Ian Welch has contributed an angling column for more than 20 years. It offers a mix of news, views, reviews and results from around the local angling scene.
He is currently editor of the world's busiest online angling website with MacNab Media.
He captured the world's largest ever freshwater fish - a Giant Freshwater Stingray of 350kg - from Thailand's Maeklong River in 2009, but he is most at home on more local venues.
Share your angling news by emailing ian@bigfishtrail.com
Warmer days, cooler nights and, thankfully, a little bit less of the wet stuff, helped local angling prospects a little last week and although catches are still well below par for the time of year
Few sports are as impacted by the weather as much as angling and, despite the drought declaration, April is looking to break all records for rainfall. The consequence has been a somewhat soggy and
Following the shock news last week of the sell-off of CEMEX Angling fisheries, including a number of iconic local venues, it is perhaps ironic that two of the top catches reported during the last week
It has been yet another dour week on the local angling scene with the weather more reminiscent of October than May and the fishing correspondingly patchy at best. Tench, the species that typifies
Following the big news that Cemex Angling was offering a large number of their iconic fisheries for sale, including a number of important local venues, the story has moved on during the past week. The
News this week that may have a major impact on anglers and angling in the area - as well as being of wider consequence to angling nationwide - is the announcement that the biggest commercial angling
New blood from Mary and experience from Maurice, make a winning partnership for this year’s outdoor captains.The 2011 outdoor season marks a change of captaincy at Desborough Bowls Club and the
Maidenhead Town Bowls Club held their finals over the last weekend with Kim Eales and Mark Goodchild winning the respective championship titles.For a full list of results, see this week's Advertiser.
Debbie Stavrou has set her sights on becoming the first woman to win three World Bowls Matchplay Championships in a row after successfully defending her crown last week.The 36-year-old, who plays out
The Slough Jets have signed Michael Wales as head coach Slava Koulikov continues to build his squad ahead of the 2012/13 campaign. Wales, 29, arrives at the Hangar after a nine year spell at rivals
Football fans are hoping to stage a match in honour of England's first captain Cuthbert Ottaway - who played a game for Marlow FC back in the 1870s. A memorial game between Englandfans FC and Marlow FC is being planned for Riley Park, which was previously Crown Meadow and the home of Marlow FC from 1870 to 1914. Ottaway played for the Oak Tree Road outfit in the first ever FA Cup competition - with the Blues losing the game.
A junior tennis player has been put through her paces after reaching the finals of a Lawn Tennis Association talent identification event in London. Sophie Drakeford-Lewis, 13, from Sonning, was one of 20 young players from across the country invited to train at the National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, after progressing through regional 'talent ID' days. Sophie, who trains at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, was able to showcase her ability.
