While the country prepared to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee the Angling Trust celebrated a rare event in the fishing world, the opening of a new tackle shop.

Angling Trust National Campaigns Coordinator Martin Salter joined Charles Jardine, the legendary fly angler and Pallatrax baits boss Simon Pomeroy for the opening of the Newbury fishing superstore on Saturday June 2nd.
Experience Fishing is a new concept in fishing retail. This amazing 6,000 square foot store caters for all types of fishing including carp, match and fly fishing with specialist sections for both barbel and predators.
It has been set up by Ben Bangham, England Rivers Champion 2010, OCA guide and Level 2 coach and David Wrigley, fisherman and retail expert.  All the staff are experienced fishermen and include former Kennet barbel record holder and local expert Paul Smythe and Lewis Hendrix a Level 2 coach, England fly-fishing junior and current England rivers finalist.
Experience Fishing caters for all budgets and levels of angling experience.  The store is perfectly situated in Newbury, the heart of fishing country with good transport links to the A34, M4, A303 and M3.
It has everything the fisherman needs, including: bait, bivvys, tackle, clothing and a pole alley, giving people the opportunity to try out poles at full length.
In the store there are sections for fly, carp, match, pleasure, barbel and predator angling.
Martin Salter, who attended the launch on behalf of the Angling Trust, said:  “At a time when tackle shops are closing how great is it to be celebrating the opening of not just a fishing shop but a 21st century Fishing Superstore that caters for all branches of our sport.  The facilities are top class and the Angling Trust wishes Ben and Dave the best of luck in their new venture.”
Dave Wrigley said: “It’s fantastic to be able to open a fishing shop in the heart of such a great fishing area. Things have started well and we are looking forward to getting to know both the fishing and the people better over the coming years.”