The Independent Angler: Opening up the Amazon, the oldest fly fishing club, Trevally sets world record

Steve Townson is hoping to take British anglers to the Amazon to sample the incredible fishing there

Brit opens up the Amazon to UK anglers

A British angler is opening up the gateway for anglers to fish with fly and lures for the record-breaking sport fish of the Amazon Rainforest.

The Amazon and some of its tributaries are home to some of the greatest predatory fish in the world and most can targeted by avid fly fisherman.

Steve Townson, known in the region as ‘The Fish Finder’ and a double Amazon Peacock Bass World Champion, has launched www.amazon-angler.com , which now enables British anglers to travel to South America on tailored fishing adventure holidays, to fish for some of the most incredible species on this planet.

Steve, who has fished in the region over 60 times in the last 14 years explained: “Not many British anglers know much about this hugely diverse habitat and fishery and if they were honest, it probably scares them a bit.

“But I know that if I were to take any of them out to the Amazon with me and to some of our special destinations, each and every one of them would come back with memories and experiences that would stay with them for the rest of their lives!
“The sights and sounds, the people, the local fauna and flora, the incredible variety of unusual wildlife, the whole experience just fires me up time and time again. It’s just being there, in what for me is the most wonderful place on Earth, the Amazon Rainforest.

“As for the fishing, whether you like fishing with flies or lures, the Amazon and our adventure trips have it all. And you can do it all in your sunglasses, shorts, a shirt and a pair of sandals!”

There are many tackle-busting species to target in Amazon waters, like the magnificent and infamous Peacock Bass (the main sport fish of the region); the fearsome Payara (also known as the Vampire fish due to its amazing set of teeth); the beauitful, brutal Golden Dorado, that grows to 50lb plus; the pre-historic looking Traiarao (Aimaira in some South American countries); the pike-like Bicuda; Aruana and many, many others that can all caught on fly and lures alike.

And there are literally hundreds of different fish to be caught on smaller flies, like the Pacu, Matrincha, Araca, Jacunda, Peixe Cachorro and many more. There’s a rundown of all the species you can fish for at www.amazon-angler.com , including video.

Steve who stars and presents the ‘Welcome To The Jungle’ TV series from FishingTV.com added: “I can promise you the fishing adventure of your lifetime. He can be contacted at info@amazon-angler.com . For more information visit www.amazon-angler.com .

After 15 years with tackle giants Shimano, five times world match fishing champion Alan Scotthorne has teamed up with Drennan International

Champ signs for Drennan

Five times world match fishing champion Alan Scotthorne has signed a sponsorship deal with Drennan just days after ending his long running association with Shimano… and he’s not even restricted to just using their product.

Drennan International boss Peter Drennan said: “We’re delighted to have put together a consultancy and sponsorship deal with Alan.

“As an England team regular and a unique five times individual World Champion, he’s the world’s most successful international angler.

“His encyclopaedic angling knowledge combined with our own design and engineering skills should be very interesting and productive on new tackle development. On top of this, Alan is a thoroughly nice bloke who is generous with his time and knowledge to other anglers, so he’ll be a great ambassador for our company.”

Alan said: “I was part of the England Team back in 1993, the year that Drennan began to sponsor them.
“Over the years the fishing for the team has been a massive part of my fishing career so joining Drennan to help produce fantastic fishing equipment is a dream come true because I’ve been part of it for so long.
“The thing about the company is they manufacture a wide range of tackle, so the opportunity to be involved in the evolution of a product, stage by stage, to fish with prototypes and fine tune them, is a new one and really exciting.
“Unusually for a sponsorship deal, I’m not restricted to using just Drennan brand products. I’m free to use whatever I like that helps me win matches and keep my England place. That leaves me free to recommend other products to help people catch fish.”

COMMENT

Martin Larson with his impressive 124lb 12oz trevally that beats the old 24kg line class world record by more than 5lb

Trevally sets world record

This mighty trevally sets a new line class world record for the species. The 124lb 12oz giant was hooked off Tansania, East Africa by Martin Larson, who was using a ballyhoo lure. Trevally are noted for their strength and Martin had to endure an exhausting 35-minute battle before the fish finally tired. The trevally has been submitted to the International Game Fish Association in the 24kg line class category. It’s still some way short of the All Tackle record – a mighty fish of 160lb 7oz caught off Japan in 2006.

The oldest fly fishing club in England

A new issue of Game Fisher’s Diary went live today and includes a fascinating spotlight on the oldest fly fishing club in England.

Just 20 miles from the centre of London, an enchanting stretch of the River Lea is home to Amwell Magma, a club established way back in 1831 when the world was a very different place.

Indeed the stretch of the river featured is mentioned by Isaac Walton in the Compleat Angler, when the river was at least 20 yards wide.

The pressure of modern living and the river’s proximity to the capital, coupled with the creation of the Lea Navigation, has seen the river shrink markedly to only a few yards wide today.

But it’s a credit to the club’s dedicated members that this 2.5 mile stretch not only flows and has a future in the 21st century, but is a healthy fly fishery holding a good head of rainbow and brown trout, plus perch and chub that are a little bit too big for the cormorants to snaffle!

Rae Borras joins club members (Fergal Sharkey, he of ‘The Undertones’ fame )on a lovely September morning to find out about the history of the club and its water, the work done to ensure its future; and to try to fool spooky fish you can see, and that can see you right back!

The programme is split into three parts and is free to view here on The Independent website at www.independent.co.uk/gamefishing .

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