Tackle

Eel Friendly Fisheries Scheme

Submitted by Mandi on June 9, 2011 - 9:04am

 

 

The National Anguilla Club is one of the country’s longest running specimen angling clubs being formed back in 1962. Its membership has fluctuated between 10 to 50 members but is now at an all time high with well over 100 senior members. In the early days some eels were killed by the membership so that in-depth studies could be carried out to better understand this mysterious creature. The freshwater eel population is in serious decline, the club has evolved to meet the challenges that face the eels future with the appointment of environmental officers and a hard line approach to eel conservation issues. The eel has declined by 99% since the 1980s and a pan European research Group under the title of Indicang has proven that the situation is now critical. To put this in perspective the European freshwater eel is currently deemed the most at risk vertebrate in the country and is on the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( ICUN ) Red list. This list contains species at risk and is split into categories depending on the severity of the risk, the eel is currently classed as critically endangered, the next stage is Extinct in the Wild. To combat the challenge’s facing the freshwater eel the National Anguilla Club is launching a new scheme that hopes to highlight how we as anglers and fishery owners can make a difference.

The Eel Friendly Fishery Scheme is open to commercial fisheries, Clubs and Association’s and a fishery can achieve eel friendly status following a successful application. The fishery would have met the criteria required and agreed to enhance the eel’s habitat where possible within the fishery. The NAC can advise the fishery on habitat improvements. These can be as simple as leaving a small area of the lake to remain overgrown and weedy to placing sunken pipes and floating islands in a designated area. The main criteria is the adoption of a code of practice. This code relates to the eel within the fishery environment and is fundamental to the process, the code contains aspects relevant to anglers and fishery owners. Many people have a preconceived view of eels and, like sharks, they suffer from a poor overall image usually attributed to their snakelike appearance and movement. In reality the freshwater eel is a valuable asset to the fishery environment and nearly all lakes, ponds and canals still contain a stock of mature eels.

 

5lb 2 0z Eel form South West Fishery

Many of these resident eels are mature females remaining within a watercourse until the time is right for them to migrate back to the Sargasso Sea. Eels are extremely slow growing and a rule of thumb is that an eel takes 10 years to grow 1lb in weight. So a 5lb specimen eel could be as much as 50 years old. These large female eels are the most sought after by the NAC membership as the male eel rarely exceeds 2lbs and an eel needs to top 4lb to be classed as a specimen. As a fishery owner or angler why should the decline of the eel make any difference to you?

Well, as a keystone species the eel is an integral part of the food chain. Otters have historically fed on a rich diet of eels previously abundant within the country’s river systems. The decline in eels has surely led to the modern otter finding alternative prey in the form of lake fish. Many modern fisheries do not contain predators but are subject to the occasional fish fatality. Eels clean up the dead and dying, thereby helping to prevent disease.

The Club has also begun to discover a connection with crayfish that could be beneficial in the removal of the infamous signal crayfish. Waters with large heads of crayfish seem to be devoid of eels and waters with a good population of eels have few or no crayfish.

Eels are perfectly designed for hunting crayfish and can enter their burrows easily, several members have caught large eels that have regurgitated crayfish. I hope that anglers and fishery owners will see the benefits in conserving the freshwater eel and do something positive by signing up to the Eel Friendly Fishery Scheme.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the eel and the National Anguilla Club can visit the clubs website at: www.nationalanguillaclub.co.uk

To find more about The Eel Friendly Fishery Scheme contact Steve Dawe at: [email protected]

Anglers Embrace The Big Society

Submitted by Mandi on May 27, 2011 - 11:38am

ANGLERS EMBRACE THE BIG SOCIETY! 3rd RIVERFLY CONFERENCE DEMONSTRATES HOW RIVER SCIENTISTS CARVE A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR UK RIVERS Lord (Chris) Smith, Environment Agency Chairman, champions rivers Big Society working in partnership with the angling community. Riverfly Partnership’s Anglers’ Monitoring Initiative (AMI) given as prime example The 3rd Riverfly Conference, held on Thursday March 10th at the Natural History Museum, organised by the Riverfly Partnership - a network of 100 partners - and hosted by the Salmon & Trout Association on behalf of the Partners, attracted a “full house” audience drawn from all quarters of UK fishery and aquatic environment interests, in the 200-seater Flett Theatre. The conference, Your Rivers – Their Future, united for the first time citizen scientists (anglers and community groups), regulators, regulated organisations and academic interests on an equal platform.

Get The Drift

Submitted by Mandi on February 24, 2011 - 12:45pm

Looking down over a lake prior to getting to the bank, or into a boat for a days fishing, we have all watched the stretches of wind lanes. Some, gently wandering across the water, others, in high wind conditions showing as a definite path of foam amongst the wave breaks. These wind lanes often hold feeding fish I am fanatical about fishing wind lanes and would like to point out their advantages. Let me explain the formation of these wind lanes, why they attract the fish, and how best to use them. Wind lanes were studied in depth (excuse the pun) by Irving Langmuir, an American physicist, after noticing the lanes forming on the water surface. He discovered that when the wind was blowing across the top of a water mass in one direction, because of the ‘Coriolis’ effect (this is what make your bath water spin whilst going down the plug hole) cells are formed below the surface, and actually break the surface at the top of each cell. These are known as ‘Langmuir Cells’ What we actually see is the top of each cell where it breaks the surface, and in fact the water in that space is turning very slowly at right angles to the wind direction.

Anglers Paradise - Halwill, Devon

Anglers Paradise is located in Halwill Junction, Devon. The journalists from the nations press, radio and television who regularly visit Anglers Paradise confirm in their articles and features that they prefer these lakes above all others, as do our guests who return time after time after time.

There are 30 Lakes in total at Anglers Paradise, there are Seven Pagoda style shelters that can be specially reserved for wheel chair users making life that bit easier. Anglers Paradise has 12 Exclusive lakes for residents staying in our accommodation only but we also have a great range of Day Ticket Lakes too! Carp to over 50lbs and Catfish to over 90lbs plus the chance of catching some of the rarest fresh water species you will find in the Country!

Luxury Accommodation

Clean, comfortable luxury accommodation. All of our 38 Villas are finished to the highest standard, designed to accommodate 2-9 people. All are luxuriously appointed and make you feel at home as soon as you step inside!

Recreation for the whole family

Theres something for the whole family to enjoy, from the Children’s Play Area to a fabulous Games Room, Magnificent Heated Indoor Swimming Pool with Sauna and Jacuzzi, Massage Therapy and more! Anglers Paradise is set in over 250 acres which is abundant with wildlife and the location is ideal for exploring the whole of the Westcountry. We are also only a 25 Minute drive away from some of the most beautiful Beaches with some fabulous walks. 
 
For more information on staying at Anglers Paradise please either phone, email or visit our web site through the link below. 
01409221559 

Flyyak 2010 Press Release

Submitted by Mandi on February 6, 2011 - 4:34pm

Pupils from Robert Blake School in Bridgwater enjoyed a fun filled day (28th June) learning fly fishing and Kayaking skills taught by fully licensed coaches as part of a new sporting initiative called FLYYAK 2010. This is a multi partner initiative supported by the Angling Development Board, Angling Trust, Canoe England, South West Lakes Trust and the Environment Agency.The pupils arrived at 9.30am at the beautiful surroundings of the South West lakes trust Wimbleball Trout and Sailing lakes. They were joined by another group of students from Blundell School in Tiverton.
The order of the day was as followed: Once they were all separated into two groups, the first group had an hour’s fly fishing tuition and the other an hour’s kayaking instruction, then the two groups switched over until everyone had learned the basic skills needed to safely power and control the Kayak and of course to successfully cast a fly. Lunch was then the order of the day with freshly caught barbequed trout caught from the venue earlier that morning. Once everyone was refreshed, they were all paired up and given a two person kayak, a fly rod, and a paddle, the pupils then had a amazing afternoon of exploration, paddling and casting about, taking it in turns one to paddle while the other was trying to catch one of the many trout that reside within this huge reservoir.
Unfortunately, no one managed to catch anything on this occasion this was mainly put down to the very sunny and warm conditions that were felt on the day with temperatures soaring to over 23 degrees centigrade. Nevertheless, all the participants involved had an amazing day and have hopefully caught the bug for fishing of kayaking or indeed both: “FLYYAK”ing.
Comments from partners involved:
Dean Sandford from the Angling Development Board (South West) “the day has been an amazing success and I would like to thank the Environment Agency for helping to fund this initial pilot project which will hopefully be the first of many multi partner events within the South West region throughout the rest of the year and beyond”. For further information on angling development please contact Dean on: [email protected]
Andy Davey from Canoe England (South West) said “it is fantastic to see so many young people enjoying the day a float” and went onto say “it’s great to be able to offer schools an innovative project that covers two sports for the price of one, especially within these challenging financial times”. For further paddle sports development information please contact Andy on: [email protected]
John Dawson level 2 game angling coach: “I have really enjoyed teaching these potential new participants to our wonderful sport and I think the two sports really complement each other”.
Contact John on www.johndawson.co.uk
Darryl Birch the South West Lakes Trust Exmoor and Wimbelball Lake manager said “The pupils from both schools have had a brilliant time” he then went on to say that a Flyyak competition will be held for competent game anglers at the upcoming LakesFest 2010 being held at the venue on the 14th to the 18th July as part of the celebrations for the 10 years anniversary of the South West Lakes Trust
and partners on Exmoor, for further information please see: www.swlakestrust.org.uk/10years/lakefest2010

My Favourite Holiday Cottages - South West

Looking for a property with either Coarse, Game or Sea fishing nearby? View our extensive collection of holiday cottages for fishing holidays that either have on-site fishing facilities, tackle storage facilities or have information on local rivers, canals, lakes and ponds with easy reach.
My Favourite Holiday Cottages helps anglers find self-catering holidays to suit their angling interests. We can offer ‘fishing cottages’ all over the UK many in stunning rural and coastal locations perfect for families or any size group and most welcome pets. Each property also has a location map allowing you to check its proximity to fishing locations.
 
Every property also has website and email links enabling you to request further information or book directly with its owner or manager. We do not apply any booking charges or other fees.
Whatever your needs, from small to large groups for Coarse, Game, or Sea Fishing holidays, My Favourite Holiday Cottages will have something for you.
 
Click the link below the photos to visit our website to view our full collection of holiday homes for anglers, search live availability and book securely online (NO commission or booking fees).

Riverside Caravan & Camping Park - South Molton Devon

Riverside Camping & Caravan Park is nestled within 70 acres of picturesque countryside in South Molton, North Devon at the foothills of Exmoor National Park. This provides the perfect setting for a relaxing days fishing and ideal base for exploring the surrounding area with its beautiful sandy beaches and costal walks. Riverside Caravan & Camping Park offers stillwater Coarse fishing with its 3 well stocked lakes situated on site. The River Mole runs through the caravan park. Lake info, Fishing prices for adult/junior on various day/evening are available on our web site & via our Fishery Listings

Environment Agency - Update Fish Removal Bylaw 2010

Submitted by Mandi on September 20, 2010 - 12:00pm

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

WATER RESOURCES ACT 1991

FISH REMOVAL (ROD and LINE) BYELAWS

The Environment Agency, in exercise of powers conferred on it under section 210 of,
and paragraph 6(1)(b) of Schedule 25 to the Water Resources Act 1991 hereby makes
the following Byelaws.

Byelaw 1 Application of Byelaws

These Byelaws shall apply to the area (specified in Section 6(7) of the Environment
Act 1995) in respect of which the Agency carries out its functions relating to fisheries
except the Upper Esk.

Byelaw 2 Interpretation of Byelaws

In these Byelaws except where expressly stated or where the context otherwise
requires, all words and expressions used in these Byelaws shall have the meanings
assigned to them by the Environment Act 1995, Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act
1975 and the Water Resources Act 1991 except the meaning of the term “drain” is not
confined to that assigned to it by the Water Resources Act 1991

“Upper Esk” has the same meaning as assigned to it in the Scotland Act 1998 (Border
Rivers) Order 1999.

Byelaw 3 Fish Removal

(i) No person may remove by rod and line any freshwater fish listed in Schedule 1
from any river, stream or drain, or from the waters listed in either Schedule 2 or
Schedule 3 except:

(a) 15 fish, other than grayling, of not more than 20cm per day.

(b) 1 pike of not more than 65cm per day.

(c) 2 grayling of not less than 30cm and not more than 38cm per day.

The size of any fish shall be ascertained by measuring from the tip of the snout to the
fork or cleft of the tail.

Byelaw 3(i) does not apply where written permission has been given by the
Environment Agency to the owner or occupier of the fishery to dispense with any of
these requirements in relation to those fishing the owner's or occupier’s waters.

(ii) No person may remove by rod and line any freshwater fish from any stillwaters or
canals (other than those listed in Schedules 2 or 3) except with the written permission
of the owner or occupier of the fishery.

(iii) No person may remove by rod and line any eels or, subject to the provisions of
sections 9 and 28P of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, shad from any waters.


Subject to the provisions of sections 9 and 28P of the Wildlife and Countryside Act
1981, Byelaw 3 shall not apply to any person who with as little injury as possible
either returns fish immediately to the same water alive or retains fish in a keepnet or
keepsack and then returns it to the same water alive on or before completion of
fishing.

Byelaw 4 Amendments and Revocations

(i) The amendments to existing Byelaws set out in Schedule 4 shall have effect

(ii) The revocations of existing Byelaws set out in Schedule 5 shall have effect.

These Byelaws come into force on 1 June 2010



SCHEDULE 1

Fish species

Species

Common name

Abramis bjoerkna

Silver bream

Abramis brama

Common bream

Barbus barbus

Barbel

Carassius carassius

Crucian carp

Cyprinus carpio

Common carp

Leuciscus cephalus

Chub

Leuciscus leuciscus

Dace

Rutilus rutilus

Roach

Scardinius erythrophthalmus

Rudd

Tinca tinca

Tench

Esox lucius

Pike

Osmerus eperlanus

Smelt

Thymallus thymallus

Grayling

Perca fluviatilis

Perch

Including hybrids between any of the above
species.

Excluding ornamental varieties or colour variants of
the above species.



SCHEDULE 2

Stillwaters

England

Lake Windermere SD39395773

Coniston Water SD3082996365

Ullswater NY450220

Derwentwater NY200260

All waters within the Broads (as defined in section 2(3) of the Norfolk and Suffolk
Broads Act 1988) subject to a close season for freshwater fish.

Wales

Llyn Tegid SH 9143 3394

Llyn Maelog SH 3253 7316



SCHEDULE 3

Canals

North East Region:-

Aire and Calder navigation between Castleford Weir and
Ferrybridge Lock.

Midlands Region:-

Stroudwater and Thames Canal.

Anglian Region:-

Fossdyke Canal.

Thames Region:-

Kennet and Avon Canal downstream of confluence with River
Kennet at Kintbury.

Lee navigation upstream of Aqueduct Lock.



SCHEDULE 4

Amendments to Existing Byelaws

Taking/Removal of freshwater fish

1. For Byelaw numbered 6 (which applies in the Yorkshire area of the former
Northumbria & Yorkshire Region of the National Rivers Authority and was
confirmed on the 26th day of October 1967) substitute:-

Byelaw 6 Limitation on the number of fish which may be taken in one
day.

No person shall kill or take away from rivers, streams, drains or canals in the
Agency’s area in any one day more than six trout (including migratory trout
except when caught by a duly authorised net).

Provided that this byelaw shall not apply to any person who takes away more
than six such fish in any one day with the previous permission in writing of
the owner or occupier of the fishery.

2. For Byelaw numbered 7 (which applies in the Yorkshire area of the former
Northumbria and Yorkshire Region of the National Rivers Authority and was
confirmed on 26th day of April 2001) substitute:-

Byelaw 7 Taking of undersized trout

No person shall kill or take away from rivers, streams, drains or canals within
the Agency’s area any fish of the kinds hereinafter mentioned of a size less
than such as is hereinafter specified, that is to say:

Trout (including migratory trout) 23 cms

The size shall be ascertained by measuring from the tip of the snout to the fork
or cleft of the tail.

Provided that this byelaw shall not apply:

(ii) Undersized trout shall not be kept in a keepnet.

3. For Byelaw numbered 7 (which applies in the Yorkshire Ouse and Hull River
Authority area of the North East Region and was confirmed on 26th day of
October 1967) is hereby amended by the substitution for the table therein of
the following table:

Taking of under-sized trout

Trout (including
migratory trout)

23 cms


4. For Byelaw numbered 17 (which applies in the North West Region and which
was confirmed on 11th day of October 1989) substitute:-

Byelaw 17 Removal of fish

No person may take or remove from any waters within the area of the
Authority without lawful authority any salmon or trout, whether alive or dead.

5. For Byelaw numbered 19 (which applies in the North West Region and which
was confirmed on 11th day of October 1989) substitute:-

Byelaw 19 Prohibition of taking undersized fish

No person shall take from any waters within the area any fish of a kind and of
a size less than such size as is hereafter prescribed, that is to say:

Migratory trout 300mm

Brown trout and char 200mm

The size shall be ascertained by measuring from the tip of the snout to the fork
or cleft of the tail.

Provided that this byelaw shall not apply to any person who takes any
undersized fish unintentionally if he at once returns to and liberates the same
in the water with as little injury as possible.

6. For Byelaw numbered 8 (which applies in the Thames Region and was
confirmed on 6th day of June 1978) substitute:-

Byelaw 8 Prohibition on taking undersized fish

Any person who removes from rivers, streams, drains or canals within the area
any fish of a kind and of a size less than such as is hereinafter prescribed, that
is to say:

Brown Trout 25cm

shall be guilty of an offence.

The size shall be ascertained by measuring from the tip of the snout to the end
of the tail fin.

7. For Byelaw numbered 9 (which applies in the Thames Region and was
confirmed on 6th day of June 1978) substitute:-

Byelaw 9 Bag limits



Any person who without the previous consent in writing of the Agency takes
or removes more than two salmon in any one day from rivers, streams, drains
or canals shall be guilty of an offence.

8. For Byelaw numbered 17 (which applies in Wessex area of the South West
Region and was confirmed on 8th day of November 1993) substitute:-

Byelaw 17. Limit on the number of fish which may be permanently
removed from the water.

B. No person shall remove permanently from any waters within the
Bristol Avon Area or the Somerset Area in any one day more than two
non-migratory trout without the written consent of the Authority.

9. For Byelaw numbered 4 (which applies in Midlands Region and was
confirmed on 28th day of March 1991) substitute:-

Byelaw 4 The taking of immature trout

No person shall take any fish of a size less than those prescribed hereunder for
the species stated from the area stated. The size of the fish shall be ascertained
by measuring the fish from the tip of the snout to the fork or cleft of the tail.

a) trout (except rainbow trout)

i) The waters of the River Severn (including its tributaries) above
or upstream of its confluence with the Afon Clywedog (SN
954847); the waters of the River Vyrnwy (including its
tributaries) above or upstream of Dolanog Weir (SJ 067127);
the waters of the River Banwy (including its tributaries) above
or upstream of its confluence with the Afon Gam (SJ 017103);
the waters of the River Tanat (including its tributaries) above or
upstream of its confluence with the River Rhaeadr (SJ 130247)

............ 15 centimetres

ii) All other waters

............. 20 centimetres

b) rainbow trout

The waters of the Rivers Derwent and Amber, including their
tributaries, which are above or up-stream of their confluence at
Ambergate, Derbyshire, (NGR SK 346 515), excluding the stretch of
the River Wye from Blackwell Mill near Buxton to Cressbrook Mill
(NGR SK 173 727) above or upstream-of Ashford-in-the-Water and
excluding any reservoir or lake-formed by the construction of a dam
across the valley of those rivers or across one of their tributaries



............ 20 centimetres

PROVIDED that this byelaw shall not apply in the case of any person who
takes any immature (undersized) fish unintentionally if he at once returns the
same to the water with as little injury as possible.

10. For Byelaw numbered 14 (which applies in Wessex area of the South West
Region and was confirmed on 8th day of November 1993) substitute:-

14. Prohibition of taking undersized trout

No person shall without the lawful authority of the Environment Agency take
from any waters any fish of any kind hereinafter listed which from the tip of
the snout to the fork or cleft of the tail is of less than the size prescribed
hereunder:

brown
trout

25 centimetres, except that the size limit on the By Brook and its
tributaries shall be 20 centimetres

migratory
trout

35 centimetres

Provided that this Byelaw shall not apply to any person who catches any
undersized trout unintentionally if he at once returns the same to the water
with as little injury as possible.


SCHEDULE 5

Revocations of Existing Byelaws

Byelaw Number

Region

Date of confirmation

Taking/removal of
freshwater fish

5. Maximum number of
fish which can be taken.

Anglian

21 April 1988

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