Pond Fish - Do You Like Catching Them?

[Anderoo]

I don't think accidentally getting stranded counts to be honest.

 

It is their choice indeed, there's nothing to stop people stocking barbel (or anything else) into their lakes. That doesn't mean I have to agree with it. I find it quite surprising and also sad that other experienced all-rounders who routinely fish rivers think there's nothing wrong with it.

[Ed Matysiak]

I'd love to catch something like this...

 

[chesters1]

mmmm yes the combination of long hair and a tash sends shivers down my back as well

i wish he would chuck that ugly fish away so i could see his manly chest ,those foot long fingers give me naughty thoughts as well

Edited March 4, 2011 by chesters1

[Tigger]

I don't think accidentally getting stranded counts to be honest.

 

It is their choice indeed, there's nothing to stop people stocking barbel (or anything else) into their lakes. That doesn't mean I have to agree with it. I find it quite surprising and also sad that other experienced all-rounders who routinely fish rivers think there's nothing wrong with it.

 

 

 

At the end of the day the fish put into private waters are bred for the purpose and wouldn't exist otherwise....just like millons of other creatures for the table only the fish arn't going to go to a slaughter house after a brief existence.

 

I do know what your point is but there is a demand for them and money is to be made. At least the fish don't get knocked on the head.

[Dales]

If that was possible no fish would ever escape and no disease would ever spread, so I think we can safely assume it's inevitable at some point.

 

Sadly that is true and that is really the only problem I have with the issue of stocking them.

 

Stocking 'natives' or 'ornamentals' at very high densities amounts to the same thing in animal welfare terms. To me personally, stocking ornamentals is worse simply because I think it only serves to make modern fishing even more artificial.

 

This is sort of one the points I was trying to make, stocking of any species in a high density is never good on animal welfare grounds and if fishery owners are going to do it, I can't see how it can be any worse for them to stock Barbel in the same waters. They seem to be worthy of "special treatment" in some peoples mind and I can't see the difference in which species fisheries subject to certain conditions. To me it's just paying lip service to the idea of fish welfare not to stock Barbel on the idea it is not suited to them, but not having any problems with over stocking other fish. It must be a lousy life for any fish in such conditions.

 

But do Barbel stocked in lakes know any difference, as when raised at a fish farm, they will no doubt be raised in crowded and unsuitable conditions.

 

I assume you're playing devil's advocate,

 

Am I that transparent , I thought mentioning ornamentals would hopefully provoke a reaction and some debate and that's also why I felt the need to mention that the fishery had Barbel & Chub as I know some people also have strong views on this

 

 

but I think barbel are a special case. I can understand more the desire to stock with koi and orfe and other garden pond species, just because there's no other way you can fish for them in the UK (assuming you want to). Wild, river barbel are a short drive for most people, and there's no good reason to tip the poor things into a horrible little muddy pond, other than £££. They are a river fish, and are never found naturally in little ponds.

 

This is the bit that I don't agree with, i would hate to see wild fish caught and moved to a smallish muddy pond, but I would hate that for any fish. However if farm raised stock fish, I don't see why Barbel qualify for special treatment because it is not there natural environment. They should suffer along with all the other fish.

Edited March 4, 2011 by Dales

[Anderoo]

That's like saying, battery farming chickens is fine because they were bred for the purpose and know no different. It misses the point entirely.

 

'They should suffer along with all the other fish' is one of the most depressing things I've ever read.

[Dales]

That's like saying, battery farming chickens is fine because they were bred for the purpose and know no different. It misses the point entirely.

 

'They should suffer along with all the other fish' is one of the most depressing things I've ever read.

 

Yeah that sounds so much worse reading it back

 

But why should they qualify for "special treatment"?

 

If some one agrees with battery farming of chickens, then I can't see how the same person can say that they would not subject ducks, geese, turkeys etc to the same conditions because its wrong.

 

To me it's clear cut. If fish are going to be over stocked (Not a good thing) then how can that be ok as long as it does not happen to Barbel because for some imagined reason that is some how much worse then keeping Carp, Bream, Tench, Roach, Rudd, Perch etc in the same conditions.

 

In the ideal world, everything would be kept in almost perfect conditions. But it is not and by creating an argument that Barbel should not be stocked in the same way as other species on welfare grounds or the idea it is not natural gives the impression that "only the species suited to a life in a commercial" get stocked.

 

I have come across anglers that would never fish a commercial because it has Chub or Barbel because it's wrong but would have no problem hauling "tonne up bags" of other species on such waters and I believe they do not see any thing wrong with that. But they have bought in to the idea that a fishery is well run because the "fishery owner" has fish welfare high on the agenda because he has given them his penny worth on why he will never stock Barbel on welfare grounds. me being cynical assume the only reason they are not stocked is the cost.

 

Some thing is either right or wrong. I don't see how some fish are born more equal then others.

[Anderoo]

Well, not for the first time I imagine I'm in the minority. It seems pretty clear to me that stocking barbel into small stillwaters for the sole purpose of creating easy fishing is wrong. I think overstocking of any species is also wrong, but I see that as a separate issue.

 

Step right up, a prize every time

[Dick Dastardly]

But do Barbel stocked in lakes know any difference, as when raised at a fish farm, they will no doubt be raised in crowded and unsuitable conditions.

 

 

Only "farmed" Barbel I have ever seen (only one instance so I accept this doesn't mean this is the norm) they were kept and raised in "race ways" (kind of concrete open drains with water pumped through them)........................

 

I'm a great believer in keeping things as near as practical to natural but must be honest and say (why I wholeheartedly agree that Barbel shouldn't be stocked in still waters) its kind of strange how we accept still water Chub more easily than we do Barbel!

 

The "washed out look" doesn't prove any kind of suffering/unhappiness/unhealthiness but is simply a by product of the coloured water we often find in overstocked waters. So are they any the worse for being in them?

 

They cant (although some have claimed they have) spawn in still water but is this really an issue? many domesticated animals don't ever get to reproduce.

 

Stocking barbel in still water does make it rather "artificial" but does it really take any more "skill" to catch one from a prolific river?

 

Kind of playing Devil's Advocate but you see what I mean? I suppose my real issue (other than my rather "traditionalist stance" on such matters) is that it is yet another thing brought in to fuel the "instant" culture of a lot of today's anglers and that little step closer to taking away/diminishing the diversity of angling. I don't want to see the day when we all fish the same method ,same bait, same approach on the same venues that some seem to be edging toward.

 

But we all have a choice I hear many say....true but only as long as the various options to "choose" from still exist :-(

[Dick Dastardly]

I'd love to catch something like this...

 

 

 

Then get of your arse,give Raphael a call and go to France and fish one of the several big waters that have a few of these in!..........................................................................bu

t please dont ask for some one to stick some in a "designated fish farm site" near you and then allow "angling" for them in this country! And even if you do go to one of the few that do exist in this country all ready (sadly) dont then think your capture rates any where near this one!

 

NOTE This isnt actually aimed directly at Ed