Coarse Fishing on the Exeter Canal: What You Need to Know
Fishing is a relaxing hobby that many swear by. Numerous studies have indicated that those who fish are less stressed, more in tune with themselves and, overall happier. Fishing regularly can also help you stay in shape and it can boost your immune system.
A study from 2019 found that spending around 120 minutes per week in nature can help people be overall healthier and more content with their lives. So, it comes as no surprise that angling is a popular sport in England and Wales.
According to recent statistics, there are 2.2 million coarse fishers and 0.8 million game anglers in the UK. Apart from being good for one’s health, fishing is also a very lucrative activity for the economy as, on average, an angler spends around £1,000 annually on fishing. As a hobbyist fisher, the Exeter Canal is the place to go.
How to get started
The Exeter Canal is the UK's oldest pound-lock canal. It was built in 1566 as a way to make it easier for goods to reach the port of Exeter. Throughout the years, the canal went through successive extensions and enlargements. Today, the canal is 6 miles long and it runs from the Basin, the center of Exeter to the Exe estuary at Turf.
Because it is now rich in a wide array of fish species, the Exeter Canal is very popular among both novice and seasoned anglers. Depending on the time of year/ season that they go angling, fishers can opt to frequent a number of fishing areas such as Clapperbrook, Swans Nest, Countess Wear, Lime Kilns, or Double Locks.
If you are not an experienced fisher, and you don’t know a lot about the area, it is recommended that, prior to your fishing trip, you contact the Exeter Angling Centre and ask for advice concerning the most suitable locations that you can try, depending on the time of the year.
To make sure that you have a successful fishing experience, you should go to the fishing location all prepared. By this, we mean that you should bring with you high-quality equipment that is made of durable materials. You can find out more about the topic by accessing Fisherpants.com.
Permits and licenses
If you intend to fish on the canal between the Canal Office and the Double Locks, you have to obtain a permit from the Exeter & District Angling Association. If you are a senior member, you can purchase a permit for £52 a year. An annual junior permit costs £7, while a day permit for coarse fishing is £6.00.
Disable people and seniors can obtain their permits for half the price. For more info on all the types of permits that are available, you can visit the official site of the organization.
If you don’t want to fish between the Canal Office and the Locks, you will still need a permit to fish. This special permit has to be purchased from the Angling Centre.
All anglers who are aged 13 and up and who are fishing for salmon, fresh washer fish, eels or trout in all areas of Wales and England have to have an Environment Agency Rod Fishing Licence.
A rod license is different from a permit. While permits are issued by angling clubs or owners and they give you permission to fish in a specific body of water, a rod license is required by law and it is mandatory for all those who use a rod and line to fish. You can purchase a rod license from the local post office or the Environment Agency website.
