The Lincolnshire Rural Crime Action team yesterday (Wednesday) carried out joint patrols with the Environment Agency, Angling Trust and Voluntary Bailiff officers from Boston & District Angling Association. A police spokesman reported: “One male found in possession of two dead pike which is classed as a Schedule 1 Theft offence due to being taken from club owned waters.” The male will be dealt with by police in due course. They added: “These patrols will be increased across the county over the coming months.” Operation Traverse is a joint scheme led by the police with other rivers and fisheries organisations to tackle fish theft and illegal fishing. The spokesman said: “Remember you need a fishing rod licence if over the age of 13 and you want to fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel with a rod and line anywhere in England (except the River Tweed), Wales and the Border Esk region of Scotland. “The need for a rod licence applies when fishing all waters, including commercial, privately owned or club fisheries.”