STAFFORD birthplace of Izaac Walton, author of the fishing ‘bible’ the Compleat Angler, has been chosen as the venue for the prestigious public launch of National Fishing Week.

Stafford Mayor, Councillor Frank Finlay, will be using the occasion of the anniversary of what would have been the great man’s 411th birthday to launch over 100 National Fishing Week events taking place all over the Country. Thousands of people are forecast to try angling for the first time during National Fishing Week,  between 21st and 30th August..

Leading by example, the Mayor will try his hand at angling on the River Sow in Stafford’s Victoria Park on Monday August 9th at 12.30pm. He will be using a two-hundred-year-old hickory fishing rod from Izaac Walton’s Cottage in Shallowford near Stafford.

A major flood alleviation scheme on the River Sow through Stafford has recently been completed on behalf of the Environment Agency. Richard Wightman, Fisheries Development Officer for the Environment Agency in England & Wales, will also be at Victoria Park on the 9th.   

National Fishing Week is sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland with Sports Match funding and the Environment Agency.