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Barbel Society: National spawning survey

F

Fred Bonney

No Longer a Member
http://www.barbelsociety.co.uk/Spawn.htm


We had a limited response to the appeal for information last year, but the Barbel Society takes the view that a long term record of spawning behaviour will not only help to protect historic spawning sites, but also build on our very patchy knowledge of how spawning success can vary from year to year.
We would ask all clubs, riparian owners and anglers to help to pool their observations so that we can pass on this information to the Environment Agency, and inform further research.
 
How about to stop wasting public money stocking rivers barely able to breed a half-decent stickleback, whilst Golden Boys like ourselves keep whining: "The otters... the otters ... anything and anybody but us..."?
 
Colin & Mark,

".......help to protect historic spawning sites, but also build on our very patchy knowledge of how spawning success can vary from year to year."

All information could prove to be important information, if you don't have information, and they don't have any, how can anybody know what can be done?

A record of established spawning sites can be used as evidence to prevent usage by swimmers,canoeists, farmers,dredging works,discharges, flood alleviation schemes etc etc.. The EA are keen to know where fish spawn so they can protect them.
The characteristics of good spawning areas can be protected or reproduced elsewhere;in other words, the more we know the better!
 
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It all depends on what some of us - many of us apparently, now - have been persuaded to expect of fishing: the well-deserved, long-remembered result of thought-through, much-tried-for "struggle", or a soon-to-be-forgotten, stretch-swim-'n'-bait-provided, near dead-cert'.
 
Hi men ,

Fred , ok will take part , as we watch them in the closed season when possible , and if it helps with protection of the fish we all care about so should more on here .

BUT , as the EA could not give a flying whatsit when I reported a few men obviously taking fish from my local water , and closed season fishing , running across a remote field after canoeists seems a bit unlikely .

Hatter
 
Hi Fred

I can tell you where barbel used to spawn on the Cherwell, however the shoal disaapeared 5 years ago. It went from approx 20 fish down to 8 in the 2years I saw them, on the 3rd year they never showed up again....only chub. When Pete had a walk with me last year it was the same again only chub spawning....will be looking for them again this year but I doubt i'll find any.

Intersting point at the moment round here is the expanding flood plain...the EA fisheries were going to renovate a gravel bed which me and Pete watched chub spawning on last year. but they are too afraid of upsetting the people who live near the river in that area now....they have just expanded the flood plain over a load more houses, de-valueing and putting there insurance up for them....so the fisheries team dont want bad PR when seen dumping 30 ton of gravel in the river. Suppose thats the way things are now though

Cheers
Jason

p.s. will inform the survey if I spot any, if I dont can that go on the survey?
 
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Jason thanks for the response, old information is still useful, it may assist with reinstatement.. who knows?

Thanks to you too Mark, one day it may work for us!
 
Once there was hundreds, literally hundreds, honest guv...
Now there are very few and soon there will be NONE!!
NONE None what-so-ever, I kid you not!

I think a saying involving a horse, a stable, a stable door,a horse bolting and then someone belatedly shutting said stable door springs to mind.....

And then what of the Barbel Society, based in spain and fishing the Ebro?
 
Not us.............is it

whilst Golden Boys like ourselves keep whining: "The otters... the otters ... anything and anybody but us..."?

Mr.Boote. Do you mean the US who respect the fish we catch,the same us who often show more care to the barbel,than some do to thier wives.

The same US who together pay millions to the EA to get thier act together
to find "just what is wrong"

The same US who spend our hard earned to join the AT,and the BS who also
are doing thier utmost to help our hobby,and thats after buying our club cards.

So stop blaming US as most are doing our bit,so take your head out of the sand,and think about Pollution/signal crays/Twice a year flooding and no
fish refuge in sight on canalised rivers/pot hunting eastern euros/an them luvverly cuddly otters.

Howard
 
Howard Hutchins said:
whilst Golden Boys like ourselves keep whining: "The otters... the otters ... anything and anybody but us..."?

Mr.Boote. Do you mean the US who respect the fish we catch,the same us who often show more care to the barbel,than some do to thier wives.

The same US who together pay millions to the EA to get thier act together
to find "just what is wrong"

The same US who spend our hard earned to join the AT,and the BS who also
are doing thier utmost to help our hobby,and thats after buying our club cards.

So stop blaming US as most are doing our bit,so take your head out of the sand,and think about Pollution/signal crays/Twice a year flooding and no
fish refuge in sight on canalised rivers/pot hunting eastern euros/an them luvverly cuddly otters.

Howard
Click to expand...

don't let him wind you up now.;)
otherwise we might as well go back to BFW version 1.
 
us us us

Dave. Wound up,not me mate.

Just a little fed up paying out plenty over the years,and getting little or nothing in return,to hear its my fault.......And yours,of course.

What we need is a Champion,perhaps one of the many big names in barbel fishing,to come forward and further our cause.(though have heard they just
moved on to the few,pastures new)

Or perhaps someone good with words (the pen being mightier than the sword)

Now who do we know,could do that :D:D whoever he,d get my vote :)

Howard
 
David Hall said:
don't let him wind you up now.;)
otherwise we might as well go back to BFW version 1.
Click to expand...

David Hall said:
don't let him wind you up now.;)
otherwise we might as well go back to BFW version 1.
Click to expand...

I don't think Howards getting wound up just saying the truth...Dave if you you want to dumb down the argument...well that's up to you and Mr Boote is right in what he says but the clux of it all is what is should be done now and in the future, however we talk about it.

The Barbel Society want to do good in gathering evidence, facts and history, upto them what they do with it but the intensions are for the better.

Sorry to say this but most the chaps on this site come across as being more concerned about the rod, reel, chair and bait than the the survival of the fish they are fishing for.

If we want to talk about these things yes do so and lets slap each ourselves on the backs when we get a good un, that's fair play and all part of our fishing.

BUT...the most important thing is to look after the rivers...water quality...habitat and the fish will be there to be caught on whatever reasonable tackle and baits we use...if we look after the waters.

SOMETHING we are missing the point on...might be a small site, but a site where experienced and proffessional anglers help gain a living from..very silent though on their part.

Howard make your point heard, Paul put your point across..BS collect your data...at the end of the day it's what positive things happen, not what doesn't happen...I think that's what we here all too often...things not happening.

If it means us falling out on this site...all for the good and that's what is needed some emotion. If I upset anyone by saying look after your river and dont think too much about you tackle....then that's the way it is

No barbel equals no big up meself on BFW and Dave if you think the old BfW site was bad because anglers said what they thought...perhaps wrong at times and personal at times....well get youself an aquarium because this site really does need to get heated up on it's debates that will affect the future...if not well?

Cheers
Jason
 
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Jason Bean said:
Sorry to say this but most the chaps on this site come across as being more concerned about the rod, reel, chair and bait than the the survival of the fish they are fishing for.

If we want to talk about these things yes do so and lets slap each ourselves on the backs when we get a good un, that's fair play and all part of our fishing.

Cheers
Jason
Click to expand...

Well my next rods is going to be a Harrison Torrix, naturally coupled with a 4.5" narraow pin (line guard or not?), any thoughts on which...... sorry I digress.
And I'll be sat upon my leather recliner (currently in my lounge).:D

And when I get one this bbbbbbbbiiiiiiiiiiiiGGGGGGGGGGG don't come asking me for swim details!!:p
You'll have to join the back of the queue of the others giving congrats.:)

Besides you don't need fish to look good on the river bank, and if boredom sets in, just blame the otters whilst watching a sanitary product makes it way to the coast.:eek:
 
It's very simple in angling, fisheries conservation....get off your arse and do it yourself, especially with your local club.

Work with the EA and accept what they are...blah blah blah blah

All the same old ******....blame someone else...government or organization.

It's up to induviduals at the end of the day...who are you ?

Cheers
Jason
 
"Some people would however rather keep that particular info to themselves I feel, in the hope to lessen the potential pressure on that particular piece of heaven, if the info became public knowledge. Just a one sided selfish thought on that I guess"

Julian, it will not be public knowledge, and who knows, it may stop one section of the EA digging up your spawning gravels!


Are they at it in your river yet?
 
barbel society

I congratulate the efforts bs are trying to do with info gathering etc..But surely the bs realise that bs member numbers are going to drop over the coming years due to river after river losing its stock of barbel..As we all know its big barbel that are female and indeed the egg carriers..As been mentioned by other anglers on different rivers their numbers are dwindling at an alarming rate especially on smaller rivers where otters have started to take a foot hold..Now im not getting into the otter argument again because its a pointless debate im affraid, but i would like to point out that you need female barbel in order for spawning grounds to be affective..So i think bs future greatly depends on which situation they take seriously first...Are the bs gathering info as to regards where are these big female barbel dissapearing too?..because i cant see the point in gathering info on spawning grounds if their aint any female barbel to spawn on them..
Regards craig.
 
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