ENGLAND anglers aimed for a plethora of medals at the World Angling Games in South Africa in February 2019 – but they did not target the lure fishing event.
Steve Collett is focused on 2020 with the England Lure Fishing Team.
Full World Games carp and match fishing coverage is in Angler’s Mail magazine this week – but the England Lure Fishing Team did not compete.
England Lure Fishing Team supremo Steve Collett decided not to waste money on a ‘jolly’.
Instead, Steve is already focused upon preparing for the 2020 World Lure Champs in Poland.
Dozens of event across all disciplines took place in South Africa for the World Games, which is rated as fishing’s equivalent to the Olympics.
“We’re still licking our wounds after that and going to South Africa would have been another drubbing which the boys don’t need.
“Because of the huge cost it would have been just eligible for those able to afford it, and I’m training to build a young team, hungry to learn and with good team spirit.
“My remit is to improve us, not to just go through the motions, so we decided not to go to South Africa.
“It’s not like the men’s coarse team who don’t have to pay and just turn up and sit on a box and fish.
“At Rutland alone it cost us £10,000, and South Africa would have been much, much higher.
“The long-term aim is to win the World Lure Champs, but we have to take it step-by-step.
“We hope to move up the World Ranking in Poland next year,” added England Lure Fishing Team chief Steve, whose unique ‘live’ features are a must-read in the weekly Angler’s Mail magazine.
Angling Trust competitions administration manager Sandra Johnson explained that England were well represented with Ladies, Feeder, Carp and Masters teams. There were also five English sea teams.
She added: “South Africa can be quite expensive, but not necessarily the hardest one to send teams to as it will vary with costs depending what is included in the overall World Championship.
“There are other World Champs over 2019 including the Mens World Champs in Serbia on September 7-8,” she added.
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A UNIQUE purpose-built fishery is rallying for support to get from clever plans to reality after a council voted against it.
Could this water and adjacent farm become a unique disabled fishing venue and eco farm?
Disabled fishing and an eco project forms the unique proposition that some angling experts see as a ‘fishery of the future’.
Robert Taylor-Hughes is trying to get planning permission to create the fishery – combined with an eco farm that will grow crops using fish waste as fertiliser.
Staveley-in-Cartmel Parish Council voted against the scheme 4-3 in the first meeting.
So now Robert hopes to persuade the planning officer to get the ruling overturned and to push ahead with his Eco Lake Farm and Fishery in Cumbria.
Robert told Angler’s Mail: “The council rejected the plans 4-3.
“The pitchforks were truly out from the ‘backward neighbourhood’ and there was even a negative poster campaign posted along the road leading to the fishery.
“I’m basically trying to create a farm on farmland and a disabled fishery on a water that has traditionally had fishing.”
Disabled fishing group involved
Robert continued: “I’ve been in consultation with the British Disabled Angling Association to help design it.
“We’ll be having proper disabled pegs, disabled toilets and a special kitchen so wheelchair users can make a hot drink.
“But some locals are against it saying I’m a property developer and will be putting in a leisure centre and a house – when I’m not.
“But we’ve got provisional funding and permission from the Government in the Rural Payments Agency and DEFRA respectively but the council voted against it.
“I’ve got a meeting with the council planning officer coming up and a chance to overturn the decision in a public meeting on March 6.
“The farm side is interesting. Native fish will be grown on site for bio-security and the fish waste recycled into fruits and plants in a closed loop water recycling process.
“The beauty of this process is that no fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides are required so there is no environmental impact whatsoever.
“Because the system is gravity-fed, minimal energy is required which can be run from solar technology.
“The process is six times more efficient than traditional farming, uses 95 per cent less water and has no degradation impact to soil as it is a soilless system.
“The only bi-product of this growing method is the fish themselves which can be used for restocking,” concluded Crook-based Robert.
Disabled fishing plan gets backing
Backing for the unique scheme has come from Simon Pomeroy, of tackle and bait firm Pallatrax.
Simon said: “It is an incredibly exciting project where our great sport will be able to run alongside sustainable Aquaponics farming.
“The fact that the fishery will also be the first disabled angler fishery of its kind in the region only makes the initiative even more inspiring.
“In a day and age where all in angling should be focused on environmental best practice, wouldn’t it be great to see more of these types of fisheries being rolled out across the country?”
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ASHLEY BENNETT had a brilliant mixed week on an urban river with specimen gudgeon, roach and carp.
Urban gem - Ashley Bennett admires his big River Wandle roach.
Ashley tackled his local River Wandle in South West London – a venue which a long history of pollution.
The 37-year-old included four carp topped by a 17 lb zip linear mirror.
His River Wandle sessions also yielded a roach near 2 lb and a gudgeon he estimates not far off the 5 oz British record.
Morden-based Ashley said: “I’ve had some incredible fish including this amazing zip lin that (Urban Banx star) Alan Blair has caught before.”
This impressive River Wandle linear was the star carp catch in Ashley’s run of specimens.
Ashley continued: “I also had a roach at nearly 2 lb and another gudgeon that was seriously close to the record.
“I had an even bigger gudgeon three years ago and while this wasn’t as big was still pretty big.
Ashley had some jumbo River Wandle gudgeon.
“I’d rather not say what bait I was using, as it gave me the edge I believe.
“But just say I was using naturals, and I was fishing on a very simple carp set up for the carp. I was touch fishing for the other two using two SSG shot and a hook tied on. Simple but effective.”
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A SECOND English fishery has installed a life-saving defibrillator in case any anglers have a heart attack.
Eden Grange Fishery now has a £1,000 defibrillator machine.
Eden Grange Fishery was presented with a defibrillator from North East Hearts With Goals charity because the venue – in Shildon, County Durham – is very rural.
The cost was about £1,000 but that’s a small price as the equipment could save a life. Cardiac arrests kill around 100,000 a year.
Fishery manger Joanne Hackett, who is trained to use a defibrillator and has had first hand CPR experience, was thrilled to receive one.
Joanne told Angler’s Mail: “The charity was established In 2013 by sisters in law Christine Stephenson and Kelly Best.
“It was set up for personal reasons, the sudden loss of Kelly’s husband and Christine’s brother Neil and the diagnosis of Kelly’s son with the heart condition ARVC.
“Neil did not come here himself but his brother is a keen match angler.
“Fisheries are often based off the beaten track and difficult to get to, so a defibrillator is an essential piece of first aid kit.
“We have had so many people who visit the fishery saying they have had heart attacks or heart problems that the families were worried about them going fishing alone in case something happens again.
“We didn’t realise how many till it was brought to our attention. This was when I spoke to Dave Mount from the Angling Trust and he said about the new charity that donated these machines.”
Joanne Hackett has taken delivery of the defibrillator to help save anglers in the event of an emergency.
Joanne added: “The defibrillator machine is an asset to the fishery.
“If nothing else, anglers who have had problems can come fishing keeping there independent knowing there is a little safe guard in place here.
“The thing is when partners tell me they are worried as their husband have had heart problems I reduce to putting a camera on them to reassure everyone back at home they are safe,” concluded Joanne.
Defibrillator means ‘peace of mind’
Hampshire’s Broadlands Lake was the first venue to get a defibrillator, two years ago.
Their move came after a 75-year-old angler died on the bank from a heart attack.
Broadlands fishery co-owner Debbie Beale said: “It’s been wonderful peace of mind for us and the anglers to have a defibrillator.
“Luckily we haven’t had to use it yet, but we will never forget that day two years ago that maybe things could have been different.
“I definitely think it should be a must for all fisheries especially as most are quite remote or rural and some are without staff. Therefore it really could save someone’s life.
“We also started the Broadlands Fishing Buddies group at the same time, which now has over 1,100 members, and they visit the fishery at the same time.
“We have lost count of how many anglers that have made friends through this group and meet on our banks.
“Just to know someone is there is a great comfort to someone fishing alone and can get help in an emergency,” added Debbie.
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JOE FROGGETT found the water temperature up a degree to 6.3 Celsius overnight.... and the rise helped him tempt this 3 lb 1 oz roach.
Joe Froggett, partially obscured by the photographer's thumb, shows his huge Hampshire Avon roach.
Joe was on the Christchurch AC stretch of the Hampshire Avon at Winkton and the big roach came in a good mixed bag.
Ferndown, Dorset-based Joe told Angler’s Mail: “The water was still up and coloured, but with the temperature climbing I fancied it for a few fish.
“I fished liquidised bread and bread punch, using a new stick float I made at the weekend.
“I caught a nice chub and a few chunky dace, when a good friend arrived, just to check out a few swims.
“We had a bit of banter, and just before he left, he said ‘come on, show me how to catch a big roach’.
“I cast out, and just before the end of the trot, the float dipped and I landed my best roach since October 2017, at exactly 2 lb.
“Half an hour later I had another of 1 lb 8 oz. Shortly after that, I lost a much bigger fish, and went 20 minutes without a bite.
“An angler walking past on his way home then enquired if I had caught much.
“My float buried, and I knew it was a good roach when the rod started nodding.
“When I drew it over the rim of the net I started shaking. The other angler said it was the biggest roach he had ever seen.
“Still shaking, we weighed it together. It went 3 lb 1 oz.
“I double-checked the reading. It was like a bar of silver, and I don’t think it had ever seen a hook.
“One of my best friends, Colin McDonagh, a very good fisherman, recently passed away after a long illness. I would like to dedicate my roach to his memory.”
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THE Environment Agency have revealed they have completed ten years of barbel conservation work to restore the record-breaking Great Ouse back to its former glory.
Chub get released into the record barbel river - but it's the new barbel which could be the seeds to restoring the venue back to what it was famed for.
The record barbel river benefited from 342 of the biggest barbel the EA have ever produced.
The Great Ouse became the record barbel river in the 1990s and early 2000s with a string of big doubles.
Several fish of record weight were caught, most famously the 21 lb 1 oz giant to Grahame King, a catch which is still No.1 on the official BRFC record list.
But otter predation and poor spawning has meant barbel fishing has seriously declined on the record barbel river.
Record barbel river revival efforts
An EA spokesperson said: “We have just released our final winter stocking, the biggest barbel that Calverton has ever produced, well over 30 cm in length and approaching 3 lb (pictured below).
“In total, we stocked 251 fish, to Harrold Country Park in Bedfordshire and 91 into the nearby River Ivel at Biggleswade Mill.”
One of the bigger new fish stocked into the record barbel river.
The EA spokesman revealed: “At both locations where we have been working extensively over the last ten years to conserve the barbel populations, and restore river habitats to help ensure sustainable fish populations.
“Our recent PhD studies have shown that barbel numbers are being impacted most heavily by poor spawning and poor fry survival, which in effect means the populations are struggling to support themselves.
“We are doing a lot of work to turn that around though, improving spawning habitat, building fry refuge areas, creating fish passage and, of course, stocking.
“These fish have been dye-marked with a safe blue agent, and we want anglers to send us pictures of any captures.”
Barbel with dye marks like this have been stocked.
“We have also introduced 8,000 chub at several locations around Buckingham on the upper Ouse as part of efforts there to help the higher river recover from a large pollution in June 2018.
“These were some of the biggest chub we’ve ever stocked, from 14-20 cm.
“These fish will form part of the recovery plan to help restore 25 km of the river after it was affected.
“We have further fish ordered for the next three years; roach, dace and more chub, with the next batch arriving summer 2019.”
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NEILL STEPHEN showed why he is considered one of the best specimen anglers in the country when he came within a whisker of the grayling record.
Neill Stephen admires the fish that fell just short of the British grayling record.
The British grayling record has since been beaten by another giant. Full story and pictures of that one are exclusively in this week’s Angler’s Mail print magazine.
Neill’s own fantastic catch, scaling 4 lb 3 oz – and pictured above – came agonisingly close to the official grayling record of 4 lb 4 oz 8 dr caught in 2009 by Paul Mildren from a Wessex river. Neill also beat his old grayling best of 3 lb 12 oz.
Neill currently co-holds the official perch record with a 6 lb 3 oz monster. He’s also caught chub to an equal record 9 lb 5 oz, which missed being ratified due to it being weighed in a plastic bag.
And his log of PBs includes 40 lb-plus pike, 17 lb-plus barbel, 4 lb rudd and a 3 lb 8 oz roach.
Berkshire-based Neill told Angler’s Mail: “I am sending this in now as I have had my last session now on the river for the foreseeable future.
“It was caught sight fishing on a Killer Bug nymph tied by Dave Lambert from a chalkstream carrier.
“It measured just over 21 inches long with a girth of just under 14 inches, and weighed a surreal 4 lb 3 oz.
“I’ve been obsessed with big grayling for the last seven years and spent much of my summers, autumns and winters fishing for them.
“I’ve loved the challenge offered by the low-stock fly-only waters, where you can cover miles in a day looking for fish and it’s all about sight fishing if you find them.
“It’s never been easy, but in recent years it’s got to a point where I was searching in well over 15 miles of river for what seemed like a tiny handful of fish.
“I lost one at the back of the previous season from a different carrier which could have been over 4 lb.
“And I was just thinking my chances of a fish like that had gone when I literally stumbled across a huge dark male fish sitting at the back of a pool.
“For once everything went right from start to finish, even after it took me 50 yards downstream and I fell in off a high bank.
“Seeing the scales go well over 4 lb was an extraordinary moment in what has been one of the best fishing adventures of my life – I’ve learnt a lot, made some great friends and loved every second of it,” concluded Neill.
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A SCIENTIFIC report has warned global insect numbers are rapidly declining – and a worst-case scenario would be them being wiped out within a century.
One of the most iconic UK inset species devoured by fish - the mayfly, seen here on the River Test.
The loss of so many insect species could have devastating effects for all animal groups including humans and fish populations, experts have warned.
The global study by boffins in China and Australia have recorded a 2.5 per cent annual loss over the past 25 years with a third of all insect species endangered.
Some 41 per cent of global insect species have declined over the past decade – and the highest individual species was caddisflies on 68 per cent.
The fifth worst hit insect was mayflies with a 37 per cent decline.
The analysis, published in the journal Biological Conservation, says intensive agriculture is the main driver of the declines, particularly the heavy use of pesticides.
Co-author Francisco Sánchez-Bayo, from the University of Sydney, said: “If insect species losses cannot be halted, this will have catastrophic consequences for both the planet’s ecosystems and for the survival of all other animals.
“The insect decline is very rapid. In ten years you will have a quarter less, in 50 years only half left and in 100 years you will have none.”
Anglers react to insect crisis
Conservationist and former barbel record holder Ray Walton said: “Pollution can wipe out all insect life and macro-invertebrates – food for fish, birds, amphibians, mammals – can instantly be destroyed in a river or lake.
“The knock on effect means no food supply along the whole riverine/water food chain… so everything dies in the end of starvation if they haven’t been wiped out by the pollution in the first instance.
“The pesticides and herbicides containing glyphosates that the Environment Agency, farmers, golf courses and the public use, eventually end up in the river or lakes water supply causing declines in insect populations on land and in the water habitat.
“Glyphosate is also a known Endocrine Disruptor poison chemical which can change or distort the natural sex in fish, mammals, insects etc.
“Far more action is needed from the Government but will we get it ever?” Ray concluded.
Dr Mark Everard, roach ace and fishery scientist, said: “I have seen this report and it is extremely alarming.
“Really, it mirrors the ‘chalkstream malaise’ that anglers flagged up two decades ago, and that triggered the angler (and other volunteer)-led RiverFly Partnership surveys.
“A lot of fish food is lost, including a lot that blows in from the land, and this is also an indicator of wider ecosystem decline.”
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Daventy, Northamptonshire-based Mick explained: “I have been having some variety recently, catching eight white sturgeon over two days whilst holidaying…
MARTIN ALLEN smashed his pike PB with this fantastic 39 lb giant... after a wise switch of baits.
Huge pike - but it took a small bait.
The huge pike meant the Oxford-based angler obliterated his old best of 30 lb 4 oz.
And it came just a few days after he boated a 28-pounder, also at Somerset mecca, Chew Valley Lake.
Martin said: “My boat partner Chris Parry put us over one of our marks on Thursday and that resulted in a beautiful 28-pounder for me. It was my only run of the day.
“We were blown off Friday and Saturday but were able to get back on Tuesday. We decided to go back over our mark again, which was 22 ft deep.
“As we passed over it, Chris spotted a big shadow on the screen of his fish finder. ‘That’s a big pike down there,’ he said.
“We dropped the anchor about 100 ft upwind then gently drifted back over the spot and dropped the back anchor.”
Huge pike sniffed out smelt
Martin revealed: “Herrings usually do well for us on Chew so that was the choice of baits, fished hard on the bottom.
“A few hours later I hard a run and got excited only for the bait to be dropped.
“Checking the bait, I could see tell tale signs of pike teeth marks.
“Chris reeled in his bait to have another cast and noticed teeth marks also on his herring but had had no bite indication. Perhaps the pike were being finicky?
“I decided to change from size 2 hooks down to size 4 and put a smelt on.
“A little while later Chris said ‘your smelt has come to life’ and we watched the float slide under.”
‘Heart-pumping’ quick fight
Martin explained his battle with the huge pike…
“I hit into it straight away – and at first I thought it was a jack,” he admitted.
“But I soon realised this was something special. My heart was pumping.
“I reeled in quite quickly as I like to get the pike into the landing net before they realise what is happening, and this one obliged and came in quite easily.
“We looked into the landing net and both Chris and I said look at the size of that! It was massive.
“With barbless hooks, the unhooking was done quite quickly.
“It’s a matter of luck in reality as either of us could have caught the biggie. But it was the pointy end of the boat this time that was lucky for me. Happy days,” added Martin.
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A RESTAURANT owner and his friend were hit with a total of £2,500 in fines and costs for illegally taking bass including undersized fish.
An anglers evidence of illegal fishing was crucial to a prosecution.
Illegal fishing has been going on around many parts of the British coastline, but rarely do any cases get to court. This time an angler’s evidence was crucial.
Tran Doan, 37, the owner of Eat Pho Vietnamese restaurant in Bournemouth, and Tran Hoang, 41, of Thatcham, Berkshire, pleaded guilty to two charges at Poole Magistrates’ Court.
They were each fined £500 and ordered to pay £1,500 court costs.
The pair were only caught after caring shore angler Steve Cullen filmed the incident at Poole Harbour in Dorset . The pair woke him while he was sleeping in his car at Rockley Park last August.
In the video, where Steve “saw red” and slung the bucket of fish back in the water, shouting: “It’s bass, what do you think you’re doing?”
Steve filmed one of the men leaving in a vehicle with the words ‘Eat Pho. Traditional Vietnamese Rice Noodle Soup’ on the side.
Magistrates heard 40 kg of fish were landed but there was no evidence of any of it being sold through the restaurant.
Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority which brought the case, said Poole Harbour was an “important refuge” for juvenile bass.
SIFCA member and Poole councillor Ray Tindle said: “Protection in the harbour allows them to grow and replenish the seriously depleted stocks.”
In August, a Facebook post, apparently from Mr Doan, apologised for his actions.
Doan apologised and said he was fishing for pleasure and that bass was not on the restaurant menu.
He said: “I would like to apologise for my actions which have offended the fishing community. I am not a fisherman, have no experience in fishing and honestly was not aware of the ban.
“If you ever visit our website on our restaurant you would know that we have never served sea bass.”
Angler helped halt illegal fishing
Angler Steve Cullen said: “Overall (it was) a good result but everyone was surprised just how low the fine was.
“It’s not just someone on the end of the pier killing an undersized fish for the table.
Steve Cullen helped win a battle against illegal bass fishing, and brought the problem to a wider audience.
“They went out in a boat with commercial style gill nets driving company vehicles so really should have been a commercial size fine.
“The fine is supposed to be that it’s a good punishment but also affordable, but to me a £500 fine really isn’t that much of a punishment to someone who runs a good business and drives a £70K Range Rover,” added Steve, an alarm fitter, from Havant in Hampshire.
Trust want others to report illegal fishing
David Mitchell, head of marine at the Angling Trust, said: “We see this as a pretty good result.
“The fines and costs should act as a disincentive for anyone else thinking of doing the same – there was no evidence to suggest they were selling the fish.
“The IFCAs have limited enforcement resources and have to invest these where they assess there being the highest risk.
“The fact is that this prosecution wouldn’t have happened without the evidence supplied by Steve Cullen.
“The Angling Trust has already agreed to work with the Southern IFCA by encouraging anglers to report illegal fishing.
“Providing evidence in a way that can be used is crucial in securing a prosecution.
“These individuals claim they were not aware of the law and have apologised for what they did.
“There could be a lot more done to make members of the public aware of regulations such as bass nursery areas and bag limits.
“Signs and notices would help people not fall foul of the law and would help prosecutors ensure enough was done in future to make people aware of the regulations,” added David.
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RIVER ace Dr Mark Everard had a dream late-season trip when he took three 1 lb dace in a great haul.
Dace fishing at night? It worked for Mark Everard!
The associate professor’s dace fishing session saw him add ten other specimens including fish of 15 oz, 14 oz and 12 oz.
They were caught on the upper Bristol Avon in a short session using specialist tactics, which he explained to Angler’s Mail…
Mark said: “There’s a place I know where the dace congregate before spawning, moving into water literally a few inches deep in the dark.
“There is nothing there to see by daylight, so we’re talking ‘ninja’ tactics before dawn and well into dusk.
“The fish are also very mobile and easily spooked, but this is where the big ones are. It’s short sessions only, one rod and very stealthy.
“Tactics were light quivertipping with my standard rig: 10 ft 6 in. Silstar quiver rod from the 1980s with a Betalight attached to the tip.
“I then use 4 lb main line, 15 g cage feeders tied on a loop with a swivel captive in a loop of main line, and 2 lb 8 oz bottom with liquidised bread in the feeder and chunk of flake on the hook.”
‘Too many roach’ when dace fishing
Mark continued: “I had float fished into dusk in a slightly deeper stretch, but moved away as I was catching too many roach.
“That’s not a complaint you’d normally hear me utter, but the big dace were on my radar as the light slipped away.
“I moved upstream to that apparently fishless shallows and started picking up dace almost straight away as they fanned out over the gravel.
“I played each one firmly to avoid spooking the shoal.
“I have never seen three 1 lb dace landed in a single, short, dusk session.
“It is nice to be surprised sometimes,” concluded Great Somerford, Wiltshire-based Mark.
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RYAN PEVY only restarted fishing again this season and was so pleased that he did when he slid the net under this massive 19 lb 15 oz barbel.
Ryan Pevy's giant Thames barbel scaled 19 lb 15 oz. He was a winner in Angler's Mail's famous Fish of the Week, sponsored by Richworth.
The huge Thames barbel came when Ryan tackled the middle reaches of the mighty river.
The High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire-based ‘returner’ told Angler’s Mail about his inspiring triumph.
“I only started fishing again this last year from when I was younger,” explained Ryan, a self-employed plaster.
“My old PB I think was about 8 lb so when I hooked this one I was in shock of how strong she was.
“I would like to get a bigger barbel but it will be very hard to beat my PB now I reckon.
“It came at about 11.45 pm and took ten or maybe more minutes to get in.
“She kept hugging the bottom of the river and taking line.
“I was using double 8 mm garlic pellets with a size 12 hook and 12 lb main line with a 3 oz open-ended feeder with mixed pellets and hemp,” added Ryan, 26.
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HERE are the new rod licences for 2019 - and there’s another three cracking designs from top angling artist David Miller.
The two-rod coarse fishing rod licences are graced by an image of two bream (pictured above).
The three-rod specimen licence, now in its second year as an option in England and Wales, shows a fully-scaled mirror carp.
And a sea trout will be on the salmon and migratory trout licence.
Fishing rod licences for carp and other three-rod users have this striking carp image for 2019.
Around a million fishing rod licences were sold in the last full year, 2017/2018, raising £23 million.
This funded 350,000 fish being restocked into rivers, responding to 797 fisheries incidents and installing 37 fish passes, amongst other things.
Kevin Austin, EA Fisheries boss, said: “Annual fishing licences are available from only £30 (adults) with fishing licence income used to fund work to maintain, improve and develop fisheries, fish stocks, fish habitats and angling.
“We’re delighted to reveal these new images as part of our continued drive to encourage people to give fishing a go.
“They celebrate three of our much-loved fish species and we know that many anglers enjoy collecting these wonderful images,” added Kevin.
David Miller, seen with 4 lb 4 oz eel, was again the master behind the artwork on fishing rod licences issued by the EA.
Brilliant art for fishing rod licences
Keen angler David Miller (pictured above) is being widely applauded again for the high quality of the artwork on the new fishing rod licences.
David, who is a wildlife artist, told Angler’s Mail: “Firstly, I was delighted to be asked to provide the licence artwork again.
“With regards to the fish that feature, like most of my work the reference is my own photography, from a lightroom catalogue of over 140,000 images built up over the years.
“It’s never a case of copying a single photograph to make a painting – it’s combining different aspects of many photographs to come up with the final image.
“The photography is a mixture of underwater pictures taken at various locations all over the UK, fish that either myself or friends have caught, useful for details such as eyes/fins/scales, and some aquarium shots.
“I’m not too good at keeping tabs on how long images take to paint, as I have a lot of paintings on the go at the same time, and often leave work to one side for a while to allow for drying of layers,” concluded Pembrokeshire-based David.
This sea trout graces the cover of new migratory species fishing rod licences.
Prices of 2019 fishing rod licences
Licences have stayed the same price for 2019 and into the first quarter of 2020.
That means a two-rod annual coarse fishing licence costs £30, a three-rod licence £45, concessionary £20/£30 respectively.
All juniors are free, but 13-16-year-old have to register online.
A one-day coarse licence is £6 but there is better short-term value £12 for eight days.
The salmon licence is £82 a year, £12 a day or £27 for eight days.
NEVER buy your rod licence online to rogue website who will add a surcharge, so always use the official Government site at: www.gov.uk/get-a-fishing-licence
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BOOMING tackle shop chain Angling Direct has bought two more well-known stores, to take their tally up to 26.
Angling Direct will be even busier now they've bought Chapmans Angling.
Angling Direct, a public limited company, paid £1.4 million to Glasgow Angling Centre boss Paul Devlin for his two Chapmans Angling stores. The big deal includes stock.
Angling Direct will now have the 4,000 sq ft Chapmans Scunthorpe in north Lincolnshire with over 13,000 product lines.
And they also bought the larger Hull store in East Yorkshire, which is 6,500 sq ft, and has over 18,000 product lines.
In the financial year to April 30, 2018, Chapmans Angling generated revenue of over £3 million and profit before tax of £43,000.
An Angling Direct statement said: “With the acquisition including approximately £1.1 million of stock, the directors believe that the total consideration values the Chapmans Angling business at approximately three times average annual profits for the last three years.
“The directors are looking forward to capitalising on the benefits that they expect to come from the economies of scale and best practises that Angling Direct will implement upon acquisition.
Chapmans Angling “a high quality business”
Darren Bailey, CEO of Angling Direct, commented: “Chapmans Angling is a high quality business which will give Angling Direct a strong foothold in the North East.
“The group will continue to provide the very best level of service across both stores, with Chapmans’ online distribution moving south to Angling Direct’s main distribution centre in Norfolk.”
Paul Devlin said: “I would like to thank everyone who has worked for me during my 16 years as owner of Chapmans Angling.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with such talented and passionate people that have been instrumental in making Chapmans the success it is today.
“It wasn’t an easy decision for me to sell but Angling Direct’s vision is the perfect option for the future success of these two superb stores.
“The future of Glasgow Angling Centre is very bright,” added Paul.
Fishing Republic latest
Elsewhere, Britain’s second largest fishing chain, Fishing Republic, has announced new stock into their 14 superstores. The comeback follows financial hardship last year.
As reported in January, JD Sports who own Go Outdoors, saved Fishing Republic after they went into receivership and guaranteed the continuation of all existing stores and their staff.
A Fishing Republic statement said: “We’re back, with over £2,000,000 worth of stock available in store from your favourite brands, there’s no better time than now to shop with Fishing Republic!”
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DARRELL CARTER showed you can, with care, land huge fish on frail tackle... when he managed to tame this huge catfish on ultra light perch tackle.
Darrell Carter displays the front end of his giant catfish landed on ultra light tackle.
Experienced big fish angler Darrell hooked the giant catfish at a complex on the Shropshire-Staffordshire border. He brought it to the bank using just a Black Savage 2-12 g rod.
The 46-year-old PR director said: “I accidentally hooked the beast while perching on very light lure tackle including 16 lb braid, a 10 lb fluoro trace, a 12 g Gunki Paddle Tail shad.
“Mid-afternoon I had a take and that started a game of tug-of-war for about 40 minutes.
“I have no way of knowing the actual weight as nothing I had was able to hold the fish, but I would guess around 50 lb.
“My PB is 80 lb, and I’ve seen lots of cats at the 45 lb mark.
“I was very happy with the cat, of course – it was a nice surprise and this season has been pretty special for me.”
Giant catfish tamer Darrell Carter has caught many other hefty fish, including this rotund tench of 12 lb 2 oz.
Darrell revealed: “I’ve had tench of 10 lb 7 oz and 12 lb 2 oz, and a lovely 41 b 2 oz common carp.
“And this winter I’ve now had 12 perch over 3 lb, with two going 4 lb 3 oz and a fish the other week of 4 lb 7 oz.
“I’m now hoping I can bag a nice pike before the season is out,” concluded Ware, Hertfordshire-based Darrell.
Just weeks earlier, Angler’s Mail revealed how match angler Jake Hall tamed a 56 lb sturgeon from South Yorkshire’s Aston Park using a size 16 hook to a 6 lb trace and a feeder rod.
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SIMON ELLIS totally obliterated his grayling personal best when he smashed the British record by nearly 4 oz with this 4 lb 8 oz specimen.
The 58-year-old was on a Wessex river with pals, including Angler’s Mail magazine columnist John Bailey, when he connected with the huge fly-caught specimen.
Simon, a sales manager from Wadhurst, Kent, said: “My PB grayling before this was 1 lb 10 oz from the Teme.
“It gave just a small bite and then a solid weight on my 4-weight fly tackle.
“I saw the fish turn as I set the hook and I knew it was big, so that was exciting.
“It sulked initially, and then moved from bank to bank, before coming slowly to the net after five minutes,” added Simon.
The full story on this catch appeared in Angler’s Mail magazine. It’s your No.1 place to find the best catches and most interesting columnists this week… and every week. There’s stacks of great content you won’t find online.
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A BRAND new angling show is set to become one of the best of 2019... with many top firms and anglers already signed up.
Marina Gibson (right) and Paul Procter helped launch The Fishing Show. Big names are quickly signing up for what will be grand summer weekend for the north.
Called simply The Fishing Show, it has been launched in the biggest fishing region of the country at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, on the June 8-9 weekend.
It has real potential to be a big hit, and the organisers already host the 160-year-old Great Yorkshire Show which attracts 130,000 people over three days every year.
The Fishing Show spokeswoman Jenny Rose said: “The show is multi-discipline and has organically developed to be focused on the carp, coarse, fly and lure side of things.
“We’re also hoping for there to be a match element, with the match scene in Yorkshire being strong and have engaged Emma Pickering to be an ambassador along with her daughter Cadie, as they are from Yorkshire.
“Over 120,000 rod licences are sold annually in Yorkshire – more than anywhere else in the UK. There has long been a demand for a show of this nature in Yorkshire.
“Top fly fishing guide Marina Gibson and well-known game angler Paul Procter have also embraced the new event.
“Carp aces Rob Hughes and Mark Holmes are booked with more to be confirmed.
“Companies confirmed already include Shimano, Spotted Fin, RAD Angling, PB Products and Crafty Catcher
“The show is aimed at families and children as well as established anglers. We’d like to encourage those who haven’t tried fishing before to come along and give it a go, or encourage those who might be interested in getting back into it after a hiatus.
“The show will be mainly indoors in our high spec exhibition hall, but will also utilise the outdoor space and two on-site ponds for casting and demos,” added Jenny.
Excitement begins for The Fishing Show
Marina Gibson, who lives near Leyburn, promotes the sport to more than 33,000 of her Instagram followers… and she’s right behind The Fishing Show.
Marina said: “I’m so excited to be involved in the first ever The Fishing Show!
“There’s so much fishing in Yorkshire and its surrounding areas so it’s the perfect stepping stone for people who need that first bit of advice to get them through the starting barrier.
“The whole ethos behind the show is to be as inclusive as possible, targeting families, children, millennials and of course all ages, sex and abilities. See you there.”
Keep your eye on Angler’s Mail magazine for more details on The Fishing Show, and check out the official website: www.hookedonfishing.co.uk
Tickets go on sale soon with an early-bird discount.
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