Angling in Ealing

By Michael Holmes

On the cusp of Ealing borough the Barnes and Mortlake Angling and Preservation Society was started over 70 years ago and is still going strong today. The Club is entirely run by volunteers who make up the Management Committee.

Also the club focuses on being a social environment for everyone to enjoy fishing and develop their angling skills. We have a range of both Carp and Coarse fishing available and are always welcoming to well behaved members.

What is Angling?

Angling is the principal method of sport fishing, but commercial fisheries also use angling methods such as longlining or trolling. Catch and release fishing is increasingly practiced by recreational fishermen. In many parts of the world, size limits apply to certain species, meaning fish below and/or above a certain size must, by law, be released. The role that environmental conditions and chance can play in catching a fish or not, can effectively 'level the playing field' making angling one of the few sports where individuals with very different characteristics and abilities can complete on similar terms with each other. Ealing benefits from Angling and those who participate will reap many rewards as above. Not to mention the Club is delighted have raised £300 in aid of Gunnersbury Park by hosting a charity match on the Potomac lake!

What are the benefits of Angling?

Angling provides therapeutic benefits to those people with long term illness or during recovery, for those with mental illness or behavioral issues. It incorporates a range of physical activity levels and encourages activity amongst the inactive, those with ill health and older age groups who may not participate in other sports.

Angling incorporates proven therapeutic engagement and contact with 'blue-green space' and as a consequence helps maintain positive mental health, provides stress relief and can support programmes for people with mental issues. It provides a rich social world that facilities the relationship building, connection and participation in social life essential to securing health and wellbeing.

The role that environmental conditions and chance can play in catching a fish or not, can effectively 'level the playing field' making angling one of the few sports where individuals with very different characteristics and abilities can complete on similar terms with each other.

Ealing benefits from Angling and those who participate will reap many rewards as above. Not to mention the Club is delighted have raised £300 in aid of Gunnersbury Park by hosting a charity match on the Potomac lake!

Interested? Get involved!

For more information on membership options and how to join BMAPS, please visit: https://www.bmaps.org

Membership shall be at the discretion of the Committee and all members must be in possession of a current Environment Agency Rod Licence when fishing club waters.

See: www.gov.uk/get-a-fishinglicence for information on how to buy a fishing licence.

As a member of BMAPS you will be able to gain access to 3 excellent waters in South West London.

• Thames Young Marines

• Shadwell’s Pool, Barnes

• Potomac Lake, Gunnersbury

Fishing Tackle Shops

These shops don’t only sell tackle and bait, but are also a fountain of knowledge about what tackle to use, local clubs you can join and where to fish (often for free) The nearest shops are:

Isleworth Angling and Tackle Tel: 020 8061 9205

Ron’s Fishing Tackle, Sheen. Tel: 020 8876 4897

Fisherman’s Cabin, Ruislip. Tel: 020 8248 8100