Petition to keep the close season on rivers

[Peter M]

The close season on rivers was bought in by the landed gentry to take advantage of the mayfly hatch in May June so they could fly fish in peace without the rude coarse anglers hogging the best swims. it is why many regions had different close seasons to tie in to the mayfly hatch. The need for the coarse close season was said to be that fish needed to spawn and needed to be left in peace. But that was all bolloks. they wanted the rivers to themselves. Unfortunately many anglers like the tradition of the close season, many calling for it to be reintroduced on lakes, and to my mind are their own worst enemy. There is no scientific reason for having the close season. some anglers say it makes us look caring and look good to the general public which is more bolloks as the non fishing public don't give a monkeys about us. In 1993 the close season on lakes was lifted and in about 2000 the close season on canals was lifted but on rivers it continues as an Anachronism in a modern world.

[gozzer]

On a personal note, I don't give a toss, if there is scientific evidence to support the closed season or not.

 

I like the 'feeling' of a new season, looking for old swims, and finding new ones. The overgrown vegetation, 'hiding' the river, and making your way through it without a sign of other anglers being there before you.

To me, angling isn't about science, or just catching fish, it's about ejoyable experiences on the bank.

The first day of a new season, with it's freshness and air of expectation, is just about as enjoyable as it gets.

 

John.

[Anderoo]

Me too John. I think I'm a romantic rather than a scientist. I also feel very strongly that having a full closed season makes you a much better angler. Three months of walking the banks, exploring, fish spotting and observing fish behaviour goes an awfully long way when it comes to working out how (and why) to catch them.

 

I wonder how many people who began fishing after the abolition of the closed season on stillwaters have spent proper time doing this?

 

I understand what Peter is saying, but every year I'm by the river in May/early June taking advantage of the mayfly hatch! There's no reason why you can't be both a coarse and fly angler.

 

Tradition all the way for me, but the current situation is a mess. I'm sure the river season will be abolished within the next few years, and that will be a very sad day for me personally.

 

I also think there is a lot of truth in the public-facing benefits of a closed season. I've said it many times before, but if angling ever really does come under proper, full scrutiny we will rue the day we got rid of it. It's not the antis we should be worried about, there no point in trying to change their views, the same as there's no chance of them changing mine, but a well orchestrated public campaign aimed at well-meaning but ignorant members of the public could quickly turn into political collateral, and a vote-winner is a vote-winner.

 

We should not only be the guardians of the countryside but also be seen to be the guardians of the countryside. If that means a little self-deprevation, so be it.

 

Plus, doesn't a cold pint taste a hundred times better after a hard day's work?

 

[wayne baker]

Me too John. I think I'm a romantic rather than a scientist. I also feel very strongly that having a full closed season makes you a much better angler. Three months of walking the banks, exploring, fish spotting and observing fish behaviour goes an awfully long way when it comes to working out how (and why) to catch them.

 

I wonder how many people who began fishing after the abolition of the closed season on stillwaters have spent proper time doing this?

 

I understand what Peter is saying, but every year I'm by the river in May/early June taking advantage of the mayfly hatch! There's no reason why you can't be both a coarse and fly angler.

 

Tradition all the way for me, but the current situation is a mess. I'm sure the river season will be abolished within the next few years, and that will be a very sad day for me personally.

 

I also think there is a lot of truth in the public-facing benefits of a closed season. I've said it many times before, but if angling ever really does come under proper, full scrutiny we will rue the day we got rid of it. It's not the antis we should be worried about, there no point in trying to change their views, the same as there's no chance of them changing mine, but a well orchestrated public campaign aimed at well-meaning but ignorant members of the public could quickly turn into political collateral, and a vote-winner is a vote-winner.

 

We should not only be the guardians of the countryside but also be seen to be the guardians of the countryside. If that means a little self-deprevation, so be it.

 

Plus, doesn't a cold pint taste a hundred times better after a hard day's work?

 

Well said. Nothing to do with science. just respect. Give it all a rest for the spring whatever.

Other sportsmen have to endure close seasons, A lot longer than ours use to be.

Edited March 18, 2009 by wayne baker

[Chris Plumb]

The close season on rivers was bought in by the landed gentry to take advantage of the mayfly hatch in May June so they could fly fish in peace without the rude coarse anglers hogging the best swims. it is why many regions had different close seasons to tie in to the mayfly hatch. The need for the coarse close season was said to be that fish needed to spawn and needed to be left in peace. But that was all bolloks. they wanted the rivers to themselves. Unfortunately many anglers like the tradition of the close season, many calling for it to be reintroduced on lakes, and to my mind are their own worst enemy. There is no scientific reason for having the close season. some anglers say it makes us look caring and look good to the general public which is more bolloks as the non fishing public don't give a monkeys about us. In 1993 the close season on lakes was lifted and in about 2000 the close season on canals was lifted but on rivers it continues as an Anachronism in a modern world.

 

 

The coarse closed season was NOT brought in by the landed gentry to protect duffers fortnight. It was brought in by the MP for Sheffield Anthony Mundella in 1878. This in response to heavy lobbying from his local constituents (Sheffield was the centre of intense coarse fishing activity) to protect fish stocks.

 

 

C.

[Steve Walker]

I've heard the "landed gentry" argument before - were ordinary plebs ever allowed to fish those beats, season or no season?

[Peter M]

The coarse closed season was NOT brought in by the landed gentry to protect duffers fortnight. It was brought in by the MP for Sheffield Anthony Mundella in 1878. This in response to heavy lobbying from his local constituents (Sheffield was the centre of intense coarse fishing activity) to protect fish stocks.

 

 

C.

So its just a coincidence then that it coincides with the may flay hatch? I tell you what it does not coincide with, spawning coarse fish in my area, they will be spawning well after June the 16th especially barbel tench carp etc. in most years. If you want a meaningful close season then it needs to occur at different times of the year for different lengths of time to meet the needs of that particular river not this stupid blanket ban to start at an arbitrary date for an arbitrary length of time.

[Angly]

...as the non fishing public don't give a monkeys about us.

 

The non-shooting public didn't give a monkeys about target shooters (even those with pistols or self loading rifles). The non-photographing public didn't give a monkeys about photographers (even those photographing children, Policemen, or 'sensitive' buildings).

 

Edit: "Public Opinion... an attempt to organize the ignorance of the community, and to elevate it to the dignity of physical force." Oscar Wilde.

Edited March 18, 2009 by Angly

[John Weddup]

Once again this old debate has shown that many anglers whom normally agree are completely opposed on this subject.

 

I am not sure where I stand now but would like to know why dog walkers kayakers boats and like are allowed to continue when we cannot.

 

On my local river stour in suffolk the environment agency actually encourages and supports a Sudbury to the sea day where all sorts of boats are encouraged to go through shallow spawning area,s camp along side the river and generally disturb the area in may. The centre of all spawning activity and bird nesting.

 

regards

 

John

[chesters1]

perhaps the close season is more commercial do the water companies pollute more in the close season ,less anglers to spot it?

remember it was the old water companies that went hand in hand with the river authorities and decided on the rules in the first place

Edited March 18, 2009 by chesters1