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Birmingham Anglers Association

Joe Fletcher said:
Neil I think your theory is wrong about night fishing . If as you say it would have a detrimental effect on barbel numbers . Then why do the Barbel Society allow night fishing on there waters ?
As for the Lower 7 when the BAA had there blitz on night fishing a while ago .
I think you will now find they have gone elswhere .
Having fished it a few times since the blitz . I have never seen a baliff .
With all the water they have . The baliffs cant be every where .
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Hi Joe.
For me it's a question I am posing as to if you pursue a fish when it fells most secure (at night) it might well move on and find somewhere it is not pursued at night.
Since studies have indicated that Barbel do not travel up and down a river as often as we would like to think, and that they do stay put, or rather some display this characteristic, I would think that those that stay put do so with regard to habitat and food supply.
It might then be as I say counter productive to pursue them 24/7.
I am not suggesting it would be detrimental to barbel numbers, but the fish would or may vacate.
Actually probably not 'may' at all I would think they would especially on smaller rivers such as the Teme.
But if BAA share those concerns I don't know, perhaps we should ask a Baliff?
 
Depends how you look at it Neil. The supplemental food supply extra anglers bring might just persuade them to stay AND encourage more fish.

I've seen evidence in repeat captures on a large river, a river where fish could swim a few hundred yards and never see another angler again, that night fishing doesn't have the effect that you are proposing.

I guess it's very hard to 'prove' the opposite as fish could migrate for any reason, not necessarily angler pressure at night. So perhaps you're on a hiding to nothing.

I remember reading Stuart Morgan discussing the problems caused by targeting barbel in or very close to the areas they feel safest in John Bakers bait book. Can't remember anything about times of day though.
 
Barbel may just as likely vacate a swim during daylight angling pressure as well. It is a fact that people who don't like night fishing are the ones who find fault in it. That's not to be critical of them, it's natural enough. But some of us prefer fishing at night, not necessarily because fish are more responsive but the atmosphere is better. A warm summer night with the beta light glowing is, for me, far more enjoyable than the daylight hours. The sense of anticipation increases as does your awareness. For me there is no contest, I much prefer to fish at night.
 
I somehow doubt BAA are concerned about fish pressure and fish staying put, if they were they wouldn't recklessly rip out all the natural cover and build endless pegs tight to each other on their waters. Let's face it, matches and the revenue they bring are their primary concern, I think if you can allay their fears about night fishing impacting on these you might have a chance.
 
Mr Williams of the BAA has kindly replied to my orignal letter/report. I have just spent ages uploading it to my blog (post called 'Same old story!) so please have a look if you're interested. It would be great to get some discussion on the matter taking place there too. Hint, hint!

That said, the response is hardly surprising so back to the drawing board for now. Thanks, Lee
 
Interesting comments, I guess if we had to have any clear effects on the impact that night fishing may have on a river is to have some feedback from Rivers that might have suffered this way. Of course we do need to be aware that predators migh be a factor, but it would be useful to at least have some data!!!
I do enjoy night fishing, but for me the hour or so from dusk to dark is always better, but would certainly not want to deny anyones right to night fish. After the boats have gone, and the quiet descends it really is a magical time.
Darren the supplemented food supply question you pose is what I have been considering for the Lower 7, it seems the more food that goes in the more barbel show up, anyway that seems to be the case of late.
But what of smaller rivers?
Rhys, I reckon your right, and their real concerns about night fishing lie elsewhere.
 
Lee Poultney said:
Mr Williams of the BAA has kindly replied to my orignal letter/report. I have just spent ages uploading it to my blog (post called 'Same old story!) so please have a look if you're interested. It would be great to get some discussion on the matter taking place there too. Hint, hint!

That said, the response is hardly surprising so back to the drawing board for now. Thanks, Lee
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Must admit I am not surprised one bit, to be fair the BAA was and is essentialy for match angling pursuits. I do think we are lucky to have the BAA even a flawed BAA, for without such a club how would we have access to so many waters? We wouldn't really, not unless we had deep pockets, so with all the frustrations that go with it..Keep Calm Carry On :)
 
I'm not in the least bit surprised Lee, as Neil says they are primarily a match orientated club with no desire or need to extend to night fishing. You still cant really argue with the value of a ticket despite the restrictions, and as most stretches never see a bailiff you can pretty much night fish at your leisure anyway!
Not that I'd condone such a thing of course.
 
Two years ago a bailiff checked my ticket at dusk. I left two hours after dark and the bailiff was still fishing. I have also heard of people arriving at dusk at Severn Stoke, showing their ticket to the bailiff in the car park and heading off to their swims!
 
I'm sure John Williams does his best for BAA but having had a lengthy discussion (dispute?) with him over the phone I would not say he is the most flexible of people. His attitude was "my word is law" and I think his doing anything positive for night fishing is about as likely as the RSPCA demanding an otter cull.
 
Why do certain people have to keep using their personal prejudices to spoil the legitimate enjoyment of others?
Night fishing for many people is an absolute pleasure, the sense of solitude and oneness with nature is magnified tenfold at night and there is little to beat the comfort and security of being tucked up under a brolley with a mug of soup listening to the night sounds on a dark cloudy night while waiting for the tip to go round.
It beats watching East Enders every time.
 
I get the feeling that he thinks I am the only member that would like to see changes. Perhaps if more people expressed a desire they would have to give it serious consideration.

The club, does represent excellent value however, that doesn't mean it should just carry on as it has for the past 100 years.
 
Lee Poultney said:
I get the feeling that he thinks I am the only member that would like to see changes. Perhaps if more people expressed a desire they would have to give it serious consideration.

The club, does represent excellent value however, that doesn't mean it should just carry on as it has for the past 100 years.
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Lee, BAA is an institution, perhaps because it is so dogmatic is the reason it is still going after 100 years.
 
Lee Poultney said:
I get the feeling that he thinks I am the only member that would like to see changes. Perhaps if more people expressed a desire they would have to give it serious consideration.

The club, does represent excellent value however, that doesn't mean it should just carry on as it has for the past 100 years.
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If you are so passionate about this Lee, why not investigate setting up your own club rather than try to change an existing ? (use old BAA sections if need be - there are lots about, should be cheap too) There appears to be a lot of interest from other Barbel anglers.
 
Adrian Williams said:
Why do certain people have to keep using their personal prejudices to spoil the legitimate enjoyment of others?
Night fishing for many people is an absolute pleasure, the sense of solitude and oneness with nature is magnified tenfold at night and there is little to beat the comfort and security of being tucked up under a brolley with a mug of soup listening to the night sounds on a dark cloudy night while waiting for the tip to go round.
It beats watching East Enders every time.
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You can still go, Adrian, just don't take your rods!
I have nothing against night anglers, just the desires by some to have everything that they want, irrespective of the consequences!

Regards

Damian
 
Adrian Williams said:
Why do certain people have to keep using their personal prejudices to spoil the legitimate enjoyment of others?
Night fishing for many people is an absolute pleasure, the sense of solitude and oneness with nature is magnified tenfold at night and there is little to beat the comfort and security of being tucked up under a brolley with a mug of soup listening to the night sounds on a dark cloudy night while waiting for the tip to go round.
It beats watching East Enders every time.
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Well said! :)

Damian - this is your oft-used argument (desires, wants, consequences, etc). What are the consequences (I assume you refer to the negative variety) of night fishing? Also I think you'll find that most people work hard for their rewards.
 
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Richard Parsons said:
Well said! :)

Damian - this is your oft-used argument (desires, wants, consequences, etc). What are the consequences (I assume you refer to the negative variety) of night fishing? Also I think you'll find that most people work hard for their rewards.
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A change in the fishes feeding periods in both length and the time of the day they'll occur?
An increase in the amount of bait a given stretch might receive?
A change in the amount of pressure the fish will perceive?
A change in the difficulty of catching those fish consequently?

Quite subjectively, Rich, you could argue that they all provide opportunities to exploit, but generally, they'll only be provided to the specialist angler!

If I said to you that we should provide the pleasure angler with the prospect of catching fish quite simply and easily, I expect you'd say,'yes, as much as is practicable'. Yet all of the above consequences I have posited with regard to the impact of night fishing will take away the simplicity and ease with which a pleasure angler might be able to catch fish. In this respect, Adrians argument can be turned on it's head, if you have any belief in any negative impact on allowing night fishing - it is those that wish to have night fishing that impact on those that don't.
I am of the opinion that there are plenty of venues that allow night fishing as it is, but of course, they are not those venues night anglers now want to fish, and with such in mind, the denial of the inexorable roll on to having night fishing everywhere seems a little futile, and restraint seems ever distant!

Regards

Damian (talking nonsense again)
 
Having only just got into this post subject, if it has not already been mentioned the baa only rent a lot of the waters and I am aware that there are a great number of riparian owners of the riverbank who would not want people on their land at night especially if they have livestock
 
Damian, surely if a stretch can only be fished during daylight hours then the fish become aware of this and choose to feed at night? Does this not make it harder for your average pleasure angler to catch such fish?
 
Jim Wise said:
Having only just got into this post subject, if it has not already been mentioned the baa only rent a lot of the waters and I am aware that there are a great number of riparian owners of the riverbank who would not want people on their land at night especially if they have livestock
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I'm not sure of the percentages Jib but I'm willing to bet the BAA, in common with allot of the older clubs with a history of river match fishing, actually own the fishing rights outright on many of their remaining river fisheries; Were that not the case and they were paying rent they would have let them go along with the others they disposed of a few years ago.
 
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