Infectious fish diseases such as Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) and Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC) have long been suspected of wiping out carp stocks if allowed to take hold in a water. Introducing live fish originating from unproven safe stock into a fishery is known to pose the greatest risk of disease transmission. But other causes, such as contaminated angling equipment, have also been thought to pose a risk.
Cefas has commissioned a survey that we hope will shed light on the level of risk posed by anglers' wet nets.
Excellent repair service offered by Esselle!From time to time everybody breaks a pole section, but thankfully there are people on hand to repair the sections. Esselle Pole Repairs offers a professional service and can repair virtually any breakage. Based at Hugglescote in Leicestershire, Esselle prides itself on extremely quick turnaround times with broken sections. Most are repaired and ready for collection within a week during the summer months, and just three days during the winter.
Popular television series ready for launch!Preston Innovations Absolute Match Fishing series was a huge hit when the first series hit the screens. You will be pleased to hear that the second series is finished with the first show to be aired on 3rd February on Sky Sports 4. The series will be featuring many of the Preston stars including Des Shipp, Tommy Pickering and Lee Kerry. They will be visiting a variety of venues throughout the series and covering a number of methods and tactics to help improve your angling.
Commercial House and King Billy are running a Charity Memorial match again in memory of Bob Warden.
Bob was a local angler in the Bath area who was very much liked. He fished club matches for King Billy, and also the SWWL and Bristol Commercial House Winter League. All proceeds will be going to Lung Research.
Two ‘stockies’ for Barston!One of match fishing’s favourite venues, Barston Lakes, near Solihull in the West Midlands, has seen its stock somewhat upgraded this week with the addition of two 30lb carp. We spoke with Barston owner Nigel Harrhy about the recent stockings, and he told us: “This venue is all about catering for everyone and I pride myself on offering good sport for match, pleasure and carp anglers. "One question I get asked on an almost daily basis is ‘Are there any 30lb carp in here?’ Well, I have heard loads of reports that there are but I am yet to see them. With this in mind I decided to buy two! The first tips the scales at just over 30lb while the bigger of the two weighs in at 37-2-0 – quite impressive fish, I think you will agree!”It will be interesting to see if these two fish ever feature in any matches!.
Pole Fishing editor pursues new career with international tackle giant.
After nearly eight years with David Hall Publishing, Jon Arthur has stepped down as group editor of Match Fishing and Pole Fishing magazines to take on a new role with Drennan International.
On his new job, Jon commented:“I have loved my time working on both magazines and have some great friends at DHP, but I simply could not turn down this exciting opportunity. I have always been a massive fan of Drennan products and I know that there are some amazing developments in the pipeline.
Popular silver-fish festival to take place at Larford LakesMaver (UK) has announced the dates of the 2014 Silver Fish Festival, which will be fished at Maver Larford Lakes. The event, which has been very popular in recent years, is scheduled to take place over a five-day period starting on Monday, February 24th and finishing on Friday, February 28th. The competition will cater for a total of 44 anglers fishing in four sections of 11 each day, and will be on the Specimen Lake. Entry will cost £130 per man (including peg fee) with the overall winner being determined by way of a cumulative points system.
Get some coaching with Preston Innovations star!Current Drennan Knockout Cup Champion Michael Buchwalder has announced that he will be available to book for coaching sessions. Michael is one of the sport's true all-rounders and can quite literally turn his hand to any angling discipline. Michael can cater for one-to-one sessions or small groups of up to four people. He is also prepared to travel to the venue of your choice so if a particular venue is proving a tough nut to crack, Michael will be able to help out!Match Fishing editor Alex Bones had this to say about Michael: “Bud is one of the very best anglers around and is well worth spending a day with.
Popular carp water receives winter makeover! Recently voted by Match Fishing readers as your favourite venue, The Glebe Fishery, in Leicestershire, has been having a bit of a facelift this winter. The venue has yearly maintenance projects but with a lot of wear and tear in recent years, Pool 1 has needed more than its share of TLC. A massive project was undertaken in the early part of January, when the lake's levels were dropped to allow work to be completed.
Firstly the platforms have been repaired and replaced where needed.
Ultimate ace wins Thorne Christmas match with 18lb net. As canal matches go, this year's Thorne Christmas Bash proved pretty special. Topping the field was the ever-consistent Simon Fields, with a cracking 18-6-0 net of hemp-caught roach, but he by no means ran away with it – there were no fewer than five weights of 17lb or more!Long-pole-and-hemp tactics accounted for the top three weights, although caster and bloodworm also proved effective. The result is the latest in a string of outstanding results from the south Yorkshire canal – and the fixtures planned after Christmas are already looking set to prove popular.
Raison’s ‘taboo’ mix that skimmers can’t resist. “If someone had told me 12 months ago that I would be mixing fishmeal groundbaits and leams together to target skimmers, I would have laughed at them. It is something I have always dismissed, but, as I have recently found out, it is a deadly tactic!”These were the words of Daiwa and Old Ghost-backed ace Will Raison. Former World Champion Will has recently banked three big weights of skimmers on the tactic – and genuinely believes he has only touched the tip of the iceberg with regard to the potential of the method.
Dates and venues confirmed.
The dates and venues have been announced for the 2014 AT Winter
League Semi-Finals. The northern legs of the event are set to take place at
Garbolino Lindholme Lakes on April 5th, and on the Stainforth &
Keadby Canal at Crowle on April 6th. Being situated on the Isle Of
Axholme, to the northeast of Doncaster and just a short drive from the A1 and M18, both of these venues should prove easily
accessible for anglers.
January clearance of King Heath Store. Birmingham-based outfit, Fisherman's Friend, is having a massive start-of-the-year sale in its Kings Heath store. The sale is taking place due to the business moving its operation to the Bearwood branch. The offer will run for the full month of January, and there will be some exciting bargains to be had.
Ex World Champs silver fish battle. Sensas-backed star Sean Ashby has won the latest round of the Northern Sensas Challenge league at Hayfield Lakes near Doncaster, with a massive 22-15-0 net of silver fish. In a rare twist of fate, the Starlets team man drew next to his England teammate Alan Scotthorne, and the inevitable battle ensued. Alan was unable to keep quality fish coming, however, and the addition of a couple of bonus fish in the shape of a tench and a bream saw Sean finish comfortably clear of Alan’s 13-12-0 effort.
MAP rod takes big canal win. MAP and Sensas-backed ace James Dent has won the third round of the Thorne Teams Of Three league on the Stainforth & Keadby Canal. The 22-year-old from Yarm, Cleveland, beat a field of 71 anglers to win the day with 21-3-0. James enjoyed a good early run of fish on bloodworm and joker, before turning his attention to casters, fished at 16 metres.
