Xmas Doo 2022

The club would like to invite you to our annual Xmas Doo on Weds 21st December at  The Star Inn, Back Hope St, Salford M7 2FR.

The evening will kick off at 7pm, with the first round of our fishing Quiz, we then take orders for a fish and chip supper, and then finish the night with prize giving and the second part of the Quiz.

It’s always a great night to catch up with old friends, make new friends and to have a bit of mid winter fishing fun.

Everyone welcome, members or not.

Matches 2022

Pike Match – Old River Irlam -Sunday 27th February- Draw at the Boathouse Pub M44 6DN – Entry £10.

Draw at 8.30am fish until 4pm – deadbaiting/livebaiting – anglers fish from allocated peg only – angler with highest total weight wins prize

Lure Match – Salford Quays – Sunday 13th March – draw 9.30am Beefeater M50 3SQ Salford Quays – fish 10am to 4pm – Entry £10

Anglers draw a partner, and fish together for the day. Fish to be measured on scale/measure provided and witnessed by partner – whoever catches to longest total length of fish is the winner. Fishing Salford Quays – Upper Ship Canal, Castlefield and Trafford Arm of the Bridgewater Canal gives anglers plenty to go for.

 

Summer Series

Old River Irlam – Draw at the Boathouse Pub M44 6DN – Entry £10.

Wednesday 13th April draw 4.45 – 5.15pm Fish 5.15pm to 8.15pm

Wednesday 27th April draw 5.00 – 5.30pm Fish 5.30pm to 8.30pm

Wednesday 11th May draw 5.00 – 5.30pm Fish 5.30pm to 8.30pm

Wednesday 25th May draw 5.30 – 6pm Fish 6pm to 9pm

Wednesday 8th June draw 5.30 – 6pm Fish 6pm to 9pm

Wednesday 22nd June draw 5.30 – 6pm Fish 6pm to 9pm

Wednesday 6th July draw 5.30 – 6pm Fish 6pm to 9pm

Wednesday 20th July draw 5.30 – 6pm Fish 6pm to 9pm

Wednesday 3rd August draw 5.30 – 6pm Fish 6pm to 9pm

Wednesday 17th August draw 5.30 – 6pm Fish 6pm to 9pm

Wednesday 31st August draw 5.30 – 6pm Fish 6pm to 9pm

Wednesday 14th September draw 5pm Fish 5.30  to 8.30pm

 

Fishing Tackle Only Car Boot Sale 25th July Boathouse M44 6DN

The club have decided to hold a fishing tackle only car boot sale on Sunday morning the 25th July in the car park of the Boathouse Pub in Irlam M44 6DN from 8am to 11.30am

If you would like to sell on your unwanted tackle – we are only charging a tenner a pitch — and all money raised goes to the clubs restocking fund.

If you want to peruse other anglers mistaken purchases now on offer at rock bottom prices — then this is too good an opportunity to miss.

The club have poles/rods/baskets/reels/luggage and massive amounts of terminal tackle thats been donated over the years — lots of this will be on sale — so please come down and support the clubs restocking fund, and buy yourself a bargain or two.

 

Thursday Evening Matches Old River Irlam Summer 2021

The club have decided to hold a series of Thursday evening matches on a fortnightly basis through summer 2021 at the Old River in Irlam M44 6DN.

These matches are open to anglers of all ages and ability – we are quite relaxed and the matches are run so we can all have some fun.

Draws will initially be at 5pm with fishing from 5.30pm until 8.30pm.

As daylight starts to last longer – the draw will move to 5.30pm and we will fish from 6pm until 9pm.

£10 to enter each match for adults.

£2 for under 18s.

You can book on to each match via our facebook page

If you don’t have facebook — you are welcome to turn up on the evening and we will find room for you.

We will also run a points based “King of the Old River” competition – — where each match – points will be awarded depending on where you finish – the angler with the lowest number of points across 8 matches will be crowned “King of the Old River” winning a trophy and cash prize.

Dates

Thursday 28th April – draw 5pm fish 5.30pm to 8.30pm

Thursday 6th May – draw 5.30pm fish 6pm – 9pm

Thursday 20th May – draw 5.30pm fish 6pm – 9pm

Thursday 3rd June draw 5.30pm fish 6pm – 9pm

Thursday 17th June draw 5.30pm fish 6pm – 9pm

Thursday 1st July draw 5.30pm fish 6pm – 9pm

Thursday 15th July draw 5.30pm fish 6pm – 9pm

Thursday 29th July draw 5.30pm fish 6pm – 9pm

Thursday 12th August draw 5.30pm fish 6pm – 9pm

Thursday 26th August draw 5.30pm fish 6pm – 9pm

Thursday 9th September draw 5pm fish 5.30pm to 8.30pm

Thursday 23rd September draw 5pm fish 5.30pm to 8.30pm

 

Angling Trust Response To Governments Winter Covid Plan

NEWS

Angling Trust’s response to the Government’s Winter Covid Plan

 25 November 2020

What it means for angling

The Angling Trust has now had an opportunity to consider the government’s comprehensive, 64-page Winter Covid Plan which will introduce a revised three-tier system from Wednesday, December 2nd.

Full details can be found here

We are pleased that ministers appreciate both the importance and safety of outdoor recreation and organised sport and that the plan opens more opportunities for more people to enjoy leisure and recreation. Although anglers have been in the fortunate position to be able to fish continuously since May 13th, there have been a number of restrictions in place during the latest lockdown which will now be lifted. Tackle shops can open up fully, competition fishing can resume as can coaching and charter boat fishing with up to six participants in total. This is all positive news for our sport.

Meeting people

The Rule of Two is now back to the Rule of Six. This applies both indoors and outdoors in T1, outdoors only in T2 and in T3 only in ‘outdoor public spaces’. Of course, most angling is, by its nature, already socially distanced, and organised matches and events have their own rules.

Travel

Once again, we expect the travel guidance will be advisory rather than law but the Angling Trust will be urging anglers to exercise common sense and act within the spirit of the government’s guidance.

The Government is advising against all unnecessary travel into and out of T3 areas, the exceptions being for ‘work, education, youth services, medical attention or caring responsibilities’.  Travel for fishing within T3 areas is not currently discouraged.

In all other tiers, travelling to go fishing is fine but long journeys should be avoided ‘wherever possible’. Sea anglers should focus on their local beaches and fishing marks, and freshwater anglers should not be travelling hundreds of miles in search of fishing during the current pandemic.

You absolutely must not leave home to fish if you have Coronavirus symptoms or are self-isolating.

Tackle Shops and Clubhouses

Retail outlets can open in all three tiers meaning that tackle shops are no longer restricted to ‘click/call and collect’. Indoor venues such as clubhouses and on-site cafes serving food and drink can now reopen in T1 and T2 providing table service is offered.  T3 allows only for takeaway service. All outlets must continue to adhere to the appropriate regulations including the requirement to ensure social distancing.

Fisheries

Angling-related businesses, now including those offering accommodation in T1 and T2, can operate as normal whilst adhering to the appropriate regulations including the requirement to ensure social distancing.

Match Fishing

With the rules on gatherings likely to be revised to once more allow sporting events and outdoor activities, match fishing can resume as long as appropriate risk assessments are in place. Participants and organisers still need to follow the published Angling Trust guidelines to ensure compliance with social distancing and to minimise the risk of infection.

To comply with the travel guidance in the Winter Plan, match organisers will need to revise any planned competitions which could result in participants seeking to enter or leave T3 areas. Local competitions within T3 areas remain within the parameters of the government’s travel guidance.

Night Fishing

There are presently no limits on the time that can be spent on outdoor recreation, anglers are able to continue fishing into and through the hours of darkness providing the other rules are observed. Night fishing will continue to be permitted under the re-introduced tier system.

Coaching

The Winter Plan allows for angling coaching to resume at our recommended ratio of 1:4 and in accordance with our previously published guidelines. The Winter Plan specifically identifies ‘classes and organised sport’ together with ‘organised activities for …under 18s and disabled people’ as something that can take place outside in all three tiers.

Charter Boats

Charter boats can resume their previous operations in accordance with the Rule of Six – so a skipper plus five clients.

Tackle Shows and Game Fairs

The Winter Plan takes the first steps on the road back to restarting major events. In T1 this is limited to 50% capacity or 4,000 persons outdoors and 1,000 indoors. In T2 this reduces to 2,000 outdoors and 1,000 indoors. The only large-scale events permissible in T3 are drive-ins. We are hopeful that planning can now begin for the resumption of tackle shows and events involving angling in the latter half of 2021.

What happens next?

The regulations will be published in advance of a vote in Parliament on Thursday and following the vote further guidance and FAQ’s are likely to be produced by the various government departments. Once we have seen the details of regulations we will update, where necessary, our published guidelines and distribute to our members and to the wider angling community.

What we will not be doing is seeking to police the government’s regulations as that is not our responsibility. People wishing to report breaches of the regulations should contact the police via the 101 telephone number. Our job, as the recognised national governing body for angling, is to provide advice and guidance on how these regulations affect our sport and to ensure that anglers can continue to enjoy their fishing safely. However, we will take a stand against any conduct or practices that bring our sport into disrepute and threaten the good name and reputation that angling has built over many years and throughout this pandemic.

Jamie Cook, CEO of Angling Trust & Fish Legal, said:

“Angling has conducted itself safely throughout this pandemic and must continue to do so. These new restrictions are good news for angling as a whole and we urge all anglers to continue to fish responsibly and not to put themselves or our sport at risk. The Angling Trust will continue to monitor guidelines published by the government and keep members and informed as to what they will mean for angling.”

Jamie Cook with a bag of winter dace

Latest Lock Down Fishing Guidance From The Angling Trust

NEWS

fish safely, locally and respect the ‘rule of two’ during lockdown

 04 November 2020

Fish safely, locally and respect the ‘rule of two’ during lockdown

Having now examined the government’s new Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations the Angling Trust is pleased to be able to offer some initial guidance and interpretation to anglers and fishery providers. Our formal guidelines will be published following further consultation with colleagues at Sport England and DCMS once Parliament has debated the regulations today and passed them into law.

Overall the Angling Trust is pleased that ministers have recognised the value of allowing angling and some other forms of outdoor recreation to continue through the forthcoming lockdown period. However, the new rules are more complicated than we had hoped and anglers should be fully aware of what we can and can’t do in the next 28 days.

How to Fish

The regulations are clear and you can only leave home to fish with members of your own household, your support bubble or with one other individual. The Rule of Six is now effectively the Rule of Two for most of us. The tightening of the rules on ‘gatherings’ means that match fishing or any other organised fishing event is prohibited by law during lockdown. However, competitive fishing will be able to resume once there is a return to the three tier system of restrictions.

On this basis we can announce that all Angling Trust competitions are suspended for the period covering 5th November – 2nd December 2020.

Where to Fish

Angling is deemed a permissible form of ‘outdoor recreation’, and a lawful reason to leave home. It can take place, without time limits, within the provision allowing people  “to visit a public outdoor space for the purposes of open air recreation”.

A ‘public outdoor space’ is defined as an ‘outdoor place to which the public have, or are permitted, access (whether on payment or otherwise).’ We believe this clearly includes riverbanks, towpaths, beaches and stillwaters that can either be accessed freely or on the payment of a day ticket or subscription levied by the owner or leased to a publicly available fishing association. The government clearly intends for people to be able to take their outdoor exercise and recreation in the form of angling and these regulations allow this to occur.

Fisheries are not on the published list of businesses that the government has ordered to close and there is no reason that they should do so providing that they operate in accordance with the rules

It does not permit club outings or organised amateur sporting activities of any sort. All indoor or social facilities in any way connected with a fishing venue must close or refer to the relevant Government guidance. Fishing tackle shops, whether onsite or not, can only operate a ‘click and collect’ service.

Travelling to fish

Whilst the government have chosen not to write their travel guidance into law we are urging anglers to respect the advice which states that it is permissible to travel in order to:

“to spend time or exercise outdoors – this should be done locally wherever possible, but you can travel to do so if necessary (for example, to access an open space)”

Put simply, you can travel to go fishing but long journeys should be avoided ‘wherever possible’. Sea anglers should focus on their local beaches and fishing marks and freshwater anglers should not be travelling hundreds of miles in search of fishing during lockdown. It is up to the individual to apply common sense and act within the spirit of the government’s guidance. You absolutely cannot leave home to fish if you have Coronavirus symptoms or are self-isolating.

How long to fish

There are no limits on the time that can be spent on outdoor recreation which means that anglers are able to continue fishing into and through the hours of darkness providing the other rules are observed.

Fishery Management

Essential fishery management work, which clearly cannot be undertaken from home, can continue as can any necessary, socially distanced working parties fall within the provisions for ‘voluntary work’. Appropriate risk assessments must be in place and numbers should sensibly managed.

Summary

This is going to be an extremely difficult period for everybody and as anglers we must recognise that we are fortunate that our chosen form of recreation can continue even though there are restrictions on what we can do. The Angling Trust made the case for fishing based on the health and wellbeing benefits that angling offers coupled with the importance of reducing pressure on other open spaces by allowing us to continue to safely enjoy the social isolation and peace that fishing brings. It is incumbent on us all to continue to act responsibly and to fish safely, fish locally and respect the Rule of Two.

WHAT OUR CEO SAYS

“We are obviously pleased that fishing can continue during lockdown even with the restrictions that are in place which have to temporally suspended match fishing. Angling has conducted itself safely and responsibly throughout this pandemic and the Angling Trust is determined to ensure that our chosen form of outdoor recreation remains part of the solution rather than the problem. To do this anglers must continue to fish safely, locally and responsibly. “ Jamie Cook, Angling Trust CEO

Carry On Fishing

A message from the Angling Trust

LOCKDOWN UPDATE – The Angling Trust is pleased that the government has recognised the value of allowing angling and other forms of outdoor recreation to continue – with members of your own household or with one other individual – through next month’s lockdown. It seems that tackle shops will still be able to operate a ‘click and collect’ service. So we are still fishing.
Whilst we need to see the precise details in the regulations laid before Parliament on Monday it is likely there will be impacts on certain areas of our sport and we will update everybody just as soon as we are able to do so. Thanks for your patience

River Irwell Polluted Yet Again

It’s happening again, and again and again.

The Irwell –  must still be one of the most frequently polluted rivers in the UK – it’s a testament to the resilience of nature that anything can survive what we humans can throw at/in it.

This week, we have seen the river turn white, green and now gold/orange caused by various pollution events.

Its like a bloomin Irish Flag !

The days of Manchesters rivers being open industrial sewers are long gone. Our rivers are now much cleaner and home to Kingfishers, Trout, Otters, Herons, a myriad of amazing insects, and provides food for brilliant birds that we love such as Sand Martins, Swifts and Swallows. Its outrageous that people can damage nature and habitats like this.

 

So, once again the EA have been called out to investigate – (Don’t forget if you see a pollution incident to call the EA pollution hotline on 0800-807060 ) … lets hope they make an example of the culprits.

On Monday this week the River Irwell turned white, after a discharge was seen coming from an outfall near Rectory Lane in Radcliffe, the same afternoon, the Manchester Evening News reported that the river had turned green !. And now, less than 48 hours later, the River Irwell in Bury as turned orange after someone has allowed polluted mine water to enter the watercourse.

Just how much punishment can a river take ??

 

Thankfully, the pollution was spotted by a Little Britain Angling Club member, and was immediately reported on both occasions (well done to Eric and all the other members at LBA for their continued river stewardship)

Its very important for us anglers to keep an eye on our waterways, the only way anything happens is if us anglers report things, and if we can encourage other members of the public to use the pollution hotline number.

Some of the Anglers Riverfly Initiative monitoring team will do an invertebrate survey in the next 48 hours to check on insect life, lets hope we don’t find any dead fish caused by this.

It’s heartbreaking to see the river being treated this way, when so much work has gone into its rehabilitation after 200 years of industrial pollution.

The Irwell is no longer a sewer, its home to Kingfishers, Trout, Otters, Herons, a myriad of amazing insects, and provides food for brilliant birds that we love such as Sand Martins, Swifts and Swallows. Its outrageous that people can damage nature and habitats like this.

Please copy and paste the link to this post and share it wide and far.

Our rivers, our wildlife, and the habitats that have been recreated need to be protected from polluters and those who care about their £s and their profits more than the wildlife that we all love and enjoy.

The pictures below give you some indication of just how far the Irwell has come in recent years — these creatures and habitats need protecting !

 

River Care

6 inch barbel being stocked into the River Irwell at Salford Racecourse December 2011

Irwell Ramsbottom

Roach

 

 

Great News For The River Irwell

Great News For The River Irwell
Earlier this year we were informed that United Utilities are going to be spending £450million plus between 2021 and 2025 on improvements to the waste water network and Cheshire…. This on its own was great news – as money was being spent in Bolton to reduce the frequency and volumes of discharges of dirty water from CSOS… and on other rivers around the region where we fish, such as the Tame, Medlock and Irk.
I was informed yesterday – that an additional £86million is to be spent improving waste water treatment works at Ringley/Bolton …. money is being spent on massively reducing the amount of microbes in the sewage discharge which impacts on something called the “Biological Oxygen Demand” on the river downstream. There is also going to be a massive reduction in the amount of phosphate in the water discharged from the treatment works – this will have make a big impact on reducing that horrible grey/brown algae which clogs up the river bed and gravels each summer.
And there is going to be 4 times more storm sewage tanking capacity at Ringley – which will result in far less raw sewage discharges into the river during wet weather events.
All of these improvements require large scale capital spend at Bolton treatment works,
So these works combined with the other works that have previously been announced are going to have a massive effect on the River Irwell.
It is very important to point out that a lot of these works have come about because anglers and other river users are constantly phoning in incidents to the EA pollution hotlines….. we don’t always get the replies we want or the instant action we want – but everything gets logged, and its added to the body of evidence needed to get major capital works approved.
Well done anglers — please keep moaning. Its good to have our voice/opinions heard and acted upon.
Please remember don’t report incidents on our facebook page until you have called it in on the EA pollution hotline 0800807060 first.
Time is the essence to get response teams out asap.

Salford Quays Night Fishing Now Banned

The club are very sad to report that we have been in recent dialogue with Salford Council regarding anglers anti social behaviour whilst night fishing at Salford Quays.

Anglers making loud noise in the middle of the night, using the bushes as toilets in full view of residents etc has resulted in a number of complaints to the council.

The council have been in touch with the club, and asked us to enforce the NO NIGHT FISHING in our club lease (which we have previously been not adhering to).

It’s so sad that the behaviour of a very small minority has had a negative impact on the vast majority of anglers who have night fished the quays in the past without making any nuisance of themselves.

So… as from today — there is NO NIGHT FISHING on Salford Quays – with fishing only being permitted dawn until dusk.

The council have indicated that PCSOs will be patrolling the area at night and issuing fixed penalty notices to anglers deemed to be breaking the council regulations.

How sad, that a few imbeciles spoil it for everyone else.

The relevant clause in our lease states fishing from dawn to dusk only

 

The club have a number of other venues where we and our landlords have conveniently turned a blind eye to night fishing, whilst our lease states no night fishing.

Please please please be respectful of our neighbours – the club don’t want to stop people night fishing but will have to impose bans elsewhere if required to.

🙁