Angling Times’ Editor Richard Lee writes:
Having read Anglers Mail this week, I would just like to point out to members of this website the inaccuracies of their record perch follow-up story.
Below is the email I sent to Deputy Editor Tom Legge in response to his title’s stance.
“Dear Tom
“Pages 16/17 – shame on you. Is fishing just a vehicle for tragic little jibes? Your report claiming you revealed the perch record, and the name of its captor, is quite frankly ridiculous. You didn’t even know his name or age. For God’s sake Tom, you haven’t even got a picture of the fish.
“As for paying an undisclosed amount for the perch shot – totally wrong – I believe it is AM who cough up cash for pics. What we actually did was give the lad a rod and reel to enjoy his sport with as his equipment was so basic – he didn’t ask for it, we just thought it would be a decent thing to do.
“And finally… why name the venue when the owner and local anglers wanted it to remain a quiet, peaceful water? More importantly what about the future of the fish?… the water can’t take the pressure.
“You have done fishing and journalism a disservice and Mrs Herring is beside herself after you published pictures of her water without permission. She is now considering legal action and more power to her.
“I trust when you eventually take over at the helm at AM, which I am sure one day in the very near future you will, standards will improve and silly little digs will be a thing of the past.
Kind regards
Richard”
Anglers Mail Deputy Editor Tom Legge has responded to Richard Lee with the following:
“The record perch was caught from an open, day-ticket water and as such it is in the public interest to name it.
“Mr Lee’s comment about Angling Times not getting involved in cash payments for record fish seems rather strange in light of last year’s alleged £ 500 payment on Darren Ward’s record tench.”
