Worms

ICES evidence to prove it.....from their latest in depth review of statistical modelling, the exact same model that they use now that has got us bag limits! "As many sea bass in the UK are taken by small inshore vessels, many of which use nets and lines and bring in small catches, the potential for underestimation of landings is substantial. An independent logbook scheme run by Cefas, in conjunction with a port survey to quantify numbers of such vessels catching sea bass, suggested that true landings of sea bass could be three times higher than reported. This survey has a number of potential biases, and the figure of 3 is very approximate. A sensitivity run of the Final model Run 22 was carried out expanding the annual landings of UK nets and lines by a factor of three and adjusting the total trawls/nets/lines landings and age compositions accordingly……." I have missed out some of the statistical blurb to make it easier to read and understand. Obviously increasing the UK small boat catch (88% of the total commercial catch for 2014!) by 3 times brings the UK catch somewhere near the French commercial catch....this is obviously going to have a significant negative impact on bass stocks decreasing the overall SSB (Spawning Stock Biomass) and, if stocks are as low as claimed, it will accelerate the rate of decline won't it?..... ...er, well, not quite, surprisingly it will actually increase the SSB and apparently won't show any increase in decline......Even more remarkably it can show a decrease in fish mortality (F5-11) and astonishingly, increases in recruitment! So, instead of looking to cut landings by 80% perhaps we should increase them, then we'll have more bass.....it's official! Either that or the statistical models that they are using are, well, a touch inaccurate? from ibpBass_ report_2014-5.pdf, page 84 and tables on p86. (too big to upload so I made a PDF of the charts) INCREASING UK SMALL BOAT TAKE BY 3X.pdf

No Barry, it's just a free subscription to a newsletter.

"This weekend saw the imposition of a three fish bag limit on recreational fishing by the EU with the support of the UK government." Er yes, and just remind us all who was asking HMG for bag limits on RSA! "Angling Trust Parliamentary Briefing – Update on Bass Stocks November 2014 Parliamentary support needed for bass stocks Bass stocks are in deep trouble. This update briefing seeks to provide arguments and information for Parliamen-tarians prepared to raise the issue at Westminster, and with ministers, to make the case for meaningful conserva-tion measures to avoid a stock collapse.... ....The UK has been consistently unwilling to take unilateral action to protect bass in UK waters.. However, more recent correspondence now appears to accept the case for taking action in respect of UK territorial waters. This was re-iterated by Fisheries Minister George Eustice at the Angling Summit last month with a pledge to look again at the minimum landing size..... ....Raising the minimum legal size for bass is, in itself, not the single answer to protecting and restoring the UK’s bass fishery; a fully inclusive package of measures is also needed on top of the EU proposals including:..... • Introducing bag limits for recreational anglers and a consideration of slot size limits to protect bigger, more fertile, trophy fish from unnecessary harvesting."

Here's a subscription to their first freeby, Sea Angling News. If you don't want to subscribe then fair enough but please pass it on to any other interested parties....don't worry, you won't become a member! http://www.anglingtrust.net/page.asp?section=819&sectionTitle=Subscribe+to+our+e-news

Thanks Phone. Barry, yes, you're probably right on all counts but, as I said elsewhere, I'm prepared to be the butt of a few jokes and made to look a fool if it doesn't work....I'm still gonna give it a shot though!....If you don't ask, you don't get.

Last Thursday, I received an e-mail from Mark Lloyd, CEO of the AT. He contacted me because of a comment I made that was an attack on the AT, regarding the bass bag limit debacle mainly, that I posted on his blog. He suggested that we meet for a chat over a pint or a coffee and see if we could iron out our differences. I agreed and, we met this last thursday, 26th March at The Grape Vaults public house in Broad Street Leominster. This is about 500 yards from my house and about 100 yards from AT HQ....and, coincidentally, my local....he suggested the rendezvous. We met at 17:30 and shook hands and, after the usual social preliminaries (disclaimer for humorous comments arising from that last phrase), we discussed the issues and, the point that I had been anti AT since they formed. Anyway, we discussed the AT and RSA in particular and the crux of it all was, Mark Lloyd admitted that mistakes had been made and, he admitted that the lack of communication was the biggest problem. He proposed a free "membership" grade, whereby RSA, on receipt of there e-mail/postal address would receive all info that paying members receive. No insurance or fish legal benefits and no say on Trust committee affairs etc. I suggested that such contacts would then allow the Trust to consult directly with RSA in the event of any legislation changes. He agreed that it sounded acceptable. Since then I have bounced the idea off a few people, some are for, some are most definitely not...no surprises there then. This afternoon I penned a quick draft of what I would like to see (in an ideal world) for this new "member" grade.....it is below, please, please comment to your heart's content but, I would be very grateful if you could try and stick to the topic (I can hear the guffaws from here) and, if possible, try not to dwell too deeply on their massive failings...I'm trying to be positive and He made the first move! I have named the new "grade" Recreational Sea Angler Stakeholder (RSAS). RSA stakeholder: a consultant individual regarding sea angling in the UK 1. RSA stakeholders (RSAS) will not pay any membership fee and will not be classed as Trust members and will not be included in any Angling Trust (AT) membership figures. 2. RSAS will receive all angling related information that is sent to all grades of paying member of the AT. 3. RSAS will be consulted by the AT on all policy relating to any and all decisions, discussions, proposals etc. that will or might possibly have the potential to affect in anyway whatsoever the right or freedom for any UK citizen to fish as a recreational angler in any UK territorial water or to use any extractive method that aids the purpose thereof (bait digging etc.). 4. Any statements made by the AT regarding any and all consultations with RSAS will include the number, n (where n= total number of RSAS replies) and percentage of n that were for/against any such consultation. 5. RSAS as individuals or as groups will not be restricted from joining or forming any group, organisation or other body that may be in competition with the AT. 6. The collective RSAS comments, whether for or against any AT proposals will be made public in press releases and any Governmental (at UK or EU level) discussions or written briefs. Discussion with other groups has led to the new status name as "correspondents" rather than stakeholders, I quite like that. Obviously, Game and coarse anglers must also have the same courtesy shown them, as must paying members......

Err, no, the Angling Trust get a voice in Europe. Anglers don't until the AT consult with ALL the anglers that they claim to represent.

Well, it has all gone horribly wrong! We are about to get a 3 bass a day limit. Arguably, shore anglers and un-powered boat anglers can take as many as they like as long as they claim that any over the 3 are for legal sale! http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/mare/itemlongdetail.cfm?item_id=22197&lang=en Of course trawling for the spawning bass in the western English Channel has been banned too....but the Frenchies just got their long-lines out and carried on as usual! So, anglers restricted, commercials not!

What fixed spool reels used to be called Chesters....and with modern braid, probably quite appropriate now again!

The same as bass and black bream are no longer fish....they are apparently now "icons" if you believe the AT!

I know a bit about the early ones….not really what you want to know though! 300, 9 versions starting with half bails, versions 1-3. First version made in 1939-40! (I don’t like them for spinning, the line can get tangled with the bail) full bail from version 4. All 3.8:1 ratio. First full bail model made in 1952. Made in versions 4-9 until 1978. 300A, 1977 on reels have a red or silver (1978) band around the reel head, a rotating line roller on the bail arm and a plastic gasket sandwiched between the body and cover plate. I believe these were 4.2:1 ratio. The 301A was a left-handed reel (handle on right). 410 and 410A, as 300 but 4.9:1 ratio and the reel is blue not black. 440 Match, as 300 with 4.9:1 ratio and bail that can be tapped over with the finger. There are overlaps with manufacturing dates and different versions and some versions are more valuable than others such as “pilot” models of the full bails made during the run of version 3s I don’t really know much about the later ones, suffice to say that when they stopped being made in France in I believe 1989 interest dropped (and I believe quality dropped about 10 years before that)!

Where can I get maize from?

I've had one too!

And why do spiders have eight legs and no arms?

I shouldn't bother mate, when the AT have finished messing about bass fishing will be illegal anyway!

No problem mate, it's part of our problem....with the guff that the AT spout one would think that they are actually relevant or important, they're not, they're just dangerous to angling!

Precisely Phone, the Environment Agency says we can fish legally yet a private company with an ex policeman as head of "enforcement" is telling us we can't!

None of it that I can see Phone. Why?

Here's the problem, somebody who should know the law getting it badly wrong! "the fact is, fishing on rivers, drains and some stillwaters and canals between 15 March - 15 June annually is illegal."

Their stupidity...or carelessness.....or calculated deception is quite mind-boggling! and that statement from an ex-copper that fishes for and returns zander (illegally) becomes "national enforcement manager"!

Dilip Sarkar MBE Angling Trust National Enforcement Manager said: "Whether everyone agrees with the statutory coarse close season or not is irrelevant: the fact is, fishing on rivers, drains and some stillwaters and canals between 15 March - 15 June annually is illegal. Anglers breaking the law during that period stand out like a sore thumb - so it is an ideal time to collate intelligence and detect offences....." News to me! http://www.anglingtrust.net/news.asp?section=29&sectionTitle=Angling+Trust+News&itemid=2502

I'd give the rod a good polish with a soft cotton cloth, maybe with a bit of spit here and there to loosen any dirt. It shouldn't need any more than that and any faults in the cane will be evident. As for line choice, I'd probably start with a 9wt, it's easier to cast a heavier than a lighter line and particularly if you're using a modern line on an old cane rod as modern lines tend to be "faster" so, a heavier choice would probably match the "slower" casting action of a cane rod. Enjoy,

I'd get a slot for the 22-250 if I were you, a cracking muntjac gun ............you'd get the scope for free then!

Ok, it was worth a try

That's a fatty. Nice fish!