Newcomers Guide-Angling and Wildlise
Angling and Wildlife
Anglers are natural conservationists. Time spent at the waterside instils appreciation and understanding of the natural environment, particularly in the young. The development and management of our fisheries contributes to the wildlife value of ponds, lakes and rivers. Angling contributes towards our environment and people's enjoyment of nature, but inexperience or thoughtlessness may lead to wildlife being harmed and the good image of angling being tarnished.
"Golden Rules"
Angling
related litter
Never
drop litter or discard tackle and remember that discarded nylon line
is particularly hazardous to wildlife.
Discarded or damaged line should be taken home and burnt or cut into
short lengths before disposal
Always
clear up litter before you leave-even if it's not yours. If you see
any litter or discarded tackle, pick it up, take it home and bin it.
Breakages
and Snagging
Remove
immediately rigs caught up in bankside vegetation, branches or underwater
snags where it is practicable and safe to do so.
Report lost terminal tackle to club bailiffs or the fishery owner for
removal, if you can not recover it.
Swin
Choice
Choose
your swim with care to reduce the risk of snagging bankside trees, vegetation
and obstructions in the water.
Take extra care where people feed waterfowl; the birds may have learned
to associate people with food at that site and their expectations will
increase the risk of entanglements.
Unattended
Rod
Never leave
rods unattended while fishing. Not only is it poor angling practice
as it may result in a hooked fish becoming snagged but it also increases
the risk of birds becoming entangled in the line or taking the bait.
If you need to leave your swim, all lines should be retrieved, baits
removed, and the hooks secured to the rod.
Never leave rods on the bank with hooks still baited, as these food
items could be picked up by birds or animals.
Remember - it is illegal to leave a rod unattended while fishing.
Rigs
Use
a hook length of lower breaking strain line than the reel line where
possible. Never use reel line straight through to the hook without a
weaker link. This will ensure that the minimum amount of line is lost
in the event of snagging. Leger links should also be of a lower breaking
strain to minimise loss of line.
Remember that whatever type of rig you use, weaknesses will occur at
the knots where line is joined, where it is tied to swivels etc, and
where shot are pinched onto the line.
Check your reel line regularly for flaws caused by wear and damage.
Remove and carefully dispose of any damaged line and replace your reel
line regularly.
Bolt
Rigs
Bolt rigs
or fixed leads are acceptable, providing the leger weight can slip free
in the event of snagging or tangling. Make sure that if the line breaks
it will not result in a fish or bird dragging a leger around.
Hooks
Use
barbless or reduced barb hooks where possible. Hooked or entangled birds
are more likely to be able to rid themselves of the hook and in the
event of a rescue being needed, removal of the hook from a bird will
be much easier.
Weights
and Nets
Lead
weights are illegal in most sizes and non-toxic weights are widely available.
Lead weights of 0.06 grams (No.8 shot) or less, or of more than 28.35
grams (1 oz) may be used.
Do remember too if you have just been given some tackle that perhaps has been sitting in some-ones attic for a while, it could be that it includes some of the old lead shot weights and split shot that are now illegal. If in doubt, do replace them with non-toxic shot! The same applies to old landing nets and keep-nets, the mesh types now are much kinder to
fish and your local tackle dealer will happily advise whether yours are still usable.
While
Fishing
Beware
of birds swimming into your line or picking up surface baits.
Submerge rod tips when legering using bite alarms. Keep lines under
the surface to avoid waterfowl and where there is not heavy weedgrowth
it may be possible to use back-leads to keep the line below the water
surface.
Watch your rod at all times when legering with quivertips or other visual
bite indicators. Again, it may be possible to keep the rod tip under
or close to the water surface to avoid contact with birds' feet. Where
this is not possible the line should be retrieved if there is a risk
of birds swimming across the line.
Retrieve your line when float fishing if there is a risk of birds swimming
through the line. Even when using a waggler float with the line "buried",
it will be only just below the surface and still presents a risk.
Take great care when fishing surface baits such as bread or "floaters"
as they may attract waterfowl. Sometimes the
attentions of birds can be avoided by anchoring the bait with a back-lead
which allows you to submerge the bait below the surface when a bird
approaches. Remember, however, that swans can easily reach food a metre
below the surface, and other birds often dive for food. If floating
baits attract undue attention from birds then move away or choose a
different fishing method.
help
Other Anglers
The vast array
of tackle and fishing methods may result in novices using unsuitable
tackle. A little time spent helping beginners
can reduce tackle losses and improve their catches.
Angling
Clubs and Fishery Owners
Ensure
that anglers follow the Golden Rules at your fishery.
Include rules about litter on angling permits.
Promote the numbers overleaf.
Offer help and advice to beginners.
Organise "clean up" days to remove litter and tackle snagged
in trees or vegetation.
Consider providing rubbish bins Ð but only if you can empty them
every evening.
Ask for advice from the Environment Agency or Swan Rescue Groups if
you experience problems at your fishery.
If
the worst happens
Never
attempt to restrain an injured swan (or other large bird or animal)
by holding onto the line. This can cause severe injury and heightened
trauma. For swans and geese cut the line and report the incident as
soon as possible to the rescue organisations below. Smaller birds may
be freed at the time of the incident, or held comfortably in a small
box or other dark space if treatment is required.
Further
Information
If
you own or manage a fishery and would like to know more about how to
improve its value to wildlife, contact your local Environment Agency
office and ask for a free copy of Freshwater Fisheries & Wildlife
Conservation Ð A Good
Practice
Guide.
This
leaflet has been produced with the help and support of the following
organisations:
Anglers' Conservation
Association
Angling Trades
Association
National
Convention for the Welfare of Swans and Wildlife
National Federation
of Anglers (NFA)
RSPCA
Specialist
Anglers Alliance (SAA)
National Swan
Sanctury Hotline0700
SWAN UK or 01784 431667
RSPCA 08705
555999
Wildlife
Hospital Trust 01844 292292
Always have these telephone numbers with you, and report sick or injured animals. The problem may not be angling related but it may give warning of a serious problem at the water.