We’re being victimised by heath authorities, say anglers after several Hampstead Heath fishing areas closed

“Ignored”: anglers say they are being squeezed out of the fishable ponds at Hampstead Heath
Roland Hoskins

For three hundred years the ponds of Hampstead Heath have been a haven for anglers. But now fishermen, some of whom have been using the ponds for 50 years, claim they are being “victimised” by the heath authorities who have closed “significant” fishing areas.

The Hampstead and Highgate Angling Society says the closure of fishing banks and a rewilding project of two of the heath’s largest ponds has led to a halving of the space for anglers to cast off.

They also say their lobbying efforts are being sabotaged by a small number of “hooligan” fishermen who have been enraging residents and “blackening the name” of conscientious anglers by holding “all-night parties” under the guise of angling.

Robert Gibbs, chairman of the society, said he was now gearing up for a possible “David v Goliath” legal battle over the reduction of fishing availability after being told it could be against the law.

There are more than 30 ponds and lakes at Hampstead Heath, five of which are designated for fishing.

But Mr Gibbs said a large amount of fishable bank has been lost and that the rewilding, undertaken after a 2016 project to secure the ponds and prevent flooding, has led to anglers being squeezed out.

For three hundred years, the ponds of Hampstead Heath have been a place of solace for anglers

He told the Standard: “A legal challenge could be made as many anglers have fished the heath for 20 years or more and had much of their access removed.

“The most recent loss of fishing bank was on the men’s swimming pond and the model boating pond, while the single fishable bank on the mixed swimming pond was completely closed.

“Rewilding removed 50 per cent of fishing access on these two ponds. Added to this was an incident in 2016 where a swimmer caught a hook in his hand. This led to a suspension of fishing from the north bank of the men’s swimming pond, which still prevails.”

Mr Gibbs, 68, formed the society 18 months ago to provide a voice for the 250 registered fishermen who he says are being “ignored”.

He said there were now only spaces for about 30 rods — and that a few badly behaved fishermen have effectively turned the authorities against anglers by disturbing the tranquillity of the heath with drunken antics.

Mr Gibbs said: “We feel we are being victimised for the actions of one or two hooligans. They have blackened the reputation of anglers on the heath.

“It is a disgrace to see litter, and some of the neighbours have been listening to foul language and all-night parties.

“It is few and far between but it does not take much to annoy people living in three or four-million-pound houses.

“We have been engaged with the various heath committees to present the responsible face of angling … but it is like wading through treacle.”

A spokesman for the City of London Corporation, which manages the heath, said: “We welcome anglers on the heath and we are in regular contact with the Hampstead and Highgate Angling Society to hear their views.

“Our role is to make sure that the heath is safe, inclusive and welcoming for all our users.”

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