Fishing Wales: Opening day with Moc. - Fishing Visit Wales

 

 

Moc Morgan joined the FishingWales team to fish the opening day of the season on the River Teifi. To celebrate the opening day, Moc toasted the river with whiskey, caught a fish and unveiled the Environment Agency's new licence, and that is why he is the legend that he is.

 

Rod licence sales are set to reach a record high, this year and the Environment Agency plans to start the new season with a new look rod licence. The Agency is switching to a membership-card style licence and ditching the old fashioned paper version, which has seen few style changes since it was introduced in the 1860s.
The new, credit card sized licence is water resistant and features fewer personal details about the licence holder in order to reduce the risk of identity theft. Each licence also sports a barcode, making it possible for bailiffs to verify licences on the riverbank.

Licence artist set to become overnight art sensation

The stunning images on the new licences were painted by life-time angler and Carmarthenshire wildlife artist, David Miller.  Once the new rod licence begins  issue on 2 March 2009, Miller will become the most widely distributed wildlife artist in the UK, with over 1million people set to own one of his images. 
The new coarse fishing licence features a perch lunging for a baited hook, while the salmon licence shows a ray of light illuminating a silvery grey salmon under the water.
Commenting on his new found fame, artist David Miller said: “ This is awesome! I do feel honoured to have been chosen as the first artist to provide the artwork for the new rod licence.
His advice for fellow anglers:” Firstly, treat your quarry with the respect it deserves - handle fish carefully and with wet hands, returning them promptly to the water if practising catch-and-release.  More broadly, look after the whole environment wherever you fish, clearing up any litter and discarded tackle that may harm wildlife.”

Angling stimulates improvements in fisheries

Angling has seen a resurgence in popularity over the last decade, with licence sales hitting a ten year high in 2008. Environment Agency research recently showed that freshwater angling in Wales generates tens of millions of pounds for local communities and businesses supporting thousands of jobs. In 2005 there were over 1.7 million fishing days to inland waters in Wales
In Wales, over 75,000 people buy a rod licence from the Environment Agency. Cost of the licence range between £3.50 for one day of coarse fishing to £70 for a seasonal licence to fish for salmon.
Andy Schofield, Fisheries Strategy and Policy Manager, Environment Agency Wales said: “The new-look rod licence will deliver real benefits to anglers. The system is now cheaper and quicker to administer – which allows us to spend more licence money on improving and protecting the fisheries of Wales while keeping the increase in rod licence fees to a minimum.
“Angling is more popular now than ever, and we expect to see even more anglers on the banks in 2009. To help them find the best spots and keep anglers up to date on the latest information about fishing in Wales, we will be sending all of our existing licence holders an Angling Guide for their local area, in May. We’re also making the guide available to new starters through tackle shops and the www.fishing.visitwales.com website.”  
The money made from the sale of rod licences funds much of the Agency’s fisheries service as well as supporting fishery projects including multi-ability access improvements, habitat restoration and community fisheries schemes.
Buying a new rod licence couldn’t be easier. Around 15,000 Post Offices and other outlets across England and Wales sell them; a direct debit can be set up, and they can be purchased over the telephone on 0870 166 2662. Alternatively licences can be bought online at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence any time, day or night