Fishermen have been dealt a blow after a ban was re-introduced along a stretch of the River Severn, despite bailiff teams turning a ‘blind eye’ in recent years.
The River Severn at Monkmoor has been a regular haunt with anglers for years, but one week before the start of the fishing season the Shropshire Anglers’ Federation issued a ban on night fishing from an hour after sunset until dawn.
It has been suggested the ban was installed following persistent anti-social behaviour, but river officials insist this is not the case.
Wilf Harding, a keen angler, contacted the Chronicle this week after driving 45 miles from his home in Cheshire to discover signs set up banning night fishing at Monkmoor.
He has fished at the site for more than a decade and is considering starting a petition against the ban.
“After three hours of cooking up my baits and getting my fishing tackle ready for the start of my river season, you can imagine how upset I was when I saw these signs.”
John Roberts, Federation chairman, said night fishing had never been acceptable on any of the SABC town waters.
“It is a fact that a blind eye over the years has existed with regard to Monkmoor by the then bailiff team,” he said.
“Extensive varied bailiff patrols and community support officers have played a vital part in the area but under-age drinking and litter is still a problem.”
Councillor Judith Williams, river portfolio holder for SABC, said: “The reason for this ban is purely to do with the fact that a ban has always been in place on SABC waters at night.”
• Angling – page 108 of the Shrewsbury Chronicle out now.
