Event Information

The Coarse Fish Meeting 2026

16th September 2026 | Barston Lakes, near Solihull

Registration from 08:15

Meeting 09:00 - 17:00

If you own or manage a fishery, help run an angling club or are on the committee of an association this is the one day of the year where you'll find answers to the questions that matter most to you.

This event has been held at Sparsholt College since 2005, but for 2026 we have a new home at the beautiful Barston Lakes in the Midlands.  The organising committee is once again Bernice Brewster and Viv Shears who will this year be aided by Ian Wellby of Blueroof Ltd and Paul Coulson of the IFM. The IFM are also helping to run the registrations via their website

There is a packed day of talks planned from some of the UK's leading fisheries experts — covering everything from predator control and fish health to welfare, recruitment, and hands-on fishery management.

Programme

This year's speakers include:

• Prof. Ian Cowx on cormorants and the wider European picture — essential viewing for anyone battling predation on their water
• Matt Pope (Esox Biologics) on new molecular techniques for identifying fish health problems before they become serious
• Ian Wellby on fish welfare in stillwater fisheries
• Andy Ellis on practical, real-world fisheries management
• Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) with an update on their current work and what it means for you
• Environment Agency Fisheries — the latest news and developments
• Graham Mabey (Angling Trust) on angling recruitment and what genuinely works to bring new anglers to your club or fishery

More Than Just Talks

Throughout the day you'll also be able to visit stands from Aquaculture Equipment, SW Bulk Feeds, the Institute of Fisheries Management, Panthalassa Ltd, and the Angling Trade Association — a great opportunity to talk to suppliers and organisations who work directly with fisheries like yours.

Book Your Place

£65 per person, including refreshments and a light lunch.