Other Articles

 Wednesday 13^th June 2012

  Take a Friend Fishing - we need your help to get more people fishing!

Reel life is the online magazine for anglers, filled with important and useful information for anglers for the fishing year ahead.

  To view all information in the Spring 2012 edition of Reel Life

        ***PRESS RELEASE***                                                                               

  New Casting Competition for the CLA Game Fair The 2012

NEW: 2012 KAYAK FISHING SAFETY COURSE DATES

NB: Places on these courses are available to book from Wed 4th April 2012.

 Call 0844 77 00 616 to book your place on these popular courses.

1 - Wimbleball (Somerset) April 29th (6 max)

2 - Swanage (Dorset) May 13th (12 max)

3 - Poole (Dorset) June 9th (6 max)

4 - Plymouth (Devon) July 8th (6 max)

5 - Bexhill (East Sussex) Sept 15th (6-12 max)

6 - Ladram (Devon) 29th Sept (12 max)

7 - Coniston (Cumbria) October Date still to be confirmed (12 max)

Courses only cost £46 incl. VAT for Angling Trust members and offer great value for money. The price for non-members is £82 incl. VAT 

so this represents a saving of £36 for being an Angling Trust member.

For more information on safety, learning new skills ....

Sat 21st July Learn to fish for Free (Beginners coarse fishing) Harper’s Lakes Exeter (new ponds by Double Locks Hotel) 10:00am – 4:00pm Have a go at coarse fishing and get expert tuition from trained angling coaches. Equipment provided so you can fish as long as you want after your coaching session. Free licence for the day and bait provided FREE All equipment and tuition provided free of charge One to one coaching sessions last 20 minutes and can be booked in advance or just turn up on the day. Contact Mike Holland on 01392 316182 or email [email protected]. All Children must be accompanied by an adult Sat 4th Aug Learn to fish for Free (Beginners coarse fishing) Rackerhayes Complex Newton Abbot Grid Ref SX 864 725 10:00am – 4:00pm Have a go at coarse fishing and get expert tuition from trained angling coaches. Equipment provided so you can fish as long as you want after your coaching session. Free licence for the day and bait provided Fly casting tuition and sea fishing target casting. FREE All equipment and tuition provided free of charge One to one coaching sessions last 20 minutes and can be booked in advance or just turn up on the day. Contact Mike Holland on 01392 316182 or email [email protected]. All Children must be accompanied by an adult

 2012 – The year of family fishing fun…

The Environment Agency is once again running free introduction to fishing days. After the resounding success of last year’s events we are once again running some introduction to fishing days. The family days proved to be a bit hit during the Summer Holidays and we will be running more this year so the whole family can come and learn about fishing.

During the Easter Holidays we are running three fishing events, two for the over 12’s (Trout fishing – if you catch one you can have it for your tea!) and one that will be a Trout and Coarse fishing day, over 12’s can do half a day of each, but don’t worry under 12’s you can do a whole days coarse fishing.

Junior Trout fishing (OVER 12’s ONLY) April 4th Siblyback Lake, Near Liskeard

April 11th Stithians Lakes, Near Redruth Cornwall.

Junior Trout and Coarse fishing (Trout over 12’s - Coarse fishing any age, Parents welcome to join in the coarse fishing) April 12th Bake Lakes, Trerulefoot, Near Saltash Cornwall.

Book a place in advance. Call 01208 265012 for booking forms, or download one from our website www.environment-agency.gov.uk

All events are FREE and there is no need to buy a rod licence. More events later in the year!

 Pictured are Amber Gallop and Ken Hart (Threemilestone Angling Club) enjoying a day fishing in the sun in 2011 So why not try fishing? It’s a hobby that’s good for you and your family, and you’ll soon realise why it’s the most popular outdoor sport in the country. You do not require a rod licence for any of the events organised by the Agency although a licence is normally required if you are over twelve years old, and you are fishing for freshwater fish (Salmon, Trout, and coarse fish).

A full year’s adult trout and coarse licence costs £27.00, but you can also buy a single day’s licence for only £3.75.

Under 16s get a full year for only £5.00.

You can buy a rod licence by following the link from our web site, www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/fishing/ or from any Post Office. Our telephone sales line is 0844 800 5386. Phone lines are open from 8.30am - 8pm daily from March to September, and 8.30am - 6pm daily from October to February. Not only is a rod licence a legal requirement, but we use the money to protect and improve fishing in England and Wales.

Sally-Anne Gallop Technical Officer

Are you providing a safe environment for your Junior Members?

Clubmark is quality accreditation scheme, first developed by Sport England in 2002, to recognise sports clubs that have a non-discriminatory membership policy. Clubmark provides a quality service to all their members through a set of consistent, accepted and minimum operating standards. Since 2006, angling clubs have had the opportunity to become Clubmark accredited. Almost all those that have done so have reported that they have received considerable benefits in terms of both increased membership and easier access to grants and other external funding streams. So if your club hasn’t got a long membership waiting list why not give serious consideration to finding out more about Clubmark and what your club needs to do to become accredited.

For further information email: [email protected]

Angling Trust

Media Release

Angling Rolls Out Its Big Guns To Protect Fisheries From Cormorant Invasion

TV host Chris Tarrant and UK Music boss Feargal Sharkey to join petition handover to Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon.

Campaigners from the world of angling will be joined by celebrities Chris Tarrant and Feargal Sharkey when they handover a 16,000 signature petition on Wednesday (22nd Feb) calling for action to limit the devastating impact of the UK’s rapidly increasing cormorant population and its effect on inland freshwater habitat and ecosystems. Scientists have calculated that each cormorant needs at least a pound of fish a day to survive, and there are now an estimated 23,000 non-native invasive cormorants over-wintering in the UK from Holland, Denmark and other parts of Europe compared to a couple of thousand in the 1980s. This means that at least 23,000lbs of our freshwater fish get eaten EVERY DAY throughout the winter – a total and unsustainable loss of 2,760,000lbs of fish every winter causing damage to our native bio-diversity. The petition has been organised by the Avon Roach Project headed by Trevor Harrop and Budgie Price and ably assisted and supported by internationally renowned wildlife film maker Hugh Miles who are working to try and re-establish healthy roach populations in their local river Avon after heavy cormorant predation contributed to numbers crashing to critical levels between Salisbury and Christchurch.

Their efforts are strongly supported by the Angling Trust as the single representative body for angling in England and the Salmon and Trout Association.

DEFRA fisheries minister Richard Benyon has ordered a review into the current ineffective and bureaucratic licensing regime that allows for limited controls on the numbers of cormorants and other fish eating birds. The review group is expected to report in the summer.

TV host and lifelong angler Chris Tarrant said: “It has taken absurdly long for people to realise the damage to fish populations, other wildlife and the whole environment that cormorants have been doing for too many years. Many of our finest, most beautiful and most famous waterways have been skinned by these predatory birds.

Some of the flocks are enormous and the current regulations are hopelessly inadequate to control them. Whole fisheries have been virtually wiped out, resulting either in jobs lost or thousands of pounds spent in restocking. In other instances once thriving waters are now virtually devoid of fish which threatens other bird populations like the kingfisher and the grebe. It is time to redress the balance before it becomes too late.

” Wildlife Film maker Hugh Miles added: "Non native cormorants have invaded our freshwater rivers and lakes from Denmark and Holland and threaten to wipe out our fish. Scientific estimates reckon that 23,000 visit here for the winter and that they each need one pound of fish a day to survive. That's 23,000 pounds of fish EVERY DAY. This adds up to a total of 1,200 tons of fish in four months, twice the total annual production of the largest trout farm in the UK.This level of predation is totally unsustainable and a direct threat to the survival of our precious bio-diversity".

Avon Roach Project co-ordinator Trevor Harrop said: “We’ve seen the numbers of cormorants increase at an unimaginable rate. We simply could not stand by and watch as the last of the small and fragile populations of roach was decimated in our local Hampshire Avon, one of the country’s most iconic rivers. We have a responsibility to protect our ecosystems from non-native invasive species and the influx of freshwater dwelling cormorants from Europe represents a massive threat to many of our own fragile inland fish populations across the entire country.”

Martin Salter, former parliamentary spokesman for angling and now National Campaigns Co-ordinator for the Angling Trust said: “Our rivers are suffering from over-abstraction, habitat loss and diffuse pollution. Freshwater fish stocks cannot withstand the rapid growth in numbers of cormorants that we have seen over the past decade. These birds are doing great damage to angling, which supports 37,000 jobs and generates £3.5 billion for the UK economy.The Angling Trust is pleased to have encouraged the Minister to undertake a review into the impact of fish eating birds such as cormorants on our freshwater fisheries and congratulates our colleagues from the Avon Roach Project for their sterling efforts both to mobilise the angling community and to try and repair some of the damage done to one of England’s most famous rivers.”

The petition calls on the government to place cormorants on the general licence allowing fishery managers and angling clubs to better protect their fisheries from excessive and unsustainable predation.The campaigners will also be handing a letter to Mr Benyon and a report entitled ‘Bio-Diversity in Danger’ which demonstrates that there is no viable alternative other than to allow the legal right to defend our native fish populations against this non-native invasive predator.

Petition Wording "The current Cormorant licensing regime is woefully inadequate as it stands. Therefore, we the undersigned call upon the Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries to change the licensing law and include the Cormorant on the 'General Licence', allowing the legal control of Cormorant numbers where they pose a threat to fish populations. In so doing, this will allow the vital link in the food chain to be maintained, and the protection of not only our freshwater fish species, but also species such as Kingfishers, Grebes, Bitterns, and more.

We should have the right to protect our environment, but the current law does not allow this."

Notice of photocall and petition handover

11.30am, Wed 22nd February. Outside Defra offices, Nobel House, Smith Square, Westminster, SW1P 3JR With Richard Benyon MP, Chris Tarrant and Feargal Sharkey; Hugh Miles, Trevor Harrop and Budgie Price from the Avon Roach project; Martin Salter and Mark Owen of the Angling Trust; John Slader from S&TA and Charles Walker MP Chair of the APPG on Angling.

More Info

Trevor Harrop 01425 470307

Hugh Miles 07841 164236

Martin Salter 07976946033

www.avonroachproject.co.uk

www.anglingtrust.net

Casting for Recovery UK & Ireland (CfR) is a registered charity which supports women who have or have had breast cancer. It provides an innovative outdoor programme, the first of its kind in this country, which combines fly fishing, counselling and education to promote mental and physical healing within a rural background. This innovative programme, the first of its kind in this country, provides an opportunity for women whose lives have been profoundly affected by breast cancer to gather in a beautiful setting and learn fly fishing whilst meeting new friends and having fun. Any lady who has, or has had breast cancer, is eligible to apply to attend one of our retreats which have brought rural and urban women from all over the UK and Ireland together and created some great new friendships. Part of the programme’s innovative nature is that it promotes the British countryside to all women, without boundaries. Any lady who has, or has had breast cancer is eligible to apply to attend a retreat. CfR is very simple: ladies apply to attend (with medical clearance) and, if they are successful (places are allocated by ballot), they are then taken away on a 2½ day retreat. CfR enjoys the backing of several donors including the Countryside Alliance, so retreats are at no cost to ladies taking part. All equipment is provided by Orvis UK. Anyone who fishes can tell you that the dynamics of fly fishing provide a healing connection to the natural world, relieving everyday stress and promoting a sense of calm. With that in mind it’s amazing that no one thought of this programme before now. Casting techniques provide a gentle exercise for joint and soft tissue mobility, and casting requires no strength so is perfectly safe and comfortable – ideal for those recovering from their illness. Participants are also taught the fundamentals of fly casting, entomology, knot-tying and equipment basics - but most importantly, the ladies spend time on the water practicing catch-and-release fishing. 40,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in England alone; a staggering and overwhelming number.

That number only accounts for those diagnosed, of course, but the numbers affected by the diagnoses; the families and friends, is far, far greater. We are not able to provide retreats for anywhere near that number, of course, as we are still a small charity, but we do have big plans, and our dreams of holding two retreats a month may take shape in the not too distant future. At present, seven retreats a year is our maximum, and that is a stretch on the funding and volunteer base we currently have. This means, with around 14 ladies per retreat (a small number to ensure an intimate and informal atmosphere) 100 ladies can be put through the programme every year. Not enough, not even close, but a start, and something to build on. The retreats themselves are professional, supportive and very welcoming to those attending. Many ladies arrive feeling overwhelmed at what they have let themselves in for, but they quickly learn they have nothing to worry about. There are trained facilitators at each retreat taken from a volunteer base of health care professionals (e.g. counsellors, specialist nurses and physiotherapists.) and qualified fly fishing instructors. One on one counselling is available at any time, and the focus is on supporting the ladies, encouraging them to take things at their own pace, doing as much or as little as they feel able. Everything is geared towards the ladies, and they are receptive and delighted by the retreat.

All of our volunteers agree that the very nicest aspect of the retreat is the final morning, when each lady is assigned her volunteer guide for a morning’s guided fly fishing. From never having met before, by lunchtime they are firm friends and the banter is flowing. You would never believe the ladies and guides had only just met – such is the camaraderie, teasing and fun. In fact, many of the ladies get extremely competitive over who catches the first fish amongst the group, and the water tends to echo with shouts of delight or squeals of rage if a trout gets away! The UK and Ireland Programme Co-ordinator is Sue Hunter, who recovered from breast cancer (twice) to become an international gold medallist fly fisher, and 2008’s England Ladies National Champion. She runs CFR with the help of 2007’s national Champion Sue Shaw, and together they ensure that each retreat meets the exacting standards of beautiful location,supportive environment and huge fun. CfR has staged retreats at some of our most beautiful sporting hotels, including the Arundell Arms in Devon; Mount Falcon, Co Mayo ROI; and the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel in North Wales. In our five years of operation we have run 20 retreats and seen well over 250 ladies through the programme. CfR is growing gradually and strongly. In early 2010 we achieved charitable status and our ability to run more retreats is developing as more people hear about us, bringing us charitable donations from all over the country, as well as practical offers of help from fishing guides, counsellors, specialist nurses and physios.

  For more information on taking part in one of our activities please contact us:

  Tel: 0207 840 9223

  Email: [email protected]

  or visit our web site : www.castingforrecovery.org.uk

REPORT OF ANGLING PARTICIPATION EVENTS AND COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS 2011 – By Sally Gallop

Agency run days

Family Trout Fishing day 7th August at Siblyback Lakes

The weather was unsure but we were lucky not to get too wet. Good numbers of people arrived despite traffic and weather and two very lucky Liverpool supporters caught fish on the day. Great atmosphere and a great day.

Family Coarse fishing day 13th August Bake Lakes, Trerulefoot.

Again this event did not disappoint so much interest that we split the day into two sessions, everyone caught fish and the parents and guardians all got involved
This event brings down Danny Williamson and Paul Power for extra help along with my normal coaches Bob Tetley and Jerry Clarke and as usual it was a delight to work with them. These days are full of laughter and fun, but also an awful lot of information is passed on to the participants who learn a lot about fishing.

Family Coarse fishing day 17th August Higher Shorston Lakes

The first time we have used this venue and what a lovely place, everyone caught a good size fish and countless small ones. Definitely would like to use this place again in the future.
Coarse fishing junior days.

3rd June Bake Lakes Trerulefoot

As always the venue fished very well, all participants learnt a lot and many fish were landed. Parents who stayed also learnt about the basics of fishing.

3rd August Threemilestone Angling Club Lake, Threemilestone..

As always a warm welcome awaited us from Ken Hart (Chairman) at Threemilestone, and although the fish were slightly reluctant to show themselves a good day’s tuition was had by all. A large carp caught was the icing on the cake and ended the day in fine fashion.

10th August Whalesborough Bude Canal AA

Cracking venue and a chance for the Agency to use the all access pegs we funded last year. The lake fish extremely well and in future years we will hopefully use the lake to its full potential and have a family day there.
Junior Trout fishing

April 18th Stithians
April 20th Siblyback
April 22nd Treemeadow

Well after choosing the dates carefully at the beginning of the year to increase the chances of catching a trout we had a heat wave ! Still the one thing I can not control is the weather.
The temperature made things tricky for our beginners. But as always the ones that got away were the talk of the day.
PROJECTS

Cornwall Blind Association

Cornwall Blind Association is a local independent charity and company limited by guarantee, providing services, support and advice to visually impaired people in Cornwall. It has served the Cornish community for many years, being established in 1856.
Services are delivered throughout Cornwall with Sight Centres located in Truro and Penwith. Further local services are being developed during 2009 in North Cornwall and Caradon. Cornwall Blind Association aims to provide services to people of all ages and backgrounds...
For the third year we have arranged for Cornwall blind to have three days trout fishing along with the use of the Wheelyboat. This has always been a challenge to our instructor’s one which they have relished and the joy for the participants is immeasurable.

Cornwall Federation of Womans Institutes

The Federation made contact at The Royal Cornwall Show and following this we arranged for one days fly fishing down at Stithians, the interest was immense. So much so that a second project had been set up incorporating sites all over Cornwall, this project will run throughout 2012 and will see the WI have numerous fishing days throughout the county.. Watch this space for a WI fishing club..

Penaire School

14 pupils (including pupils with special needs) attended Stithians Lakes for five days during activities week. With the Agency paying for the instructors the school was able to reduce the cost to the pupils to only the transport fees. This opened up the week to less well off pupils.

From: Gillian Truen
Sent: 27 September 2011 14:43
To: 'Mitchell, Sally'
Subject: RE: Fly fishing

Dear Sally
My comments on the project Most of the boys had not fished before and therefore learned a lot from Gary and Annie Champion. Gary and Annie are dedicated to passing on their wealth of experience to young people of all abilities. The boys responded readily to this and some wanted to take fly fishing up as a hobby. The boys also enjoyed bug dipping in the marshy area, watching the dragon flies and going out on the lake in the boat to fish. Most of them caught at least one to take home and cook.

A.S.K 4ALL

Ask4all is a support group set up by parents of disabled children, they provide support, information and activities.

Our initial two days of fishing were so successful we have funded another five days fishing for members of the group.

Dear Sally
A BIG thank you to you for getting the funding for our days at Bake Lakes. Everyone had a brilliant time and Bob and his helpers were really great, making sure that everyone got the most out of their session. If there is any chance of us having another day sometime we would definitely be interested.
Many thanks
Theresa Burt

Echo Physical Disability Resource Centre
The Echo Centre is a purpose-built, multi-functional resource centre that offers a wide range
of services and activities to people with physical disabilities living in the Caradon area of
Cornwall. The centre's aim is to provide a quality service that promotes independence, social
inclusion, empowerment and rehabilitation and offers carers a break.
ECHO facilitates opportunities and experiences for people with physical disabilities,
encouraging personal fulfilment, self-worth and reintegration into the community.

We have funded the centre for the third year to enable five days coarse fishing at Bake Lakes.
The enjoyment that the people get is un-measurable.

                                  ********** News Release **********

  December 19th 2011

Salmon prepare to spawn as wet weather helps restore flows in south west rivers The wet weather has been bad news for Christmas shoppers, but couldn’t have come at a better time for salmon and sea trout returning to the region’s rivers. After one of the driest years on record, flows in many of the region’s rivers have been exceptionally low making it difficult for salmon and sea trout to migrate upstream to spawn. Thankfully, the recent wet spell has co-incided with the time of year when the Atlantic Salmon has only one thing on its mind – sex! Throughout December adult fish battle their way upstream to reach spawning grounds in the headwaters of our rivers. On arrival, female salmon lay their eggs in riverbed gravels known as ‘redds’ where the eggs are immediately fertilised by a male fish. These spawning grounds are carefully monitored by the Environment Agency to gauge the breeding success of salmon on rivers including the Fowey and Camel in Cornwall, Tamar, Dart, Exe and Teign in Devon and the Avon, Frome and Stour in Dorset.

The Agency and its partners help boost salmon and sea trout stocks by installing fish passes and removing barriers and obstacles on rivers to make it easier for salmon to make their annual migration upstream. It recently carried out a ‘Dam Buster’ operation on Dartmoor to remove a weir that had been a serious obstruction to salmon migrating to the headwaters of the River Taw. Normal dismantling methods were ruled out because of the remote location and difficulty getting heavy equipment to the site, so the weir was removed in a controlled explosion. The scheme was carried out by the Agency in partnership with the Westcountry Rivers Trust. The Agency also recently completed a new fish pass at Wire Hatches near Salisbury. The improvement means it is now possible for salmon to spawn in two separate branches of the Hampshire Avon. Previously they could only migrate up one.

Pictured is a fine male salmon leaping over a weir on the Hampshire Avon. The fish, weighing around 18lb, was photographed by Environment Agency fisheries officer Chris Gardner, who was checking local rivers for signs of fish movement when he captured this stunning image. ‘I noticed a lot of fish jumping at one particular fish pass so picked up my camera and took a series of photos in quick succession. One shot caught the moment a large salmon came leaping up over the pass. It was a spectacular sight,’ said Chris. ‘Conditions have become difficult for migratory fish because it has been so dry.

The recent rain has arrived just in time and given the fish a temporary reprieve. It is very satisfying to see mature salmon migrating up a river to spawn and know we are helping them on their journey by removing obstacles and putting in fish passes.’ ‘Salmon and sea trout are important species in the South West and are indicators of good water quality. They help us monitor the health of our rivers and make a very welcome and valuable contribution to the local economy,’ said Simon Toms, the Agency’s Senior Fisheries Technical Specialist for the region. Salmon are especially vulnerable to poachers at this time of the year.

Anyone seeing suspicious activities on our rivers is advised to call the free Environment Agency 24-hour hotline Tel: 0800 80 70 60.

  Angling Under Threat

Illegal imports of live fish generate more comment than any other facet of angling. Most anglers believe illegal imports damage angling and should be stopped. Others feel that foreign fish should be allowed onto secure enclosed, licensed sites. A few in the angling fraternity feel that movements of live fish should be de-regulated, and that fishery owners should be allowed to introduce whatever species they like, irrespective of origin. Some angling media display a mixed stance: one minute fighting against illegal imports and the next publishing articles that are slyly supportive. The long-term ecological and environmental impact of foreign fish is unknown. We know that Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC), Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) and exotic varieties of parasites have been found on previous illegal imports and movements, and many of our fish may have died as a result. Even healthy looking fish can carry viruses. One infected fish can wipe out all healthy stock – years’ worth of good management lost by one cheap fish. Diseases can only be destroyed by complete drain-downs, the slaughter of stock and disinfection. Even then, there is often no guarantee of complete eradication. For this reason, laws exist to stop the spread of disease. All imports of live fish into Great Britain must be accompanied by a movement document declaring the fish are free of disease. These documents are only issued by the veterinary authorities in the country of origin. Also, prior notice of the import must be provided to Cefas. Any import that fails to meet these criteria is illegal. A sensible solution is for the angling fraternity to work together with regulators – such as the Fish Health Inspectorate, based at Cefas and the Environment Agency – before irreversible damage is caused.

Illegal Importation and Movements – Why Smuggle Fish?

Put simply: to make huge amounts of money. Latest police intelligence suggests organised crime groups now view illegally importing fish, and particularly carp, as a lucrative business opportunity with low risks.
An illegal 50lb carp from Europe is worth up to £20,000 in the UK. And carp can be bought cheaply from non-approved sites on the Continent.
Smuggling has spread to England and Wales. People are now moving fish illegally without applying for permission from the Environment Agency. This has the potential to destroy wild waters through the spread of disease and also non-native or invasive species.

 Fish & Tackle Theft

Thieves remove specimen fish from waters, depriving anglers of their sport. These fish often take years to grow and are invaluable to our fisheries. Even migratory salmonid stocks are under pressure. In many rivers they are being taken out of season, sometimes through illegal methods.
Tackle theft is also increasing at an alarming rate, as reports in the angling press and comments on internet angling forums attests. In spite of that, many anglers don’t give security a second thought. Some anglers store thousands of pounds worth of fishing tackle in flimsy garden sheds – only secured by a cheap padlock. In addition, people have been known to be followed home from matches only to find their gear has been stolen after the fact. Thieves can easily break into poorly secured sheds and garages. Thieves and organised criminals with knowledge of angling dispose of stolen tackle through the internet and car boot sales, selling it at a fraction of its true value. So security on the riverbank, just as at home, is important. Keep your gear close by and be vigilant at all times. If you see any suspicious activities, report it to your venue staff. If you witness a crime, call the police.

 Who Can Stop This?

 Fortunately, there are only a small number of individuals and groups involved in such known criminal activity. These criminals ensure that other people are implicated in these crimes, through hiring a driver, and often a vehicle, to take all the risk.
You can help to combat these crimes by taking more responsibility for your sport and providing information on illegal activity. With your help we can then target the right people: the ring leaders, the organisers, the individuals who stand to make the biggest profits – those with no care or interest in your sport or the welfare of the animals.
It couldn’t be easier to help. Through a new partnership with Crimestoppers you can now leave information completely anonymously: either online or by telephone on 0800 555 111.
•    You won’t be asked your name.
•    There is no 1471 facility.
•    Calls are not recorded.
•    You will speak to an experienced operator.
•    No personal details are recorded, e.g. age, gender, ethnic origin.
•    You will never be asked to attend a police station, make a statement or attend court.

You can trust Crimestoppers: it has never broken its promise about anonymity in more than 23 years since the initiative began.

Throop Fisheries Enhancement at Glen’s Weir August 2011
Dorset Stour at Holdenhurst

For the ninth year in a row the Fisheries Recreation & Biodiversity Team at
Blandford combined with the Avon & Stour Ops Delivery Field Team, has now
successfully completed the latest enhancement works on the Dorset Stour.
The works were at Throop Fishery and the project aims were the following
which will contribute to the lower Stour achieving good ecological status under
the Water Framework Directive:

• Increase flow and natural scouring effect over gravels allowing self
cleaning and mobilisation
• Enhance existing spawning areas and increase potential spawning
habitat upstream and downstream of Glens Weir
• Increase parr and juvenile barbel habitat
• Re-instate collapsed banks and re-profile weir pool to increase weir
pool habitat and dynamics
• Provide fry refuge areas
• Swim creation, modification and reduced cattle poaching

Project Background

Extensive dredging work in the 1970’s removed thousands of tonnes of gravel
from the lower Stour for flood risk purposes leaving a featureless linear
channel. The removal of these gravels eliminated miles of spawning habitat
for coarse species such as barbel, chub and salmonid species such as brown
trout, sea trout and salmon. These works contributed to the collapse of the
Dorset Stour as a salmon fishery and also impacted on species such as
barbel, which need varying flows and associated habitats to complete their
lifecycle successfully. Although in places the river has re-naturalised to some
degree, routine dredging works still take place further downstream for flood
risk purposes, as maintenance of the Christchurch flood alleviation scheme.
These past and ongoing works restrict the opportunity for these heavily
modified areas of river to naturalise.

The project was aimed at restoring and enhancing instream habitat in a
previously dredged area providing new spawning habitat, fry refuge areas and
juvenile habitat for multiple fish species. Species benefiting from these works
such as Barbel once reaching adulthood, can migrate up for 20km into
different areas upstream and downstream utilising different habitats before
returning in May to spawning areas. Projects such as this one contribute not
only to local habitat but to the whole biodiversity of the river itself.

The Environment Agency worked in partnership with The Barbel Society and
Ringwood & District Angling Association (RDAA) to gather data and highlight
areas where river restoration could take place on the lower Stour. Glen’s weir
at Throop Fishery was identified as a great opportunity not only to improve a
known spawning area for the local barbel population, but also to improve and
create further spawning area’s downstream, improve weir pool habitat and
provide fry refuge areas for multiple species. Pre-enhancement monitoring
work was completed (a separate report is available from the EA) and further
post project monitoring is taking place in partnership with RDAA and the
Barbel Society through angler catch data, electric fishing and redd count data.

The project was completed with the use of a 50’ 360 reach machine digger in
the expert hands of craftsman ‘Midge’ together with a 360 tracked dumper
driven by Mike Clements from Ops delivery. Nearly 600 tonnes of Portland
stone were placed into the collapsed bank, old weir and in channel as flow
deflectors together with gravel re-instatement and re-profiling. Fry refuge
areas were also created behind flow deflectors diversifying habitat for juvenile
and adult fish species. The area was then fenced off to prevent cattle
poaching and angler access into this area has been retained by installation of
a gate into the enhancement area.

The end result has lead to increased flows over a known spawning area by
placing of a block stone deflector above Glen’s weir, created a 30m riffle and
shallow glide downstream of the weir by re-using gravels previously dredged
from the bank side, and installation of another block stone deflector at the
tailrace of the weir pool. These combined works together with re-profiling of
the weir itself have increased flows over these spawning and juvenile habitat
areas and created holding features for larger adult species within the weir
pool itself. As flows are now concentrated in the middle of the channel, less
scouring of the bank will occur retaining clean gravels throughout the year.

“I am extremely happy with the finished result as over 100m of river habitat
has been restored for a multitude of fish species benefiting the whole reach at
Throop. I fully expect to see salmon spawning in these areas this winter and
in late spring, barbel and chub spawning over the newly re-profiled gravels.
Adult Salmon have already been seen lying in the re-profiled weir pool and
good catches of Barbel have already been taken from the tail race.”

“The Dorset Stour is often looked at as second best compared to
neighbouring rivers, but in terms of its biodiversity this is not the case. Slowly
but surely it is returning back into a fantastic river. My special thanks go to
Ops Delivery again as they have completed a grade ‘A’ job, also Chris Allport
and Brian Wilson from RDAA and Pete Reading from the Barbel Society for
their continued support and significant funding contribution. It has been a
fantastic collaborative project.”