Anglers have been urged to be on their guard after it was revealed some individuals had been followed home after matches by thieves who then stole their fishing rods and other equipment.

A report in last week's Angling Times stated that Peterborough fisherman Paul Barnes – who believes he was tracked on three separate occasions – had tackle worth around £14,000 taken from his garage during the night.

"I work hard and believe in investing in the best fishing tackle you can afford, but what upset me most was that they took my daughter's gear, too," he explained. "She's only seven years old and this has nearly put her off going fishing for life."

Local police officers suspect Mr Barnes was tailed by the thieves after they spotted his fishing rods while he was competing in events at a commercial fishery.

Earlier this month, the Northwich Guardian claimed an anonymous tip-off had led Greater Manchester Police to seize tackle stolen from a shop in Cheshire.

Anglers have been encouraged to vote for Britain's best and worst waterways in a new poll organised by several sporting and environmental organisations, intended to boost the profile of the country's waterways.

Groups including Angling Trust, the World Wildlife Fund and the Salmon and Trout Association have joined forces to create the Our Rivers campaign, which aims to encourage local and national authorities to improve the condition of UK rivers.

"This is the first time the public has had a chance to vote for the river which is closest to the nation's heart," said campaigner Ralph Underhill. "We want to celebrate the amazing rivers we have in England and Wales, whilst raising awareness."

A 2009 report from the Environment Agency found that nearly three-quarters of British rivers are failing to meet EU quality standards, prompting the formation of the Our Rivers initiative.

Last week, the Eastern Daily Press reported that fishing rod owners from across the country had gathered in Norwich to discuss the recent decline in the nation's pike population.

An angler from Cambridgeshire has revealed his delight after catching a 17-pound bream with his fishing rod at a local commercial venue and admitted the creature had proved a tough opponent.

Speaking to the Angling Times, Kevin Lord explained that he had more than doubled his previous personal best by reeling in the bream at the Hasse Fen fishery in Soham, adopting an ultimately successful combination of groundbait and pellets.

"The fish was so powerful that I couldn't stop it kiting across and completely wiping out my other rods, so I was convinced it was a big carp," he told the publication. "After a ten-minute fight, I saw the fish in the light of my head torch."

Mr Lord added that his hard-fought catch had come as the biggest shock of his angling career.

Earlier this month, the newspaper reported how a 16-year-old fishing enthusiast had reeled in a 16lb 4oz barbel from the River Severn.

Angling competitions are an important part of boosting the sport's profile and provide an additional boost to conservation efforts along Britain's rivers, the Environment Agency (EA) has claimed.

Following a recent event along the banks of the River Tyne, EA fisheries officer Robert Stevenson explained that the event had allowed the organisation to get a clearer idea of how many creatures are living in its waters.

"These events are really important, not just because they are fun to take part in and great for promoting angling, but because they are a cost-effective way of keeping track on fish stocks in rivers," he said.

More than one hundred angling aficionados took their fishing rods to the North East Rivers Championship on August 15th 2010, with 34 fishermen landing double-figure weights.

Earlier this week, the EA signalled its intention to crack down on fishing rod licence evaders in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire over the August bank holiday weekend. 

Residents in a Warwickshire town are preparing themselves for an influx of anglers, ahead of this year's Evesham Festival on the banks of the River Avon.

According to the Cotswold Journal, as many as 50,000 fishing enthusiasts are expected to descend on the area across the August bank holiday weekend and those running the event claim conditions are ideal for casting off with a fishing rod.

"The fishing has been better this season than it has been for a number of years and there will be plenty of action along the river for spectators to watch," said festival co-organiser Dave Hassell.

He added that a number of "international class" anglers are set to take part in the competition and encouraged anyone looking for a great weekend's fishing to head to Evesham this weekend.

However, the Environment Agency recently warned anglers that it intends to step up fishing rod licence patrols across southern and eastern England over the coming days.

Anglers in the south and east of England have been warned that an increased number of Environment Agency (EA) bailiffs will be on patrol this weekend, to check for fishing rod compliance.

With an increased number of anglers expected over the August bank holiday, the organisation has revealed that it will step up the number of officers checking for fishing rod licences in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.

"People who don't buy a licence are just cheating their sport and other anglers," said the EA's Chris Reeds. "We take rod licence evasion very seriously and anyone thinking of fishing without one should watch out."

Anglers were reminded that anyone caught fishing without the necessary documentation could be hit with a fine of up to £2,500 if convicted.

The EA recently revealed it has deployed high-tech equipment in a bid to clamp down on the number of people fishing illegally, with two men recently arrested for poaching in Hampshire.

Renowned fisherman Alan Yates has called on the sport's enthusiasts to do their bit to safeguard its future by accepting the introduction of a sea fishing rod licence scheme, despite howls of disapproval from some quarters.

Speaking to the Angling Times, the former England international criticised some anglers as being "narrow-minded" and insisted sea fishing rod licence fees could become a valuable method of funding the pursuit.

"It's time that British sea anglers woke up to the fact that something needs to be done about our fishing – and the best way to do that is to get our money on the table to give us a voice," he told the publication.

Mr Yates added that although some say they are unwilling to pay for a licence until better facilities are developed, such improvements are unlikely to be made without additional revenue.

Earlier in the month, an Angling Times poll found 60 per cent of respondents would be opposed to any increase in the price of the existing fishing rod licence.

Title-winning fisherman Will Raison has urged fishing enthusiasts to add their support to the work of the Angling Trust (AT), to further bolster the representation of the sport's interests.

Raison, who won individual and team titles with Drennan Team England two years ago, hailed the role the AT plays in lobbying political authorities to ensure fishing rod owners get a fair deal from local and national government.

"Angling needs a strong and well-funded voice to fight for anglers' rights, for the protection of our waters and fish, and to ensure that more young people get into angling," he explained. "The Angling Trust does a huge amount."

AT chief executive Mark Lloyd declared himself "delighted and honoured" that Raison has opted to become a life member of the organisation and echoed his call for more anglers to join up.

Earlier this month, bosses from the group discussed the issue of sea angling with Natural England marine director James Marsden.

Officials in Torquay have revealed new measures in an attempt to deter poachers from taking fishing rods down to the town's harbour, which is a popular spot for people looking to catch valuable fish illegally.

According to the Herald Express, local authorities have become increasingly alarmed by the number of individuals attempting to fish from the waterfront and a ban has been in place for several years to protect harbour users and their boats.

A floating 180-metre line has been installed in the water to make it more difficult for poachers to fish from Princess Pier and a notice has been issued, warning of the potential consequences of illegal angling.

"It is an ongoing problem. The theory is the floating line will make it more difficult to land any fish hooked illegally and that it will add to the deterrent," said harbourmaster Adam Fitzpatrick.

Last week, poachers were blamed for the death of an otter and a salmon caught in a net in Carmarthenshire.