Angling in West SuffolkIt is estimated that around 3.3 million people take part in angling in the UK. Rod Licence sales last year were 1.

Chris Boughton

Angling in West Suffolk

By Chris Boughton

It is estimated that around 3.3 million people take part in angling in the UK. Rod Licence sales last year were 1.3 million and the Environment Agency's projection for 2009 is closer to 1.5m. Sea anglers and under-12s do not need licences.

That is a 20% increase on 10 years ago and as we are talking about numbers of licences and not the value of the sales, this is an increase in real terms. Angling has gone through some radical changes in the past 15 years but it is flourishing and remains one of the UK's most popular participation sports. This is reflected in the growing popularity of internet angling forums. Two UK forums have 11,000 and 15,000 members respectively.

Bury St Edmunds Angling Association has launched a forum targeted primarily at anglers in West Suffolk. Membership is free and you do not have to be a member of the association to use it. The forum can be accessed via the association's new website, has categories covering all branches of angling and will also feature feedback on how local waters are fishing.

Association veterans fished the second match of their Summer League at Barrow Lake, with most of the lake affected by strong winds, making fishing uncomfortable and difficult. In fact so much so that the much heralded return of the infamous “Paste Maestro” was cut short when he decided enough was more than enough. Two anglers sat at one end of the lake in an oasis totally protected from the wind and one of them, Brian Baxter, took full advantage of this to come out on top with 7lb 5oz from peg 1 (a carp of around 4lb plus several crucians) second was in-form Johnny Barnet with 4lb 10oz and third Andy Harvey with 3lb 8oz. Generally, Barrow Lake is now fishing very well with the crucians showing in numbers and tench, skimmer bream and carp also being caught. Andy Harvey framed again in last week's veterans match at Water Lane Reservoir with 31lb of carp (biggest 10lb), Malcolm Spear was second with 8lb 6oz and Ron Hubbard, who was third, had 6lb 8oz.

The first of Bury AA's 2009 club matches was held at Water Lane Reservoir, and much anticipated as the water had been fishing well in the preceding weeks. However, a heavy overnight frost deterred the carp from on the day but Malcolm Spear still managed to weigh in 11lb 6oz to win The Seeley Rose Bowl. Second was club treasurer Steve Bull with 8lb 2oz and third Chris Boughton with 7lb 2oz. There were no dry nets.

Some amazing weights were recorded in an open match at Hinderclay Lakes. The match was split between two lakes. On Rede Lake, Dave Leconte landed 161lb, with Phil Alexander second with 64lb. On New Lake, James Boughton caught 17 carp for 107lb 4oz pushing Nigel Ship, 106lb 14oz, into second place by just 6oz.

If you would like your local angling stories or match results included in this article then please email them to: westsuffolkangling@live.co.uk