anglers are getting a raw deal on all sides

[TF_joffmiester]

Published on Monday 28 March 2011 01:00

It’s time for anglers to take a stand to protect their sport and the rivers, says Bob Dales

One after another, fishing enthusiasts see signs of a downward trend.

First, there have been huge quantities of water abstracted from the rivers.

They have reduced the habitats not only for fish, but also for the insect life on which the fish (and birds) rely for food. Diffuse and direct pollutions continue despite all the efforts to eliminate them.

Predators of fish have been allowed to multiply; cormorants, now in huge flocks inland, find the rivers and still waters easy sources of fish.

Saw-billed ducks have started to make inroads in the stocks of fish.

There’s predation by mink on many river catchment areas and predation by seals of the migratory fish returning to their native waters and migrating back to sea.

The dredging up of tonnes of sand eels from the bed of the North Sea for use as fertilisers or to make into food for caged fish, has robbed the migratory fish (and sturgeon) of a staple food at a vital time.

Predation by otters of river and stillwater fish has recommenced.

The two main operators of the Otter Project have stated that they will not contribute to the cost of re-stocking the affected waters with fish.

The anglers are already paying for a regular re-stocking, which is costly. If, in addition, they have to cater for the appetites of the otters, fisheries will no longer be viable.

As far back as 2002, our efficient Met scientists concentrating on climate change, warned that there would be more severe floods, longer droughts and violent rainstorms. They were specific in their warning; acute shortages of water for the public supply and the ruination of crops, so the fate of fisheries can be imagined.

It is not, of course, known which parts of our country will suffer extreme weather conditions, so all fisheries may be vulnerable.

Governments so far have been obsessed by the need to reduce greenhouse gas emission, so much so that they do not appear to give proper consideration to reducing the effects of climate change.

Although they know that there will be alternate periods of excess and no water at all, there are no plans to create additional storage reservoirs to which more flood water could be diverted, the water being used to step up dangerously low flows in a subsequent drought.

Some commentators state that there is an even greater threat to fisheries – treated sewage pouring into our rivers still contains residues of the contraceptive pill and HRT, and, with other substances, cause fish to become infertile. Removal from the treated sewage of these substances would be difficult but possible, but the cost would be so heavy that there are no plans for it.

So far, the dreaded disease of salmon in Scandinavia has been kept out of Britain, but yet another threat to fisheries has emerged.

The killer shrimp, dikerogammerus villosis, which has spread over Europe, has been found here. It kills the insects on which fish feed.

Yet another threat is hydropower. The Environment Agency has identified 23,000 sites where there is a potential power source on the rivers in only England and Wales.

It is clear there will be damage to fish stocks.

There are four different turbines which can be used, but it is claimed that the Archimides Screw will cause less damage to fish.

The work of installation, especially where concrete is used will have an adverse effect on water quality, but, long term, the danger to fish will be continuous.

The rivers are the jewels of our countryside and targets for tourists, day-trippers, and the public generally.

For the rivers to be distorted by these installations will become a matter for public concern, especially as there may be a number of installations on one river.

Every farmer and other landowner is being canvassed by companies offering hydropower schemes, with the attraction of reducing the cost of fuel on their own premises with a bonus for selling surplus

[TF_caster robParticipant]

Stable doors I think joff, at least as far as the rivers are concerned.

Over forty years of misguided land-drainage practice combined with LA plannning decisions have resulted in rivers generally, and the Trent in particular, being low, clear and almost lifeless for about 80% of the year and a swirling, raging torrent for the rest of the time.

Neither of these conditions are conducive to successful angling. The low flow and clear water suits predation and the accumulation of pollutants.

The powerful near flood condition results in the decimation of successive generations of fry.

Another disturbing aspect is, due to the drainage methods now prevalent and extensive development of previusly permeable areas, that the transformation from low, slow and clear to a surging powerful flow is much more sudden than it used to be.

The chances of dropping on a river in decent nick for stick-float fishing when you’ve only got one day out of ten are very remote indeed. I know you can chuck a feeder and balance it so they hook themselves, or shove 11m of pole out and lay on over some GB but that’s not river fishing as I know it, anybody could do that after 20mins tuition.

I’m so fed up of the whole scenario that it’s one of the reasons I’m going to stop wasting my time with it and I’ve decided that the season just over was my last.

[TF_ubat]

Depressing post Joff, we are the most useless pathetic people to fight for our sport, you can’t even get anglers to join Angling Trust, which should be our strongest voice, yet it has no teeth without members.

[TF_JohnH]

Sorry but I dont care if every angler joined, what real difference do you think it would make?
Climate change for example is not solvable by our actions alone. I dont see the developing world slowing down, nor the USA for that matter so what will be will be.
I am increasingly cynical about governments actions changing anything. They just champion causes to raise taxes.
Get on with life and enjoy what we have, from an angling perspective it probably means commercials instead of rivers, if you cant live with that take up fly fishing or golf.

[TF_Fred Davis]

quite right John enjoy what you have and stop wasting money supporting duff causes, what ever happened to that organisation Keith Arthur got us all to join a few years ago? the new angling organisation that was going to fight our cause in parliment? anyone know?

[TF_redarmy]

its still there fred but wont suceed with the it wont happen to us attitude of most anglers,its no different from other organisations fred.do you think the rspb would have the clout they have if they had 10,000 members instead of a million plus ?

[TF_baitchefParticipant]

Coming soon to a comercial carp water near you…caster rob on the floating paste method feeder.

[TF_redarmy]

have you tried paste on the stick rod yet rob~think

[TF_andy cranes mateParticipant]

Free lining a 12mm halbart pellet.

[tweet]

Why won’t people join the Angling Trust ? simple question what have the AT done to answer that question ? How do they connect with their audience? if they do not know they will not grow I’m afraid and the WWF will not be there to bail them out forever

[TF_redarmy]

its not a case of connecting, anglers have always been apathetic and will think nothing of buying top of the range gear but wont give the sport the finnances it needs to promote and protect angling.people will now reply and say angling will always be there and isnt under threat,and if thats what the majority of anglers think then sooner or later there in for a big shock.rant over

[tweet]

@redarmy wrote:

its not a case of connecting, anglers have always been apathetic and will think nothing of buying top of the range gear but wont give the sport the finnances it needs to promote and protect angling.people will now reply and say angling will always be there and isnt under threat,and if thats what the majority of anglers think then sooner or later there in for a big shock.rant over

Surely that is the challenge though , they have to start making inroads into membership otherwise they will have no clout , numbers are what prick up ears , the problem is admin costs are so high the AT cannot drop its membership prices and that would be on key factor to boosting membership , surely 60,000 members at £5 is better than 15,000 at £20 interms of saying you represent all anglers ?

[TF_andy cranes mateParticipant]

@redarmy wrote:

its not a case of connecting, anglers have always been apathetic and will think nothing of buying top of the range gear but wont give the sport the finnances it needs to promote and protect angling.people will now reply and say angling will always be there and isnt under threat,and if thats what the majority of anglers think then sooner or later there in for a big shock.rant over

Here we go. I’ve been hearing this since I started fishing 25 years ago. Do you really think what we think matters?

[TF_caster robParticipant]

@baitchef wrote:

Coming soon to a comercial carp water near you…caster rob on the floating paste method feeder.

Highly unlikely Chris, even if I was familiar with the foreign practices to which you refer.

[TF_caster robParticipant]

@redarmy wrote:

have you tried paste on the stick rod yet rob~think

No.

I used bread paste quite extensively on canals and punch on the stick, but that’s as far as it went.

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