAZINE’S SALE PRICE!
There’s still time to subscribe to one of the top Sale deals online at magazinesdirect.com.
You’ll then get Angler’s Mail print magazine delivered to your door, at discounted rates from just 96p per week!
