Chris Yates defends management at Redmire Pool

Former British carp record-holder Chris Yates has defended management at Redmire Pool amid claims it has become 'just another fishery.'

The accusation came from Robert Fox, who has resigned as bailiff at the iconic Herefordshire pool after 20 years' service.

Souvenir T-shirts, the creation of a lakeside picnic area and the appearance of ghost carp are some of the reasons given by Robert for abandoning the water which has produced three British record carp. 

 “Jack Hilton would turn in his grave if he could see Redmire now,” Robert told Angling Times.

“Instead of the crystal-clear, weed-choked venue that we all know and love, the lake is now heavily coloured so there’s virtually no weed.

"Newly stocked, easy-to-catch carp are swimming among the original strains of fish and breeding with them.

 “Redmire is now a commercial fishery. Anglers are queuing up to fish there fish there. There’s even a picnic area, and you can buy souvenirs such as mugs and T-shirts.”

But Chris Yates, who has been associated with Redmire since he broke the UK carp record therw with a 51lb 6oz fish in 1980, is still a regular visitor to the lake and is confident it will return to its former glory.

“It’s a real shame to hear that ghost carp have found their way into the lake and now swim among the original leney strain of fish,” he said.

“But I know the owners and Les the fishery manager very well and these guys only have the venues best interests at heart and will rectify any issues.”

Meanwhile, fishery manager, Les Bamford, was quick to react to the claims and explained that they are working hard to resolve the issues.

“Redmire is a commercial water and has been for many years," said Les, "but I assure you that the welfare of the environment and the fish that inhabit it have, and will always be, our main priority.

“We have had problems with run off when potatoes were being farmed on nearby fields which has caused a build-up of silt and added colouration of the water, but we have now drawn up detailed plans on how to resolve this,"  he continued. 

"The same goes for the ghost carp that now inhabit the lake. We don't know how they got there."

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