Barrie Rickards' Angling

Reel Life
I have just received Reel Life from the Environment Agency, the magazine they send once a year to licence holders. I wasn't impressed by the first one (last year) and this one also came with my name spelt incorrectly - again! Bearing in mind it is licences we are talking about here, where the name and address of the holder is, I should have thought, crucial, why do they get it wrong two years running?

The magazine points out the eel problems, which is good. What isn't so good is the précis of the eel's life cycle which fails to take into account Japanese research which has shown that around the UK it isn't the freshwater eel which migrate (to the Sargasso or wherever) but the eel in estuaries and in the sea, which have, it seems, never been in fresh water. So the EA “resident eel expert”, Miran Aprahemian, maybe needs to do a little reading. Of course, if the Japanese are right, then the almost obliteration of freshwater eels what has taken place during the last twenty years cannot be a cause of the reduced number of glass eels! I think freshwater eels have been over fished commercially and that this happened long before the swim bladder parasite preached plague proportions. Although the EA make noises (as in this magazine) about both supporting commercial exploitation and controlling it, I don't think they achieve the latter, not by a long way.

Livebaiting in the Lakes
Some very interesting discussions have been taking place between the Specialist Anglers Association and the NW Region of the EA, who, you will remember, brought in a byelaw to prevent live baiting in the Lake District. The behaviour of the EA was pretty reprehensible throughout, but their latest admissions are odd, to say the least. They now admit that there are other possible ways of introducing 'alien' fish to the Lakes, but that they have done nothing about them. Only anglers have been targeted - in what was, anyway, a futile exercise if the 'damage' has already been done. So, if you happen to be a non-live baiter, and don't think this is an important issue, think again. It could be your fishing next.

That Dreadful 'Today' Programme
I have just been driving, and listening to that dreadful Today programme on Radio 4 (where only the interviewer is allowed to speak!). They had extracted a piece on eels from the EA's recent publication on the state of angling and fisheries (I'll report on this in due course when I have digested it fully). That's all the Today programme dealt with - no mention of the rest of angling. The EA spokesman wasn't bad but he really did fail to pinpoint the main cause of the eel's trouble, namely (surprise, surprise) man's over-exploitation of it. However, they then interviewed Tom Forte who forcibly drew attention to the failure of the EA spokesman, and Tom talked about the over-exploitation of elvers (most of which, it seems, are exported live to China; and as food to Spain). What Tom did not talk about was the exploitation of adult eels in freshwater and in estuaries. This also needs very serious attention, and for the life of me I cannot understand why the EA officers have always pussyfooted around this one. It is solvable. They have to stop sitting so firmly on the fence.

Pacemakers in Matches!
Have you spotted the debate in athletics about the use of pacemakers (no, not the things plugged into your chest - Tim Cole used to fit these - but the runners who set the pace of the race). Apparently it is now considered to be cheating. I have always thought that. Just image pacemakers for Bob Nudd! Sitting next to him we have Alan Scotthome on one side and Ian Heaps on the other. All Alan and Ian do is work up the swims very carefully, close to Bob's swim limits, and with due regard to what Bob is doing - then they leave the bait off their hooks. They, therefore, assist Bob to break the world bagging up exercise! Simple really. And no different to what is done in athletics. No wonder the crowds stay away these days.

Angling and Europe
No one can accuse me of being reticent on the subject of angling and Europe. I have pointed out the dangers to us many times. Now, it seems, this destructive 'constitution' (which the government will try to con us into voting for) has a section on 'animal rights'. That's all we need. I haven't seen this myself but will try to find out. Certainly, a European group is trying to put in a section on 'animal rights'. When we discuss human rights there is always implied - indeed, often stated - that it is accompanied by human responsibilities. Animals don't have responsibilities, and for that reason alone the concept is crazy. Some one was suggesting that if we voted 'no' in the constitution referendum then we'd lose all say on the matter. That's daft. If we vote 'NO' there won't be a constitution and we won't have deranged views from Europe leaning on us (If they weren't totally corrupt it wouldn't matter so much, but they are).

The Angling Unity Group
Apparently the Angling Unity Group (AUG) members have approved in principle in the formation of a new organisation to represent angling and fisheries. The member organisation of AUG now need to consider the matter! Back and forth it goes… Its all becoming a bit puzzling really. Apparently the meetings have been chaired by Jim Glasspool, and I really do wish him and committee the best of luck. If you look at the constituent members of the Moran committee, wait for it: ACA, ATA, ASGMM, AST, CCFA,IFM, NAAFC, NFA, NFSA, S&TA, SAA, WFCA and WS&TA, it does make you wonder why THEY cannot do the job!