ANGLING TRUST

From: Kevin Pearson <Kevin.Pearson@Anglingtrust.net>

Date: 14/04/2020 13:09 (GMT+00:00)

To:

Subject: Protecting fisheries - Essential travel

 

Dear VBS bailiffs…

Following liaison with the National Policing Lead’s Staff Officer, we have police reassurance that protecting fisheries and therefore commercial interests is essential to preserving part of the UK’s infrastructure and is permissible – providing that the frequency of such visits are reasonable and proportionate, and not abused.

 This advice has now been included on the FAQ section of the Angling Trust CV-19 support hub, please see link below.

The information is aimed at angling clubs and fisheries who can authorise bailiffs to patrol within these parameters. The Angling Trust’s position so far as P1 VBs are concerned remains the same: patrol only if part of daily exercise local to home, or if an authorised club or fishery bailiff.

https://joinanglingtrust.net/covid19-orgs/

Thank you all for your continuing support.

STAY HOME – PROTECT THE NHS – SAVE LIVES

Kevin

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    A JOINT EFFORT.   Thanks to Peter Dent

A few years back I use to look after the Ross Angling Club Salmon Syndicate at "Weirend" on the river Wye, approx 2miles below Wilton Bridge.

Two syndicate members (now sadly deceased), PW & TC were fishing part of the beat called Holme Pool or locally known as "Peg 84". It was the days of bait fishing and PW was anchoured in the club boat mid river while TC was on the opposite bank. After exchanging pleasantries, PW cast his worms slightly upstream allowing them to slowly trundle through the swim. TC also cast his worms slightly upstream in the same fashion.

Just then PW cried "I think I've got a fish on" and at the same time TC shouted "me too". After allowing a few seconds PW and TC stuck simultaneously , whereupon a beautiful fresh run Salmon left the water like a "polaris missle" approx 20 yards above the boat.

The fish clearly showed both PW and TC's tackle firmly lodged in its jaw. The fish then shot off upstrem for a powerful run. PW shouted to TC "let me play it" as he was in the better position to tire the fish. TC agreed. After a terrific fight and several powerful runs the Salmon was netted by PW and as was the custom in the 80's he dispatched the last rights, and removed both sets of tackle from its mouth. PW shouted to TC "what's the fair way to sort this", TC replied cut in half and I'll see you back at the hut.

PW quickly moored the boat and may his way to the hut.

I was in the hut at the time and saw PW struggling with a heavy fish and all his tackle. When he got his breath back he said I must dash as I have a doctors appointment in 1hr. The fish weighed 15lbs and recorded in the book as PW's fish. Pw then quickly made his way across the field only to be accosted by a very hot and sweaty TC enquiring "where to bloody hell do you think you are going". It was then relayed to me what had actually happened and that some form of mediation was needed. We carefully cut the fish in two equal parts and both Men went away grumbling. For many years PW always maintained that his worms were further inside the salmons mouth and therefore he had more right to it than TC. We shall never know. "There's more to fishing that catching fish"

PETER DENT (Monmouth)