Rik, the majority of UK ground nesting birds are at their most vulnerable between February 1st and the end of June, although the nesting period for some species can go on towards the end of July.
"It always appears to me that the vast majority of people who keep a self imposed closed season, try and portray an attitude of superiority, much akin to the barbel police"
Another classic example of the fallacious argument in use!
I have not seen, nor do I believe that I imply, an attitude of superiority and other than for some oblique references on FM I have no idea who, or what the Barbel Police are and probably care even less.
As I have said, each to their own, right?
I have no problem with you, or others fishing through the year if that is what you want.
However, I have yet to see a logical and well presented argument for the abandonement of the current close season on Rivers.
The current close season might not be perfectly in line with spawning habits for all species, but at the moment it is what we have and it should be observed accordingly.