Middy

The policing of Britain’s banks could soon be placed into the hands of volunteers, Angling Times can exclusively reveal. The Environment Agency has admitted that it is investigating the possibility of replacing its current enforcement officers with trained volunteer bailiffs from fishing clubs and associations. It would not only save the EA up to £2 million a year, but also see a huge shift of responsibility to fisheries and angling clubs to ensure anglers have the valid paperwork before fishing.

At the height of the trout reservoir ‘silly season’, when monster pike from venues such as Somerset’s Chew Valley Lake seem to come almost daily, one North West venue has proved that natural waters can still produce huge fish - in the shape of this 34lb specimen.

A float rod, a reel loaded with 3lb line and two pints of maggots were all Bill Bristow needed last week to compile his best-ever catch of big chub in over 60 years of fishing.

Welcome to George Browns Angling, the new angling store for all of your fishing needs.