Hampstead and Highgate Angling Society Seeking Members

In July last year, together with a groups of likeminded friends, local angler Bob Gibbs relaunched the Hampstead and Highgate Angling Society.

Their aim is to promote the benefits of fishing the ponds on Hampstead Heath as a peaceful, meditative pastime and to represent the anglers that use the ponds.

Bob Gibbs writes:

"Hampstead Heath has five fish-able ponds but fishing has not been represented on the Heath Sports Forum for quite some years. This has meant that the interests of the fishing community and stewardship of the ponds may have been overlooked. In fact 50% of fishing bank has been recently lost from the 2 largest and most accessible ponds (the men's swimming and the model boating ponds). This has been part of a longer term, incremental loss of fish-able zones, over several decades.

"Anglers are the eyes and ears of the ponds, due to their presence at all times (barring the close season of 15 March to 15 June). They tend to be the first users to notice pollution or disease and report it to the appropriate authorities. If a visitor needs directions or bird identification, they ask the angler.

"Sitting by the lakeside, watching a float for a sign of a bite, a Thermos of tea and a sandwich or two, the world slows down to a far more agreeable pace. Equally restoring to the soul than any holiday - without the stress of airports and traffic jams. An occasional catch is swiftly returned, with obligatory barbless hooks causing the bare minimum of harm.

"The Society aims to engage with local schools to offer free, expert tuition and providing a mindful alternative to the tyranny and obsession of the internet.

"We are now represented on the sports forum and the Hampstead Heath Diary. We are also forging positive relationships with the Heath authorities and hope to work together to reclaim some lost territory.

"If you want more information, there is a Facebook page (Hampstead and Highgate Angling Society (HAHAS) ) or you can email me: robertggibbs@yahoo.co.uk or call on 079 4663 0045