ONE of Britain’s best specimen anglers and authors, Tony Miles, has sadly passed away – and he was fishing at the time.
Coventry, West Midlands-based Tony Miles died doing something he loved best as he was on his beloved Great Ouse.
Pal Stewart Harris was fishing nearby when Tony’s body was found.
Stewart revealed: “What a horrible, horrible night. I’ve always lived by the premise that a bad day’s fishing is always better than a good day at work, after last night I know that just isn’t true.
“RIP Tony Miles, you’ve always been such a great inspiration to me over the years through your writing and I feel honoured to have known you.
“I wish I had popped down to say hello when I saw your van now but never in my worse nightmares did I think it would be for the final time.
“Many thanks to James and Rob and all of the ambulance crews who did all they could to save him.
“A huge, huge loss to angling, my thoughts go out to Tony’s family and those who were closest to him.
“Rest in peace old fella – I’ll be back down to catch one for you once I’ve got my head together.”
Tony Miles’ books included Elite Barbel, Quest for Barbel, The Complete Specimen Hunter, and My Way with Chub plus had his first science fiction book published last year – Lost On Xanus.
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HOW about this for a river pike – at 28 lb 3 oz it ranks as one of the very best from running water during the past year.
Cromer, Norfolk angler Mark Jones tempted the super pike from the River Wensum in his home county.
He was using paternostered mackerel tail with size 6 barbless treble hooks to a 30 lb wire trace and 15 lb main line.
This is just a short version of the full story that appeared in Angler’s Mail printed magazine. Get the magazine every week for top tips, big news, best products, and venues that are in form.
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AN ANGLER known as the ‘Wanderer’ has broken a barbel venue record while trying to tempt a specific large chub on cheese paste
Den Poole, from Harlow, Essex, fished his local highly renowned Fishers Green stretch of the River Lea, and captured this giant 17 lb 2 oz whisker after climbing a willow tree and spotting the large chub lurking below.
The 51-year-old decorator explained: “I’ve been fishing the venue for 15 years, was a bailiff there for ten, and it’s also only a six-minute drive from my home, so I regularly take the dogs there for a walk as well. I know the stretch like the back of my hand.
“I even got my ‘Wanderer’ nickname there from my favourite form of fishing which is roving with limited tackle. The name is tattooed on my leg with a picture of a large carp I once caught!
“I’d had a bit of a break recently from barbel fishing and had been targeting large perch hoping for a four-pounder but had just fallen 4 oz short, so with the mild conditions decided to give them a rest and return to the barbel and chub.
“After three blank evening sessions I switched to mornings and this was my second early start.
“I had already tried two favourite swims but there were problems in each, so went to look for another which is when I climbed the tree and spotted the chub.
“So I decided to try to tempt it from its lair by feeding maggots and liquidised bread, and then let the swim settle for half an hour while I brewed up a cuppa and tackled up.”
Long hook link for hefty chub
Den explained his tactics: “I used a light running leger on 8 lb main line and a 4 ft braided hook link to a size 12 hook baited with two maggots on the hook-shank, and a small ball of cheese paste with a piece of cork near the hook to aid buoyancy.
“As I use such a long hook link, to aid casting I wrap it in a PVA bag which dissolves as soon as it hits the water, releasing the link to straighten out in the flow as the light leger swings round into the swim
“It was about 11.30am when my first cast got tangled with weed and on my second, just as I gently eased the bait into position near some overhanging trees. I put the rod in the rest, and it smashed round with such force it bent the butt rest.
“I realised immediately this was no chub. After a fierce battle to keep the fish out of the snags, the giant barbel rolled at the surface and as it slid into the net my hands were shaking with excitement.
“I rested her for a while before unhooking as she gave such a fight, and was thrilled when she went 17 lb 2 oz; a new PB from this amazing waterway.
“It’s now back to the perch and the hunt for that elusive four-pounder,” he added.
Although a venue best, the record barbel for the whole River Lea is 6 oz heavier at 17 lb 8 oz caught by Laurence Mason in 2011.
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THE 2017 Maver Mega Match This is shaping up to be another historical event - and Angler's Mail brings you the latest here...
Saturday 3rd September 2016 marked the conclusion of last year’s Maver Mega ‘Match This’ event.
A gruelling five-month qualification campaign, starting on Saturday 2nd April and finishing at The Glebe/Mallory Park in Leicestershire on Wednesday 17th August, then produced what many have since hailed as the ‘best big money final ever’ with 24 of the UK’s finest match anglers going head-to-head for angling’s richest prize.
£70,000 – yes, SEVENTY GRAND – was banked by Jon Whincup in that final, staged at Maver Hayfield Lakes in South Yorkshire. He’s pictured above with his monster payout, presented by Sarah Phoenix of Maver UK.
Ticket sales at new high
Tickets for the 2017 Mega Match This event went on sale New Year’s Eve with large numbers of anglers securing their tickets in the hope of qualifying for angling’s richest final just minutes after general release.
In fact, since tickets were launched, three qualifier events have very nearly sold out ahead of the 2017 qualifier campaign beginning in April.
Event manager, Ben Hughes commented: “Ticket sales for the 2017 Mega Match This event have, once again, surpassed any previous launch to date!
“The competition has now entered its seventh year and it’s great to see the event continuing to gather momentum. Mega Match This is now, without doubt, the biggest event in the UK match angling calendar and anglers everywhere want to be a part of it – especially in light of 2016’s record-breaking pay out”.
The 2017 Mega Match This event welcomes a brand new venue in Solhampton Fishery, Worcestershire as well as a second qualifier at Grand Final host venue, Maver Hayfield Lakes.
The ever-popular Midlands bagging mecca that is Mallory Park will host a total of four qualifier events for 2017 with historically popular venues including Partridge Lakes, Decoy Lakes and, for the first time ever, Lindholme Lakes, hosting repeat qualifiers.
Giant prize fund again
The event – which has so far rewarded the likes of Andy Power, Les Thompson, Zac Brown, Chris Cameron, Peter Upperton and Jon Whincup with a combined prize fund worth over £350,000 – now embarks on another momentous journey in the hope of rewarding this year’s Champion with an even larger prize.
Last year saw Jon Whincup collect the largest prize in UK match angling history by way of that cheque for a life-changing £70,000!
An additional £12,000 was also rewarded on the day between second and third placed anglers, as well as section winners.
How to enter in 2017
Demand for tickets is extremely high with a number of qualifiers already showing signs of being fully subscribed long before the respective ticket deadlines.
Remember, tickets are sold on a first-come first-served basis. If tickets are available, you can book them on-line via the Official Mega Match This website at www.mavermatchthis.co.uk
Alternatively, you can book tickets over the telephone on 01527 406 300.
ANGLER'S MAIL takes carp fishing seriously. And our big carp galleries are backed by TAG (The Angling Group) who have top carp fishing brands Taska, Nutrabaits and Kryston.
SIMON HARBOTTLE notched a 43 lb on his last trip to Erics Angling’s Willows Lake in West Yorkshire on his last trip and then followed up with this PB 43 lb 14 oz common.
The 46-year-old, from Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, added five others.
Simon said: “ I dropped in lucky peg 13 and already knew my spots, fishing on lightly weeded areas between a deep gully and a shallow bar.
“All three rods were in position just before dark and all fishing Key Bait Solutions all season mix snowmen and a small castaway PVA mesh bag of crushed boilie and pellet. “Just as it was getting light I had a slow pick-up and after having the fish on for a minute or so I knew I was attached to a large fish.
DAVID PENDERGRASS decided on a different approach on a tough syndicate and the trick produced this PB 40 lb 3 oz common.
East Grinstead, West Sussex-based David, a Carp Couture Clothing member, ignored boilies and opted for sweetcorn.
INFANTRY soldier Andy Hubbard hasn’t fished much for two months due to a house move but made amends back at Oxfordshire’s Linch Hill with this PB 38 lb 8 oz mirror.
Swansea, South Wales-based Andy, 41, offered Sticky Baits Manilla boilies over a spodded with crumbed baits.
LEWIS BEARDER was after a good carp from his local Nottingham Canal and got his wish with this 22 lb linear mirror.
The 23-year-old chef used meat with with pop-up corn on a home-made blow-back rig.
MATTHEW FAULKNER only took half a kilo of Mainline Cell boilies to a local club water as he was expecting to just use single hookbaits but found some fish in margin snags so put it all in and had this 28 lb 11 oz mirror.
Bognor Regis, West Sussex-based Matthew used a simple knotless knot rig.
TRAGEDY struck when a teenager drowned at an historic carp venue – and then well-known carper Gary Peet found the body with his state-of-the-art echo sounder.
Jack Morrisson from Fawkham in Kent, had gone fishing overnight on his own at his regular venue Dartford DAPS club water Sutton-at-Hone.
It is thought 16-year-old Jack had just caught a pike late in the evening and slipped in as he returned it.
The alarm was raised at 2pm on Saturday when other anglers noticed an empty bivvy with a mobile phone in it and no sign of the angler.
A search was started but it wasn’t until 5pm on Sunday that the body was located in 8 ft of water 30 ft from where he had been fishing.
Former carp record holder Lee Jackson who works at the Tackle Box in Dartford, explained: “My colleague Gary Peet had gone to help in the search with his high quality echo sounder that the police didn’t seem to have.
“On their second pass at this spot the boatman noticed something different on the sounder and the body was subsequently retrieved from there not far from his swim.
“Exactly how he got in the water and drowned is a mystery as nobody heard anything at the time, but one theory is that apparently a picture of a pike Jack had caught at 11.30pm was on his phone and he might have toppled in while returning the fish to the water.
“This time of the year the water is quite cold and being fully clothed he could have struggled to get out again.
“The lake is generally quite safe and the swims well-kept but it just goes to show how dangerous water is and how careful anglers need to be especially when fishing on their own.
“It is such a tragedy that a youngster who really loved his fishing should perish in such a fashion.”
Tributes to Jack, known as ‘Bubbles’ due to his other love West Ham, and who attended Longfield Academy, have poured in on the internet. A fund-raising page set up by Dartford ADAS in his name sought to raise £7,000 to pay for his funeral. It quickly exceeded that amount and anything extra will go to charity.
Police issued a statement saying there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and they will be preparing a report for the coroner. A post mortem is being arranged to establish the actual cause of death.
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RETIRED Fred Healey - twice an Angler's Mail Specimen Cup champion - still fishes throughout the winter and on his latest trip was rewarded with two specimen perch within an hour of each other.
Uckfield, East Sussex-based Fred tackled a Kent lake and kick-started with a giant 4 lb 6 oz 8 dr perch before a 4 lb 8 oz specimen.
Fred said: “I had five perch in total and landed not only one 4 lb-plus perch, but I had two. All fish fell to my usual tactics of livebaits float fished on a size 6 hook.
“Initially I thought that I caught the same perch twice in an hour, however on closer inspection I can clearly see that they are different fish.
“These two perch take my total of 4 lb-plus perch to 41 but I’m sure that along the way there have been a few repeat captures. I have had four 5 lb perch to 5 lb 8 oz, a total I am really pleased with,” added Fred.
This is a short version of the story that appeared in Angler’s Mail printed magazine. Get the magazine every week for top tips, big news, best products, and venues that are in form.
CAUGHT A BIG FISH? Email photos and details exclusively to: anglersmail@timeinc.com – you could star in the magazine and win great prizes.
TWO firms from the angling trade have said Britain's vote to leave the European Union - Brexit - hasn’t had a negative impact on their business... at least not yet.
Six months on from vote to leave, speculation is still rife when exactly we will leave the EU, or even if MPs might try to block the move through a forthcoming parliamentary bill.
Exactly what ‘Brexit’ will mean – what will change – is also being hotly debated, and that looks set to rumble on for many, many months.
But as Brexit dominates the national news, Angler’s Mail has been finding out how angling firms have been shaping up.
Martin Founds says angling holidays buoyant
Martin Founds, owner of travel company Anglers World, has seen business boom ever since the public referendum last June.
Derbyshire-based Martin (pictured below with a char) told the Mail: “Prices have gone up a small amount because of the decrease in value of the pound, but my suppliers are excellent in keeping their own prices stable so the level of increase hasn’t put anyone off.
“In fact business is up in the last six months by an estimated 8-10 per cent.”
Martin continued: “It has been helped by the continued low interest rate, so people who have money in the bank where it is only earning pennies think it is not worth holding onto and they might as well spend it on a good holiday.
“There have always been fluctuation in the value of the pound which has in fact rallied somewhat recently and I expect it will do so more.
“Our customer group is in the 40-70 age range and people who are fairly comfortably off who appreciate a good value quality experience which we provide.
“I have no qualms at all about the decision to leave and if anything now feel more positive than at the time.
“Pro-remain supporters accused people in favour of leaving of being bigoted but I believe travelling and angling broadens the mind and most of us are very open-minded and we are still Europeans even if we don’t believe in the EU,” he added.
Kevin Nash doubts longer-term outcome
Kevin Nash (pictured top) is the boss of the UK’s biggest tackle firms Nash Tackle, and he is still weighing up his threat to move his headquarters to mainland Europe.
Essex-based Kevin said: “Nash Tackle continues to do very well and to help the hard-pressed angler. We have managed to keep our prices the same, unlike some of our competitors, despite the drop in the value of the pound which affects the cost of our imported materials.
“We always strive to produce a quality product which presents good value for money. In the longer term I still think the decision is more negative than positive especially for my sort of company.
“People talk about the opportunity to trade more with the rest of the world but no-one outside of Europe really fishes seriously for carp and 50 per cent of my trade is there.
“I believe we are highly unlikely to get a good deal from leaving so will end up outside of the free trade zone which will be bad for our business,” he added.
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ANGLER'S MAIL takes carp fishing seriously. And our big carp galleries are backed by TAG (The Angling Group) who have top carp fishing brands Taska, Nutrabaits and Kryston.
PHIL SAINTY was ‘buzzing’ after setting a new PB with this 41 lb 4 oz mirror from Lincolnshire’s day ticket Old Mill.
Hull, East Yorkshire-based Phil offered Sticky Baits Manilla boilies on a hard spot.
Phil said: “I was really looking forward to getting down to the lake to try and get myself a fish but this trip couldn’t have gone any better with me going on the land a new PB, and in the winter too.”
LOGAN EASTON scored big during an eight-hour session at a local club lake when he winkled out this 36 lb 10 oz common.
Colchester, Essex-based Logan, 27, fished Sticky Baits Krill and Manila boilies over eight Spombs of crumbed freebies at 17 wraps.
IAN FISHER watched a 60-acre Buckinghamshire pit like a hawk during a two-night trip, and when one carp finally showed he targeted that spot to connect with this 31 lb common.
The 46-year-old from Biggelswade, Bedfordshire, used a CC Moore Pacific Tuna wafter and added three other fish.
ROBBIE BRIERS used the tactic of a bright fruity pop-up over washed out Sticky Baits Manilla freebies and it tempted this 35 lb 14 oz mirror from Linch Hill’s Christchurch Lake in Oxfordshire.
Chadderton, Greater Manchester-based Robbie said: “I always get out on Boxing Day regardless of the weather and it wasn’t good – but I had to go, knowing the place’s form in winter.”
JASON MASSAY started the New Year with this 20 lb common from his local Cardiff Wharf.
The 46-year-old added a common of the same size plus an upper double-figure mirror using a Nash snowman of a 15 mm Key Cray and 10 mm Citruz pop-up.
BIG CARP ACE Rob Tough enjoyed a late Christmas present when he matted this 37 lb 2 oz mirror from Darenth on Boxing Day. The local Dartford, Kent-based ace used a Mainline Baits test boilie.
DRENNAN INTERNATIONAL sales rep Mike Davidson has caught huge fish of most coarse species but put this 3 lb 3 oz roach straight to the top of the pile.
Mike, from Midhurst, West Sussex, tempted the awesome roach from a southern chalkstream on a short evening session.
The 37-year-old explained: “I achieved a lifetime ambition of mine by catching my first river 3 lb roach.
“After a biteless first hour I switched from bread flake to bread punch and had the fish within 30 seconds. Coincidence maybe, but it certainly did the trick!
“Tackle was a simple light feeder set up with bread mash on my Drennan Acolyte 12 ft Ultra Feeder rod, 4 lb main line, to a 2 lb Supplex fluorocarbon hooklength and a size 12 Drennan wide gape hook.
“It beat my previous best roach of 2 lb 14 oz which is one I always thought I’d struggle to ever beat,” concluded Mike.
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BUILDER Rob Allen had a blank first night so decided to bait heavily and the unusual winter tactic was spot on for this 47 lb 2 oz common carp.
Rob’s mega common carp came during a session at Oxfordshire’s Christchurch Lake on the Linch Hill complex. He offered a home-made Sticky Baits Manila hook bait fished over 1 kg of crumbed freebies mixed with 2.5 kg of hemp and snails.
Latchford, Cheshire-based Rob, 34, said: “The first night I didn’t introduce any bait at all, but the following day, I planned to get some out set the traps and just wait.
“So I did just that, an I introduced a lot more bait than anticipated. I thought I’d overdone it but I wasn’t fussed as it was out there ready for a week in a storm.
“Night soon came round and at 10pm I put on the kettle but two minutes later the right-hand bobbin pulled up tight.
Testing battle with giant common carp
“The fish was coming in quite easily just healthy plodding and I knew I was into a big girl, and as she got closer she just went mental, taking one of my other lines with it.
“Nothing was stopping it – she just stripped line and line and line.
“Eventually I managed to turn her, I was shaking with the thought of losing this fish as I was also pulling in another line with the fish on the surface, I knew I was in trouble.
“I began shouting to Jack Swindells in the next swim to get the boat but there was no reply, so I quickly took off the alarm on the caught rod and let the fish go. I then weaved the rod under the other to hope I’d done enough and it had come free.
“After ten minutes of epic battle I slipped her over the net cord. It was the Box Common and I was blown away!” he grinned.
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DEAN MACEY made the most of milder weather just before the latest cold snap to tempt fantastic barbel of 16 lb 2 oz and 14 lb 14 oz on consecutive days.
Dean, the star of Big Fish Off andFishing Gurus TV series, had to wait until darkness for any signs of life in his swim, on a very low and clear from River Lea.
Despite those conditions, he knew there was a chance of a barbel, given how much the water temperature had risen after a spell of overnight frosts.
Former decathlon champ Dean, 39, revealed: “Once it got dark, from around 5.30pm onwards I was getting a few raps on my rod tip that were caused by crayfish.
“But then I had a much slower pull on the tip, which I was sure was either a fish picking up the bait and getting away with it, or a liner. But soon I had the 14-pounder.
“I never feel that confident returning to the same venue the day after catching a good fish. It always feels like I’m pushing my luck too far.
“This time however, I felt really good and there was something in my gut that told me to head to a totally different area of the river.”
Dean’s 14-pounder came before the new PB barbel (pictured top). What a mighty pair!
Boilie and slop gives Dean new PB
Dean continued: “I fished the same Hinders Barbel Bomb slop and Mainline Hybrid boilie hook bait as the day before. But this time the tip slammed round within seconds on the bait touching down.
“It wasn’t the intended barbel but a greedy pike of about 7 lb that tail-walked all over the swim!
“After the unwanted disturbance I repeated my baiting strategy and lowered the rig in place. There were quite a few crayfish in this swim so after two hours of the tip rattling around I checked the bait.
“I was surprised to see that it was mainly intact so I rewrapped the boilie with a large ball of paste and repositioned it for the remaining two hours of fishing. Again the crays attacked the paste but after an hour of so it all went quiet… and then came the 4 ft twitch!
“It felt massive right from the start and as with the 14-pounder it was stalemate for some time with me only managing to get one turn on the reel at a time,” said Dean.
Dean’s low viz hook link line.
He landed both the 14 lb 14 oz fish and 16 lb 2 oz giant on a size 10 Guru MWGB hook to a hook link tied using the new Guru Pure fluorocarbon, with 10 lb Drag-Line main line.
Dean added: “Even the morning after with no sleep at all, I was still totally buzzing like a lottery winner!
“I was more than happy with a PB of 15 lb 8 oz and to be honest, with the way most rivers are going these days I never in my wildest dreams expected to better it, so this 16 lb 2 oz barbel is a very special fish for me.”
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THE Government’s announcement of extra resources for children’s mental health issues has been warmly welcomed by an organisation which takes fishing into schools.
Fishing 4 Schools is a charity under the umbrella of the Countryside Alliance and it works closely with the Angling Trust to promote fishing as a way of easing stress and pressure on youngsters with difficulties.
Director Charles Jardine explained: “I would hope that some of the resources Government is committed to introducing can find their way to increase the reach of our valuable project.
“Many of the children and young adults who attend Fishing 4 Schools courses across the country attend special schools, and a number of them have issues that affect their mental health.”
“Our courses help pupils re-engage with education, building their confidence and self-esteem, while at the same time assisting with new qualifications and skills.
“We meet a lot of children who need a calming influence that helps to repair some of the pressures they come under, and angling does provide this.
“We make it more accessible to children who are otherwise unlikely to have that experience, and it can help link them into the local community,” Charles told Angler’s Mail.
No Government funding
Charles continued: “We have been into about 64 schools, operate as far afield as Sheffield, Norfolk and South Wales, have 20 part-time paid coaches around the country and we make no charge for what we do.
“We don’t receive any money directly from Government and rely on voluntary fundraising and donation from kind benefactors and companies including tackle firms.
“We have worked closely with the Angling Trust to introduce AIMS which is a qualification whose credits can go towards a GCSE.
“It is hard to produce hard evidence of our work easing mental health problems but it certainly helps children with difficulties.”
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THE unofficial biggest carp in the country could appear in a lake near you – and at a bigger weight!
Big Rig was caught last year at a peak weight of 71 lb 4 oz from Shropshire’s The Avenue and boss Rob Hales is set to sell on her offspring.
And Rob thinks the new generation of Britain’s biggest ever confirmed carp – that was rejected by the British Record Fish Committee as she’d been grown on in a holding pool – could easily get as big.
RH Fisheries’ owner Rob explained: “I set up the carp fish farm in 2014 with small fry from similar stock.
“We have bred from Big Rig and they are thriving, but we will grow them on and they won’t be ready for sale until November 2019 when they will be in the C3 class.
“She was a very fast growing fish herself and I have every confidence that her progeny will be the same and who knows might produce a record breaker.
“Business is now booming and we sold out of stock before the festive season began with our similar strains.
“We currently sell C2 samples that are two summers old and in the 3-5 lb bracket for £75 each, and C3s between 7-9 lb at £150.
“We have had record sales, delivering all over the country from Cornwall to Glasgow.
“Our biggest sale was to a customer in Lancashire who bought 65 fish.
“Our prices are higher than many, but customers know they are getting a quality product from a very good strain of large growing specimens
“We have now re-stocked our fish farm with one and two year old superfreaks and will be selling them for delivery in November this year,” he added.
Anyone who want to order fish can e-mail on rhfisheries@gmail.com or call on 01952 463141.
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IT'S BEEN prime time for big river pike lately, before and after recent floods.
Peterborough DAA bailiff Andy Bell smashed his PB from one of their own stretches of the River Nene in Cambridgeshire with a 29 lb 12 oz giant (above), believed to be the biggest ever from the river.
Peterborough-based Andy, a 50-year-old HGV driver, explained: “I was using an old small Ondex spinner, one I’ve had for some time now in my tackle box.
“I was using a larger lure but having had some follows but no hits so I thought I’d try something a bit smaller and it worked a treat,” added Andy.
Meanwhile Ellie Warner topped a great day on her local Kentish Stour when she had five pike topped by this 24 lb beauty (pictured).
The 18-year-old from Canterbury float fished sardine and beat her old pike PB of 20 lb 6 oz.
Ellie said: “The big pike gave a very good fight and tail walked, taking about ten minutes to land. I would like to catch an even bigger pike now, and also retain my top pike fishing title within my local angling club.”
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DANNY BRUNTON more than doubled his perch PB he’d set as a teenager with this surprise 4 lb 10 oz stripy he had while pole fishing for roach.
Lowestoft, Suffolk-based Danny had it from local commercial Field Farm Fisheries near Wrentham and he didn’t even know the venue held perch.
Danny, 43, said: “I was fishing two red maggot for roach and this beast came along, a fish of a life time for me.
“I was using a Mo.12 elastic with 4 lb main line and 3 lb hook link to a size 16 hook and fed groundbait with casters, chopped worm and hemp. I was only fishing for roach so using light set-up.
“I was on House Pond which is day ticket for mainly carp and silver fish. I don’t think anyone one had any idea this held a large perch after talking to the local tackle shop they were very surprised to see a perch at all,” added the building company commercial manager.
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AN ENVIRONMENTAL charity has installed giant artificial reedbeds to revive fish stocks in a water badly hit by cormorant predation.
The 143-metre length of floating reedbeds is a joint project between leading waterways charity Thames21, the Environment Agency and River Lea AC, and it will provide a much-needed refuge and site for fish to spawn on the Lea Navigation Canal at Enfield Lock.
Project manager Ben Fenton explained: “EA research has shown fish numbers, particularly roach have steadily declined over the last seven years, and this will help to redress the situation.modern advances have made the new ones almost indestructable.
“It took 20 volunteers two days to install them all plus an extra day anchoring work from myself and a colleague, and the total cost of build and installation would be in the region of £50,000.
“The beds, which come in 14 ten-metre sections, are securely attached to the riverbed by wires but there is flexibility to allow them to rise and fall with the water level as the area is actually close to a lock.
Boosts to stocks
“With the help of the EA we also stocked 1,000 one-year-old roach to give an immediate boost to stocks,” revealed Ben.
“Underneath some of the beds we have installed mesh netting along the lines of the spawning boards developed by the Avon Roach Project to help the fish to breed.
“We have just found out we have secured more funding from the EA for an extension of the project, and we aim to install a further 100 metres of beds slightly further upstream within the next six months.
“Overall this is all part of the Thames21’s Love the Lea project designed to improve the water quality in the Lea catchment area,” he added.
Richard McGarry, Lea AC chairman, said: “We’re confident these reedbeds will help protect immature roach, bream and perch in the area from cormorant predation and that means there’ll be better fishing in the long-term.
“The water at the site is very clear, and cormorants have great eyesight. The fish there don’t have much of chance to hide from the cormorants, which can happily eat a 1 lb 8 oz of fish per day.”
Thames21 will train local people and members of the Lea AC to maintain the reedbeds so it remains a thriving habitat.
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A REVOLUTIONARY fishing drone is coming in the form of a submersible which can find fish, deliver bait, attract fish with lures and film and transmit all that it is doing live to your smartphone!
All-new drone PowerRay made its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, USA. This futuristic product transmits data, fish alerts and live video feed and photos of the underwater world to an angler’s smartphone via a companion app.
Its sonar system can detect fish up to 131 ft below the swimming robot that can dive up to 98 ft and operate for four hours. The onboard wi-fi sends info, with a signal range of 230 ft.
PowerRay comes with an optional, remotely operated precision remote bait drop that delivers bait to the desired location, which can then be monitored and controlled via the app. The Wi-Fi system transmits images and data to both iOS and Android.
The app provides the PowerRay’s position in real-time, lets users select travel mode, speed and lighting and operates the integrated 4K ultra high definition camera functions for underwater photography and videography. It can be used in fresh or saltwater.
Developed by China-based PowerVision Robot Corporation, users can even pair the drone with virtual reality goggles for a more immersive experience. The device registers both “gravity and gestures,” which means you can control the robot by simply moving your head.
Wally Zheng, CEO of PowerVision Technology Group said: “Recreational fishing is one of the lifestyle areas that has not seen major technology breakthroughs. PowerVision is completely changing the way we have been fishing in the past 7,000 years.
“Through innovating the fish finding technology and features, providing the thrill of finding the catch and an immersive underwater experience through virtual reality, PowerRay is going to provide more efficiency, thrill, and fun to fishermen around the world.
“Recreational fishing will never be the same again,” added Wally.
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A controversial petition has been put forward to Parliament calling for a law to ban treble hooks for all forms of angling and restrict fishermen to single hooks only.
The hooks petition originator is Dr Stuart McLanaghan, a sustainability business professional, and a lifelong angler who is motivated by fish welfare.
The petition states: ‘For future generations, the welfare and conservation of all native fish species will benefit from a phased UK ban on multiple point hooks for all leisure (sea, coarse and game) angling. This petition proposes to change government policy, restricting anglers to using one single fishing hook per rod.’
www.singlehooks.org is the work of Dr McLanaghan, from Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk. He has a PhD in environmental management, and is a director at Eden21 and a BBC Food Hero.
Dr McLanaghan claims that removal of treble hooks is more time consuming, increases fish stress and the likelihood of harm and there are no grounds for defending multiple point hooks.
However, the Pike Anglers Club have come out strongly against the proposal and the thinking behind it, claiming that single hooks can in fact be more damaging to pike.
PAC press officer Alan Dudhill explained: “Nearly all top pike anglers use trebles. We obviously endeavour to ensure that pike are hooked in the mouth and the PAC teach anglers how to unhook them cleanly and efficiently.
“But even with the most delicate bite indication pike do unfortunately swallow the bait on occasion, but we believe a single hook is more likely to cause damage than a treble which spreads the pressure on the fish rather than focus it on one point.”
To receive a response from the Government a parliamentary petition needs 10,000 signatures, and 100,000 would mean it would be debated in parliament.
TOP TV fishing presenter and actor Robson Green is starring in a brand new series – and says he is here to stay.
Entitled Grand Slam, the ten-episode series tracks Robson Green in his attempts to achieve one of the hardest feats in all angling, as recognised by the International Game Fishing Association, and become the first actor to do so.
The first show was aired yesterday on Travel Channel, Robson’s first for the Freeview network. He has previously appeared in angling series on Channel 5 and Quest… so has now completed a telly ‘slam’!
In Grand Slam, Robson travels as far afield as Cuba, Alaska and Senegal, trying to catch three different species of big game fish in one 24-hour period.
The 53-year-old told Angler’s Mail: “This has been described as the Olympic gold medal of fishing – catching one game fish of any kind can be an achievement so three different ones in a day is something few manage to achieve.”
“I’m very privileged to be employed to participate in something I really love doing, and in this programme I was thrilled to be alongside some of the biggest names in world sea fishing.
“Miami, where IGFA is based, was perhaps the highlight of the trip, and I had all sorts of wonderful experiences including fishing for blue shark on the fly.
“I also achieved one thing that only one person in the world had done previously and another that only three people have.”
Robson Green on why he loves fishing so much
Robson added: “Some people get a bit chippy about my doing all these programmes but I think they have been popular because I’m naturally so enthusiastic about what I am doing.
“I don’t claim to be an expert angler and my fly fishing style is fairly ugly, but I love fishing and it has helped me be a better person and better actor.
“I fish as much as I can when I’m not making programmes about it or acting and am lucky to live right on the banks of the River Tyne.
“Mind you I plan to start the season this year in Scotland as it begins a month earlier and will be on rivers like the Spey and Tay.”
Robson revealed: “I did introduce my own son Taylor to fishing and when he was seven he caught an 8 lb rainbow trout from a fishery in Surrey – that was quite a day as a fellow angler managed to hook the rear of a horse on the back-cast and it galloped off pulling rod and line behind it.
“Taylor is now a handsome 6 ft teenager so is now more interested in catching other things, but one day he will hopefully return to fishing having caught the bug.
“I plan to carry on making programme for TV as long as I can and they remain popular,” he concluded.
To see whether Robson actually achieves the Grand Slam and view his other successes, tune in on Monday evenings at 9pm on the Travel Channel. Several repeats are aired each weekend.
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