Hi men ,
I have to say , everyone has got their own opinions, and the right to discuss it here on these pages , or i would not be half as fun . I think the closed season runs otters a close second as a subject that can divide us , well third after Brexit , but people are free to say it as they see it .
Personally im not worried either way , i did see all this when it disappeared on stillwaters and canals , it was chip paper after a year , now generations have never know it unless you dabble on the river . Im not talking about comercial type waters , but the lakes i fished at the time were top carp waters and there was great concern from the committees running them , including an EA rep . 2 years later , with no affect on fish , wildlife , and even the banks he was the first to hold his hands up to me and say he was too sceptical.
Canals around me are booming , other than otters and crays , and without doubt has had no effect at all .
Rivers are a case on their own , not because , personally, i believe it would cause the damage people think , but because the other pressure on all the river we used to fish ( Sue having given up totally ) . A dramatic crash in barbel numbers , rise of the otter , infestation of crays have overridden the rivers capability to balance its self over a short time . The Teme , Windrush, kennet , Arrow, Marden etc have such a small head of barbel that perhaps they do need a rest , but its all hot air really because they will leave it as it is .
Hatter
