Hi Ian, that peg does seem to feature a lot, and what a luxury to concern yourself the smaller Barbel and not the bigger fish elsewhere? Personally any Barbel of any size in any river now is a bonus for many, it does seem the Trent holds all the cards at the moment. My question is are we in danger of over exploiting it's riches? Maybe there should be some thought about not over exploiting, even the Trent will not be able to sustain this sort of exposure.
If it was salmon that were the target, there would be control, but we I am afraid are short on sustainability, just look at the Ouse, Teme, and now the Severn and Wye as rather shameful examples.
The latter there is some concerns about stocks and over fishing with the Wye and Usk foundations limiting the amount of day tickets on its stretches, and for ever monitoring pollution and other factors. I would like to see some sort effort similar to that on the Trent, it surely would benefit future stocks, albeit at some expense to the Angler.
I would never had thought Rivers such as the Severn and Wye would suffer decline so quickly, from what was the blue ribbon status, to now as we see it.
As sure as anything if we continue to reap and not sow then the cupboard will be bare.