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Fred J Taylor, MBE, one of the best known names in the angling world and a close friend of the late Richard Walker, has died at the age of 89. Born in Leighton Buzzard and known to most simply as 'Fred J', with his brother Ken and cousin Joe he developed many angling innovations including the 'lift' method for catching tench and static deadbaiting for catching pike. Fred was also one of the first people to realise the potential of using sweetcorn for catching carp and tench. With other angling greats including Peter Stone, Peter Thomas and Richard Walker, the Taylor Brothers as they became known formed what is probably the first serious specimen hunting group in the UK and their exploits were widely covered in Richard Walker's best-selling book 'Still-water Angling'. In addition to being a great angler, Fred J was also a prolific and respected writer, not only on fishing but on a wide range of countryside matters. He was awarded an MBE for his services to angling in January this year. |
Coming soon... venues in Worcestershire, Northants and Herts With better weather in prospect we're back on the road to bring you information on some exciting venues including the renowned four-reservoir Tring Fisheries in Hertfordshire (left), scene of several British Rod Caught Record catches and often frequented by Richard Walker; the new Cob House Fisheries in Worcestershire (below right) which opened for angling earlier this month; and the delightful two-pool Brick Hill Fishery near Daventry in Northamptonshire.
The club is open to young anglers between the ages of six and 16 and is led by a Professional Anglers Association licensed coach. For more information please click here. |
It was the youngsters who had the first chance to experience Worcestershire's new Cob House Fisheries when the venue launched its Junior Angling Club on Saturday, May 3.
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It is now thought that this was not the case and the pools have re-opened for angling with three 30lb carp coming to the net within days of the re-launch. For more information please click here. |
Only weeks after opening at the end of last summer, Holt Hall Fishery at Over Whitacre to the north of Birmingham closed after it was suspected it had been targeted by fish thieves.
Leigh Sinton is to again hold its annual Bella Dunn Memorial Open Contest, this year on Saturday, June 7. All anglers are welcome to participate. Entrants must have two keep-nets - one for carp and larger fish, the other just for silver fish. The entry fee is £10.00 with interested anglers asked to telephone Jill Payne on 07908 961715 (mobile) for further details. The match will probably be held on Bluebell Wood and Kingfisher pools. Hook sizes are restricted to a maximum of Size 12 and all nets must be dipped for 10 minutes in the disinfectant dips provided. Bait and tackle will be avaliable from the new on-site Lakeside tackle and bait shop. No floating bread, boilies, hempseed or high protein baits will be allowed and fish over 12oz will be weighed and returned to the water. Drinks and a buffet will be provided and there will be a charity raffle draw with prizes and a barbecue. |
The price of some angling rod licences are to increase from March 31 as the Environment Agency plans to spend about £34 million on a variety of projects including work to improve habitats for fish on both rivers and stillwaters, creating improved access to fisheries with the provision of car parking, pathways and angling platforms, and support for angling participation schemes which promote fishing, especially for disabled anglers. To find out more Click here. |
Plans to force anglers to pay a licence to fish in the sea have been dropped by the Government following fierce opposition. The Government was intending to introduce a licence fee on beach anglers, boat fishermen and charter trips but anglers campaigned against the plan, saying that fish stocks were so seriously depleted by commercial fishing, the few fish left for anglers were not worth buying a licence to catch. Fisheries minister Jonathan Shaw said he has now changed his mind about introducing the licence after meeting sea angling representatives in Cornwall last month. |
A guy who lives at Round Lake, 50 miles South of Yorkton in Canada, saw a ball bouncing around strangely in the lake and went to investigate.
It turned out to be a flathead catfish which had obviously tried to swallow a basketball which became stuck in its mouth! The fish was totally exhausted from trying to dive, but unable to because the ball would always bring him back up to the surface. The guy tried numerous times to get the ball out, but was unsuccessful. He finally had his wife cut the ball in order to deflate it and release the hungry catfish. You probably wouldn't have believed this if you hadn't seen the picture... |
 A website has been launched which it is hoped will become a hub for lady anglers and encourage fisheries and clothing and tackle manufacturers to cater more for women. Launched by Hinckley's Lucy Wightman (right), www.fishing-women.co.uk, is still in its infancy but carries sections on forthcoming exhibitions and events; a photo gallery, and - in conjunction with Fisheries.co.uk - a small section on venues in the Midlands.To find out more Click here. |
 Lower Park Fishery at Beoley near Redditch is to hold an Open Charity Match in aid of the Acorns Children's Hospice on Sunday, July 20.
A total of 58 pegs will be available on the fishery's Spring and Abbey Lakes and if the match is fully subscribed the entry fee will be £25 which includes a free ticket for the raffle. The outright winners on each lake will both receive £125, second on each lake receive £60, whilst the top six section winners on Spring will win £50.00 and the top seven on Abbey £40. If the match is a sell-out a total of £1,450 will be raised, £950 of which will be distributed in prizes leaving £500 plus whatever is raised by the raffle to go to the charity. The draw will be taken at 9.30am with fishing from 11.00am until 3.00pm. For further information please telephone Tony Pallett on 07724 669398 (mobile). Acorns Children's Hospice Trust cares for 'life-limited' children and their families from across the West Midlands. Since 1988, more than 1,100 families have been helped. |
 The first of 16 catfish to over 25lbs which were introduced into Milton Pools' Specimen Lake in Oxfordshire are starting to show. Stocked in December 2007, the bigest was caught by Mark Lewin from Peg 3 on luncheon meat during a midweek session. Meanwhile, Vince Cripps, fishing Peg 4, has just taken a total of six carp between 13lbs and 24lbs in a single 24-hour session. Biggest fish to come out so far this year was a 31lbs common carp taken by Vic Andrews from Peg 2 on Pineapple boilies. To find out more please click here. |
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The Angling Trades Association has attacked the DEFRA announcement that the minimum landing size for bass is to be kept at 36 centimetres - despite a decision in August 2006 by former fisheries Minister Ben Bradshaw that the minimum landing size would be increased to 40cms.
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Peatling Match Lakes - Leicestershire |
Flight Match Lake - West Midlands |
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Avington Trout Fishery - Hampshire Fisherwick Lakes - Staffordshire Kingfisher Trout Lake - Herefordshire |
Manor Farm Fishing - Bedfordshire Nine Oaks Fishery - West Wales Patshull Park - Shropshire |
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Worcester Angling Academy | CASTS - angling tuition in Staffordshire  |
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