THE NFA – coarse fishing’s governing body – has formally called upon the Environment Agency (EA) to review the Close Season on Rivers and asked that anglers be consulted for their views.

In a letter to the EA’s Head of Fisheries, Dafydd Evans, the NFA have called for a national survey undertaken either by way of rod licence holders or through the EA Reel Magazine.

NFA President Terry Fell said: “We do not feel that there has been wide enough consultation with anglers on this subject. With the steady decline of people fishing our rivers over the years we need to obtain a clear picture as to the reasons for this decline. With the Close Season being removed from most canals and lakes has this stopped anglers fishing our rivers?”

“We all have our own views on this subject but a wider survey will in our opinion give a broader base of information on which informed decision can be made,” he added.