The Towpath Angler
Our monthly look at the angling scene
IT HAS been quite a busy period recently with a number of meetings and associated commitments.
Firstly, as a follow-up to the debate at the Canal & River Trust Members Council re water transfer there was a workshop for canal communities where this topic was considered. It was good to hear a more detailed breakdown of the proposals and, of course, the views from the other attendees. Without doubt there is some concern about this particular proposal using the Grand Union.
Then last week I attended the first ‘live’ meeting since lockdown began of the trust’s Fisheries and Angling Advisory Group. I gave a brief report on the discussions at council and the workshop and, not surprisingly, serious concern for the Grand Union, which is among the best of the canal fisheries – especially in the south – was very evident.
Of course maintaining and/or improving water quality at all times is priority but, despite all the measures which may be introduced to achieve this, such a concept will definitely introduce a new risk. Whatever the decision it is imperative that CRT communicates and consults with all parties from the word go.
At FAAG we saw a number of really good presentations ranging from moorings policy in London to the performance stats of the Let’s Fish Campaign. The discussion on moorings looked at the impact that frequent, unsympathetic mooring and over-staying have on other users. At the end it was quite clear that the trust is still seriously under-resourced on enforcement and that this would need to be addressed before things could improve.
The Let’s Fish stats highlighted a number of important demographic pointers which will greatly assist the team as it specs out future years. It also will, in time, provide exactly the right sort of data necessary for any funding bids, either internal or external.
Another really exciting topic at FAAG was a discussion about the possible inclusion of an angling event in the upcoming Commonwealth Games scheduled for Birmingham. It really looks like it could happen.
Review of events
On the match front all arrangements for 2022 are pretty much done now as far as Angling Trust Nationals are concerned. A meeting last week saw a review of the joint AT/CRT events held in 2021 – again, generally successful across the board. Huge credit to all involved; 2022 was mapped out. Clearly it is important that both organisations share the load and the rewards and I have every confidence this will be the case.
Winter leagues are well under way now, indeed some are almost complete. I understand that numbers are down on previous years, I guess for a variety of reasons, but this has not detracted from the fierce competitiveness that is the very ethos of winter leagues.
The decline in numbers fishing team events is a topic long debated. Barriers include cost, lack of commitment and the significant increase in events at both natural and commercial venues for individual anglers.
Without some really attractive incentives such as bigger prize money and/or high value prizes of any kind it is unlikely that things will change significantly any time soon. I believe that because there are so many competition alternatives in the marketplace nowadays any change will need to be quite irresistible.
It seems some rivers are still fishing pretty well. I think the longish period of steady levels and temperatures has helped. The same is true of most canals although a group I sometimes fish with had a little match on the Aire & Calder two weeks ago and everyone really struggled with just 2lb of fish required to win. Stillwaters are not usually so good at this time. That said, those anglers targeting the bream do appear to be enjoying some decent sport. The weather last weekend saw the first real frosts and, of course, snow. As I have said in previous years, this change can play havoc with sport and catches in the next couple of weeks will no doubt reflect that.
I have still only been fishing weekend club events with only moderate success although twice I have missed out on a brown envelope by just one fish. Unfortunately you get nothing for ‘hard lines’. However last Sunday I fished my main club’s annual Fur & Feather match. I did win my section but best of all will collect a lovely gammon joint just prior to Christmas.
I am due to fish my final club match of the year this coming Saturday. This too is a Christmas special so whatever the outcome I should pick up a bottle of wine and a box of chocolates. The real reward though will be to get a few bites and, hopefully, a few fish.
So this is my last article of 2021. I would like to wish everyone a joyous Christmas in every way. Let us hope that the Covid situation does not bring about last-minute restrictions preventing families and friends from getting together at long last.
Very best wishes – and tight lines!