What’s happening in the world of game-fishing
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
The second UK River Summit, at Morden Hall on the River Wandle in London on May 21, will give anglers the chance to hear up close some of the most influential figures in river conservation.
In election year, it is also likely that representatives of the major political parties will attend as well as water company bosses and the Environment Agency.
Among those speaking are actor Jim Murray, increasingly involved in voicing fish and river campaigns through Activist Anglers; Shaun Leonard, the chief executive of the Wild Trout Trust; Feargal Sharkey (below), the vocal figurehead of the fight to stop sewage polluting waterways; and Penny Gane (below), the head of Fish Legal, which has a proud record of representing anglers in court battles against Government and polluters.
There will be panel discussions within the hall, as well as film screenings, musical comedy, a display of rare William Morris, Liberty’s and Kilburn textile prints, an introduction to fly-fishing from Orvis, in-river workshops with the South East Rivers Trust, and drinks from the Lakedown Brewery.
Tickets are £40 (numbers are capped at 300) and include refreshments and lunch. Visit: orvis.co.uk/products/uk-river-summit
HOPE FOR MIDLANDS RESERVOIRS
Many trout anglers in the English Midlands are facing a period of uncertainty following the announcement on February 23 that Fishery Management Ltd, which ran the Draycote,
Eyebrook (above) and Thornton fly fisheries, was taking steps to enter voluntary liquidation. The news followed the death of Fishery Management’s owner, Ifor Jones, in January.
On March 3, the firm’s directors announced that “in the interim period prior to the liquidator’s appointment every effort is being made to secure the future of the fisheries and achieve the best outcome for creditors.” The SIA Group was appointed to seek a buyer for the business by March 15. Amid overriding concerns for fishery staff, as well as those anglers who have pre-paid for season tickets and other creditors, the key parties we spoke to in late-March remain optimistic that fly-fishing will continue at the reservoirs.
Kevin Counihan, representing SIA Group, said, “I can confirm there has been a high level of enquiries, and the matter is now in the hands of the landlords to decide who (if any) they are willing to give a new lease. I remain cautiously optimistic that there will be fishing again at these iconic venues before the end of the season despite the hurdles to overcome.” Susan McIntosh, visitor experience team lead at Severn Trent, which owns Draycote and Thornton, said: “It is absolutely our intention that fishing will continue at Draycote and Thornton. We are currently in discussion with the insolvency team to understand the timelines involved and are accepting p
