The Angling Trust in 2011

david i · Jan 21, 2011

Hi all,

I have posed a question on another thread as follows:

What are the top 5 things you would want to see the ATr deliver on in 2011?

If you could have a think and list the issues that you feel are most important, I think it would be very interesting indeed.

To start off I will list the issue that are most important to me- remembering I am not a sea fisherman, nor a specimen hunter, nor do I do match fishing, nor do I target one particular species.

I am a casual recreational fisherman, who enjoys fly fishing on a small Welsh river for trout, and still water fishing on ponds and canals in my part of Cheshire.

1. Maintianing political support for all forms of angling
2. Keep making sure polluters pay and re-establish fisheries they have damaged
3. Get more support from the government and EA to help fisheries
4. Develop and promote fishing opportunities
5. Work with clubs to protect and develop their fishing

Best wishes to all
David

Ray Daywalker Clarke · Jan 21, 2011

Surely the Voice for angling as some call it have all this worked out dont they ???

What would i want to see from the trust.

There is only one thing you can do.

Sack all the Committee, and start again, members vote for the committee, unless you do that, the ATr is finished

Matthew Nightingale (ACA) · Jan 21, 2011

The issues for me would be:

- water abstraction;
- a fair return of the licence money into the EA;
- cormorant management;
- management of alien species;
- youth development in angling.

These in no particular order although I do think increasing abstraction will be a worsening problem. I can see the licence fee increasing while the EA budget shrinks and the rest goes into the Treasury. I can see government ignoring alien species such as crayfish on the 'out of sight; out of mind' principle. Watching a cormorant 'rape' my swim is ever so slightly annoying. Introducing youngsters to angling will provide a major social benefit but its long term and governments dont do 'long term' unless someone keeps nagging them.

I'll probably think of some more in a minute. If so I'll take them to the next North West ATr meeting.

chav professor · Jan 21, 2011

all of the above!

I also think that the AT should support all branches of the sport unequivacally. Fishing is safe from outside influence however, the actions of the few within the sport have far reaching consequences.

No one could forget the attention that the BAA achieved when their bigotted actions against predator anglers made the angling press and media last year.
Fishing and the right to use methods that are legitamit should be protected for all. fair enough, if you don't like livebaiting don't do it your self!

I fear that fishing will exist as a benign activity in little managed pools, catching hybridised fish that feed consistantly 360 days a year at all temperatures. Bait will be a homogenous 'carp safe' substance purchased on site. Poles (White knuckle pole kamakazi attack carp beater). Hooks, if we can still use them will be of a uniform pattern - barbless of course.

Hang on a second - they already exist. the future is bright!!!!!

david i · Jan 21, 2011

Matthew and Cha P, thanks for that.

Ray, members do vote for the committee - so I guess what you are asking for is a more simple format of the rules / constitution so its easier to understand.

Daivd

stikflote · Jan 21, 2011

Yes it wants making simpler also the committee need to be a bit more accountable
to the members, ,and the biggest thing is they must ,
start a bigger campaign to get the message across better adverts, plus i reckon a reduction in price of membership

david i · Jan 21, 2011

Members fee of £25 a year is hardly a barrier in my view - in context with what many of us will spend over the coming weekend!

I would agree about greater promotion of the ATr in mags - it would be great to see the editors of all the mags giving the AT a free half page every issue or every other issue to give an update to he readers about the work the Trust do.

Why wont they?

Any Editors of fishing mags on here?

David

stu_the_blank · Jan 21, 2011

David,

I was a member of the ACA and my membership seamlessly was transferred to the ATr. In other words I have been a member since it's formation.

I have never been asked to vote as far as I know. Committee members have left and been replaced and the first I heard of it was in the press or on Forums. When the original Chairman (Stephen Marsh?) resigned, first I knew was when I found out that Mike Heylin had replaced him.

I know that Carpworld already give space to the ATr amongst others. Problem is that some of the copy isn’t targeted properly at its audience. It sounds bizarre but I don’t think that the ATr really understand coarse fishing and certainly not ‘Specialist’ (hate that term!) angling.

My 5 are

Continue and expand upon the good work of the ACA (Fish Legal)
Actively support the Predation Group (might have got the name wrong)
Encourage youngsters into the sport
Confront anti angling views and press
Give us a vision and a cause we can rally behind, and deliver on it!

Above all, get out there and shout about it. They have made the first timid steps in this regard recently; let’s hope that it continues.

Agree that the subs don’t cause me a problem but their membership and financial model hasn’t worked. I have an opinion on how I would deal with it, which I put to ML. The board obviously feel the current way is best. We shall see if they can attract sufficient numbers!

Stu

stikflote · Jan 21, 2011

David,

i fish with a disabled angling and mostly pensioners club,i can assure £25
does mean a lot to them, there are no fancy bait bills, a few maggots worms bread a bag of pellets that last about three matches, plus try as i might Atr is a none starter with these lads

keith

david i · Jan 21, 2011

Hi Stu,

Thanks, great points.

Members can only vote, as far as I can see, on issues at AGM or by proxy, or by an appointed rep. No postal voting.

the rule on AGM reads:
2.1.2 At least 21 days notice will be given to all entitled to attend by email, web site posting, media announcements or in writing at the discretion of the directors of the Angling Trust.

Now this may save money BUT all I can say is that the organisation I work for we would not get away with that! We direct mail notice of AGM, motions for debate and elections for Council (our 'Board')to our members so everyone gets a fair chance to know what’s going on and to vote for Council.

We also have a rule that Council members can only serve 5 years.

David

---------- Post added at 07:19 ---------- Previous post was at 06:17 ----------

Thanks Stickfloat, I understand your point, my father was disabled so I can appreciate the hardships

David

jimmy crackedcorn · Jan 23, 2011

In the next year, PR PR PR PR PR PR PR.

And by PR I mean not public relations not getting bogged down on the merits of the Alternative voting system. They need to be at shows - all coutryside type shows, in the media ie when someone holds up a dead swan they need be stood next to it putting our case forward.

And I'd change the name. Not likely I know, but you cant rely on purely anglers contributing any more than the RSPB can rely purely on twitchers (I'd wager a sizable percentage of the RSPB membership goes birding less than 5 times a year) I'd have stuck with ACA or something more conservation-y to get non-anglers on board, particuarly with the big fish fight going on on channel 4.

But in the meantime more PR please. And plans for a superfishery stocked PROPERLY with no litter and abundant wildlife and with rangers (in the eyes of non-anglers helpful country folk) not bailiffs (people who come in your house and take the telly when you dont pay your council tax).

See ? More PR which has to be a start because at every single level of the sport from tackle shops to fisheries to litter anglers PR is *****. John Wilson is the only real household-known angler non-anglers of a certain age might know. He's not cuddly, got a daft laugh (a cheap shot I know) wears tiny shorts, and when you read any interviews he makes the daily mail look like the guardian. Bill Oddie he aint.

So as I've said, more PR. Better PR.

flightliner · Jan 23, 2011

Not in any way shape or form putting down the ATr, I think they do a good job of things but after much deliberation I decided to put my money with the Countryside Alliance, A bit more expensive as a full member but they have clout and as I enjoy all aspects of country life I am insured, and that includes when I go out fishing.
Check them out on the "net"

904_cannon · Jan 23, 2011

stu_the_blank said:
David,

I was a member of the ACA and my membership seamlessly was transferred to the ATr. In other words I have been a member since it's formation.

I have never been asked to vote as far as I know. Committee members have left and been replaced and the first I heard of it was in the press or on Forums. When the original Chairman (Stephen Marsh?) resigned, first I knew was when I found out that Mike Heylin had replaced him.

I know that Carpworld already give space to the ATr amongst others. Problem is that some of the copy isn’t targeted properly at its audience. It sounds bizarre but I don’t think that the ATr really understand coarse fishing and certainly not ‘Specialist’ (hate that term!) angling.

Stu

The Board/s elected the new Chairs of the ATr and FL, Stu.

I did have an assurance from ML that we would be notified of any resignations by Board members before their replacements were nominated or/and accepted, but...

Perhaps in 2011 the AGM notice will arrive before the closing date for submission of nominations/proposals, but the way the rules are written I doubt it.

2.1.1 The AGM will normally be held by July each year.

2.1.10 Notices of nominations for the appointment of Directors of Angling Trust Limited must be submitted to the Company Secretary at least 28 days before the notified date of the AGM, with the names and, if relevant, organisation of the proposer and seconder

2.2.1 At least 21 days notice will be given to all entitled to attend by email, web site posting, media announcements or in writing at the discretion of the directors of the company.

I attended the SAFG meeting in Nottingham 9th May 2010, less than four weeks before the 2010 AGM, and none of us there even knew the venue let alone the date. AGM was actually held 6th June

All clubs etc I've ever been involved with actually give the date by which proposals/nominations have to be received by, or at least be given the date of the meeting, NOT be advised of the meeting date AFTER the 28 day period has passed.

david i · Jan 24, 2011

Hi flighligner,

Cant see what the CA really deliver for fishing I am afraid (and I AM a member of the CA!)

Their focus is very much on getting the hunting bill overturned. Of course to help fund this work they will need the (financial) support of others - shooters & fishermen for example

The ATr have delivered more for fishing, in my view, in the last year than the CA have for the last 5 years!

Yes he CA do a national fishing MONTH - the ATr promote fishing 52 weeks a YEAR

Take a look at the CA’s last mag – 30 pager plus cover, one quarter page and one letter on fishing in the whole mag….

By the way - check the CA insurance policy - it will NOT pay out if you have ANY other liability cover in force that could cover the claim - and its up to YOU to prove you don’t have the cover...ouch!

John,

I agree, that notice of meetings should be given in good time and with full details of all issues to be discussed so all members can get involved if they want to. In my view this MUST be done by direct mail to the members, it could though go in the mag, of course.

David

flightliner · Jan 24, 2011

david i said:
By the way - check the CA insurance policy - it will NOT pay out if you have ANY other liability cover in force that could cover the claim - and its up to YOU to prove you don’t have the cover...ouch!

David I,m quite ok on that score.Its just the same with any other insurance. You know , one of the other things that swayed it for me personally was the sight of a quarter of a million people marching thro London- all galvenised by the one ideal.It did put the wind up those they were trying to get the message across too,and I think at some future time they will acheive their aims to a larger degree, I know this may sound rather negative but somehow I think it would take a superhuman effort to get the same reponse from an equal number of anglers.

david i · Jan 24, 2011

Hi, Yep take your point about the March! What real effect this had on the policy makers decision though is moot -and hunting was banned anyway.

Not all insurances are the same though, some will pay out even if other non specific policies are in place - however, that being said, the main reasosn for joining an association should not be for the insurance!

As i have often said, membership of orgnisations is very much a personal thing.

Best wishes

David

Bluenose · Jan 24, 2011

I think the name is one thing that should be changed to attract more non anglers. The angling trust is 'just' for anglers by it's very name.

Eg 'The Waterways Trust' or 'Waterside Trust' something more generic and not just exclusive to angling I think would gain us more non angling support especially if the membership was tiered a little more.

Throwing images showing the after effects of a pollution in the face of Joe Public with dead fish, birds and otters (sorry lads/ladies) and a relatively cheap non angling tier could I feel increase membership and profile. As it is, with angling in the title I feel we're too exclusive.

The Angling Trust in 2011

david i

Well-known member

Ray Daywalker Clarke

Well-known member

Matthew Nightingale (ACA)

Well-known member

chav professor

Well-known member

david i

Well-known member

stikflote

Well-known member

david i

Well-known member

stu_the_blank

Well-known member

stikflote

Well-known member

david i

Well-known member

jimmy crackedcorn

Well-known member

flightliner

Well-known member

904_cannon

Well-known member

david i

Well-known member

flightliner

Well-known member

david i

Well-known member

Bluenose

Moderator