markward

I had to read the article twice just to get my head around the sheer pig headedness of the people involved in this attrocity. Most fluff chuckers have the same mentality as match fishermen when it comes to the facts around balancing fish stocks, a part pike can either help in doing or totally decimate the balance through the removal of the dominant females. A water l fish had a good head of double figure fish for a few years until they started to turn up dead for various reasons. The next two seasons lure fishing the water every hit l had was from 4-5lb fish that were smashing into them so hard l thought l was hitting a big twenty. This balance still hasn't been addressed but l still fish there hoping for the next stock of females to come through something this trout fishery will hopefully endure. I have recently raised the issue of stocking of pike with my club and to their knowledge this had never taken place, and l bet this is the case with most out there? They stated it was hard to find health checked pike on stockists lists even though they would be happy to receive a quantity if these did come up. So for my first port of call l have e-mailed Sparshot to see if they ever remove pike from waters on netting exercises and if anyone out there has any ideas on how to attain some please contact me.

This buisness of "sea pike" is even more disturbing.However it is sadly a sign of the times.Not many years ago a stunt like this would have destroyed a guiding companys reputation,these days it is seen as a "cool stroke" and the assholes who do it as stars. Stones in a glass house Budgie?? As we all know from your views it is each to their own!!

River contains trout, fisherman has a license so what is the problem? I was catching grayling from the Itchen last year until they spawned in May............should l be fishing for oversized livebait instead?

The bad thing is that l even used a pound 'lady' as a livebait this winter. Later in the day winkled out five roach and the usual trout. Who said pike fishing was easy??

Chris if you want a bit more action on the grayling front l thought you would be 'itching' to get down to the bit of river we ahve discussed before?? I know the surroundings are not as pleasant as Barton Court but for a tenner cheaper, and a greater chance of a decent grayling, l certainly can live with it.

Here's a bit of english for you Peter Norwich 0 West Ham 2 Shame you lot are so tight with the tickets always fancied having a bit of Delia's pie!!

Before l made the decision to work Monday to Friday ,37.5 hours a week, l had the joy of a permenent night shift which coupled with being off when the wife was working i had the freedom of three days fishing atleast. Now being a relatively new hand at married life (2 years) l feel a tad guilty when l organise my Sunday so instead waste holiday and blag a bit aswell. All l need now is for the wireness nation to take off and me and my laptop will be perched on the river bank supporting the masses, using no holidays and be at home intime for dinner!!

I have plenty of time left!!

With the end of the river season coming up l endeavour to spend as much time as possible targeting the large esox in my area. This causes conflict with the missus, and work, as l tend to do this in the week as l like a bit of freedom to roam and this is the prime time for it. Have any of you struck that idea happy balance that allows plenty of hours on the bank but keeps the missus/work happy and that you are not just a loather? Please share the secret if you have!!

Peter, Even though it is sometimes a struggle l have used my Leeda Predator net for years. It has survived the most horrendous flows thrown at it (due to the fact l mostly fish rivers) and with solid construction (solid metal round rim) l can't fault it. Shame you don't really see them in the shops no more as if l was to damage this one l don't how l would replace it (£30 aswell)

shame that livebait didn't have a couple of trebles in it........what a run!!

pick the bones out of that!!

The angling times response to the publication of the article. Seems if you were not the lucky one to catch it first, but knew the fish existed, you are excluded from the request to leave it alone? Maybe if l joined the angling times l could become part of "pike history" by being privy to such information or is that just being cynical? Mark The paper did request that the angling world didn't just descend on this drain in their thousands. However, I also stated in the article that it should be left to people who were aware of this water's potential before the capture. As far as I am know there were numerous people aware that this venue had been producing big fish for a couple of years, some of them famous pikers including the likes of Nige and Neville. I think that gives them the right to visit the place. By beating Eddie Turner's predator record, Nige made pike history and that has to be recorded whatever happens - that is our duty as a newspaper and what the fishing world should expect. I can't hide from the news. Kind regards Richard Lee

Weekly fishing paper shows well known angler holding fenland thirty. Would this be the same thirty that they were requesting should be left alone not long ago? Has their moral stance disappeared and someone privy to the location taken advantage? Mr Lee will be receiving these questions shortly.

Mark l never have used keepnet and with the joyous invention of the mobile phone stewards can be summond rather rapidly after tempararily retaining any fish in large carp sack. I don't think this unsuitable and how many fish that you have caught have laid up in the margins when released? Laid up in a sack or eu naturel? You were suggesting that they were being used for livebait retention, that are totally against ACA rules, but with the facts presented l am glad you found another way to attack their presence. With the stating of your geographical location l can understand (due to many malicious rumours) the basis of your concerns but in all aspects of life don't tar all with the same brush. I can only defend matches that l have taken part in and these consist of around 25 anglers with 2-3 stewards armed with mobile phones and walkie talkies patrolling the banks. I would personally stand up and state that the fishes welfare is the anglers top priority and l even considered returning a heavily spawn bound 16lb fish, without weighing it in, last season when the steward appeared behind me after seeing the netting of it from across the bay. We are not all bad!!