The first full month of the UK's biggest angling competition, 10k Tags, has seen 228 prizes claimed already. That's an average of 7.6 prizes every day! And many of them are being scooped up at our very own local fishery - Newbarn Farm Angling Centre
Some of the prizes won include day tickets, spools of high quality Topline line, Pantera keep-net bags, boilie needle sets, polarised sun-glasses, Avanti Pro float sets, Tacklemania Tour season tickets, multi-waiters and landing nets. Some of the bigger prizes have also been claimed including a Wychwood "Rogue" Reel worth £30, an Avanti Argenta 10' Multi-tip Match Rod worth £40 a Diawa M-Cast reel and a Kevin Nash rod, both worth £90.
With five more months to go there are still thousands of prizes waiting to be snapped up. So, if you want to join in, just head down to Newbarn Farm Angling Centre one of the nearly 100 competition fisheries spread across England and Wales. Registration is only £10 and you can get your registration forms from the fishery or visit
and register on line.
And, remember, every tagged fish you catch guarantees a prize worth anything from £5 to £500. And, even better than that, every tagged fish you catch gives you a chance to win the amazing top prize of a brand new Landrover Freelander 4x4!
For more information on Newbarn Farm Angling Centre
05.06.06 - NATIONAL FISHING WEEK 2006

National Fishing Week is an annual celebration of one of the country’s favorite pastimes. Every year, millions regularly fish the nation’s sea, shores, rivers, lakes and canals. National Fishing Week is your opportunity to join in! Planned events take place between 19th and 28th August. Over the coming months organisers of fishing events around the country will enter events on the FISH4U events finder. By the summer you will be able to find a comprehensive list of National Fishing Week events.
Do You want to organise an event during National Fishing week?If you want to organise an event for National Fishing Week or want more details of events already planned, visit
this page. Here you can sign up as an organiser, download an organisers pack with all the information you will need to organise an event or register an event. Many of the events will provide expert tuition from the country’s leading licensed coaches. The majority of events will offer easy access from road and public transport and many cater for people with disabilities.

01.06.06 - WELCOME BOOST TO SALMON STOCKS ON THE RIVER FOWEY

Anglers have helped by returning more of the salmon they catch. This, in turn, has boosted the number of breeding fish. In 1994 only 16% of salmon were returned unharmed to the river. In 2005 the figure was 64%.
Improvements to gravel beds on two Fowey tributaries - the St Neot and Cardinham – have helped spawning salmon and increased the number of young fish. Much of this work was carried out by the Environment Agency. Local anglers have also contributed by carrying out gravel cleaning in the Draynes Valley and a local hatchery has provided young fish for re-stocking.
The Fowey is one of only two Cornwall rivers to meet their conservation target – the other being the Camel. This target is a measure of the breeding success of salmon and is set at a level to ensure a river maintains a sustainable fish population.
In 2005 the Camel and the Fowey had the highest salmon returns in the region with rod anglers catching 334 and 242 fish respectively on the two rivers.
"This really is encouraging news and demonstrates the benefits that can be achieved through the combined efforts of anglers and Agency officers. The benefits aren’t immediately apparent because of the lifecycle of the salmon. The fish spend three years in the river before heading off to sea and don’t normally return to spawn for a couple of years so there’s usually a five year time-lag before you see the rewards for your efforts,"said Simon Toms for the Environment Agency.
Source: The Environment Agency - june 2006.
Contact: mike.dunning@environment-agency.gov.uk

25.05.06 - FILHAM SET FOR NEW FISHING LAKE

A new £70,000 coarse fishing lake with special facilities for young and disabled anglers opens at Filham Park, Ivybridge on Sunday 4 June.
The completion of the Filham Lake is the result of a successful partnership between the Environment Agency, Ivybridge Town Council, and local anglers from the Plymouth and District Coarse Angling Club. Now, after months of planning and construction the purpose-built lake is ready to use and will be officially opened on Sunday 4 June 2006 at 10.30am by Mike Millman, the fishing journalist.
The lake has full disabled access, car parking, paths, fishing platforms and toilets. It has been stocked by Plymouth and District Coarse Angling Club with carp, roach, crucian carp, bream and green tench.
On the opening day there will be an opportunity to try coarse fishing with trained angling coaches. Places for this are limited so please phone to book your place as these will be allocated on a first come first served basis. To book an angling taster session please contact Diane Holland on 01392 316032.
The Environment Agency has a remit to promote angling and therefore to help provide opportunities for people of all abilities to fish.
"Everyone involved with the project are extremely pleased to have created such an attractive feature within the park, which is capable of providing high class coarse angling as well as being of significant benefit to wildlife," said Lesley Newport, for the Environment Agency.
"We are very pleased to have helped create this new lake that is also a wildlife haven. It is a first class site I think people will agree it has been a really worthwhile project."
The funding for the lake construction was made possible through the Environment Agency’s National Fisheries Fund, Living Spaces, Awards for All and People’s Places. The lake had filled by September 2004, to the delight of the project team. Work then continued on tree planting, fishing peg construction, water plant establishment, fish refuges and footbridge construction.
The first fish stocking took place in December 2005 with bream, mirror carp, common carp and roach. Since then crucian carp along with larger bream, common carp, mirror carp and roach have been stocked. Additional benefits include the setting up of a new tackle shop business in Ivybridge and use of the lake by a number of water bird species including goldeneye, little grebe, tufted duck, greylag geese and mute swans.
Source: The Environment Agency - May 2006.
Contact: paul.gainey@environment-agency.gov.uk

02.05.06 - ENVIRONMENT AGENCY ATTEMPTS TO HOOK WOMEN ANGLERS

You have heard plenty about it … but the push to get more women into angling has begun! The number of females going fishing is a pitiful five per cent of the UK angling population. That figure led to the Environment Agency including women of all ages in the latest recruitment drive.
Part of a new wave of projects has seen the Environment Agency in Devon teaming up with South West Lakes Trust to offer free fly fishing coaching sessions for women at Kennick Reservoir, near Christow. The women-only open day on Saturday May 6th, is part of the ongoing Angling Participation Project, which has already introduced many newcomers to the sport.
A similar event last year attracted around 40 women aspiring anglers and resulted in a permanent womens group being set which meets monthly for fishing and fly tying sessions. Other events held last year at Kennick reservoir in the picturesque Teign Valley, were also very popular with many of those attending taking up fishing as a result.
Diane Holland, from the Environment Agency said:
"Women anglers can sometimes feel intimidated by the jargon used and technical nature of casting but this is designed to show that they are just as capable as male anglers and that fishing is a relaxing, healthy pastime".
"Free expert tuition will be available from trained game angling coaches – both male and female. There will also be advice on how to set up fishing tackle, safety aspects and fly tying displays with the opportunity to have a go at catching a fish."
All equipment will be provided and there is no need for an Environment Agency Rod Licence as the event will be covered by a temporary licence. For those anglers with disabilities who may not be able to fish from the bank, South West Lakes Trust have a wheelyboat available. Anyone wishing to use this facility will be accompanied by a trained angling coach.
Although this event is primarily aimed at women anglers, further all inclusive events are taking place at Kennick throughout the summer:

Saturday 6 May Ladies Day 10.00am – 1.00pm or 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Friday 9 June Back to fishing/Beginners 10.00am – 1.00pm or 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Saturday 17 June Family/Beginners Day 10.00am – 1.00pm or 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Friday 30 June Beginners Day 10.00am – 1.00pm or 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Friday 21 July Second Bite!/Intermediate Day 10.00am – 4.00pm

Saturday 9 Sept Beginners Day 10.00am – 1.00pm or 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Booking is essential as places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Anyone wishing to book a session should contact Diane Holland on 01392 316032.
Source: The Environment Agency - May 2006.
Contact: paul.gainey@environment-agency.gov.uk

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.
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: shelley.frosdick@environment-agency.gov.uk

24.04.06 - GET A LICENCE

Illegal anglers will have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide over the May holiday weekend as the Environment Agency cracks down on people fishing without a valid rod licence.
Environment Agency Head of Fisheries Dafydd Evans said:
"Anglers must ensure they have a valid licence before they start fishing or face the prospect of prosecution. Fishing without a licence is an offence and anyone caught fishing illegally can expect to face tough penalties, including a fine of up to £2,500 and a ban from fishing. Licence dodgers are also cheating fellow anglers and the future of angling, as money raised by rod licence sales goes straight back into fisheries."
"Last year, we invested £29 million on our fisheries, with £19 million of this coming from rod licence fees. Work including disease detection, enforcement of illegal fish movements, developing angling opportunities and facilities and audit of foreign species is all funded by rod licence revenue. Over 12,000 people were checked over the May Bank Holiday last year with almost 900 offences reported. We are anticipating that even more staff will be out checking licences this year" Dafydd Evans said.
Enforcement teams from the South West will be making regular checks on waters across the region between 29 April and 1 May 2006.
Buying a licence could not be easier – there are around 15,000 Post Offices and other outlets which sell them direct; and for a small additional charge they can be purchased over the phone [0870 1662662] or from the Environment Agency web site.
Source: The Environment Agency - April 2006.
Contact: paul.gainey@environment-agency.gov.uk

24.04.06 - ENVIRONMENT AGENCY TRIES TO HOOK NEW ANGLERS

The Environment Agency in Somerset has teamed up with the Bridgwater Angling Association to offer free course fishing coaching sessions for any aspiring angler at the Dunwear Lakes, Bridgwater.
The free fishing day will be held on Sunday April 30 between 9am and 4.30pm, and is part of the ongoing Angling Participation Project, which has already introduced many newcomers to the sport. Last year around 120 anglers attended events at Kennick reservoir in the picturesque Teign Valley, many of these have taken up fishing as a result.
"We hope this free fishing day will show anyone who comes along that fishing is a relaxing, healthy pastime for all ages and abilities. All that is needed is a little encouragement and support," said Dave Lloyd, from the Environment Agency.
Free expert tuition will be available from trained angling coaches, and all the necessary equipment and tackle will be provided all completely free of charge. There will also be advice on how to set up fishing tackle, safety tips together with the opportunity to have a go at catching a fish. A marquee will be set-up in the car park near Plum Lane, where hot and cold refreshments will be available.
All equipment will be provided and there is no need for an Environment Agency Rod Licence as the event will be covered by a temporary licence.
Source: The Environment Agency - April 2006.
Contact: paul.gainey@environment-agency.gov.uk

26.04.06 - NEWBARN FARM CATCH REPORTS
Newbarn Farm Angling Centre offers coarse fishing on six ponds and lakes set in a beautiful sheltered valley close to Paignton, Torquay, Totnes & the South Hams area of South Devon.
19 April 2006:- D. Thomas - Mirror lake - Common, 11lb, 11.4lb, 10lb - Choc. Boillies
- Jonny Davies - Willow Pool - Common, Mirror, Ghost to 6lb [NF]
- Luke Hartrey - Willow Pool - Common, Ghost and Mirror to 14.15lb [NF]
20 April 2006:- Bradley Hartrey - Swim 5 Mirror Lake - Queenie 22.40 Common 10.00 [NF]
- Daniel Effer - Mirror Swim 7 - Common 8.80 & 11, Mirror 12.40
26 April 2006:- Bob Cole - Willow Pool - common 7.00, ghost 14.80, mirror 5.80 - tutti frutti boilies
- Darren Stride - Mirror Lake - mirror carp 8.00 & 8.80
- Tony Eade - Mirro Lake swim 6 - mirror carp 17.00 & 15.00 - sweetcorn pellet
[NF] = Night Fishing
Source: Richard at Newbarn Farm -April 2006
Contact: info@newbarnfarm.com

01.04.06 - BUY YOUR 2006/07 ROD LICENCE ON LINE
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, visit their website at
www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
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
New prices for 2006/07 online rod licences:
Non-Migratory Trout and Coarse
Full Season - £24.00
Junior - £5.00
8 Day - £8.50
1 Day - £3.25
Salmon and Sea Trout
Full Season - £65.00
Junior - £32.50
8 Day - £20.50
1 Day - £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.
Source: The Environment Agency - 2006.
Contact: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

23.03.06 - ENVIRONMENT AGENCY ANGLING SURVEY

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

02.03.06 - HEALTHIER FISHERIES MEANS HEALTHIER LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND BANK BALANCES.

Healthier fisheries means healthier local communities and economies was the message from the Environment Agency at the launch of
'A better environment, healthier fisheries: better fisheries for our nations' today.
Dafydd Evans, Head of Fisheries said
"Fisheries is about more than just fishing and our work is a key influence on local economies throughout England and Wales. Angling creates jobs and prosperity, extends visitor seasons and creates more business for restaurants, pubs, shops and hotels. Our figures show that nearly four million people went angling last year leading to 20,000 jobs and total spending of a huge £3 billion annually on the sport - one project alone in Wales generated almost £30 million through angling tourism"
The Environment Agency’s Fishing in Wales Project resulted in:
* Over 400km of improved rivers as a result of river habitat improvements and building fish passes.
* £2 million investment creating 1000 jobs in angling clubs, tackle shops, hotels and restaurants.
* £27million generated in one year by angling tourists and their families.
* Over 450 people attending sustainable fishery management training courses, helping to deliver 86 partnership projects with angling clubs and fishery owners, improving fishing facilities for all.
Releasing the strategy today the Environment Agency, which is responsible for fisheries in England and Wales, revealed how it will adapt to ensure the survival of our fragile natural fisheries environment. It is success like that shown by the Fishing in Wales project which the Environment Agency hopes to repeat.
Key steps to create a better fisheries environment by 2011 include:
* Increasing the number of fish in our rivers – only 21 rivers met salmon conservation targets in 1999.
* Providing more chances for more people to fish with double the amount of active anglers from black, minority and ethnic backgrounds.
* Sustainable fisheries boosting the local economy, with greater investment in fisheries.
Dafydd Evans added:
The presence of fish and angling demonstrates a healthy environment - our strategy outlines how we will meet new challenges such as climate change and invasive species while increasing tourism, encouraging greater participation in fishing and continuing to create a better quality of life for local communities.
Our work to bring fishing to people through angling participation projects have paid off for local communities. One such scheme in Rowheath Park, Birmingham was the award winning Get Hooked on Fishing project. Working together with the Bournville Village Trust this innovative and unique programme proved successful in tackling youth crime, antisocial behaviour, school truancy and educational underachievement - 98% of participants did not re-offend. Over 250 children took part in 2005 and the three-year-old scheme won the Big Lottery People’s Choice Award.
Better environment, healthier fisheries outlines how we will take our work further. We are determined to create a better, healthier environment for fisheries and for people".
Source: The Environment Agency - March 2006.
Contact: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

20.02.06 - NEW FOR THIS SEASON AT LAC DU PELERIN, FRANCE.

Lac Du Pelerin is a stunning carp fishing venue nestling amongst 83 acres of beautiful French countryside. Mature woodland and fields give the carp angler and his family total seclusion.
Anglers have the chance to fish for quality carp in a spectacular location. Seeing the sunrise over the poplar trees and the first carp showing is breath-taking. Lac du Pèlerin has overhanging trees, reeds, irises and lots of wildlife - kingfishers, deer, eagles and waterfowl.

In addition to their popular flight packages - Stansted to Poitiers, now available pick-ups from La Rochelle, with flights from Birmingham, Southampton, Dublin and Glasgow.

Quality tackle is included with these packages.

You can also take advantage of their discount car hire rates.

Lac du Pelerin is renowned for its stunning carp, topping 40lbs and its first class, two bedroomed, lakeside chalet.
Contact:
Graham Hackett 0033 549648819

Website
www.lacdupelerin.com

16.02.06 - RIVERBANK EROSION SLOWED WITH TREE PLANTING

The Environment Agency has come up trumps in the search for a ‘green’ solution to an erosion problem on the banks of the River Otter. A fencing and tree planting project has been agreed in an attempt to slow down bank erosion and provide good wildlife habitat on the west bank of the river from Fluxton to below the Millenium Green at Ottery St Mary in East Devon.
Working with Devon County Council farm estates, landowners and other partners, the Environment Agency was keen to explore ways to slow down erosion and improve the habitat. If it is successful then other partnerships can be attempted throughout the catchments in East Devon.
In a separate project on the same part of the river, a specially designed fish pass has been built on the weir which help fish gain access to spawning areas upstream. A deeper channel of water is artificially created across the thinner film of water on the weir so the fish have an easier route.
"A lot of thought and effort has gone into the tree planting project and we hope that it will at least slow down bank erosion and improve the habitat for the local wildlife," said Derek Carter from the Environment Agency.
"Right from the outset all the partners involved with this scheme were keen to use an environmentally friendly solution rather than a hard engineering option. In addition to stabilising the bank, the tree planting will provide a valuable habitat for birds, fish and other wildlife."
The fencing and planting work is set to begin at the end of February and continue into early March 2006. Once in place the trees will quickly take root giving a natural look to the riverbank and slow down further erosion.
"We are really pleased to be able with the landowners and other partners to adopt a long-term sustainable solution that has knock-on benefits for the fish and wildlife. We would certainly recommend the use of tree planting to other riverbank," added Derek Carter.
Source: The Environment Agency - February 2006.
Contact: Contact: bridget.norris@environment-agency.gov.uk

10.02.06 - KELLY HOLMES UNVEILED AS SCHOOL SPORT CHAMPION.
Dame Kelly Holmes was recently named the first National School Sport Champion in a bid to get more of the nation's children involved in PE and school sport. The double Olympic champion celebrated the launch of her new role by joining Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Education and Skills, and pupils at Acland Burghley School in London recently.
The Government-backed appointment in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, Sky Living For Sport and Norwich Union will see Kelly visiting schools and sports events across the country to promote the Government's strategy for school sport and help inspire and motivate young people into taking up sport and physical activity.
Kelly said:
"I'm both proud and delighted to have been asked to get more children active and healthy through sport. I believe I can help to encourage young people to get more involved and also make this a greater priority for everyone. I want to see real change and for more children to take part in more activities. We need to be a sporting nation and for that to happen we have to inspire, motivate, encourage and capture the imagination of all our young people so that sport becomes a part of their day-to-day lives".
"Winning the right to stage the Olympic and the Paralympic Games in 2012 has given British sport a tremendous boost and hopefully we can use this new opportunity to discover a few champions."
Tessa Jowell believes Kelly's appointment will further boost the sporting opportunities already available to children both in and outside school. She said:
"I have been talking to Kelly about what she could contribute to future generations since last summer and I'm delighted that the Youth Sport Trust has come up with a really strong package to make use of her skills. Kelly's support for the Government's school sport strategy will provide a real boost for school sport and she will no doubt show today's and tomorrow's young people why sport does matter - and how it can change your life for the better."