The Angling Trust is calling for red tape surrounding the removal of cormorants, which pose a significant threat to fish stocks, to be removed.

Predation from cormorants is a growing problem for fisheries, but the sheer weight of evidence and time needed to collate data showing the damage these birds are doing to fisheries is beyond what any reasonable organisation should be tasked with, the trust has claimed.
"The current stipulations to apply for a cormorant control licence are ridiculous and extremely overcomplicated," the Angling Trust's chief executive Mark Lloyd told the Angling Times.

He added that in many cases, the individuals who run the fisheries are volunteers and many do not have the time to fill in the lengthy paperwork that is required to achieve these licences.

The Angling Trust is based in Herefordshire and is the first body in the UK to represent all game, coarse and sea fishing enthusiasts across the country.
 

The poor conditions seen during December will mean it will be a "forgotten month" for many anglers after an otherwise successful year.

With the icy weather likely to stick in the mind of many anglers more than what they brought in on their fishing reels in the past few weeks, the Peterborough Telegraph looked back through some of the other events of the year.

The local stillwaters saw some action during April with Corrine Smith taking the top spot in the Cock Inn AC in the Silver fish pool at Kingsland fishery.

June 16th brought in the start of the river fishing season and got off with a bang, the newspaper noted, as bream showed in Orton Downstream, as well as several good barbel taken from the locks at Orton.

August was also mentioned as it "did not disappoint" for its carp fishing.

Anglers in the area may be hoping to get out soon and replicate the success of the Penarth SAC Christmas competition, where the South Wales Echo reported the winning fishing rods beached seven cod. 

Fishing equipment manufacturer Abu Garcia has launched its latest range of reels, as it bids to increase its influence on the angling industry.

The firm is set to release more than 30 models across its different series of new fishing reels, as the company looks to recapture its glory days.

According to the Angling Times, in days gone by, Abu Garcia was the brand of choice when an angler was selecting a quality reel.

A writer at the publication put a number of the new products through their paces recently and insisted that the manufacturer has rediscovered its magic touch.

"Make no mistake, Abu Garcia is back", the writer professed.

Anglers will be able to get their hands on the new range of products from the start of 2011 and the new releases are expected to be popular among a variety of different types of fishermen.

Budding anglers may also want to consider other things that can help them catch fish, as Staffordshire's Pete Goodman recently outlined the use of different baits as being the most important factor behind being successful in the sport.
 

An angling fanatic has turned part of his home into a museum showcasing his unique collection of fishing rods, reels and lines.

Keith Alcorn of Evans Head in Australia has spent the past 15 years collecting different types of fishing equipment and has now turned his double garage into a museum.

The Australian Northern Star reported how the 77-year-old has organised his collection of approximately 6,000 items in his home, which is undergoing renovation to accommodate the vast haul.

Among his prized possessions are two Bakelite fishing reels which date back as far as 1948.

Mr Alcorn told the publication that collecting angling gear is "like scoring a hole-in-one in golf" and is an "exhilarating" pastime.

Although Mr Alcorn has some items that were manufactured many years ago, the Collection of Red Rock History group has uncovered the history of fishing in Australia right back from Aboriginal times through to the present day, according to the Daily Examiner.
 

Britain’s anglers have been urged by the Environment Agency (EA) to keep a look out for any fish which get into difficulty during the warm summer months.

The organisation observed that although many angling enthusiasts have been taking advantage of the warmer conditions and taking their fishing reels on to Britain’s waterways, some creatures may find the weather harder to cope with.

“We rely on the eyes of the public to let us know of situations where there is a real risk to fish,” said EA fisheries officer Tom Howard. “Good fishery management techniques can help fishery owners prevent or at least predict any problems.”

Anglers who witness any unusual behaviour should ensure that bailiffs or venue managers are made aware of it, while the EA has also advised fishermen to limit the amount of ground bait they use.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that a legislative blunder by the agency and government lawyers could have resulted in several poachers escaping punishment.

Fisherman’s Blues and Tight Lines presenter Keith Arthur believes this weekend’s Fish-O-Mania contest could prove one of the most memorable in the event’s 16-year history.

Writing on the Sky Sports website, the broadcaster and former John Smiths and Wychavon Championship winner explained that the competition is one of his very favourites and claimed he “wouldn’t miss it for anything”.

“It’s all lined up nicely for Saturday [June 18th 2010],” he explained. “With the weather forecast good – for the fishing at least – this year’s match could be a classic.”

Also taking place at Cudmore Fishery this weekend will be Celebrity Fish-O-Mania, which will see some of Britain’s most famous non-angling sporting names taking their fishing reels to the famous Staffordshire venue.

Among those taking part are darts legend Phil “The Power” Taylor, athlete Dean Macey, up-and-coming Australian darts star Simon Whitlock and former champion boxers Tim Witherspoon and Richie Woodhall.

Fisherman’s Blues and Tight Lines presenter Keith Arthur believes this weekend’s Fish-O-Mania contest could prove one of the most memorable in the event’s 16-year history.

Writing on the Sky Sports website, the broadcaster and former John Smiths and Wychavon Championship winner explained that the competition is one of his very favourites and claimed he "wouldn’t miss it for anything".

"It’s all lined up nicely for Saturday [June 18th 2010]," he explained. "With the weather forecast good – for the fishing at least – this year’s match could be a classic."

Also taking place at Cudmore Fishery this weekend will be Celebrity Fish-O-Mania, which will see some of Britain’s most famous non-angling sporting names taking their fishing reels to the famous Staffordshire venue.

Among those taking part are darts legend Phil "The Power" Taylor, athlete Dean Macey, up-and-coming Australian darts star Simon Whitlock and former champion boxers Tim Witherspoon and Richie Woodhall.

Some of Britain’s most famous sports stars have agreed to take part in this year’s Celebrity Fish-O-Mania at Cudmore Fisheries in Staffordshire.

According to the Angling Times, Stoke-born darts legend Phil "The Power" Taylor, England international cricketer Ravi Bopara and Olympic athlete Dean Macey are three of the big names who are set to take their fishing reels to the venue this month.

"The Celebrity Fish-O-Mania is a fantastic event and it’s always been a hit with the crowds," Macey explained. "The qualifiers of the actual Fish-O-Mania may be fishing for £25,000, but we will all want to win this match just as much as them."

Other sportsmen who are getting ready to cast off ahead of the main event include up-and-coming Australian darts player Simon Whitlock, former heavyweight champion boxer Tim Witherspoon and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Richie Woodhall.

Last month, TV presenter Chris Tarrant lent his support to the Angling Trust’s National Fishing Month, which will be launched at Cudmore on July 17th 2010.

Anglers have been warned time is running out to register for the forthcoming Evesham Angling Festival qualifiers, which take place in June and July.

With the new river season approaching rapidly, only a handful of places for the event remain and local councillor Diana Raphael is urging anyone interested to get in touch before the last few spots are reeled in by others.

Speaking to the Tewkesbury Admag, she claimed the volume of enquiries for tickets to the event has been "incredible" and said: "A lot of people who have left it late are going to be disappointed this year."

The first contest to take place will be a Shakespeare championship qualifier on June 19th, while the opening Abu Garcia Wychavon championship match is scheduled for the following day.

Earlier in the week, Terry Sears, owner of Nottinghamshire’s Hallcroft Fishery, told the Angling Times the venue has become more popular with fishing enthusiasts since more tench and bream were introduced.

Fisherman’s Blues presenter Keith Arthur has added his backing to a Crimestoppers initiative aimed at recruiting anglers for the fight against illegal carp smuggling.

Earlier in the month, the organisation encouraged fishermen to get in touch if they have any information relating to the trade and Arthur, who also presents Sky Sports’ Tight Lines, has warned criminals to watch out.

Writing for the Angling Times, he advised against complacency on the part of anglers and said: "It most certainly is not okay from the fishes’ perspective, the owners’ perspective and the whole future and credibility of our sport."

Arthur suggested that imported carp could transmit disease to native stocks, triggering a catastrophic decline in their numbers and observed that fish theft has been a constant cause of concern for anglers for a considerable length of time.

Last week, the Sun reported that a haul of French carp with an estimated value of £300,000 had been seized by police and environment officers at Dover.