Left to right – Colin Buckland [Canal & River Trust Area Operations Manager] and his volunteer team, Callun Underhill [Environment Agency Fisheries Officer], Sean Hicks [Angling Trust Volunteer], Andy Wait [BANES River & Waterways Councillor], James Buckle [Bathampton AA Fisheries Manager] and Bathampton AA volunteer bailiffs John Crane, Reuben Myles Tyghe and Nicholas Gahagan.] Credit: Bathampton AA
Bathampton Angling Association [Bathampton AA] has brought together many agencies, trusts and authorities to help them tackle ongoing issues of non-members attempting to fish without correct licenses, discarding rubbish, and intentionally harming wildlife.
They have been installing new Canal & River Trust, Environment Agency and Bathampton AA signs throughout the Widcombe to Darlington Wharf stretch of the canal in Bath.
The Kennet & Avon Canal begins its 75-mile journey to Reading at Lock 7 in Widcombe, Bath, where the canal meets the River Avon. The fishing rights of the Kennet & Avon Canal from Bath to Avoncliffe have been owned and managed by Bathampton AA for nearly 100 years.
The association was founded by chairman Mr Baverstock and four committee members on May 23rd, 1936, when they met at The George Inn, Bathampton and clubbed together the association’s then profit of £8, 14 shillings to open up membership to the public.
With the canal being a public space, it attracts many visitors, including those who have attempted to fish without both Bathampton AA and the Environment Agency (EA) licenses. Fishing without an EA license carries the risk of fines of up to £2500 and a criminal record.
Environment Agency Fisheries Officer Callum Underhill, who attended the meeting to deliver new signage, reminds the public –
“We support local angling clubs like Bathampton Angling Association that are tackling illegal fishing occurring on their waters. Illegal fishing and fishing without a rod licence are crimes. It impacts anglers, fishing clubs and our own efforts because rod licence income is reinvested back into the angling community to protect fish stocks and make angling sustainable.”
Local volunteer group Bath Swan Rescue had reported to the association that non-members had been intentionally hitting swans with fishing rods as well as discarding rubbish in the area. Bathampton AA responded by upping the number of volunteer bailiffs patrolling the stretch to three and implementing the operation to install further preventive signs throughout the stretch.
Bathampton AA volunteer bailiff Reuben Myles Tyghe said –
“This is one of the most beautiful stretches of ‘urban’ canal in the country; it’s a destination spot for so many who enjoy the canal for obvious reasons and a place that many people volunteer time to protect. We simply couldn’t sit back and see people abusing the water and its wildlife, and we hope that the preventive measures, informative signage and the diligent work of our volunteer bailiff team will help further the message – if you intend to fish the canal, you must have an EA license and either a day ticket or be a member of the club.”
Canal & River Trust Operations Manager Colin Buckland organised his team of volunteers who installed additional signage along the access points along the stretch with signage that details the Bathampton AA website, to remind anglers that to fish the canal, they must have appropriate licenses, which are very easy to purchase online.
Fishing is an ancient sport and one that has now been subject to many research studies, which show there is a direct link between reduction of stress, anxiety and mental health issues by spending time fishing. Many local authorities work alongside the police and EA to offer youth programmes and foundations that promote angling as a form of escape from screens, offering an alternative by being immersed in nature.
BANES River and Waterways councillor Andy Wait attended the meeting and shared his thoughts on the measures implemented –
“Our canals and rivers are much loved by most people, a place for tranquillity, leisure and wildlife, as well as a place to live and work. The governance of waterways is complex and difficult, with many different pressures and little protection offered to vulnerable groups, like our wildlife, which need the habitats to survive. I welcome the initiative of Bathampton Angling Association to help support those who wish to use the canal appropriately. I welcome their new signage is a helpful reminder to keep everybody safe and encourage sensible behaviour”
Bathampton AA encourages new members to seek out the sport. As well as the canal, the association also manages the fishing rights of various stretches of the River Avon, Box Bybrook, the stunning estate lake at Newton Park and the regarded flagship fishing complex, Hunstrete, where three fishing lakes offer varied styles of fishing for everyone from the beginner to the more experienced. The complex’s ‘Main Lake’ has recently reopened and offers anglers the opportunity to fish for exceptional carp.
To pursue the sport, please remember you must have a valid Rod License to fish anywhere in the UK and to fish Bathampton AA waters, you must be a member or have a day ticket.
To join Bathampton AA, please download the ‘Club Mate’ app and search for ‘Bathampton Angling Association’ or visit the website and follow the links – bathampton.org
