john-d

I completely agree, about time too

Yes, Chris Daphne has been hard at work, all forms of eelfishing were to banned in Scotland but for Chris. Has long as you obtain a specific eel fishing licence from the Scottish government you can (as long as you practice catch and release) fish for eels...well done Chris. If recreational eel fishing is ever banned (who knows) I would rather belong to the NAC and to have been pathetically accused of its demise, than to stand by and do sod while the eel goes the way of the Dodo. I have personally never really had a problem with those who choose to eat eels or and use them as bait, until a few years ago I used plenty for pike and catfish and I only stopped when it was clear a problem existed. What as always seemed tragic to me is the lack of empathy (reaffirmed by those daft jellied eel photos) from other anglers regarding the eel, its possible demise and to those who choose to fish and return them alive. I sincerely wish you all a peaceful Christmas and happy new year.

About six years ago I took my eldest son out for an afternoon's pike fishing on the River Dove. It was a very cold, sunny late October day, we had tried a few swims with no luck but from experience I knew as the sun started to set, hopefully there would be a chance or two. After settling in our last swims just before the sun set, my float disappeared and I had a good fish on, the pike in the Dove always seem to pull well and after a spirited fight the fish was netted. After weighing the fish, at 18.12 it was my best off the Dove for that year my son took a couple of quick photos and I went to return her... the next thing I knew I was doing a forward roll into the river, the bank which was slightly undercut just gave way and I was in the drink. I laugh about it now... but I was wearing waders, thermal joggers and a Barbour coat and I was being pulled under and downstream. My son actually saved me, (the swim I was fishing had a 2ft drop to the water and that was 9ft deep, at the time Paul was only 16 and I'm 6ft 3in and 19 stone) if he haddent of managed to grab hold of me I dread to think of what might of been.

Dog ****, carp anglers who think its there god given right to cast anywhere they like and last but not least pompous self righteous committee types who sit in judgment but are really a waste of space...sorry I don't want to sound all Victor Meldrew I'll get me coat

I've also had a fair few carp while eel fishing, mostly on dead's, whole baits or halved fish the carp weren't really that fussy. Gudgeon have been particularly good for carp on the canals I fish, but they are a nuisance when I'm after eels. On some occasions tench and bream are also found of a dead bait, I once had 2 tench, in 2 casts on whole minnows, and a pound plus roach on a two inch section of fish, but I don't think its really worth targeting carp with fish baits.

My young son won a Korum day shelter and its every much as stable as my trakker big Z brolly, he's even used it for overnighters with no problems. I've used it when out piking and theirs plenty of room for an adult (I'm 6' 2'') and when its pegged down its pretty solid and comfortable inside. I'll be honest and say I prefer my brolly, but the day shelter is a decent piece of kit.

Cheers Ray, you now have my reply

I use live baits, whether its for Pike, Eels, Zander, Catfish, Perch, Chub and Trout. Would any tackle shop sell the diverse selection of baits that I would require (very, very doubtful). More to the point why should I buy my livebait from the tackle shop, (I have kept trout for livos and they are a real pain to keep, any shop trying to keep them will have to shed out for a decent aeration system) the old chestnut of transferring disease is a load of old twonk. I live, and fish in and around the Trent valley, at least twice a year the Rivers Trent, Dove and Derwent bursts its banks enough to turn it looking like the North Sea. Most of the gravel pits, lakes and ponds around the area to the flooding get a population boost from the overflowing rivers (and no doubt it happens visa versa) and do we ever see vast amounts of diseased fish.... A big no from me, I'll carry on doing what I've done for over the last 25 years thanks.

I've never ever heard of eels returning from there spawning grounds. Its true that not all eels enter the river systems, its usually the males that stay around the coastal regions while the females run into the mainland. The reason why the eel is in decline, is because of there returning numbers from the Sargasso sea. The migration of eels to the European shores, as catastrophically dropped from the early eighties by about 90% of today's retuning numbers of elvers. Just because you can have some waters with a present healthy stock of eels doesn't mean there is no overall shortage of eels, the sad fact is less and less are coming back to our shores.

Hi Mark sorry for the delay (I've been fishing). When I was on there the Carp went to a good size and got caught from all around the lake. The pike suffered with the usual dire consequences from the numpties who wanted to have a go at piking, but had little or no idea of what to do. The entrance to the water as a barrier which was down untill about 7.00 a.m and they dropped it back at around 17.00 p.m I would think in the summer it would be later than that but I dont know. Remember it is a park lake and you get all the related problems with that in the day and night, I do know some fish it at night but Im not certain that its allowed. It was quite cheap to fish there and I understand it still is. There was a bonus fishing here, which was a ladies hockey pitch which cheered me up while the pike fishing in the winter.

Mark I know this place (not fished it for several years) if you want any further info P.M me. John

Ray, this really does sum up the E.A in all its apathetic glory. If its at all possible could you please P.M me with some further details and I will ask if they can possible give a reasoned explanation for there continued incompetence. Its only my opinion, but as far as damaging/destroying fyke nets/eel traps illegal or otherwise, I consider them all fair game for some short, sharp reconstruction with a 14lb lump hammer. Given the current situation of eel stocks, all netting should end immediately. However if!!! the eel stocks return to the same levels of 20/30 years ago, I would'nt have a problem with anyone netting or farming eels as a food source and would even once again use them as pike and catfish bait, something I personally stopped doing some years back. John.

Hi Nick, is Filmoplast 90 any good? I need to repair an old book and I've seen what normal adhesive tape can do. John.

Regardless of what some may think they know, eels are in a serious decline. It is estimated that the current run of eels to the UK shores is approximately 2% of the 1978 stock. Which is why the whole of the E.U states are trying to safeguard the eel population for the future, not just for the few nutters who fish for them and return them, but because it is a food source for man and beast, and hopefully if the eel recovers it could be enjoyed by all. If the eel population was sustainable I would have little problem with anyone taking the odd one for the pot, depending of the size of the fish that is. I still wonder what some on here would say if Pike71 stated he wanted to catch and eat barbel or tench, would any of you then tell him the best place to catch these???

Pike 71, I truly hope you catch sod all.... Its quite ironic, if it was tench or carp or pike this chap wants to knock on the head there would be blue murder posted on here, but because its the poor bloody eel who gives a damn. The crisis the eel is under at the present time cannot be lost to some/most? on this forum, there is no definitive cause for the eels decline over the last 20 odd years, but high on the list with the parasitic worm (Anguillicola crassus) is the over fishing by man , glass and adult eels are very profitable, and the greed of man is endless. You can also include the possible cause's of global warming and pollution as well. Like it or not the eel is in grave danger, every E.U member state has to make a eel management plan (This as know been done) but it may be to little to late. Under these circumstance's the odd eel for the pot is just not exceptable.