Robert. As one or two on here know, myself, together with others have recently had cause to refute the lead poisoning claims. I personally had a quite a volley going with a BBC TV journalist over a news story. It was the usual, swans taken into a West Midlands swan rescue centre suffering from lead poisoning caused by? Yes, you've guessed it, those nasty uncaring anglers. No representation from anybody in angling at the time. I tackled the journalist responsible and he did admit that he had used only material given to him by The Swan Rescue Centre. I did my best to put him straight and laid the facts down as we know them. He did promise to give a fair representation the next time. I await that chance.
As for actually missing lead shot? Yes I do. A couple of weeks ago I refurbished an old float and tackle box - one of those varnished wooden jobs. I've had to throw out lead shot that had been there since I first started fishing - 27 or 28 yrs ago. I have always been able to re-use lead shot and have done so. It's rare that I've lost it or indeed any other terminal tackle. I discount discarded hooks and hook lengths of course - these go into my tackle bag for proper disposal at home and always have done. I do get on with modern non-lead shot but my preference is for the genuine stuff.
Kevan
