Message from the Angling Trust!

 

Environment Bill Update: A message from our CEO Jamie Cook

Dear Subscrber A big thank you to all those who took the time and trouble to write to their MPs on the issue of sewage discharges into our rivers and to everyone who supports the work of Angling Trust, Fish Legal and our Anglers Against Pollution Campaign. As you may have heard, the Lords amendment to beef up the Environment Bill and force more action to tackle storm overflows was defeated in the House of Commons on Wednesday (20th October). But that’s not the end of the story. Thanks to the many anglers and supporters who wrote to their MP, 22 Tory MPs defied their party whip and joined the Opposition in support of our campaign by voting for the Lords amendment. This will be key to us keeping the pressure on the government to act, especially if we can increase this number next time around. You can see which MPs voted “No” to the government’s attempt to block the change here. The Environment Bill now goes back to the House of Lords for further debate tomorrow (26th October). Discussion is taking place between campaign groups, including the Angling Trust, and members of the House of Lords around another attempt to secure action. And Anglers Against Pollution continues to fight on other fronts. We are calling on the government to take bold action in giving new guidance to the regulator, OFWAT, to allow more investment in cleaning up our sewage systems and make water companies do more to tackle pollution. We set out the case in our recently published joint report, Time to Fix The Broken Water Sector which is gaining a lot of support and attention. You can rest assured that we are not giving up the fight for cleaner rivers and will continue to press for meaningful action to tackle the scandal of sewage pollution. Thanks again for all you did and we will keep you informed every step of the way. All the best, Jamie Cook, CEO – Angling Trust and Fish Legal   Download a copy of our Time to Fix the Broken Water Sector report HERE To find out more about our Anglers Against Pollution Campaign click HERE

2nd day salmon fishing in October 2021 - Bingo!

I caught a 10lb salmon (or something like that) today on the river! I was chuffed!

The river height was somewhere in the region of 1.300m on the guage! Running clear and at a good height I thought that there was a chance of a salmon and I was right!

Yesterday I think the water was too high.

Today - well perfect! Accessing the river was not as straight forward though! On reflection I came dangerously close to disaster!

I spent at least 20 minutes, maybe longer, trying to cross the river. I thought I could get across but it turned out that where I was crossing was very deep on the far side! I was close to the far bank but couldn't reach it. This meant wading upstream in heavy water till I could spot a place to actually climb the far bank. Not easy! My back got soaked as the water went over my waders! Very scary at times but I made it eventually!

I didn't realise till later what impact this event had on me physically and mentally!

Fishing after a flood like this is not straight forward in any sense! Silt at the edge of the river becomes quick sand after a flood like this and is extremely difficult to remove oneself from. A couple of times I got completely stuck and only just about managed to free myself!

Last night I slept like a log - completely knackered! Today my lower torso and legs are very sore.

So this season I think I have had 3 sea trout ( 1 double figure ) and 1 salmon! I've also lost a few big fish too!

Watch the video here by clicking the link below!

kingfisher catches a 10lb salmon - Oct 2021

Water level?

 1.843 this morning?

Water at last!

3.001m today! Will some water hold till Monday next week I wonder?