Page 20 - Anglian angling on the broads

20 Environment Agency Angle on the Broads
An angling guide
to good practice
Fish Care – retaining fish
If you use a keepnet:
>> Only use a keepnet when
necessary and retain fish for the
shortest time possible.
>> Make sure your keepnet is made
of fish-friendly mesh and complies
with local bylaws.
>> Don’t overcrowd your keepnet,
especially during hot weather.
>> Make sure there is enough
depth of water for your net.
>> Place fish in the keepnet
quickly and gently.
>> Large fish should not be
retained in a keepnet.
>> Do not tow fish in keepnets
behind boats.
>> Keepnets should not be left
unattended for extended
periods of time.
>> Ensure that your keepnet is
secured properly to the bank or
boat to protect it from the wash
of motor cruisers.
>> Don’t keep pulling the net out of
the water to show off your catch,
this will harm the fish.
>> Return your catch carefully, do
not slide or tumble fish down
the keepnet into the water.
Unhooking fish Fishing methods and
>> Use barbless or micro-barb hooks unattended rods
where possible. They are kinder >> Baits and lures should never be
to fish and hook removal is
much easier. left trailing behind moving motor
cruisers and day boats. This
>> Carry several disgorgers (you will practice is not only ineffective
always lose one!) and forceps for it is also dangerous.
the removal of larger hooks.
>> Pike fishing requires specialist
>> Always wet your hands before knowledge and tackle. It should
handling any fish. Do not use not be attempted unless you are
towels, wet or dry, as these can confident that you can unhook and
remove the protective slime safely return your catch. If in doubt
from fish. seek expert advice.
>> Be mindful of unhooking surfaces >> It is an offence to leave a baited
making sure they are soft and wet. rod unattended. It can endanger
Always use an unhooking mat on water birds and fish (particularly
soft, flat ground for pike and pike) which might gorge the bait
large fish. or snag the line. There is also a
>> Fish should be weighed in danger from passing boats.
appropriate nets or weighing >> Be aware of crime, don’t leave rods
slings and NOT by the gills. or other valuables unattended on
>> When taking a photograph, have the bank or boat.
your camera ready before you take Wildlife and the environment
the fish out of the water. >> Don’t drop litter – use bins and
>> When holding fish, always make disposal points.
sure you keep them low to >> Choose your swim with care
the ground. to reduce the risk of snagging
>> Fish should always be returned to bank side trees, vegetation and
the water quickly and gently after obstacles in the water.
weighing (if this is necessary) or >> Take care where people feed
at the end of the day, if retained waterfowl; the birds may have
in a keepnet. learned to associate people with
food and their expectations will
increase the risk of entanglement.
>> Remove rigs caught up in
vegetation, branches or
underwater snags immediately,
where it is practical and safe to
do so.
>> Beware of birds swimming into
your fishing line. Swans can
reach your bait one metre below
Carefully returning a the surface and other birds will
fantastic Broads bream
(Photo: Jim Tyree)
Environment Agency Angle on the Broads 21
often dive for food. Wind in your Useful information >> Broads Authority –
tackle if you think birds are at
>> Environment Agency
risk. Hooks and line should never
24-hour emergency hotline
River Control
be discarded, especially baited
hooks. Line should be cut into number for reporting all pollution For reporting non-emergency
hazards such as boats speeding,
and environmental incidents
one-inch lengths and disposed
relating to water, land and air
obstructions, oil spills or to seek
of with care or better still,
taken home. call: 0800 80 70 60 navigation help and advice call:
www.environment-agency.gov.uk 01692 678459
Safety www.broads-authority.gov.uk
>> When fishing from hire craft, moor >> Police (non-emergency)
safely and always wear a life BROADS BEAT call: >> National Swan Sanctuary
jacket. 08454 564567 Call: 01932 240790
www.swanuk.org.uk
>> Wear appropriate footwear on >> DON’T FORGET YOUR
deck and always be mindful of FISHING LICENCE >> RSPCA
slippery surfaces. If you are 12 years old or over you Call: 08705 555999
>> Be aware of power cables, must have a valid Environment www.rspca.org.uk
especially overhead in boatyards Agency Rod Licence – available
or set back from banks. online and from Post Offices. FISHING SEASON
For telephone sales call:
>> Take notice of any warning signs. The annual coarse fish closed
0870 1662 662 season – 15TH MARCH – 15TH
LOOK OUT, LOOK UP and CAST JUNE INCLUSIVE applies to the
WITH CARE! Broads and rivers.
>> Observe speed limits. Be
considerate to other water users.
Always watch your speed.
Other water users
>> Angling is very important to many
people but it is just one of many
legitimate water activities. Please
respect the rights of other users.
>> If fishing near a bend in the river
or amongst tall reeds be aware of
approaching boat traffic, they may
not be able to see you.
>> When fishing close to boats, be
considerate and use a pole cup
to place groundbait, rather than
a catapult.
>> Should you accidentally get your
hook caught on a boat’s mooring
ropes, please don’t leave it there
to injure someone’s hand. Remove
the hook but make sure that it is
safe and practical to do so. Ask the
permission of people on the boat if
it is occupied.
>> When fishing at moorings, anglers
should give way to vessels trying
to moor up.
>> Keep paths clear for pedestrians
and cyclists.
Enjoying a moment of quiet reflection