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I wouldn't categorically say eels never eat skopex meat, as there will be always an exception, but without a doubt, Skopex gives you a chance and the edge when eels are present and a problem , we have proved this over the years many times, especially on the Severn

Cut up into desired bait size, open freezer bag, x 2 big glugs of skopex, close bag and rub bag together so al the insides are coated with the Skopex flavour, place meat into bag and liberally rub insides of bag over meat, seal bag and place in the freezer. Be prepared for the good lady of the...

I have been asked to post this.....long time ago now though, but still relevant. http://www.stevepopebarbelfishing.co.uk/big-baits-the-early-days/

The Trent, runs warmer for longer (maybe 3c in the colder months) during certain times of the year, so they feed longer, opposed to a spate river that rises in the welsh hills and is a very harsh place to live....Trent barbel numbers are in decline as I see it, it may appear not to be, due to...

Some Barbel on the lower Severn have been aged at 25 years old as I remember , without a doubt though old barbel do show signs of decline as they become old, I had a 13.12 off the lower Severn and subsequently caught her again a year later and witnessed its capture another 3 times over a 4 year...

Depends what sex they are, Female barbel become sexualy developed later than a male, males live shorter lives at 5 to 7 years years old, 10 years at best, whereas females grow to 20 years old plus, males dont grow as big, maybe 9lb being top, but it all depends on the environment they live in...

No problem Graham, however hindsight is a wonderful thing, as is often proven, sometimes you just have to stand up for what you believe in, no malice, just an opinion ...i wish you well though mate and keep catching....

I had a sort of open view Graham, without a doubt the current dates are totally ineffective for barbel, even on the Severn, barbel were still spawning a few weeks ago, barbel were being caught in July spewing milt and eggs all over the place, so I was against the current structure of the closed...

The last count was 3 pups, a dog and a bitch, its the same every year, the dog kicks the pups out and it starts again...., its his living Jason, this is a man who is on his river 24/7, he has seen his beat destroyed by otters. This is a river were barbel are indigenous. But you are entitled to...

But, this is my argument, the EA last night said that one of the best indicators for improved water and environmental quality was the Otter. I know a fishery manager on Trout fishery on the Windrush that has to now stock 40% more Trout into the stretch he runs to basically buy the Otters off...

So are you saying there are no Otters on the Windrush, Cherwell and Ouse?

As I keep reminding you Jason and others, the most up to date example on Otters versus pollution debate are the rivers Teme and Dove , both rivers are that clean they support both Brown Trout and the even more demanding Grayling, however the EA have launched and are conducting a study into...

The PAG launched the Big picture 2 document in May 2019, it has been presented to the Government, the Barbel Society contributed to this (you can download this from the PAG web site), the PAG do not just focus on Otters, they cover everything from Signal Crayfish, Gooseanders, Cormorants to...

You nailed there Ian, well said...."it only takes two good men to do nothing for evil to succeed ...." keep up the fight mate, more power to your cause.!

Jason, the thing is you can not not do anything on the basis that the odds may be stacked against you, about 4 years ago I was informed that Powick weir on the river Teme was going to be removed, we all knew this would be disastrous for the river and its fish and environment. I was personally...

We are hardly tub thumping as you put it, we are trying to start a campaign for a consensus for a change in legislation regarding the protection of otters that's all and the crew that you refer to consists of Dr Andy Orme, Ade Kiddel, Martin Bowler, Julian Cundlif, Marsh Pratley, Phil Smith...

oh well.....I will leave you all to it.

I think, the species you mention are typical shoal fish (safety in numbers), I dont think Otters like to hunt shoal fish to be honest, too much hard work, I think their first preference is large singular fish like double figure barbel, big pike and carp, what we consider to be big adverseral...

Basically surreptitiously means in secret, we assume barbel stockings are done purely for the long term benefit of anglers, but barbel are also stocked to monitor the wellbeing of a river, for experimental reasons, they, the EA see the barbel an indicator species, now F1's F2's and F3 barbel...

Not enough mature females thats the problem, remember males outnumber females by at least 7 to 1 in the natrual state, sometimes as high as 10 to 1, females outlive males by living for more than twice as long, the easiest big meal for an Otter is a big, old female barbel, various small river...