Emotions running high over Humber wall fate
ANGLERS UP IN ARMS OVER PROPOSED MEASURES
LAST week’s article about the possible closure of access to the Humber Bank Wall at Stallingborough has caused a lot of reaction. People are worried about how they are going to fish, as some have disabilities and cannot walk far. The wall is an ideal location as anglers can currently fish from their car. The tackle shops are also concerned as they think it will affect their business - they have already been struggling with the Covid restrictions.
Not all comments and phone calls I have had have been favourable. I have been accused of stirring things up and giving the Environment Agency the ammunition they need to shut the wall down. I have also been asked why I need to ‘get involved in all things angling’ in this area.
I have simply brought to the attention of many who fish the wall that there might be a problem. These anglers are also now looking out for the vehicle that might be involved in the fly tipping.
It also has made anglers think of ways that we can work together with the EA to solve the problem. Also, through the article it is not just my thoughts and words - it is also the ideas of other anglers. If it wasn’t for the readers’ support and encouragement I would not bother doing this.
In the past, together with other anglers, we have solved many of the area’s problems and got some very good results. But it was then a case of people pooling their ideas together and speaking sensibly to each other. Many have come up with some great ideas, but often they do not who to contact or what to actually do with the idea. With many years of going both coarse and sea fishing, and doing various jobs, I have built up some very good contacts. There are some great people in this area who will go out their way to assist and give their help and advice. One person said on Facebook that if there was a sea angling club that was functioning in the area, as a body it might help to work with the EA and other bodies. This might have been the case and then we could have possibly approached the Angling Trust for advice and help. This still might be an option. The question which has come up quite a lot over the wall access is that it is a bridle path and that we should have a right of way. That is correct, but it is not for vehicle access.
■ Meanwhile, a few people have asked on the coarse angling front ‘what do I gain from joining a club?’ As mentioned the other week, there are different levels of club in terms of ability.
But if you are prepared to be patient and learn, you could benefit from joining one of the top clubs. I know at the start you will be getting beaten most weeks. But you can watch and see what the top ones in the club are doing - and most are more than willing to pass on information.
Then, gradually, you will see an improvement in your own fishing. It will also give you a chance to fish venues that are usually only open for match anglers.
Many a time I have stopped fishing and, if allowed, watched from behind an angler to see what I have been doing wrong, which in my case for coarse fishing is most of the time.
You can also go to some of the top anglers in the country for coaching. I have been with Lee Kerry a couple of times and he is brilliant. Sometimes the coaches will allow you to go with a few other anglers which will bring the cost down. If you contact a fishery, especially Lindholme Lakes, they will put you in touch with the coaches that are available. Although expensive it can save you money in the long run, as you might be chasing success by buying the wrong tackle. The experts can help you to get sorted, often with just a few tackle alterations.
PAUL Hurst isn’t ruling out making more signings before the end of the season, but admits it’s unlikely.
Grimsby Town made their 11th signing since Hurst’s return as manager when they finally got a deal over the line for Giles Coke last week.
The former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder became the second free agent to join the club after the closing of the January transfer window, with ex-Rotherham winger Julien Lamy also signing up until the end of the season.
With a large squad at his disposal for the rest of the campaign, it appears unlikely Hurst will take on any more players - although the Town boss is ruling it out just yet.
“I wouldn’t want to say ‘that’s it, 100 per cent’ and then next week make myself look silly by saying ‘oh, we’ve got a signing’,” Hurst told the Grimsby Telegraph. “But, in reality, I’ve kind of put that to bed in my mind.
“If something crops up, then we might be able to look at it, but because of the rules still, realistically we’ve got a full squad. “There’s always an opportunity to get someone in if we wanted to have a look at them.
“At the minute, with how this week was structured with the reserve game on Wednesday, it was natural that everyone trained together on the Monday, then Tuesday we had two separate groups. “That sort of follows on with the game on Wednesday for some, so they’re not going to do much Thursday. It’s kind of made it easier to split the group.”
The Mariners boss is eager to try and reduce the size of his squad going forward, although he is hindered in that regard by the chaos currently engulfing the National League.
Town would ordinarily be able to send players out on loan into non-league outside of the usual windows, but with the season in serious doubt at that level - and no decision likely to come either way until the end of the month - Hurst is being left frustrated.
“Ultimately, we’re reliant on clubs wanting our players,” Hurst added.
“I’ve seen some signings happen in both the National League and the North and South, so some clubs are still being proactive.
“Certainly in the North and South you’ve got clubs who are pulling out of games until they know what’s happening, you’ve got clubs who have put together a free agent squad and a team that’s willing to fulfil the fixtures.
“I don’t like that, and that’s not a criticism of the clubs, but I’m not sure how fair a league that is when a team might come up against someone who’s really strong.
“We know with injuries and things someone might miss the best player, but when it’s a full team like that I don’t think it’s very fair across the league, but we are in extremely difficult times for clubs.
“I’d just like to see a decision made for everyone’s sake sooner rather than later, but overall the situation isn’t helping in getting players out.”