Wayne Thomas

IN an ever-changing world of politics, budget cuts and lobby groups, angling is in desperate need of a powerful governing body.

The Angling Trust must become this body but can only do so with support from anglers.

The trust has just stated its opposition to a proposal from Wildlife and Countryside Link that sea angling licences be introduced to help fund management of sea fisheries.

The Angling Trust is strongly opposed to a licence for sea anglers, arguing that fishing with rod and line in the sea should be free to people of all ages.

After years of mismanagement of the seas, it is considered inappropriate to impose a charge to fish.

Finding Sanctuary has published a progress report on marine conservation zones.

It is unclear how big an impact this could have, but anglers need to be aware of the implications.

The basic principles of protecting the marine environment from overexploitation are sound.

It is vital that the recreational sea angler is recognised as an important factor in the need to promote healthy fish stocks.

Warm-water species are moving inshore and anglers will be encouraged to hear that two rare bonita tuna have been caught in a net off Clovelly. This is believed to be the first recorded capture off North Devon.

It follows the capture of several amberjack off Lundy last year.

The waters off Hartland to Lundy are the gateway to the Atlantic and are visited by an array of species.

Large numbers of triggerfish are now starting to show in lobster pots and will hopefully provide exciting sport in the coming months.

Gilthead bream have also shown in the lower estuary, a hard-fighting species that was virtually unheard of in North Devon until recent seasons.

Devastating news has been received from the Fish the Exe organisation.

Its hatchery on the river has suffered a major loss of about 100 young salmon, of up to 3lb, that were being raised to provide vital brood stock. The failure of an aeration pump was the cause.

Work on the Head Weir project to improve upstream salmon migration is progressing well.

As one imposing weir is removed from an important salmon river, there are proposals to erect another.

The East Lyn is one of the region's most valuable salmon rivers and has a history of spectacular runs.

Recent years have seen a steep decline in salmon numbers so it is imperative that every effort is made to protect these magnificent, sporting fish.

Plans to build a hydroelectric scheme on the river, incorporating a substantial weir structure, are bringing cries of anguish from anglers.

If such a scheme is warranted then many believe the ideal location would be the nearby West Lyn, which has no migratory run of fish.

A damp, overcast morning proved ideal for Wistlandpound Flyfishing Club's Jubilee Rose Bowl.

All seven competitors took limit bags of five trout. Darren Gratton was first with 6lb 7oz, Colin Combe second with 6lb 7oz, and Geoff Boucher third with 6lb 2oz. Gratton had the largest trout, at 1lb 10oz.

Cats are on the prowl at Angler's Paradise, where Russell Wilson landed two specimens from the Angler's Nirvana Lake. The catfish weighed 43lb 2oz and 35lb 8oz and were tempted using halibut pellets on size-four barb-less hooks.

Simon Winters landed the venue's first 30lb fish, a stunning mirror carp of 30lb 8oz, and a 25lb mirror carp, which was matched by Ryan Owen.

Anglers are enjoying bumper hauls at Stafford Moor, where visitor Roger Crago caught 76 carp in six hours, totalling more than 400lb.

Ben Stanford set a new residents' match record on Tanners, landing close to 60 carp for 267lb.

Thomas Downing has smashed Riverton Lakes' six-hour match record with a bumper haul of 145lb 15oz.

Fishing in Bideford Angling Club's monthly match, he took the honours ahead of Steven Bailey on 131lb 6oz and Andy Gray, in third, with 54lb 1oz. Martin Hawker won the silver-fish bag with 9lb 14oz.

Freddie Kent, aged 11, visited Highampton coarse lake for the first time and started float-fishing with maggots on a size 16 hook.

To his delight his float dipped and he was connected to a large carp. Several minutes later, Freddie was proudly posing with a fabulous mirror carp of 17lb.

Diary dates

Saturday: Appledore Shipbuilders bass competition, Westward Ho!, fishing 10.30pm to 1.30am.

Sunday: Triple Hook Club half-year rover, fishing 8am to 6pm, weigh in Royal British Legion 7.30pm.