|
📣 WANTAGE & GROVE NHPT 📣
We are receiving lots of reports about youths regularly fishing in Letcombe Brook on Mill Street, Wantage.
Now, before anyone accuses us of being party poopers... we know there are far worse things young people could be doing than enjoying the outdoors and having a go at fishing. 👏 However... there's one small problem.
🚫 Fishing isn't allowed in Letcombe Brook. 🚫 🐟 Why isn't fishing allowed in Letcombe Brook?
Letcombe Brook is a special chalk stream and home to important wildlife including brown trout, kingfishers, water voles and otters. Some of the wildlife around the brook is protected, and the habitat is carefully managed. We're also receiving reports of youngsters fishing around the Lockinge Estate.
🏡 Please remember that Lockinge Estate is private land.
Just because there's water and fish doesn't automatically mean it's open for fishing.
Fishing rights belong to the landowner or fishing-rights holder, and permission is required before casting a line. 🎣 So where can kids fish?
✅ Fisheries that allow public fishing
✅ Angling club waters with permission
✅ Commercial fishing lakes and fisheries
✅ Anywhere the landowner or fishery owner has given permission For youngsters wanting to get into fishing:
• Under 13s do not need a rod licence.
• Ages 13 to 16 need a free junior rod licence.
• Permission from the fishery or landowner is still required regardless of age. Fishing is a fantastic hobby, gets people outdoors, and teaches patience (something we could all use when sitting in traffic! 😆). So by all means enjoy fishing, but please do it in the right places and with the proper permission.
🎣 If the sign says NO FISHING, the clue is usually in the wording. 🎣 😬 One last thing...
We have had reports that when some youngsters are politely challenged about fishing where they shouldn't be, the response isn't always quite as sporting as their fishing technique.
A quick reminder that if someone points out you're doing something you're not supposed to be doing, there's really no need to be rude about it.
Most people are simply trying to protect the brook, the wildlife, or private property.
A bit of respect and good manners go a long way and are far easier to explain than why you're fishing underneath a giant "NO FISHING" sign in the first place. 
| 
