Exciting new plans at Richworth Linear Fisheries
Linear has announced that they have new exciting plans for their popular Guy Lake’s Syndicate waters. These three lovely lakes situated in the Oxfordshire countryside have been run as a syndicate for over 15 years, are just metres apart and cover sixty acres of fishable water between them.
Linear, through good management and careful stocking, already runs some of the most popular day ticket waters in the UK and now their intention is to improve Guy Lakes to a standard that will exceed the day ticket waters for fishing potential. The three syndicate waters already held a good head of stunning carp, including several over 40lbs, when Linear started sowing the seeds for their plans three years ago. Since that time and up to 2010 over three hundred carp were introduced to boost the existing stock. These fish weighed from high singles to fish of over 31lbs and included a high number of twenty pound specimens. In September 2011 another stocking programme began that so far has seen 100 carp from 14lbs to over 30lbs released in the three lakes. This is only the start of a 500 fish stocking plan that will see a further 150 fish this winter followed by 250 over 2012/13. Most of the fish stocked come directly from Linear’s own stock waters where they have been raised and where they were specifically picked for their size and scale patterns. Stocking will not stop here and Linear, to maintain the fishing at the high standards they intend to achieve, will continue, on an annual basis, to select carp from their stock ponds, whenever necessary.
The lakes, which have been described as amongst the most stunning in the country, cater for approximately 200 members. Membership is rolling and is for one year from the date of joining. Prices will rise over the next three years to cover the growing costs of stocking, extra security and weed prevention. The price for a year’s membership in 2012 will be £475 rising to £625 by the year 2014. From 2012 we will be offering members the choice to either pay the fee in a one off annual payment or to spread this fee over a twelve month period by direct debit. Our ability to offer this is subject to us obtaining a consumer credit licence, for which we are currently applying. Currently there is a short waiting list but the wait to be invited can be very short. Applications can be made through the Linear website: www.linear-fisheries.co.uk
Spokesman and Fishery Manager for Richworth Linear, Len Gurd, said ‘I am more than confident that with our knowledge and expertise the Guy Lakes will rate amongst the best carp syndicate waters in the country. These waters, because of their beautiful setting, have always been my favourite and now with the fish we have and intend to introduce the fishing there will be out of this world’!
Steelheads set for Dungannon
Visitors to Dungannon Park Lake Fishery in Tyrone, Northern Ireland will soon have an extra-hard fighting species top cast their flies at after the owners stocked a number of steelhead trout.
Steelhead trout are ferocious feeders, taking flies at speed with no warning, which will be music to the ears of those taking part in the fishery’s forthcoming annual ‘Brady & Brown Halloween Pairs’ competition, which takes place on Saturday October 29 from 9am- 3pm.
Contact the fishery on 028 87 728690 or email dpreception@dungannon.gov.uk
Steelheads set for Dungannon
Visitors to Dungannon Park Lake Fishery in Tyrone, Northern Ireland will soon have an extra-hard fighting species top cast their flies at after the owners stocked a number of steelhead trout.
Steelhead trout are ferocious feeders, taking flies at speed with no warning, which will be music to the ears of those taking part in the fishery’s forthcoming annual ‘Brady & Brown Halloween Pairs’ competition, which takes place on Saturday October 29 from 9am- 3pm.
Contact the fishery on 028 87 728690 or email dpreception@dungannon.gov.uk
Rod licence evasion figures released - Thames 'anglers' the worst!
Rod licence evasion is at its highest in the Thames region, it has been revealed this week.
According to comprehensive figures published by the EA, in the past twelve months 8.6% of the 13,191 anglers in the region who were asked to produce a valid rod licence could not do so.
The Midlands was home to the second largest incidence of offenders at 5.5%, followed by the southern region (5.1%) and the north west (4.9%).
At the other end of the scale was the anglian region, where just 2.9% of the 18,854 anglers checked in 2010/2011 didn’t have a licence, marginally better than the south west region, where 3% were unable to produce the document.
In total, the EA performed 94,203 licence checks nationwide, and the overall evasion rate stood at 5%.
Long range peeler crab tactics lures big smoothie
St Athan, Glamorgan angler John Austin has reason to smile - this 16lb plus smoothhound is a new personal best!
It was caught from Aberthaw beach, South Wales when John used his Century Kompressor rod to send a peeler crab bait bound to a pulley Pennell rig over 100 yards from the shore.
He had another fish of 9lb during the same session along with a few codling.
It's a trout bonanza at Bewl Water!
Fly anglers at Bewl Water in East Sussex are continuing to enjoy a hugely productive season, with a fish-per-rod average of more than 7 being enjoyed by visitors in July!
The management at the venue claim that the 'extraordinary success of those opting for catch and release' as the main reason behind the unprecedented productivity, which they have said would be remarkable for any part of the season, never mind for July.
At less than 18C, the water temperature has so far remained low for the time of the year, which has led to the trout staying close to the surface.
Best areas for boats are the Main Bowl, the area near the cages, Belgrano Bay, Canoe Club Corner and Seven Pound Creek. Successful flies are Boobies, Floating Fry, Hare's Ears, Diawl Bachs, Hoppers and Buzzers.
Most anglers have been catching using floating lines and as long a leader as can be managed. The dam wall and Chingley have once again been the best places for bank fishing.
Places are still available for Bewl's cash prize floating line competition on Sunday August 14.
There is a £1000 cash first prize and other cash prizes totalling £3000 in value - contact Fishing Lodge for details on 01892 890352.
£1m fishery up for sale
Got a spare £1m? The huge Wold View Fishery complex in Lincolnshire has come up for sale.
Wold View has seven lakes housing a total of 160 pegs, with a clubhouse café and tackle shop in its 38 acres of land.
It is located in the village of Claxby near Market Rasen, having been developed from scratch by its current owner, who is inviting offers over £1m.
For more information see http://www.fisheries4sale.com/UK_wold-view-fisheries/wold-view-fishery.htm
![DSCF3039[1].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56cc4645c2ea518471e01802/1463660255091-5049ALS44AO7WS1UGLU2/DSCF3039%5B1%5D.jpg)
£1m fishery up for sale
Got a spare £1m? The huge Wold View Fishery complex in Lincolnshire has come up for sale.
Wold View has seven lakes housing a total of 160 pegs, with a clubhouse café and tackle shop in its 38 acres of land.
It is located in the village of Claxby near Market Rasen, having been developed from scratch by its current owner, who is inviting offers over £1m.
For more information see http://www.fisheries4sale.com/UK_wold-view-fisheries/wold-view-fishery.htm
Monster river carp
Rumours are circulating of a hat-trick of giant river carp as the new season kicks off in style.
Fish in excess of 40lb are believed to have been landed from the River Wye and Norfolk’s Relief Channel.
And a 36-pounder is understood to have come to the rod of former Angling Times tackle tester Jonathon Taylor, whilst testing new Dynamite Baits boilies.
Angling Times editor Richard Lee said: “There have been a lot of anglers on the banks since June 16 and it is a clear sign that the UKs fishermen still appreciate the value of ‘wild’ stock.
“Big carp have been in our rivers for some time but it is only fairly recently that any amount of carpers have actually invested time into prebaiting. Those who are putting in the effort are certainly getting their rewards. These latest captures are truly spectacular.”
Lindholme boss brands carp anglers 'idiots'
“I don’t want carp fishermen at my day-ticket commercial carp fishery because most of them are just idiots!” These are the words of the owner of one of the UK’s biggest and most successful commercial fisheries this week, after deciding to turn his specimen carp water into a trout fishery.
Neil Grantham, owner of Lindholme Lakes told Angling Times that he is ‘at the end of his tether’ with carp fishermen after a spate of problems at his complex near Doncaster, including masses of litter, fire damage and ‘loutish’ behaviour.
Other incidents have included three carpers found fishing with a total of 14 rods (breaking both fishery and Environment Agency rules) and the mishandling of valuable fish, with Neil worried that the disruption caused by these anglers who visit Lindholme to fish its ‘Big Lake’ could have a negative effect on the rest of his business.
“I’m sick of having to deal with carpers. I’m sure there are many decent, responsible ones out there, but enough is enough.
“I walked round to a group of three guys recently who had 14 rods out, a handful of which had been cast into one of the other lakes where specimen fishing is forbidden.
“Along with this I’ve had litter problems, people trying to light fires and many of them shout around plus, judging by the way they handle some of the fish, I think drinking and having a laugh with their mates is more important than the safety of the carp.
“This fishery is very successful and I won’t let anything jeopardise that. That’s why I’m not going to try to promote or grow specimen carp fishing at Lindholme any longer.”
Lindholme boss brands carp anglers 'idiots'
“I don’t want carp fishermen at my day-ticket commercial carp fishery because most of them are just idiots!” These are the words of the owner of one of the UK’s biggest and most successful commercial fisheries this week, after deciding to turn his specimen carp water into a trout fishery.
Neil Grantham, owner of Lindholme Lakes told Angling Times that he is ‘at the end of his tether’ with carp fishermen after a spate of problems at his complex near Doncaster, including masses of litter, fire damage and ‘loutish’ behaviour.
Other incidents have included three carpers found fishing with a total of 14 rods (breaking both fishery and Environment Agency rules) and the mishandling of valuable fish, with Neil worried that the disruption caused by these anglers who visit Lindholme to fish its ‘Big Lake’ could have a negative effect on the rest of his business.
“I’m sick of having to deal with carpers. I’m sure there are many decent, responsible ones out there, but enough is enough.
“I walked round to a group of three guys recently who had 14 rods out, a handful of which had been cast into one of the other lakes where specimen fishing is forbidden.
“Along with this I’ve had litter problems, people trying to light fires and many of them shout around plus, judging by the way they handle some of the fish, I think drinking and having a laugh with their mates is more important than the safety of the carp.
“This fishery is very successful and I won’t let anything jeopardise that. That’s why I’m not going to try to promote or grow specimen carp fishing at Lindholme any longer.”
Falling water levels prompting fears over fish welfare
Angling is bracing itself for yet another summer of severe drought, following the second driest spring recorded for a century.
Concern is sweeping the sport after Met Office figures revealed many areas of the country had less than half the expected rainfall in March, April and May.
Some fisheries and rivers are already suffering with falling water levels the likes of which would only be expected in the height of the hottest summers, prompting fears for fish welfare and general angling conditions over the coming months.
Two of the worst affected areas are the Midlands and South East, with just 30 per cent of the expected rainfall for the period. But it’s East Anglia that’s on the brink, having received only 21 per cent of the usual rainfall during spring, as Sarah Thomson, of Norfolk’s Barford Lakes can confirm.
“We’ve had to close our match venue, Colton lake, because it’s dropped by 6ft,” Sarah told AT. “It was originally a reservoir and the local farmers are so desperate they’ve pumped water out of it for the fields. It’s made it unfishable from a health and safety point of view and the fact that you can’t get keepnets down into the water.
“Our other lakes have dropped a bit but they’re not too bad, although the aerators are on and we’re monitoring the fish. We just need rain and lots of it as soon as possible,” she added.
Also suffering in the dry conditions are the nation’s rivers. Particularly badly hit are the rivers Teme, in Herefordshire, and Slea in Lincolnshire.
The Teme has seen a mass fish rescue after a section of the waterway ran dry, leaving fish trapped in small pools of water – a scenario the Environmental Agency is warning we could see much more of as the lack of rainfall continues.
“We are concerned that the continuing dry weather may affect more wildlife, including fish and plants in and around rivers and lakes due to reduced water levels on stillwaters and low flows on rivers,” said the EA’s fisheries technical specialist, Chris Bainger.” We are monitoring the situation closely and, like the issues on the Teme which saw levels drop and fish left stranded, will act quickly to alleviate such problems if they occur.”
The EA is urging anglers to report any fish that they see in trouble due to the dry spell through its 24-hour incident hotline – 0800 807 060.
Falling water levels prompting fears over fish welfare
Angling is bracing itself for yet another summer of severe drought, following the second driest spring recorded for a century.
Concern is sweeping the sport after Met Office figures revealed many areas of the country had less than half the expected rainfall in March, April and May.
Some fisheries and rivers are already suffering with falling water levels the likes of which would only be expected in the height of the hottest summers, prompting fears for fish welfare and general angling conditions over the coming months.
Two of the worst affected areas are the Midlands and South East, with just 30 per cent of the expected rainfall for the period. But it’s East Anglia that’s on the brink, having received only 21 per cent of the usual rainfall during spring, as Sarah Thomson, of Norfolk’s Barford Lakes can confirm.
“We’ve had to close our match venue, Colton lake, because it’s dropped by 6ft,” Sarah told AT. “It was originally a reservoir and the local farmers are so desperate they’ve pumped water out of it for the fields. It’s made it unfishable from a health and safety point of view and the fact that you can’t get keepnets down into the water.
“Our other lakes have dropped a bit but they’re not too bad, although the aerators are on and we’re monitoring the fish. We just need rain and lots of it as soon as possible,” she added.
Also suffering in the dry conditions are the nation’s rivers. Particularly badly hit are the rivers Teme, in Herefordshire, and Slea in Lincolnshire.
The Teme has seen a mass fish rescue after a section of the waterway ran dry, leaving fish trapped in small pools of water – a scenario the Environmental Agency is warning we could see much more of as the lack of rainfall continues.
“We are concerned that the continuing dry weather may affect more wildlife, including fish and plants in and around rivers and lakes due to reduced water levels on stillwaters and low flows on rivers,” said the EA’s fisheries technical specialist, Chris Bainger.” We are monitoring the situation closely and, like the issues on the Teme which saw levels drop and fish left stranded, will act quickly to alleviate such problems if they occur.”
The EA is urging anglers to report any fish that they see in trouble due to the dry spell through its 24-hour incident hotline – 0800 807 060.
Spring drought has already put many rivers at a critical level
The driest spring for more than half a century has fuelled fears that angling could face yet another summer of parched rivers and widespread stillwater fish deaths.
Rainfall in March was the lowest since 1953, and with the situation having continued throughout April, the water in many rivers is already a foot below normal summer level.
Officials from both the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the Met Office have admitted to being very concerned at the situation, which comes at what they term a ‘pivotal time of the year for rainfall’.
“The driest March for well over 50 years was followed by one of the driest Aprils ever recorded,” said a spokesperson for the former. “Rainfall for April was only around 16 per cent of the long-term average.”
One venue that really suffered through last year’s lack of rainfall was the River Wye, and the waterway is already showing signs that 2011 could see a repeat.
“In Hereford town centre the water is a good foot below summer level,” said Paul Woodward of Woody’s Tackle in Hereford.
“It gets worse each year. The big concern is that when the water gets very low the chub and barbel shoal up in deeper pools, making them vulnerable to predators and poachers. I just hope we have some heavy rainfall very soon.”
The Environment Agency has said that if the prolonged dry spell continues, action may have to be taken on the worst-hit rivers.
“There can be an environmental impact such as fish in distress which will need rescuing,” said a spokesperson.
Commercial fishery owners also face a difficult few months ahead, with dry weather and high temperatures leading to deoxygenation fears.
However, Phil Briscoe, who runs Larford Lakes in Stourport, says problems can be averted by proper management.
“We desperately need rain because April has warmed up too quickly. This is a vulnerable time for stocks, and there are already algal blooms at some fisheries.
Measures we use to prevent problems include net dipping, ensuring anglers don’t put too many fish in keepnets, and carrying out oxygen tests three times a day with the aerators on standby,” he said.
British Waterways vow to never cull canal pike again
One of the UK’s biggest angling clubs has won a victory for the sport this week after forcing British Waterways to vow it will never again cull pike on its canals.
The assurance was made by the former Government body – responsible for over 2,200 miles of Britain’s canals and rivers – after the Pike Anglers’ Club of Great Britain used Freedom of Information laws to investigate a large-scale cull of the species carried out by BW on a stretch of a Midlands canal.
The PAC found that over 150 pike to 18lb had been killed on the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal near Minworth – a cull which, according to information gathered, was easily avoidable.
“A BW survey revealed ‘significant numbers’ of pike in the canal, but instead of seeking expert advice it electrofished and all the pike removed had to be killed by law.
“There had been no health check made and no Section 30 put in place so the pike couldn’t be moved to another water,” a PAC spokesperson told Angling Times.
“In the PAC’s opinion, British Waterways just slaughtered the fish in an unacceptable knee-jerk reaction. Luckily we have reached a positive outcome with British Waterways.”
BW national fisheries manager John Ellis said: “Since the incident, British Waterways has come to an arrangement with a private fishery whereby it is willing to accept any pike in the event of there being a need to relocate them.
British Waterways vow to never cull canal pike again
One of the UK’s biggest angling clubs has won a victory for the sport this week after forcing British Waterways to vow it will never again cull pike on its canals.
The assurance was made by the former Government body – responsible for over 2,200 miles of Britain’s canals and rivers – after the Pike Anglers’ Club of Great Britain used Freedom of Information laws to investigate a large-scale cull of the species carried out by BW on a stretch of a Midlands canal.
The PAC found that over 150 pike to 18lb had been killed on the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal near Minworth – a cull which, according to information gathered, was easily avoidable.
“A BW survey revealed ‘significant numbers’ of pike in the canal, but instead of seeking expert advice it electrofished and all the pike removed had to be killed by law.
“There had been no health check made and no Section 30 put in place so the pike couldn’t be moved to another water,” a PAC spokesperson told Angling Times.
“In the PAC’s opinion, British Waterways just slaughtered the fish in an unacceptable knee-jerk reaction. Luckily we have reached a positive outcome with British Waterways.”
BW national fisheries manager John Ellis said: “Since the incident, British Waterways has come to an arrangement with a private fishery whereby it is willing to accept any pike in the event of there being a need to relocate them.
Angling Trust ensures £100 million cash boost for our rivers
The Angling Trust is this week celebrating a huge victory for fishing after its threats to challenge the government in the courts saw over 100 million pounds invested into improving our rivers.
Under the Water Framework Directive, waterways across the UK have to meet with new high environmental standards by 2015, with potentially a huge increase in fish stocks.
But loopholes in the directive had allowed the Environment Agency to claim the source of numerous problems on rivers – such as pollution hotspots – were at times impossible to track down. This ‘cause unknown’ status, and other get-out clauses, was used by the EA to delay taking action.
By teaming up with WWF UK, the Angling Trust spent thousands investigating the failings and found that many of the claimed ‘cause unknown’ cases were easily solved by talking to local communities.
Top barristers were then drafted in and the threat of a judicial review into the government’s failings to hit national river improvements were tabled – a move that has prompted the £100 million cash injection and the announcement of a whole series of new projects to help meet the new standards.
Mark Lloyd, Chief Exec at the Trust, told Angling Times: “Unlocking this money is very important for the sport. We have many problems facing us and this fund will go some of the way to tackling them. By working with WWF-UK we carry the voice of anglers and ensure it is heard at the highest level and we will continue to fight those who threaten our sport.”
Key areas to be tackled, along with over-abstraction and pollution, include dealing with invasive Himalayan balsam, knotweed and floating pennywort that can choke waterways nationwide and make it impossible to even cast a line.
Also under the microscope will be signal crayfish, which have spread like wildfire. Signals have decimated our native crays and can even make it troublesome to leger a bait on some venues.
Other targets for the cash will be the removal of redundant weirs and other structures that hinder fish migration. As well as salmon and trout, coarse fish too migrate great distances. Faced with structures they find hard to navigate, they are hit by predators such as otters and cormorants.
Lloyd is also hopeful that the setting up of a ‘catchment fund’ which allows investment into local projects by campaigning groups might open the way for pollution fines – currently going to the exchequer – to be redirected to directly improving waterways. The Trust will continue to campaign for polluters to pay for the damage they do.
Angling Trust ensures £100 million cash boost for our rivers
The Angling Trust is this week celebrating a huge victory for fishing after its threats to challenge the government in the courts saw over 100 million pounds invested into improving our rivers.
Under the Water Framework Directive, waterways across the UK have to meet with new high environmental standards by 2015, with potentially a huge increase in fish stocks.
But loopholes in the directive had allowed the Environment Agency to claim the source of numerous problems on rivers – such as pollution hotspots – were at times impossible to track down. This ‘cause unknown’ status, and other get-out clauses, was used by the EA to delay taking action.
By teaming up with WWF UK, the Angling Trust spent thousands investigating the failings and found that many of the claimed ‘cause unknown’ cases were easily solved by talking to local communities.
Top barristers were then drafted in and the threat of a judicial review into the government’s failings to hit national river improvements were tabled – a move that has prompted the £100 million cash injection and the announcement of a whole series of new projects to help meet the new standards.
Mark Lloyd, Chief Exec at the Trust, told Angling Times: “Unlocking this money is very important for the sport. We have many problems facing us and this fund will go some of the way to tackling them. By working with WWF-UK we carry the voice of anglers and ensure it is heard at the highest level and we will continue to fight those who threaten our sport.”
Key areas to be tackled, along with over-abstraction and pollution, include dealing with invasive Himalayan balsam, knotweed and floating pennywort that can choke waterways nationwide and make it impossible to even cast a line.
Also under the microscope will be signal crayfish, which have spread like wildfire. Signals have decimated our native crays and can even make it troublesome to leger a bait on some venues.
Other targets for the cash will be the removal of redundant weirs and other structures that hinder fish migration. As well as salmon and trout, coarse fish too migrate great distances. Faced with structures they find hard to navigate, they are hit by predators such as otters and cormorants.
Lloyd is also hopeful that the setting up of a ‘catchment fund’ which allows investment into local projects by campaigning groups might open the way for pollution fines – currently going to the exchequer – to be redirected to directly improving waterways. The Trust will continue to campaign for polluters to pay for the damage they do.
Environment Agency state there will be no plans for closed season review
Any hopes of a review of the current laws on fishing running water have been dashed this week as the Environment Agency revealed it has no plans to review the dates of the closed season.
The announcement comes after a fishing club sparked controversy by telling Angling Times it will be holding an illegal river match in protest against the closed season.
Numerous anglers, fishing clubs and tackle shops have expressed their support for the club’s radical action, as well as showing interest in running similar contests in an attempt to force the EA to rethink the closed season. But the angling community remains divided on the subject, with the EA’s refusal to review its policies coming as music to the ears of traditionalists and those who believe the closed season is vital to protect spawning fish, wildlife and river environments.
One man who is infuriated by the EA’s announcement is John Barefield, owner of the Fine Line tackle shop in Tooting, Greater London, who fully supports the ‘illegal fishing match’ and admits that he is considering running a similar contest on the River Thames.
“I’m not surprised that the EA has come to this decision. When has it ever listened to what anglers want?” said John.
“If I could afford the petrol I’d drive up to the River Severn myself and take part in this contest. If any of those anglers get gear confiscated in the match I’ll give them some tackle out of my shop. They deserve a medal for what they are doing.”
Sitting firmly on the other side of the fence to John is predator fishing legend Gord Burton, who admits to being delighted with the EA’s decision.
“Our river fish need protection and the EA has certainly done the right thing for our sport,” said Gord. “There are enough commercial fisheries out there for anglers that want to fish in the closed season; it’s unethical to put any more pressure on our rivers and their environments.”
When asked whether it may rethink the issue at a later date, a spokesperson for the EA told AT: “We have no plans to review the dates of the closed season. The laws are in place to protect wild fish stocks during their vulnerable spawning period. Any decision to change the law must be based on sound scientific evidence that doing so would not be detrimental to stocks. We must adopt the precautionary principle.”
Environment Agency state there will be no plans for closed season review
Any hopes of a review of the current laws on fishing running water have been dashed this week as the Environment Agency revealed it has no plans to review the dates of the closed season.
The announcement comes after a fishing club sparked controversy by telling Angling Times it will be holding an illegal river match in protest against the closed season.
Numerous anglers, fishing clubs and tackle shops have expressed their support for the club’s radical action, as well as showing interest in running similar contests in an attempt to force the EA to rethink the closed season. But the angling community remains divided on the subject, with the EA’s refusal to review its policies coming as music to the ears of traditionalists and those who believe the closed season is vital to protect spawning fish, wildlife and river environments.
One man who is infuriated by the EA’s announcement is John Barefield, owner of the Fine Line tackle shop in Tooting, Greater London, who fully supports the ‘illegal fishing match’ and admits that he is considering running a similar contest on the River Thames.
“I’m not surprised that the EA has come to this decision. When has it ever listened to what anglers want?” said John.
“If I could afford the petrol I’d drive up to the River Severn myself and take part in this contest. If any of those anglers get gear confiscated in the match I’ll give them some tackle out of my shop. They deserve a medal for what they are doing.”
Sitting firmly on the other side of the fence to John is predator fishing legend Gord Burton, who admits to being delighted with the EA’s decision.
“Our river fish need protection and the EA has certainly done the right thing for our sport,” said Gord. “There are enough commercial fisheries out there for anglers that want to fish in the closed season; it’s unethical to put any more pressure on our rivers and their environments.”
When asked whether it may rethink the issue at a later date, a spokesperson for the EA told AT: “We have no plans to review the dates of the closed season. The laws are in place to protect wild fish stocks during their vulnerable spawning period. Any decision to change the law must be based on sound scientific evidence that doing so would not be detrimental to stocks. We must adopt the precautionary principle.”
