Angling equipment producer Avanti has launched a new fishing rod, the Hyperspeed 10-10 Commercial Feeder.

Speaking to Gofishing.co.uk, where the product was dubbed Avanti's "most radical feed rod ever", Steve Fitzpatrick of the Angling Times suggested buyers will get plenty of bang for their buckk.

"You get a lot of kit for your money," the fishing expert remarked. "Pick the light quivertip and spot every roach and skimmer bite or go heavier to fish feeders."

Measuring 10ft in length, the Hyperspeed 10-10 is a two-piece rod, which comes complete with ten push-in quivertips. Weighing between 1oz and 5.5oz, the extras ensure that anglers have the equipment they need to suit whatever fishing strategy they are using.

Avanti's new product has been launched in the wake of another item from the same range, the Hyperspeed 11m pole package.

This device was said by Mr Fitzpatrick to be "spot on" for tench, skimmer and small carp.

Professional anglers have been chosen for a new group to discuss various subjects relating to the angling industry.

British Waterways has established the National Angling Advisory Group, which has a membership of fishing enthusiasts selected for their angling knowledge and experience.

Angling Trust director David Kent claimed to be "delighted" with the formation of the group, saying that British Waterways had "demonstrated that it is keen to listen to the views of the millions of people who go fishing in this country".

The Angling industry's representative body helped British Waterways recruit the group's members, who will contribute on a voluntary basis. The group held its first of three annual meetings on January 31st, with peg maintenance, hydropower schemes and the 2012 Olympics all on the agenda.

British Waterways can trace its roots back to the late 1940s, when the Inland Waterways Association began lobbying the government to rescue Britain's neglected canals.

Anglers are being urged to temporarily put down their fishing rods and join a new poster campaign launched by the Angling Times and the Angling Trust.

Both organisations hope to increase awareness of issues surrounding hydropower, cormorants and poaching and want anglers, clubs and fisheries to help combat these 'Big Three' factors threatening the industry.

"I urge you all to print at least one poster out and put it up on notice boards and in prominent positions around fisheries to keep the rules and regulations to the fore," said Mark Lloyd, chief executive of the Angling Trust.

Mr Lloyd expressed his concern for the future of the fishing industry if such "threats" were allowed to continue.

All three posters are available on the Angling Times website.

Last month, the publication called on its readers to help end shark finning by putting up posters in Chinese restaurants, in response to Gordon Ramsay's programme about the practice.

Alan Stagg has bagged a personal best and the biggest roach of the year so far while using his fishing rod on an angling trip to an unnamed location last week.

The professional angler bagged a 3lb 8oz roach – the largest specimen seen in the current season – after a mammoth 18 hours without a bite, the Angling Times reports.

"The fight was ponderous and slow – in cold conditions it's difficult, when the fish are so dormant, to tell the size. It was only as it came up the marginal shelf towards the net that I could see just how big it was," he told the publication.

Elsewhere, the publication recently reported that 11-year-old Jamie Vine from Cambridgeshire bagged the second largest chub of the season last month.

The Angling Times revealed he used his father's fishing rod to catch the 8lb 8oz specimen, while angling at Grenville Lake in Cambridgeshire.
 

Enthusiastic anglers across the UK are celebrating a victory regarding a review of the laws concerning the damage caused to fisheries and fish stocks by cormorants.

Recent years have seen cormorant numbers increase greatly, therefore the government is now planning a review of how it handles these animals in the UK, the Angling Times reports.

"After five years it's sensible to review the existing policy on cormorant licensing," said fisheries minister Richard Benyon.

He added, however, that anglers must keep in mind the impact that culling could have on cormorant numbers and therefore the issue will need serious thought in the coming months.

Elsewhere, the BBC recently reported that Quorn Angling Society's Jeff Woodgett was concerned regarding the possibility of illegal fishing in the River Soar.

There is evidence that people have been using nets to catch fish, a practice that is against the law and can result in damage to the fish themselves as well as the river bank.
 

Two anglers who were caught using their fishing rods without licences have both been fined by Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court.

Environment Agency officer Mick Robinson said that licence-dodgers are "cheating fellow anglers" and said that this case shows that failing to pay can be "a costly error".

"The rod licence fee helps pay for habitat improvement works, fisheries research, monitoring and advice to owners on fish stock," he added.

Both incidents took place on July 18th last year on Loughton Lode Lake and Wolverton Mill Lake respectively, and led to each culprit being fined £550 and ordered to pay £127 in legal costs.

Fishing rod licence costs have been frozen at £27 for the 2011-12 season. Licences can be bought at many post offices and other outlets, as well as on the Environment Agency website and via its telephone number.

The Environment Agency receives more than £25 million in licence sales each year, which goes into funding the sport.

Last month, EU Fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki said that the battle against illegal fishing is producing some positive results. 

Award-winning angler Tommy Pickering will be taking his fishing rods to Italy in September to lead the England team in a new international fishing competition.

The Sky Sports expert will manage his country in the first ever Feeder World Championships, which will be held on September 1st and 2nd on Perugia's River Tevere.

"The most exciting part of this is that it is a brand new competition," Pickering told the Angling Times.

While the former World Champion and England Ladies manager acknowledged that fishing abroad presents a "completely different" challenge, he added that he was "delighted to be asked to be manager of the England feeder team".

The competition will run in parallel with the World Games, also taking place in Italy.

At last year's Fish O'Mania at Cudmore Fisheries, Pickering placed second with a 23.88kg catch. He finished behind Neil McKinnon, who clinched the £25,000 winner's prize with a haul of 27.98kg.

Results from a host of angling competitions have come in following the resumption of matches in the Hewenden area, meaning entrants have had the chance to give their fishing rods a good workout.

Dean Rothera won the postponed Christmas cheer pike match, with Ian Jackson coming in as runner-up, according to the Telegraph & Argus.

Furthermore, George Colbran won last Sunday's (January 30th) can match with a catch of 3lb, beating Richard Darfield who bagged a 2lb 5.5oz specimen. A further pike match has been arranged for this coming Saturday.

Elsewhere, local newspaper the Chronicle recently reported that the annual Sunderland Sea Angling Festival is to take place on Saturday (February 5th) and Sunday.

Weigh-ins will take place from 17:15 GMT so anglers are invited to head along the Eastenders Club on the High Street as early as possible to get in as much time using their fishing rods as possible.
 

Enthusiastic anglers were able to beat the freezing conditions last weekend and get out their fishing rods to take part in a charity match in aid of the Devon Air Ambulance service.

The day was won by Jim Morrison, who caught 12 carp totalling 15.5kg, with the event raising more than £250 for the air ambulance service, local paper the Herald Express reports.

It is believed that the cold conditions made it particularly challenging for the fishermen, as many of the carp were reticent to feed because of the low water temperature.

Meanwhile, the Coventry Telegraph recently reported that Draycote Water is set to open soon, allowing enthusiastic anglers to get their fishing rods out and head along to see what they can catch.

Fishing on the trout reservoir will be available from April and could be an attraction for those looking to bag some large specimens.
 

Match tackle producer Avanti has announced the launch of its newest fishing rod, it has been revealed.

The Angling Times reports the firm's new Hyperspeed 11-metre pole is being offered at an introductory price of £70 – a significant saving on its RRP of £119.99 – and comes ready-elasticated with three top kits.

According to the publication's Steve Fitzpatrick, the rod was perfect for catching small carp, skimmers and tench over 3lb, while it also handled bigger carp with ease as it offers extra reach thanmost standard poles.

The news provider also recently reported that people who enjoy taking fishing rods out to the UK's waterways may be interested in an item referred to as "the untippable trolley".

"I've always been obsessed with fishing and it's coming up with products that solve everyday angling problems that gives me pleasure," the product's designer John Davey was quoted as saying.