25.04.06
ANGLING FOR ALL
The Environment Agency today announced its plans to attract an extra 200,000 people to fishing in the next 10 years. Outlined in Angling in 2015, the Environment Agency sets out its plans for the sport and how it will work to increase the social and economic benefits angling provides over the next decade.
[Read More]

13.04.06
EEL POACHER CAUGHT RED HANDED IN KENT
Environment Agency Officers and Police moved in on a suspected illegal elver fisherman in the early hours of Thursday 13 April 2006. Eel stocks are thought to be declining across Europe due to a number of factors.
[Read More]

12.04.06
THATCHAM ANGLING ASSOCIATION OPEN DAY - SAT 27TH MAY 2006.
Thatcham Angling Association is pleased to announce that on Saturday 27th May 2006, their lake complex in Lower Way, Thatcham, Berkshire, is host to the areas biggest ever angling event.
[Read More]

10.04.06
NATIONAL TRUST FINED £5,000 FOR SEWAGE OFFENCE AT BODIAM CASTLE
The Environment Agency has prosecuted the National Trust for allowing sewage to leave Bodiam Castle near Robertsbridge and enter the River Rother without receiving the correct treatment.
[Read More]

07.04.06
KENT CLASSROOM TROUT GO WILD IN THE RIVER DARENT
The Environment Agency is hoping that the wild brown trout reared in a Kent classroom will improve fish stocks in the River Darent following their release on Monday 3 April 2006
[Read More]

06.04.06
BURY HILL FISHERIES GENERAL FISHING UPDATE, APRIL
Supported by a huge £75,000 stocking this winter which included close to 1.5 tons of bream, skimmers and roach being stocked into the Old Lake together with 500 double figure carp, recent water temperature increases have brought about some exceptional fishing in recent days
[Read More]

05.04.06
NET CLOSES IN ON ILLEGAL POACHERS IN KENT
The Environment Agency is carrying out nighttime patrols on rivers in Kent in a bid to prevent the illegal netting of juvenile eel during their inland migration. Unfortunately, eel stocks are thought to be declining across Europe due to a number of factors. These include climate change and its effects on the North Atlantic currents and hence the elver migration.
[Read More]

01.04.06
BUY YOUR 2006/07 ROD LICENCE ON LINE
Anyone over the age of 12 fishing in freshwaters in England or Wales must have a valid Environment Agency rod licence. Money from the sale of licences helps to fund the EA's work on managing fisheries. If you are caught fishing without one, you are cheating other anglers and could be fined up to £2,500
[Read More]

Anglers are being asked to help in a survey about patterns of angling activity and spending across England and Wales in 2005.

The research team is asking everyone who went freshwater fishing last year to complete a questionnaire on-line at: www.gcal.ac.uk/econsurv/anglersurvey.htm" The project, which has been commissioned by the Environment Agency and Defra, will help to understand how important freshwater fishing can be for jobs and incomes in different regions of England and Wales. The results are expected to influence the future development of fisheries.

Dr Guy Mawle, Fisheries Policy Officer for the Environment Agency, said:

"This study will show us and government how important freshwater angling can be for jobs and incomes across England and Wales. But we need anglers to provide the basic information. We'd like everyone who went freshwater fishing in England or Wales during 2005 to take part. It doesn't matter where you come from or how keen you are. The questionnaire only takes about 10 minutes to complete so it won’t take up much of your time."

Paul Orford, Fish South East, March 2006.

The Environment Agency today announced its plans to attract an extra 200,000 people to fishing in the next 10 years. Outlined in Angling in 2015, the Environment Agency sets out its plans for the sport and how it will work to increase the social and economic benefits angling provides over the next decade.

Dafydd Evans, Head of Fisheries for the Environment Agency said:
"Over 4 million people go fishing in England and Wales already - this means another 4 million people interested in protecting our environment while at the same time making a significant economic and social contribution. Fishing has created 20,000 jobs and a total of up to 2.75 billion is spent on the sport every year. We want to encourage more people to enjoy water related recreation - fishing is a great way to do that."

"Fishing can also be a great way of tackling anti-social behaviour, educational under-achievement and youth crime. Through Angling in 2015 we aim to help more people from more backgrounds enjoy the simple pleasures of going fishing, and at the same time help them appreciate and protect their environment."

Research has shown women express high levels of interest in angling but only make up about 5% of people buying rod licences, compared to the USA where 26% of anglers are women. Research also shows that while one in five young people aged 12-16 have fished in the past two years, as many again would like to try the sport, and that it holds its overall attraction as a favoured sport among people with disabilities. Yet, while interest is there, few women or people from black and minority ethnic communities are taking up the sport. Angling in 2015 wants to turn this interest in angling into actual participation.

Key aims outlined in the document include:
- More people from a wider range of backgrounds fishing
- Improved information about angling, where to go and how to start
- Better performing fisheries helping angling to carry on growing as a sport

"Fishing can take you to some of our most beautiful places and give you privileged close-ups of our rarest and most interesting wildlife. It’s also a great introduction to the environment and wildlife for inner city people," Dafydd Evans said.

Last year the Environment Agency invested £100,000 in angling participation projects, which included 600 taster sessions in partnership with other associations, such as Royal Bank of Scotland, Sportsmatch and the tackle trade.

"We aim to help raise awareness of angling as a mainstream and healthy outdoor pursuit and to help more people find out what it can do for them. Angling in 2015 will help those who have very limited access to angling to get out in their environment and have a got at fishing," Dafydd Evans said.

Angling in 2015 is available from the Environment Agency website; www.environment-agency.gov.uk and case studies are available from the press office.

Source: The Environment Agency - April 2006.
Contact: Contact: shelley.frosdick@environment-agency.gov.uk

Thatcham Angling Association is pleased to announce that on Saturday 27th May 2006, their lake complex in Lower Way, Thatcham, Berkshire, is host to the areas biggest ever angling event.

The three lakes in the complex, named Long, Jubilee and Hordens Mere Lakes, are set in idyllic surroundings and yet are close to local amenities, including two fishing tackle shops. The association has a membership of approximately 600 anglers of all ages, and though most live within a 15 mile radius of Thatcham town centre, associate members come from far and wide, including an angler from Scotland who travels down for the excellent Chub and barbell fishing to be had on the Associations excellent stretches of the River Kennet. The lakes complex cater for every type of angler, whether it is the specimen hunter after the large carp, bream or tench or the pleasure angler who can bag up on the smaller varieties, such as rudd, roach, perch etc. Match angling plays an important part of any clubs activities and Thatcham Angling Association is no exception, hosting a number of club and interclub matches each year. The association also has waters at Bucklebury Ponds, and stretches of the Kennet and Avon canal close to Thatcham Railway Station and at the rear of the Public House formerly known as the Whitehouse on the A4 between Newbury and Thatcham.

The Junior section has really taken off in the last 12 months and on our open day we are hosting a Junior Match between our top Junior anglers and the top Junior anglers from other local clubs, Bracknell, Kintbury and Oxford to name a few. Helping to run the match, and no doubt pass on winning tips, will be FOUR times World Angling Champion Bob NUDD, who will be spending the day at the complex. Bob will be giving a talk on fishing and will also be taking part in a fishing match with other celebrity anglers, namely Carp experts Nigel SHARP and Mitch SMITH, and fly fishing expert Martin JAMES, who will also be demonstrating how to fly fish for carp.

Fishing tips will be passed on by all celebrity anglers during their talks on different styles of fishing, and an interactive bait and rig clinic is being held by Myles GASCOIGNE from Carp School to help anglers chances of landing that elusive 30lb carp in Thatcham’s Long Lake. Also taking part in the Celebrity fishing match will be our club President, Labour M.P. Mr. Martin SALTER, who, with Bob NUDD, will be presenting the prizes to the winners of the Junior competition.

Everyone is welcome to attend our open day and for those who have never fished before, there will be an opportunity to do so courtesy of the Environment Agency who have kindly agreed to waiver the requirement for individual rod licences on the lake complex for the day. Fishing tackle will be provided and assistance will be on hand to demonstrate how to handle rod and reel. Other attractions are casting competitions where a cash prize will be up for grabs in our “snooker” game, a “spod” casting demonstration by Mitch Smith, a “whip” fishing competition run be Zebco/Browning tackle manufacturers, and much more.

There will be an opportunity to purchase fishing tackle from stands set up by Crownmead Angling and Thatcham Angling Centre and Tasty Baits will be present to launch new Tower Pellet baits. A barbeque and refreshments will be available as well as a bouncy castle to keep the children amused. Thatcham Angling Association will be having their own stand offering anglers the opportunity to purchase club T-Shirts and fleeces and anyone turning up the opportunity to join one of the areas top angling clubs, namely Thatcham Angling Association. No doubt by the time the open day arrives, more events will be confirmed so please turn up to find out what’s on.

Car Parking is available at £1 per car, entry is £1 per adult, children free entry.

For further information on Thatcham Angling Association log onto www.thatchamaa.co.uk

Environment Agency Officers and Police moved in on a suspected illegal elver fisherman in the early hours of Thursday 13 April 2006.

Eel stocks are thought to be declining across Europe due to a number of factors. These include climate change and its effects on the North Atlantic currents and hence the elver migration. For this reason the Environment Agency affords as much protection to the species as possible at this time. Elver fishing is now illegal in Kent.

A team of Environment Agency Water Bailiffs observed a vulnerable location on an undisclosed river in Kent when the suspect was seen to arrive and start to fish for elvers. Environment Agency Bailiffs are deemed to be constables for the purposes of enforcing the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 and so have powers of arrest, search and seizure. The team called for assistance from Sussex Police and the suspect was arrested on suspicion of illegally fishing for elvers. The suspect could now face prosecution, confiscation of equipment and maximum penalties of two years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

Jon Whitmore, Environment Agency Kent Area Fisheries Team Leader said:
"Restrictions on elver fishing have been put in place as a conservation measure to protect this vulnerable species. Our officers have been and will continue to patrol vulnerable elver locations. Be warned that anyone attempting to take elvers in Kent Area will be caught."

The decline of eel stocks could have been caused by a number of reasons but it is thought that climatic fluctuations and the effects on the North Atlantic currents has played a part in this.

The European eel is assumed to spawn in the Sargasso Sea, South America. Once the eggs have hatched they drift in the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic currents and head towards Europe. It is thought that the journey can take 2 – 3 years when they develop from larvae to a 60mm long glass eel or elver.

Source: The Environment Agency - April 2006.
Contact: Contact: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

The Environment Agency has prosecuted the National Trust for allowing sewage to leave Bodiam Castle near Robertsbridge and enter the River Rother without receiving the correct treatment.

The National Trust appeared before Hastings Magistrates Court on Monday 10 April 2006 and pleaded guilty to the offence. As a result the company was fined £5,000 and was ordered to pay costs of £720 to the Environment Agency. Under section 85(6) of the Water Resources Act 1991, Bodiam Castle has a consent that allows for the discharge of treated sewage and effluent to the River Rother. To ensure the environment is protected, the Environment Agency sets conditions on the under which this sewage and effluent can be discharged. The National Trust, the owners of Bodiam Castle, contravened a condition of this consent.

The court heard that in August 2004 there was a meeting between the Environment Agency and the National Trust regarding the sewage treatment plant at Bodiam Castle. The Environment Agency stressed the treatment plant should be compliant by the summer of 2005, since water levels are very low in the summer and a breach of consent would therefore have had a greater impact at that time of year.

On 23 August 2005, Environment Agency Officers took a sample of the discharge from the castle’s sewage treatment plant. The sample was analysed and the Biochemical Oxygen Demand Level and the suspended solids level were both found to be nearly four times the agreed consent figure. This demonstrated that the plant could not cope during the peak period for visitors to the castle.

Source: The Environment Agency - April 2006.
Contact: Contact: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

The Environment Agency is hoping that the wild brown trout reared in a Kent classroom will improve fish stocks in the River Darent following their release on Monday 3 April 2006.

In January, the Environment Agency delivered wild trout eggs to the Kemnal Technology College in Bromley, as part of the wild brown trout enhancement project. The students reared the eggs and following successful hatching they have been released into the river at Lullingstone Castle. The college kept and reared the eggs in a specially designed school yard incubation box. This gave the eggs the best chance of survival by providing them with natural and pristine conditions to develop in. This project has also allowed the students to study and monitor the fish as they have developed.

From approximately 50 eggs given to the school, 30 fry managed to hatch and this equates to a 60 per cent survival rate. A further 102 fry were also released into the Kent river. The Environment Agency will now monitor the river to check on the progress of the fish.

The release of the wild brown trout comes as the Environment Agency completes a second project to restore the River Darent at Lullingstone Castle in Shoreham, Kent. Extensive work has been carried out by Environment Agency Officers to return the river to its natural chalk habitat, improve wildlife populations and create a beautiful natural landscape.

Chris Conroy, Environment Agency Fisheries Technical Specialist in Kent, said:
"The release of the trout at Lullingstone Castle comes at a great time because we have just completed some fantastic work to improve and restore the river there. This area was once unsuitable for trout to spawn but our work means these fish, reared in the classroom, will have the best possible chance of survival once in the wild. We hope this project encourages the students to take an interest in the local environment. By enthusing youngsters today, we can give brown trout and other wetland wildlife a better chance for tomorrow."

Lullingstone Castle originates from the 16th Century. This important historic site found within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty lies on the banks of the River Darent.

Source: The Environment Agency - April 2006.
Contact: Contact: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

The Environment Agency is carrying out nighttime patrols on rivers in Kent in a bid to prevent the illegal netting of juvenile eel during their inland migration. Unfortunately, eel stocks are thought to be declining across Europe due to a number of factors. These include climate change and its effects on the North Atlantic currents and hence the elver migration. For this reason the Environment Agency affords as much protection to the species as possible at this time of year and as from 1 January 2005 elver fishing became illegal in Kent.

The Environment Agency is concerned that eel stocks across Europe are currently at a low level. In April and May each year, thousands of eel complete an epic journey from across the Atlantic, arriving in rivers and streams in Kent but the number of juveniles [elver] returning to these rivers is thought to be in decline. Environment Agency Water Bailiffs are now patrolling rivers in Kent to protect the elver during this vulnerable time.

Environment Agency Kent Technical Specialist for Fisheries, Chris Conroy, said:
"The eel is a fascinating species of fish with a complex life cycle. It is often misunderstood but plays an important role in the ecology of rivers and is an important food source for several species of conservation value such as the otter".

"Any reports of illegal elver fishing will be taken with the utmost seriousness due to international agreements regarding the vulnerability of elvers. Our Water Bailiffs are patrolling hotspots on a regular basis, and anyone found in contravention of the regulations could face arrest, seizure of equipment, prosecution and fines of up to £2,500 pounds".

Any reports of suspicious activity should be reported immediately to the Environment Agency Emergency Hotline on 0800 80 70 60.

The decline of eel stocks could have been caused by a number of reasons but it is thought that climatic fluctuations and the effects on the North Atlantic currents has played a part in this.

The European eel is assumed to spawn in the Sargasso Sea, South America. Once the eggs have hatched they drift in the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic currents and head towards Europe. It is thought that the journey can take 2 – 3 years when they develop from larvae to a 60mm long glass eel or elver.

Source: The Environment Agency - April 2006.
Contact: Contact: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

Supported by a huge £75,000 stocking this winter which included close to 1.5 tons of bream, skimmers and roach being stocked into the Old Lake together with 500 double figure carp, recent water temperature increases have brought about some exceptional fishing in recent days with anglers on all lakes catching some very good bags.

With huge bream and skimmer shoals dominating the Old Lake, Geoff Mills and Stephen Roberts chose to fish the front bank catching 42 bream between them for a shared 180lb bag. Fishing corn with small feeders the pair caught bream to 7lb 3oz. Gary Tilling also favoured the Old Lake fishing peg 34 along the long bank, fishing a long pole Gary caught a very credible 70lb consisting of bream, skimmers, roach, rudd and two bonus 6lb tench whilst also loosing two very good carp. All of Gary's fish fell to caster and hemp.

Whilst the jungle is famous for its huge tench bags in late spring, it is the carp that are dominating the early catches and having read recent articles in the Anglers Mail and Carp Talk about the exceptional boat fishing for carp this winter, Mathew Hart decided to fish the jungle and was delighted to catch 14 carp which included 2 twenties, a 24lb 8oz mirror and 21lb common. Fishing companion Fred Gladding also managed 7 fish to upper doubles. The pair fished maggot, corn and pellet under small floats. Another pair of anglers to catch down in the jungle was Fred Tiller and Peter Ashman. Bagging 16 fish between them, the pair had 3 twenties which included a 25lb 7oz mirror, 24lb linear and 23lb 12oz common which all fell to small Icelandic Red boilies fished over a bed of pellet and flavoured hemp.

Bonds Lake is also fishing very well producing bags to 60lb and even the odd bag to 100lb. Regular Steve Murray fished peg 4 catching 32 carp to 9lb for a good ton up bag, Steve fished a short pole with corn over pellet. Milton Lake is also starting to fish with plenty of small carp showing along with quality roach, rudd and perch and even the odd early tench and crucian. Paul Hill fished peg 3 catching 37 small carp, 20lb or so of silvers and two bonus tench for a good 50lb. Paul was fishing a short pole with corn, soft pellet on the hook whilst feeding small pellet.

Source: www.buryhillfisheries.com - April 2006.

2006/2007 online rod licences now available - see prices below.

Anyone over the age of 12 fishing in freshwaters in England or Wales must have a valid Environment Agency rod licence. Money from the sale of licences helps to fund the EA's work on managing fisheries. If you are caught fishing without one, you are cheating other anglers and could be fined up to £2,500.

To buy your Environment Agency rod licence on-line, click here. The following licence categories can be purchased online:

full licences
junior licences [12 to 16 year olds]
8-day licences
1-day licences
Concessionary licences for eligible disabled people
Concessionary licences for people aged 65 or over
Welsh/English bilingual licences

Category

Non-Migratory Trout and Coarse

Salmon and Sea Trout

Full Season

£24.00

£65.00

Junior

£5.00

£32.50

8 Day

£8.50

£20.50

1 Day

£3.25

£6.75

2006/07 online rod licences are valid from 01 April 2006 to 31 March 2007
Post Offices sell all types of rod licence and those in Wales issue bilingual licences.
Children under 12 years of age do not require a rod fishing licence.