Charlie Bettell

I think you have just about flogged this one to death Peter.

Probably one of the hardest areas on the Broads for pike at the present time. Good Luck! - you'll need it!!

Your post shows a definite lack of understanding of the aquatic environment John. Do you honestly think big fish are on the move all the time and have loads of energy to shoot off as soon as a predator larger than themselves comes into view? Big fish are usually the most inactive of all fish present in a water - making them an easy target for an otter, mink, seal, etc. To conserve energy, large fish will lay motionless on the bottom for hours on end - and often go into a deep state of torpor. When large fish are in a deep state of torpor, they are fairly easy to catch - even with a landing net (!) An otter would have no problem at all catching/grabbing a large lethargic/torpid fish. Why chase loads of small fish to make one decent meal, using up loads of energy in the prosess, when you can grab one large fish and conserve energy.

I agree with every word of what you have said Den. I have seen the dog otter three or four times in one day carrying/eating fish. That one otter alone probably kills in the region of a dozen fish per day - if not more. Otters use a lot of energy petrolling their range - that energy has to be replenished!!

The last time I did a thread on otters, I had people PMing me with regard to otters they had hooked, but did not want to go public about it - and who could blame them!! If you don't think it's happening, that's your choice. I live in the real world and see otters on a regular basis - believe me, if they continue to rise in numbers, they will become a real menace. I'm glad to say that they have ceased the re-introduction program here in Norfolk. Wake up to the truth - otters are regularly hooked by anglers. By the way, that's a dog otter in the photos above - the pike it's eating is about 15+lb - most of which would have been dicarded after a couple of bites!!

The difference between otter, heron, kingfisher, grebe, osprey, stoat, weasel, mink, etc, is the otter is the more likely of all the creatures mentioned to take a bait intended for pike. There is nothing selfish about my argument - I simply don't want to be put in a position where I will inevitably have to deal with a hooked otter - and possibly end up killing one due to deep hooking. Should the above happen, I would be absolutely gutted!! Q: What are the chances of the above happening? A: Quite high where otters have been re-introduced to areas of water where pike anglers have fished for some years - otter free!!

My point exactly. Otters and pike anglers are a recipe for disaster. There are miles of water-way/river out in the countryside that pike anglers rarely, or ever, tread the banks. Reintroduce otters in those areas - 'not areas' which are regularly fished by pike anglers. Why should pike anglers be made to suffer, or feel guilty, when they hook a creature that they genuinely do adore. Without doubt, there is a place for otters in our water ways - preferably well away from pike anglers and their very tempting fish baits - with treble hooks sprouting from them!!

As much as I like otters, they're a pain in the butt in my opinion. Before otters were re-introduced to the rivers I fish, I never had to worry, or feel guilty about hooking such an adorable creature - now I live in fear of hooking one and am not sure what I would do if I did! They've been hooked by local pike anglers, will be again, and will inevitably end up suffering - what with treble hooks stuck in their mouths and yards of line trailing behind them. If otters were meant to be in our local waters, they would not have had to be re-introduced when fish stocks were at a high. Let nature run its course I say!

I'm sure this is how Gerry would like to be remembered by us - i.e. holding the very thing that gave him so much pleasure and enjoyment!! He'll be greatly missed.

I tried phoning him in hospital - but got the answer phone of what sounded like an Indian. If anybody manages to contact him , please wish him well from me.

Two good locations for lure fishing, are where the backwater meets the river. Where the row club dyke meets the river is probably the best spot of all - especially on top-water lures. The stretch up from the row club dyke to the bridge is also a very good - for pike and chub. I used to live in Sudbury Jim I still visit Sudbury - as my mother and sister live there. P.S. The Cornard stretch is also worth a look - by the weir. If you drive round to Ballingdon and turn left just before the hill, and travel down river on the opposite bank to Sudbury, you will come to some farm land where you can park up. A short walk and you will be on the lower side of the Cornard weir - a very good spot for pike and zander - it may be a club stretch now though! P.P.S. I served my pike fishing apprenicship on the Suffolk Stour - mainly around Sudbury and Cornard - and down river to Bures.

Never heard of, or ever seen, bream of that size in the Yare. Boated 30 bream today - biggest was 6lb - plus quite a few 5lbers.

Absolutely brilliant photos Jaybee - I adore Kingfishers, but never seem to have the time to get out their and get some shots like yours. I purchased a Canon 100-400mm L lens last year specifically for Kingfisher shots - but they all come out rubbish due to my boat rocking. I would dearly love numbers 43/48 45/48 47/48 - would it be possible to e-mail the original photos. I can do whatever needs to be done croping, sharpening, or editing wise. What I would like to do, is have all three photos in one frame. I know a really good picture framer in Norwich. Your shots would take pride of place Jaybee. I collect all types of Kingfisher Jaybee. Sorry about photo quality, they were taken on the quick!

Any chance of the full size photo of the following Kingfisher Jaybee? I would love to have it framed!

No - due to all the junction off the A11 and A47 (!)

Good info re. 5D MKll Cameraman - I'll wait to see the changes/modifications before making up my mind about buying one - if I'm not impressed with the changes/modifications, I'll wait for the 3D.

Good advice by Ian. Take a good few shots - long and short distance. Within a couple of hours you will be able to see for yourself just how good the lens is - i.e. via your PC screen! Note: Make sure you view at 100%

What lens did you use for the following shot:- http://alnath.fotopic.net/p28417365.html Not any better than the shots I have taken with the Canon 18-55mm EFS - in my opinion. I would be very interested to know what lenes you used for the Chester Zoo shots.

The only Sigma lens that I own is the 12-24mm wide angle - which many rate as being better than the Canon 10-20mm EFS. Personally, I would not waste my money on buying an EFS lens - as the high end Canon cameras don't take them - of which I will be aiming to buy one in due course. A 5D perhaps? I've heard a 3D is on the way? Personally, I think that my Canon 18-55mm EFS lens (which came in a package deal) takes good photos - i.e. portrait shots - and half decent macro shots. It would appear that some of the Canon 18-55 EFS lens were better than others. My Cameras/Lenses:- Canon 20D/300D Canon 75-300mm Ultrasonic IS Canon 100-400mm Ultrasonic IS L Canon 28-135 Ultrasonic IS Canon 18-55mm EFS Sigma 12-24mm

I think it was Trimmingham - so it's a radar station is is. Weird looking thing!!

Up on the Norfolk coast today - anybody know what this is...