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River Record ( To claim or not )

A

Alan Mowatt

Senior Member & Supporter
14mths ago I started course fishing after a hiatus of 25 yrs. I concentrated with a mate on the wye joining Baa and Hereford this year.
It took me a while to sort it out and I have. Before this Tuesday I had caught 38 barbel Inc 2 doubles. My mate had an 11 lb that I was desperate to beat.
This week was the third session of the season which Trev couldn't make. I travelled the 145 mile to the Lower Severn that I hadn't fished for 27 yrs. After less than 2 hrs I had a very large fish and when I saw it my legs went to jelly. I got it in the very small net and a well dressed father (70s) and daughter watching . She took the photos. The fish took the scales to 17.12 , deduct sling 2 ounces so about 17 9 or 17 10

Shortly after a 14 10 followed. At the time I thought the Severn record was about 21 lb so I didn't get the witnesses details. Imagine my shock when I saw on this forum it at 16 11
I also read about another 17 9 in angling times ?
Yesterday I went to a notoriously hard section at Severn Stoke. An angler told me that about 6 had fished the day before with no barbel. I spoke to another angler who had nowt. He packed up early. At about 4pm I had an 11.7

I have not attached the main photos so as not to assist in disclosing the venue, other than a picture of it in the net. The same for the 14 however another angler took a picture of the 11.7
I've said it before on this forum but a lot has changed in fishing in 25 yrs. I know that Barbel anglers can be secretive and anti social. I however will speak to anyone and help other anglers where I can.

So Angling times, publicity ?

Ps
I don't profess to know a lot about Barbel fishing but I can catch fish

My first State pension arrived Tuesday...yippee...what a day
 

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Congratulations on your capture 👍🏼

Claiming river records won’t have the same stringent rules and claiming a national record.

Angling Times would likely cover it, if the other photos look good and backup the claim.

One question you’ll likely get asked generally, is what does the sling weigh when wet, as 2oz sounds very light? By comparison I have a lightweight sling which weighs 7 or 8oz when wet.
 
Thanks Neil
The sling was only slightly damp and weighed 2.88 That's why I said 17.9 to 17.10
I tried to contact Andy on this Forum and the fishery controlling body on Tuesday evening for further info ie scales etc. True to form in this day and age nobody came back to me.
 
Well done on a huge barbel...

Personally I'd not publicise it as it will turn the stretch in to an absolute circus . The fish will be put under pressure and possible repeat captures as every one on social media will want to catch it an ounce heavier to claim the record .

This happens on my local Warwickshire Avon at manor farm . It's not good for the fish and any anglers that fish it regularly . They probably fish it and do ok but keep it quiet as a record fish can attract all kinds of glory hunters to the stretch . You wouldn't even need to name the stretch , some anglers have the ability to recognise a swim from a blade of grass 🤣🤣im not joking .

This is only my opinion so please don't let it piss on your chips . You have the photos and the memories and a great story to tell over a pint ....
 
Alan - the same thing happened to me a couple of seasons back. I had a similar sized fish also on the Lower, but was alone, so didn't have a witness. A mate did offer to drive 40 miles to witness it for me, but I thought it unfair on the fish to keep her in a net for an hour or so, so i released her. The AT will cover it if you've got good pics, and if you put it in for a Drennan Cup you'll get 80 quid if you win one, plus a cap and badge etc. The thing is to have a photo that DOESN'T make it obvious where you caught it.
 
For me river records are fine as a gauge as to what any river can sustain as to larger fish stocks. But just how many fish are returned without weighing and any thoughts of publicity?
There are some weird folk out there that are hell bent on ruining not only your hot peg.
 
There would be no dilemma ,far as my feelings are concernned .

I know of two river records from two separate rivers that were never publicised. The captors were not thinking of themselves , rather the quality of the rivers at that time and what would inevitably happen if the word got out .

Sadly,one river has now gone somewhat downhill due to publicity etc . I wont be going back, at least not to the busy stretches .
The second as far as I know is still fishing rather well, and is not pressured . Hopefully the big girl has survived and produced many more like her .


Dave
 
Hi Dave

I've taken on board the different viewpoints and you will be pleased to know I'm not taking the matter further and will not supply any information as to where I caught this fish. I have know interest in catching the same fish again so will be fishing different areas for the rest of this season.

On a different matter which I find more disturbing . When I fished the wye a few weeks ago from Hereford to Ross I noticed the bankside was thick with fry in every swim. I have seen no fry on the pegs I fished on the Severn . Does not bode well for the future.

Alan
 
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