Do people still see any relevance in this on the rivers?
Once anglers are off the rivers its open season for poachers, illegal 'angling', predation, pollution (ie: not detected) etc etc.
As fish spawn at different times in varied conditions this just seems more ridiculous every year yet it remains in place. So so antiquated.
What are your views?
Once anglers are off the rivers its open season for poachers, illegal 'angling', predation, pollution (ie: not detected) etc etc.
As fish spawn at different times in varied conditions this just seems more ridiculous every year yet it remains in place. So so antiquated.
What are your views?
I guess the argument would be how do you police leaving them alone while they do spawn. Even the supposedly educated in fish care seem to find the temptation to fish for them too much.
In reply to Post #1
Love the closed season personally. Walking the river fre from anglers gives me the opportunity to have a proper look at all arrears and check depths at different states of tide. As a fly angler I can fish the closed but most years it's only the last month of the closed season that's productive when the flies start to hatch..
Love the closed season personally. Walking the river fre from anglers gives me the opportunity to have a proper look at all arrears and check depths at different states of tide. As a fly angler I can fish the closed but most years it's only the last month of the closed season that's productive when the flies start to hatch..
In reply to Post #3
I agree. The lakes I fish they will close down parts of the lake while they spawn rather than observing the close season. As soon as they start I put the rods down for at least a month. Why you would want to fish a lake where fish are spawning I can't understand, even if you're up the other end. And why would you want to catch them just after they have finished? They're battered and empty.
It's a good excuse to give it a rest and think about something else for 6 weeks
I agree. The lakes I fish they will close down parts of the lake while they spawn rather than observing the close season. As soon as they start I put the rods down for at least a month. Why you would want to fish a lake where fish are spawning I can't understand, even if you're up the other end. And why would you want to catch them just after they have finished? They're battered and empty.
It's a good excuse to give it a rest and think about something else for 6 weeks
In reply to Post #4
Last year we had the BCAC fish a comp while they were spawning and they insisted the comp went ahead. Sadly they are here again this coming weekend but the lake they are on finished spawning a week ago. They lake is very weeded now though so let's hope if they snag any fish they do the right thing and report it so the boat can go out to free the fish rather than them pulling for a break to save themselves time.
Last year we had the BCAC fish a comp while they were spawning and they insisted the comp went ahead. Sadly they are here again this coming weekend but the lake they are on finished spawning a week ago. They lake is very weeded now though so let's hope if they snag any fish they do the right thing and report it so the boat can go out to free the fish rather than them pulling for a break to save themselves time.
In reply to Post #5
Most clubs, syndicates i fish impose their own shutdown where applicable. Just sense than being forced to shut at a time that does not suit.
Most clubs, syndicates i fish impose their own shutdown where applicable. Just sense than being forced to shut at a time that does not suit.
In reply to Post #1
The old close season was never about fish and when they spawn, if it was it would have been May and June, although species will spawn at different times; generally, pike in March, Perch March/April, Dace - March/April, Roach - April/May, Bream -May, Chub/Barbel - May June.
The old close season was never about fish and when they spawn, if it was it would have been May and June, although species will spawn at different times; generally, pike in March, Perch March/April, Dace - March/April, Roach - April/May, Bream -May, Chub/Barbel - May June.
In reply to Post #6
Only on lakes though, same with the eleven lakes that surround me much to the annoyance of some sindy members.
Only on lakes though, same with the eleven lakes that surround me much to the annoyance of some sindy members.
In reply to Post #7
Eh?
The close season was/is mid March to mid June. It is to protect fish while they spawn. They can't cover every species obviously, but everything on your list falls in or around that window.
Eh?
The close season was/is mid March to mid June. It is to protect fish while they spawn. They can't cover every species obviously, but everything on your list falls in or around that window.
In reply to Post #9
Apparently the close season was set more for Salmon and Trout more than any other species.
History of the coarse fish close season
Maybe other reasons but this is the first to come up on Google
Apparently the close season was set more for Salmon and Trout more than any other species.
History of the coarse fish close season
Maybe other reasons but this is the first to come up on Google
IMHO The sooner they scrap the silly closed season the better
sick of our rivers getting raped and destroyed by either pollution or poachers fishing for the pot
both these things with more eyes on the bank would be cut down its now surely be proven the removal of the closed season on still waters has had NO detrimental effect and the same would go for our rivers kids would be able to go fishing more in the summer too
all this aold TOSH about banks recovering is laughable
sick of our rivers getting raped and destroyed by either pollution or poachers fishing for the pot
both these things with more eyes on the bank would be cut down its now surely be proven the removal of the closed season on still waters has had NO detrimental effect and the same would go for our rivers kids would be able to go fishing more in the summer too
all this aold TOSH about banks recovering is laughable
In reply to Post #10
Salmon, trout, carp...they're all spawning in or around that window so it makes sense to leave them alone during that time.
The fact that the rivers may be vulnerable to poaching during that time doesn't change the fact that you shouldn't fish for spawning fish. If that is the case then the rivers should be looked after by the correct authorities. But that is a different point. I notice the head of the Angling Trust, all pleased with himself and enjoying the sound of his own voice while pushing for angling during lock down has gone very quiet. Apart from fishing jollys around the country I haven't heard a peep about the pollution issues, but I'm not on social media so may have missed it. May be back to the toothless status quo after convincing everyone to hand over money for membership.
Salmon, trout, carp...they're all spawning in or around that window so it makes sense to leave them alone during that time.
The fact that the rivers may be vulnerable to poaching during that time doesn't change the fact that you shouldn't fish for spawning fish. If that is the case then the rivers should be looked after by the correct authorities. But that is a different point. I notice the head of the Angling Trust, all pleased with himself and enjoying the sound of his own voice while pushing for angling during lock down has gone very quiet. Apart from fishing jollys around the country I haven't heard a peep about the pollution issues, but I'm not on social media so may have missed it. May be back to the toothless status quo after convincing everyone to hand over money for membership.
In reply to Post #11
Any well managed still water closes while the fish are spawning. That would obviously reduce the effect on the fish
Kids are in school from March to June, the busiest time of the school year with exams etc. Surely better that they fish for healthy fish when the holidays start up, they still have late June to early March to fish.
Any well managed still water closes while the fish are spawning. That would obviously reduce the effect on the fish
Kids are in school from March to June, the busiest time of the school year with exams etc. Surely better that they fish for healthy fish when the holidays start up, they still have late June to early March to fish.
Anyone ever stop and think that the close season is not solely enforced because of angling? Because it's used as a condition on permits for river works to minimise physical works during the period as to not disturb spawning fish. Albeit locally the fish spawn a bit later on most years in to July such as the barbel and carp.
Just worth stopping and thinking that it's about protecting spawning fish and the eggs and fry in general, not just from anglers. There's a wider picture.
Just worth stopping and thinking that it's about protecting spawning fish and the eggs and fry in general, not just from anglers. There's a wider picture.
I very much doubt that carp were given any consideration when the closed season first came in as they aren't indigenous, nor were they widespread at the time.
Some stillwaters run very successfully and report no increase in carp mortality without bothering to close when they're spawning.
Some stillwaters run very successfully and report no increase in carp mortality without bothering to close when they're spawning.