Despite recent rainfall, much of the UK is still in the grip of some of the driest weather

in decades, and dried-up watercourses are having a severe impact on fish stocks, with wildfowl also affected.

Last week, the Environment Agency (EA) published a report into the impact of the drought at more than 100 locations across England and Wales, where dead wildfowl, fish and important insect life have been found as a direct consequence of low water and oxygen levels.

Fieldsportsmen ? in particular wildfowlers and flyfishers ? are being urged to contact the EA if they discover any similar environmental impacts, notably dead, dying or distressed fish. These should be reported immediately to the EA?s 24-hour hotline, tel (0800) 807060.