Angler's Mail Magazine

22 April 2014

IT’S TAKE A FRIEND FISHING TIME! Of course, it’s always a good time to take a mate or family member fishing, but the week and a half ahead (April 18-27) is an even better time. Why? Because the person who goes fishing with you won’t have to pay £3.75 for a one-day rod licence, or invest in an annual one, to have a dabble. You just have to fill in the form in p.25, following the instructions. This free one-day licence could get that person hooked for the first time, or re-ignite their enthusiasm. And of course the next Environment Agency rod licence they buy might be a full annual one. Our bumper Where To Fish section is also devoted to great ideas for the Easter period, plus some special two-for-one ticket offers arranged with the Angling Trades Association. BIG news breaking as this issue went to press was how new Euro labeling laws were beginning to come into force, affecting the bait business. As Kevin Nash was keen to stress, the time has now come for the UK bait game to take this issue seriously. A few shops in other countries have come unstuck, selling boilies not labelled properly or containing things the EU say we shouldn’t be putting into waters. Of course, some on-the-ball firms got their labeling and ingredients sorted before now, not without a few headaches. Many won’t have bothered, and many more bait-makers and shops quite innocently won’t have a clue about it. As a consumer of bait, you may not be worried. But if I was a tackle dealer or baitmaker, I’d be making sure I was on the right side of the law as quickly as possible. HAPPY EASTER from the AM team, we hope you enjoy this lively issue. You can save 35p on next week’s issue (see p.79)... be sure to join us then. Tight lines! Tim Knight EDITOR