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The Anglers Code

Some Basic Things you need to know about fishing

The Environment Agency has a duty to maintain, improve and develop freshwater fisheries. This work is funded from Government Grants and income from rod licence sales.

Children under 12 do not require a licence, and 12 to 16 year olds can fish for a whole year for just £5. Every penny of licence income is ploughed back into fisheries work, and for a full licence it works out at just over 6p a day.

What your license pays for

Fisheries and habitat improvements and development projects planned each year.

Fisheries monitoring - nearly 3,000 sites surveyed to assess fish stocks.

Fish kills and rescues - staff attended over 550 fish kills and rescues.

Fisheries regulation - continual reviewing of byelaws to ensure the protection of fish stocks.

Promotion and advice - over 2,500 site visits made in response to requests for fisheries management advice.

Increasing participation - 38 events planned to introduce new people to fishing and coach beginners.

Enforcement - over 4,000 people are prosecuted every year for fisheries offences.

Now you have bought your tackle, go and get your licence and permission from the fishery owner and enjoy yourself, but please be aware of the following items.

Safety

Water can be very dangerous, don't take unnecessary risks.

Don't fish within 30 metres of overhead power lines. Electricity can jump.

Don't fish near locks or weirs.

Courtesy

Please take into account other water users and:

Take care not to block-the pathways with your fishing tackle.

Look out for others when casting.

Appreciate that some boats may need to come close to the bank.

Wildlife

Angling contributes towards our environment. Remember:

Take great care when fishing surface baits such as bread or 'floaters' as they may attract water birds.

Use barbless or micro barb hooks where possible.

Never leave rods on the bank with hooks still baited as these food items could be picked up by birds or animals.

Check your line regularly for wear and damage.

Remove and carefully dispose of any damaged line and replace your reel line regularly.

Lead weights are illegal in most sizes and non toxic weights are now widely available. Lead weights of N0.8 or less, or of more than 28grams (1 oz) may be used.

Conservation

Conservation of our waters benefits everyone especially anglers so:

Take all your tackle home. Hooks and line are lethal to wildlife.

Don't leave food or bait when you leave, this encourages vermin.

Leave your swim tidy. Litter is a danger to wildlife.

Help conserve fish stocks by following good fish-handling techniques

Use barbless hooks.

Health

Weil's Disease (Leptospirosis)

All rivers and bodies of fresh water can contain organisms which are harmful to health. In particular where rodents are present or when they have been on banks or in the water. Leptospirosis is a dangerous condition and in extreme cases can result in serious illness or even death. Means of infection are from open cuts, scratches and abrasions. In the event of illness inform your doctor of the potential contact so he can consider Leptospirosis in diagnosis

Algae and Scum

Illness, including skin rashes, eye irritation, vomiting, fever and diarrhoea, occurs in some recreational users of water who swallow or swim in blue green-algal scum. Although not always harmful, it is a sensible precaution to avoid contact with the scum and water close to it.

 

Come fishing in Devon, Enjoy Devon fishing holidays, stay in stunning holiday cottages and fishing, selfcatering cottages and fishing, fishing holidays Devon.