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Rod licence money funds new Forest of Dean angling facilities
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Elton Murphy on 28 August, 2008 05:10:00
 
The Environment Agency has invested £8,000 of rod licence money in new
facilities for disabled anglers on the bottom lake at Cannop Ponds, near Lydney
in the Forest of Dean.
As well as installing two new spacious and sturdy angling platforms, we
improved more than 80 metres of path and 10 metres of boardwalk. The work was
carried out by contractors working for the Environment Agency, with co-operation
and advice from the land managers, the Forestry Commission.
The path, which is suitable for use by less able-bodied anglers, leads directly
from the car-park and allows access to the platforms over what was a jumble of
mud and broken stonework.
The platforms reach to the edge of a dense stand of horsetail plants, enabling
anglers to cast into deep water. They complement two other platforms which we
installed some years ago on the opposite side of the lake. These have stood the
test of time well and despite frequent use have not yet required any repair
work.
Yorkley Angling Club, which is based at Cannop Ponds, celebrates its 50th
anniversary this year.  Day tickets are available to non-members and can be
purchased from the tackle shop in Lydney and from the bailiff on the bank.
Environment Agency Fisheries Technical Officer, Alan Bewick, says “This is
yet another example of how we use rod licence money to improve the future of
angling. Any member of the public can buy a day ticket and take advantage of
these new facilities. We’re sure that Yorkley Angling Club and all its anglers
will enjoy and make good use of the new platforms and we wish them well in their
future activities.”
Any angler aged 12 years or over, fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or
eels in England, Wales or the Border Esk in Scotland must have an Environment
Agency rod licence.  As well as breaking the law, people who fish without a
licence are cheating their fellow anglers by reducing the amount of money we
have available to carry out work such as this to benefit the angling community.