Middy are hoping to end confusion over net usage
Middy,
who are one of angling’s leading tackle manufacturers, have put their
shoulder to the wheel in an effort to clarify the confusion surrounding
the use of landing nets and keep nets that do not comply with the kite
mark approval being put forward by a minority of individual business people.
In a recent circulation to all of their retail customers, they have
laid out a few detailed facts and these are as follows:
A few fisheries might insist on soft style landing nets being used.
Soft nets are usually made from polyester and are really the old style
slow dry nets but there is no scientific proof that they are any more
fish friendly.
Mono nets are the fast dry or shake dry style nets that most anglers have
preferred to use over the past few years. They may, to a human being,
feel a little bit harder than the soft netting but we are not fish! These
nets are fish friendly.
Fish like to go onto gravel bottoms and move in reed beds, both of which
are more hard than soft.
There is a government/Environment Agency bye law that relates to nets,
and both mono and soft polyester knotless netting are legal.
The scheme being promoted through the Angling Foundation has no basis
in law! It is a totally voluntary standard.
In a recent mini-survey conducted by Middy, they telephoned 55 good quality
fisheries nationwide and asked them: “During 2003 will you be insisting
on soft landing nets, or can anglers use any quality nets?”
The answers received were 20 fisheries (no comment), 34 fisheries (any
type or any good quality type would be allowed) and just one fishery owner
insisted that he would only allow soft nets.
There is a danger that by promoting this soft voluntary code they (the
Angling Foundation) could bring fishing into disrepute, which could mean
less anglers enjoying the sport. The only illegal nets are those that
contravene bye law 12.
All the Middy nets in their current range are legal and are compliant
with the above bye law.
It is thought that a few fisheries will only accept approved nets with
the Angling Foundation logo. This is wrong.
Roy Marlow, one of the main instigators of the new voluntary initiative,
is quoted as saying: “You do not need the kite mark to fish at my
fishery, providing the net is fish friendly.”
One of the keep nets being promoted by ABU sales personnel as fish friendly
is actually illegal under bye law 12.
The original concept was for a voluntary code on landing nets only –
not keep nets. Both the landing nets and keep-nets in the current Middy
range are legal.
The poster and letter from the Angling Foundation in January that was
publicised in certain angling or sporting magazines were very misleading.
Middy has now gone on record with the following advice:
“Do not be fooled into thinking that there is a new law, and that
anglers must buy a new net.”
Because of all the current confusion Middy have introduced a legal net
swing ticket, look for it on their range of nets that will be distributed
through their retail outlets.
Their full range of nets have been checked by a distinguished panel –
whether an angler uses the popular mono or the soft type of net is purely
down to individual choice.
Ultimately the anglers and the Environment Agency will have the final
say on this delicate matter and the majority of fishery owners will be
seen to be acting sensibly by allowing both types.
Thanks are extended to Middy Tackle and Ken Ward Sports for providing
me with this information.
Grafton AA / Ken Ward Sports Winter League
A total
of 31 anglers lined the towpath of the Chesterfield Canal on Sunday in
this popular annual winter league.
Top rod on the day from John Shaw peg 117 was Steve Lowther (Ken Ward
sports) with 6lb 10.5oz of quality roach to 12oz that were caught on bloodworm
and joker.
Runner-up was Mark Pressley (Worksop senior squad) with 4lb 5.5oz from
peg 65 (Tigers Den section) with one chub backed up with some roach alternating
between bloodworm and caster as hook bait.
Ian Rowney (Mansfield Piscatorial) was third with 3lb 9oz from peg 73.
Other leading weights were: Ashley Nicolson (Worksop juniors) 3lb 8.5oz
(p60), Phil Turner (Worksop senior squad) 3lb 3oz (p114), Dave Wright
(Anston) 2lb 9.5oz (p74).
Section winners were: (60 to 69) Roy Wilson ( Mansfield Piscatorial) 1lb
6.5oz (p69), (71 to 79) Dave Wright (Anston) 2lb 9.5oz (p74), (80 to 88)
Philip Green (Worksop senior squad) 1lb 10.5oz (p80), (111 to 119) Phil
Turner (Worksop senior squad) 3lb 3oz (p114), (120 to 129) Andrew Pickersgill
(Angling Supplies 2lb 5oz (p121).
The aggregate league table shows that Andrew Pickersgill is currently
in the lead with 38 points closely followed by Sean Peck (Doncaster) and
Steve Lowther (Ken Ward Sports) both on 37, then Stan Mee (Mansfield Piscatorial)
and Phil Turner (Worksop senior squad) with 35 each.
Notice Board
Worksop
United members should note that the subscriptions for the ensuing season
must be paid in full by the 28th February or membership will be terminated.
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Yours in Sport Glyn |