not looking good, in fact it looks terrible

[Stephen Crowhurst]

This idea that Otters are evidence of a healthy river is nonsense. All they indicate is themselves.
In a perfect world a healthy population of fish should be able to support a natural level of predation. That’s the truth. The problem lies right there though, there isn’t a healthy population of fish and it’s arguable as to when this was the case. This seems a point that is unknown or uncared for by then public at large and using the conclusion to prove your methodology, the Otter is bad science at best.
There are many problems that our water ways face, uncontrollable predation is merely one.

 

[Jason Bean]

Thing is in oxford we have the Thames which is stuffed with fish and then we have its tributaries that are the opposite. The problems vary greatly within river basins themselves.

 

[Stephen Crowhurst]

Thing is in oxford we have the Thames which is stuffed with fish and then we have its tributaries that are the opposite. The problems vary greatly within river basins themselves.

Would it be fair to say that if abstraction were less an issue so that water levels were higher during the breeding and active seasons then the fish would colonise and distribute better?

 

[Jason Bean]

The Thames once you get towards Oxford is just a collection of long lakes that occasionally flows and they are big enough to buffer all the problems the smaller tributaries can't, particularly low flows and predation

 

[Lawrence Breakspear]

Lawrence.
What was your view on the close season. Do you believe that anglers would have caused reduced barbel spawning as per EA view?

For barbel many agree a later end date would have been better.....maybe not for other fish though.

I remember well the campaigning with dear old Fred Crouch and the photo outside no 10 in the past.

Did the BS have a view.
Did you have a view?

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 season, it wasn't and does not work as I see it.

I then saw how ridiculous the whole thing was, like where we have fishing on still water and canals that are often adjacent to or alongside rivers, crazy.

So I voted to scrap the existing close season and do with out it for 3 to 5 years and monitor the fish and the environment, and after that period has elapsed, take a view and to allow clubs etc. (like stillwaters) when fish were seen to be spawning to stop fishing, self policing if you like.

The Barbel Society view was neutral (same as the Angling Trust) because our membership of 500 plus barbel anglers had varied views, as you would expect, so it would be wrong to have spoken for them.

The very least I hoped for was a change in the dates, the current dates are in fact out of date.

I hope that answers your questions, no doubt I will get shafted once again for my views .....hey ho.

One thing I know about dear old Fred Crouch, he would have said "told you so" with regard to the Otter, everything we are seeing today with the carnage Otters are causing he predicted, as did Andy Orme.

 

[Graham Elliott]

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 season, it wasn't and does not work as I see it.

I then saw how ridiculous the whole thing was, like where we have fishing on still water and canals that are often adjacent to or alongside rivers, crazy.

So I voted to scrap the existing close season and do with out it for 3 to 5 years and monitor the fish and the environment, and after that period has elapsed, take a view and to allow clubs etc. (like stillwaters) when fish were seen to be spawning to stop fishing, self policing if you like.

The Barbel Society view was neutral (same as the Angling Trust) because our membership of 500 plus barbel anglers had varied views, as you would expect, so it would be wrong to have spoken for them.

The very least I hoped for was a change in the dates, the current dates are in fact out of date.

I hope that answers your questions, no doubt I will get shafted once again for my views .....hey ho.

One thing I know about dear old Fred Crouch, he would have said "told you so" with regard to the Otter, everything we are seeing today with the carnage Otters are causing he predicted, as did Andy Orme.

 

[Graham Elliott]

Thanks for the reply Lawrence.

Yes. I agree re dates for barbel. In fact caught one yesterday that showed signs of not too recent spawning.

However, as an allrounder really it seems unfair to other species anglers unless simply extended.

I think the self regulation is a no goer.
Who decides? Not all rivers are controlled and simply many could not have the expertise available or the communication links in place.

And then you have the mighty BAA.

With lots of waters we all know what they would choose.

Cheers. And thanks for a sensible response. I do believe however that the BS hierachy should have stuck to it's initial stance of years ago. Some leavers but potentially even more joiners. Just my view.

 

[Lawrence Breakspear]

Thanks for the reply Lawrence.

Yes. I agree re dates for barbel. In fact caught one yesterday that showed signs of not too recent spawning.

However, as an allrounder really it seems unfair to other species anglers unless simply extended.

I think the self regulation is a no goer.
Who decides? Not all rivers are controlled and simply many could not have the expertise available or the communication links in place.

And then you have the mighty BAA.

With lots of waters we all know what they would choose.

Cheers. And thanks for a sensible response. I do believe however that the BS hierachy should have stuck to it's initial stance of years ago. Some leavers but potentially even more joiners. Just my view.

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....