Angling is under attack from all directions. We regularly see local councils’ enthusiasm for fishing waning, often along with their spending budgets, while wildlife trusts have shown they have funding and influence deep enough to restrict or prevent angling taking place on a number of venues.
Purpose-made fisheries andcommercials have been the ‘safe places’ for angling, where boaters, walkers, canoeists and the like have no authority. It therefore came as a bit of a shock to find out that Pool Bridge Farm, in York, is closing another of its lakes to fishing.
I remember very well when Q Lake was built. As a competition venue I included it in the British Carp Angling Championships rosta. It was hugely popular for events, and as an open access quality carp water serving the north.
Sadly, it looks like Q Lake will now be the preserve of wild swimmers.
Formerly an underground pastime, open water swimming has grown dramatically in recent years. I do it myself, but usually it takes place on more natural or wilder waters like rivers, quarry pits and huge lakes.
However, with the amount of pollution, and also a lack of showers on wild venues, it is now becoming a commercial ‘thing’.
Water owners have spotted the business opportunities of allowing people to swim in their lakes at six quid a pop. Add a lakeside sauna and café, and it’s pretty lucrative stuff. Clearly more so than angling.
Open access venues are vital for the future of angling. Local ponds where kids learned their trade, park lakes where the family can enjoy a day out together, and value for money day-ticket waters all have a huge place in the future of angling. How can we protect these?
This page is a free example of the amazing content Angling Times Members get every single week. Becoming an Angling Times Member gives you access to award-winning magazine content, member rewards, our back issue archives, bonus content and more! Join our fishing community and find out more today!