Fish thefts from The Broads?

[Peter Waller]

Seems you know a lot about poaching Lee !

[Jim Roper]

Peter Waller:

Seems you know a lot about poaching Lee     !

Typical inuendo reply from PW.

[Peter Waller]

Maybe Jim, maybe! Best not leave any doors open for my shabby inuendos in the future, I jump at the chance. And anyway, Lee can cope, he's big enough!!

[trent.barbeler]

Dear Peter,

 

Lee certainly "IS" big enough.

 

"Typical inuendo reply from PW." are what binds us together Jim. And when Peter replies in such a manner its always a sign that Peter is loosing major arguments elsewhere.

 

But notice we never resort to below the belt personal attacks? Thats because we are "generals" tha knows.

 

Regards,

 

Lee.

[Bob Bradford]

Hello, I am new to this site and would like to tell you of my first hand account on this matter.

First of all a little about myself, I am an open match angler of some 20yrs, I do not fish the boat basins refered to by Roy Webster and never have, I have no vested interest in this matter in any other way, other than, that of an angler and conservationist.

I was visiting Lathams of Potter Heigham with my wife on a shopping trip several weeks ago, I, by sheer chance, spotted Jim Randell fishing a small club match and wandered over to have a chat. I asked him if he had caught etc, his reply was a firm no! he nodded toward 3 big wetsheds (boat sheds) and said "Have a look in there" I walked over and entered, what I saw next, so shocked me I felt compelled to photograph it, I purchased a throw-away camera from Lathams and returned to the wetsheds.

I took over a dozen photo's of thousands and thousands of fish scales strewn along the wooden walk ways inside the sheds, to give you an idea of how many, I paced out over 30 paces (aprox 30 yrds long), absoloutely covered in fish scales, there were NO fish skeletons,heads or anything else, just scales. There were NO droppings or animal foot prints in the mud to indicate Otters or Mink predation ( as reported in Angling Times, based on an EA experts opinion that has not visited the site).

I am currently communicating with Mr Rupert Pyett from the EA, I have asked him to prove or disprove in writing his colleagues claims that Otters and Mink are responsible, I will of course keep you posted, Bob.

[Peter Waller]

Hi Bob, how are roofs ?

[Bob Bradford]

I am flattered Peter! I have visited your website and would like to congradulate you on an interesting site,

How are the roofs? well, the ones I fix are watertight!, but I hope that there are many that need my expertise! he,he.

[Peter Waller]

Can't argue with that Bob! Welcome to AN by the way. There are a few matchmen over here, one or two who fish the Broads and the Fens.

[Bob Bradford]

Cheers Peter, For what it is worth this is my best guess as to the fate of those missing fish.

Just before last Christmas Dave Dowcra popped over to Potter Heigham to have a look in the wetsheds for signs of fish, what he saw prompted him to join Stalham AC so he could fish a few club matches, ( he is suffering from breathing problems and is restricted somewhat) he told me he had never seen so many fish in one place at the same time, he reckoned the wetsheds were "Lifting with fish". A few short weeks after his visit Stalham started their matches in the adjacent boatyard, the first match was resonable, but the following two weekend matches produced 6ozs for the winner!.

 

My view; It looked to me like the fish have been removed from inside the huge wetsheds (perfect cover) by a gang of people using large landing nets to scoop the fish out into bins or containers, and the scales were from the fish that had MISSED the target! this is speculation I know, but the fish have not migrated (too early)back into the river Thurne, the EA had recently electro fished the adjacent river and found next to nothing. I believe the fish are worth more alive than dead to some-one, but I do not rule out a fish farm selling them as dead-baits to unsuspecting dead-bait suppliers, thinking and believing the fish are ligit, I have NO proof, but it is the only thing that makes any sense to me.

[Peter Waller]

I don't know the answer Bob, pure speculation on my part. Could have been some salt in the river thats driven them upstream. I have to say that when I see dear old Roy and his cronies in the EDP I am tempted to take much of it with a pinch of salt. However you have seen the evidence. Am meeting with the EA at a BASG meeting in a day or two, I'll ask.

 

[ 06. April 2005, 08:41 PM: Message edited by: Peter Waller ]