Angler

Complete the requirements below:

1. Know the water safety rules and the appropriate precautions to be taken when fishing from the bank or shore, or from a boat. Understand the dangers of wading in fresh water and shore fishing in the sea and the precautions to be taken.
2. Know the basic hygiene precautions to take when fishing.
3. Go fishing in fresh or salt water on at least six occasions, recording the following:
   • numbers caught
   • species and size of fish
   • method, tackle and bait used
   • weather and water conditions
4. Explain the signs of stress in fish. Know the Environment Agency Emergency Hotline number.
5. Understand why it is important to discard used tackle properly.
6. Choose one of the following activities:
   1. Cast with beach fishing tackle a distance of 45 metres.
   2. Cast a ledger and float tackle into a 1metre circle at least three times out of six at nine metres range.
   3. Cast a trout fly on a fly line into a 3-metre circle at least three times out of eight at 11-metre range.
7. Demonstrate how to set up one of the following sets of tackle:
   • waggler rig
   • swim feeder rig
   • fly cast
   • spinning rig
   • shore fishing rig
   • beach casting rig
8. Explain the importance of:
   1. Handling fish with care and releasing them carefully.
   2. Using a lower strength hook link when coarse, game or sea fishing.
9. Explain the importance of the one of the following activities:
   1. Setting a keep net correctly.
   2. How to use a priest to despatch fish quickly.
10. Be able to identify each of the species in one of the following groups:
    1. Bass, cod, flounder, grey mullet, and mackerel
    2. Roach, perch, chub, common carp and tench
    3. Grayling, brown trout, rainbow trout and salmon
11. Have knowledge of the habitat and feeding behaviour of the fish identified and know suitable baits, flies, lures and hook sizes.
12. Freshwater fishing
    1. Know the dates of the fresh water season and size limits of freshwater fish in the areas in which they fish.
    2. Be able to explain why licenses and permits are required for fishing and know the age at which a national rod license is required.
    3. Know the location of the local fishing club and any waters they may control.
13. Saltwater fishing
    1. Know the size limits of saltwater fish in the areas in which they fish.
    2. Be able to explain why licences and permits are required for fishing and know the age at which a national rod licence is required.
    3. Know the location of the local fishing club and any waters they may control.