| Fishing in Devon can only be positive about a Scout's | | | | Copies of the new resource booklet will be |
| Angling proficiency badge that has been launched by | | | | distributed to Scout Groups in the next few weeks. |
| the Environment Agency, in partnership with The | | | | The badge requires that the Scout completes the |
| Scout Association in a nation-wide campaign to | | | | requirements below: |
| encourage responsible angling and a wider | | | | Health and Safety |
| environmental awareness among the young. | | | | 1. Know the water safety rules and the appropriate |
| The launch, at Mid Kent Fisheries, Chilham Mill, | | | | precautions to be taken when fishing from the bank |
| Canterbury, coincided with the annual UK National | | | | or shore, or from a boat. Understand the dangers of |
| Fishing Week, which offers opportunities for potential | | | | wading in fresh water and shore fishing in the sea |
| new anglers to try the sport and is backed by angling | | | | and the precautions to be taken. |
| and sports bodies throughout the country. We would | | | | 2. Know the basic hygiene precautions to take when |
| have preferred a launch within the Devon fishing | | | | fishing. |
| holiday area, but can only applaud any launch of this | | | | Angling Craft |
| sort of encouragement in the sport. | | | | 3. Go fishing in fresh or salt water on at least six |
| The Agency already does much to encourage | | | | occasions, recording the following:a) numbers |
| youngsters to fish, such as no licenses for the under | | | | caughtb) species and size of fishc) method, tackle |
| 12s and half rates £8 for those under the age | | | | and bait usedd) weather and water conditionse) |
| of 17. | | | | Discuss the trips undertaken. |
| It also produces booklets, magazines and fishing | | | | 4. Explain the signs of stress in fish. Know the |
| guides, offering advice and useful information for | | | | Environment Agency Emergency Hotline number. |
| anglers of all ages. | | | | Tackle and techniques |
| We all hope the Agency's sponsorship over the next | | | | 5. Understand why it is important to discard used |
| three years will be further encouragement for more | | | | tackle properly. |
| boys and girls to take up the sport. The proficiency | | | | 6. Choose one of the following activities:a) Cast with |
| badge offers an enormous potential for the future | | | | beach fishing tackle a distance of 45 meters.b) Cast |
| ofangling. There are some 10,000 Scout Groups in | | | | a ledger and float tackle into a 1metre circle at least |
| the country, comprising hundreds of thousands of | | | | three times out of six at nine meters range.c) Cast a |
| scouts and cubscouts | | | | trout fly on a fly line into a 3 metre circle at least |
| I have a selfish interest in this encouragement and I | | | | three times out of eight at 11 meter range. |
| should imagines that all Holiday cottages and fishing | | | | 7. Demonstrate how to set up one of the following |
| centers wants more young anglers to enjoy the | | | | sets of tackle:a) waggler rigb) swim feeder rigc) fly |
| sport. But they do need a low pressure environment | | | | castd) spinning rige) shore fishing rigd) beach casting |
| to help all young anglers to enjoy their fishing. | | | | rig |
| Obviously the more enthusiasts into the sport the | | | | 8. Explain the importance of:a) Handling fish with care |
| better, but at the end of the day it is as much | | | | and releasing them carefully.b) Using a lower strength |
| beneficial to the youngsters as the sport. | | | | hook link when coarse, game or sea fishing. |
| There are self catering cottages and fishing centers | | | | 9. Explain the importance of the one of the following |
| that promote the sport to the whole family and help | | | | activities:a) Setting a keep net correctly.b) How to |
| them to enjoy the sport in a no pressure | | | | use a priest to dispatch fish quickly. |
| atmosphere. | | | | Know your fish |
| The Environment Agency's Chief Executive, Ed | | | | 10. Be able to identify each of the species in one of |
| Gallagher, who announced the sponsorship welcomed | | | | the following groups:a) Bass, cod, flounder, grey |
| the opportunity to work with the Scout Association | | | | mullet, and mackerelb) Roach, perch, chub, common |
| and stated "This is a unique opportunity to offer | | | | carp and tenchc) Grayling, brown trout, rainbow trout |
| young people the chance to be able to learn more | | | | and salmon |
| about the environment at first hand. The proficiency | | | | 11. Have knowledge of the habitat and feeding |
| badge will teach youngsters not only how to fish | | | | behavior of the fish identified and know suitable baits, |
| safely and responsibly, and how to get the very best | | | | flies, lures and hook sizes. |
| out of the sport, but also encourage a respect for | | | | Administration and law |
| nature - for the animals and fish that are part of the | | | | Complete the requirements from either of the |
| countryside, itself an essential part of the | | | | options below: |
| environment on which we all depend." | | | | 12. Freshwater fishinga) Know the dates of the fresh |
| Welcoming the Environment Agency's sponsorship of | | | | water season and size limits of freshwater fish in the |
| the Badge, Scout Chief Commissioner of England, Bill | | | | areas in which they fish.b) Be able to explain why |
| Cockroft, said: "Scouting has always brought young | | | | licenses and permits are required for fishing and know |
| people into contact with nature and Scouts have long | | | | the age at which a national rod license is |
| been active in learning about the environment. This | | | | required.c)Know the location of the local fishing club |
| sponsorship is especially welcome, not only because it | | | | and any waters they may control. |
| brings with it a valuable resource booklet to help | | | | 13. Saltwater fishinga) Know the size limits of |
| young people gain the badge but also the fact that | | | | saltwater fish in the areas in which they fish.b) Be |
| this is the first time a Government Agency has | | | | able to explain why licenses and permits are required |
| sponsored one of our proficiency badges." | | | | for fishing and know the age at which a national rod |
| The Agency's curriculum will cover a wide range of | | | | license is required.c) Know the location of the local |
| environmental issues, including waterside awareness | | | | fishing club and any waters they may control. |
| and safety, fishing techniques and the care and | | | | Come fishing in Devon on a Devon fishing holiday, |
| maintenance of tackle, wildlife, fish biology and care | | | | stay at holiday cottages and go fishing for fun, |
| of fish. It also includes a trouble-shooting section on | | | | Devon self catering cottages and fishing |
| what to do in the event of water pollution. | | | | extraordinaire. |