cg74

Carp are well dispersed throughout much of the river, from STW off of North Lane to the Meadows. Just look for deeper shaded areas and/or fish in the dark. Chub are ubiquitous, as are roach, though the roach numbers increase dramatically one you get to the Meadows.

As I said: "more you" Just a quick after thought try doing a web search; "Hampshire Avon 1896 barbel stocking" and see what it throws up.....

Andy, for my ease in answering your points I've numbered them: 1,I'm "cherry picking" scientific evidence; are you not doing the very same then? Do you have some definitive proof that has eluded everyone else? Hmmm, NO you don't! As for: "migration up the Wensum is blocked with manmade obstructions." Obviously your inability to absorb what others have written has not improved. I actually stated that IMO unless habitat has been made more suitable, indigenous or not, no fish should be stocked. Though that doesn't answer the question as to whether or not barbel are indigenous to the Wensum. 2,I hardly think this point warrants an answer, as you counter your own arguements..... Take the 150 year rule - I never thought that up did I? As I've already stated: I don't agree with alien introduction into our rivers. (another point you've failed to take onboard) I made no mention of the stocking made in 2000 because my point was, the barbel population had thrived for 70 years, so it's a fair bet it was man's intervention that necessitated a top up stocking. Though man's destruction of rivers doesn't appear to bother you, you almost seem to prefer rivers that have suffered habitat degradation, perhaps it's because barbel are a very environmentally sensitive species?!! 3,So you are blaming barbel directly for the reduction in salmon numbers. All I'm going to say is excluding rivers that have been subject to habitat improvements; how many English/UK salmon rivers have greater salmon runs than 20-30 years ago? Nothing to do with over fishing while the salmon are in saltwater and then the salmon anglers never helped matters taking their catches for the pot, though thankfully that trend seems to be less favoured. 4,I'm pleased for you but..... No I'll leave at that... 5,What, you're now questioning whether chub are indigenous to the Hampshire Avon, one word; BORING!!! 6,Why only "perceived" Because it's your perception/opinion and not factual! 7,No, I don't wish to discuss the Angling Trust because I am not a member; the why's where's and what for's is my business, end of! 8,You're welcome.

Andy, instead of faffing around, if I'm in the wrong, then please feel free to tell all how and why I'm in the wrong but do so complete with evicence to support your claims otherwise, its pointless going down that route. As for lines like this: "I haven't responded to his post (yet) because I think it's fairly obvious that his comments are unsubstantiated." Nice usage of innuendo and rhetoric there................ .... Sorry that should have been; a nice attempt at using innuendo and rhetoric, sadly it shows a desperate man trying his damnedest to gain some credence. Oh yeah, I preferred your pre-edit post, more you I thought....!

Andy, with all due respect your version of "the truth as you see it," Isn't the actual "truth" but in reality is just your opinion. In answer to your points raised: 1, As I've said before; evidence would suggest barbel were an indigenous species to the Wensum and it's only because of human intervention with their habitat that brought about their extinction. So are people (anglers) in the wrong for trying to right this wrong? My personal view is no, but only if the habitat is improved and made more suitable. The Hampshire Avon is a different story altogether: Its first official stocking was undertaken in 1896 (116yrs ago) but there is strong evidence to support an earlier legitimate (government sanctioned) in 1876 (136yrs ago) and that was that until the 1960's, when due to habitat degredation, more barbel were stocked. Now comes the point when your argument falls flat on its proverbial face; you use the term "native" and by EA definition, being a legitimate resident of an ecosystem/environment for 150 years or more, makes it 'native'........ Only 14 years left, best of luck to you; I think you're gonna need it........ How long did you say you'd been waiting for the info on stockings............ 2, Ignoring the facts stated by me above; yes barbel will have an effect on species such as salmon and sea trout, through predation of their spawn and fry but crucially this effect will be no greater than experienced by fish that will have their numbers depleted by barbel being introduced, the opposite could even be argued: What eats more fish spawn, a 10lb barbel or ten 1lb roach? And which is going to eat more fish fry, two 5lb chub or a 10lb barbel? 3, The usage of "perceived" ends that questions validity! 4, I've absolutely no desire whatsoever to discuss the Angling Trust. The "central truth" of your quarrels are essentially based on flawed information, but good luck with your endeavours. (perhaps change Avon to the Bristol one, it might prove to be a more fruitful proposition)

So you went on FM expecting to get banned, in doing so deliberately courting trouble and yet you talk of a "profound injustice being perpetrated" Well this may surprise you, few actually care, why? Because of you and your attitude! As for upsetting the Hampshire Avon and Wensum anglers on the FM forum; sorry I think you're deluded; here's said thread: http://www.fishingmagic.com/forums/fm-news...5-november.html I think you'll find nobody cared for anything you wrote, except me and that was only as a joke....... Oh yeah; it wasn't the Hamps Avon stockings that we discussed, it was the re-introduction/top-up stockings on the Great Ouse, a river which barbel are indigenous too, perhaps you should consult Izaac Walton (not literally, as he's dead), as he wrote about the Great Ouse's barbel way back in 1653. Plus a fleeting mention of the Wensum and logic suggests that barbel would've been indigenous to that river and if it wasn't for man's meddling they might be naturally still in the river? As for all this "marginalise your political opponents" If you knew anything at all about me (which you clearly don't), you'd know I don't agree with any alien stockings into our rivers. At this point I'll leave you to have another pointless rant.

Andy, reading your response quoted above, it just leads me to wonder what the purpose of this thread is? You admit to being rude etc, you accept that you aired your (negative) thoughts of FM on here; thus bringing the FM name into disrepute..... Really, what outcome did you expect? "Do I have any regrets? None whatsoeve." I never thought for a minute you would have! Regards discussing/debating greater access for more water users (canoeists, kayakers etc); I would but history tells me not to bother engaging with you; as you rant and don't consider anyone elses opinions as having any validity or value!

Andy, Andy, Andy, you were banned because you were rude, argumentative and no one could fathom out exactly what your point was. I asked you endlessly but not once did you bother giving me (or anyone else) an answer as to what exactly was your objective. A perfect analogy there Andy because ALL pubs have the right to refuse anyone service, no reason need be given. So why should a forum be any different? In my opinion; they shouldn't! As the doorman would say; "your name isn't on the list, so **** off!!" Or "no trainers, no jeans and certainly not that jacket!" (get over it)

Could anyone comment on how effective using whole grains of oats in a spod mix for carp is and the best way to make them fish friendly. I am assuming you soak for 24hours then boil for 1 hour. The mix I am planning on using is 1/4 oats, 1/4 hemp, 1/4 maize and 1/4 6-8mm halibut pellets any advice on tweaking this mix is also welcome.

I don't know whether or not you have managed to remove the quiver tip but the best method I have found is to get a 2 - 2.5 inch nail cut the head off and smooth the cut down with a file, check diameter of the nail is less than that of the quiver tip if it is place the cut end into your rod blank and hold rod section in a vertical postion with tip nearest to ground and lift section up and jerk down sharply if no joy after 1/2 dozen attempts try the more drastic approach of letting the nail slide to end of rod away from tip and hold rod vertically in air with the tip upwards and flick the rod forwards 90 degees hard and fast. This is best done on lawn as when tip come out it can sometimes fly out. (W.D 40 will always help).

The technique i have found works on jammed rod sections requires 2 people. 1 holds the rod either side of the jammed joint pulling apart firmly whilst trying to gently turn the 2 sections in opposite directions at the same time. The second person gently taps the joint with a piece of hard wood. To avoid the problem in the future you should clean the joints and rub pencil lead over the male section.

Thanks Bluey. Second link onto BDAA site gave exactly the info i was after as other site has been under construction for an eternity.

Does anybody know exactly what venues i can fish on a Oxford & district AA ticket particualy the Cherwell. Either web sites with the details i require or O/S map reference numbers would be good.

All stretches of the cherwell have a good head of chub and regards the roach whenever i fish with bread for chub they always steal my bait. As far bigger fish go try bletchington long meadow or clifton/anyho. Long meadow always used to be a good mixed fishery but i haven't fished there for 3 seasons and for roach/perch probably 6or7 years. Hope this is helpful.