Here it Comes Again

maverick 7 · Jan 7, 2014

I see the unofficial Close Season is here again for us river anglers....I am talking about teh annual floods of course which prevents much of the river fishing in this country for a further couple of months...so including the Official Close Season...we must lose 5 months of fishing per year.

However, we still have to pay the FULL cost of the licence fee......why is this?....The authorities have created two different types of fishing with the aid of the CS. Stillwaters and such don't have a Close Season but rivers do...so why can't we take it further and have a licence for rivers and a licence for the rest?

Because of less time on the bank due to the floods.... and the CS....the river licence would be cheaper by at least a third of the full cost and the licence would only be valid for rivers....If caught fishing other stillwater venues with only a river licence then you would be treated as if you hadn't got a licence at all.

A river licence wouldn't cause too many logistical problems either......I think it is a good idea and a valid suggestion. I can't think of any other way to level the playing field when it comes to the two types of angling .....or perhaps a better idea would be to abolish the CS altogether...sorry, I know it's an old chestnut but I think that's a valid suggestion too.

Along with September and October.....April and May are two of the best months in the year for river fishing....don't ask me how I know....you'll be disappointed.

What do you think?

Maverick

sam vimes · Jan 7, 2014

I suspect that it would be a retrograde and divisive step to split river angling from stillwater angling. I'd also suggest that it would cost more to implement, which would ultimately cost the angler more. For that reason alone it's not a viable proposition.

The vaguaries of the weather are what they are. Ultimately, a flood may not be condusive to angling but it doesn't actually stop you wetting a line should you so wish. I don't believe that you could genuinely legislate for those vaguaries.

The forecast isn't too horrendous, winds dropping and a bit of sunshine thrown in, for the next few days and the Swale is only showing as being 20cm or so up on normal (The Ure doesn't look too silly either). I'll probably sneak out in the next day or two. My biggest issue will be if my tackle shop has any maggots left before the Thursday delivery.

The bad one · Jan 8, 2014

Really don't know what you're talking about 5 months lost on the river? I'm out every weekend and this year I've only lost one days fishing on the river and that was last Sunday. I could have fished it had the weather man got the weather quite right but he didn't. During the time we would have fished it the river bumped along at .8 of a mtr and well within fishable range. But as myself and my two mates had made alternative arrangements based on the predicted weather we went perching instead on a stillwater.

When the rivers close I turn to stillwater fishing when the urge bites, so I'm fishing 12 months of the year, as guess many other river anglers do. I also know many anglers that chuck the fluff if they need the running water fix and enjoy it.

So no I don't see a need to change anything as it is, even the chestnut.

keora · Jan 8, 2014

It's rained a lot this winter yet I've still managed to get out most weeks, I think I've cancelled only two trips because of the weather. I've had some good days pike fishing on the River Wharfe this winter, choosing swims which fish well in a flood.

It would be a very bureaucratic system to have two separate licences, one for rivers and one for stillwaters, and it would end up costing more.

chav professor · Jan 8, 2014

I think a river only license would be superb... perhaps even scrap the need for a license on commercial/club controlled lakes.

Make it cost double and invest in habitat improvement schemes, weed cutting, bailiff control to reduce incidents of poaching. Jeeze.... had a stack of trees removed from my river this year due to heavy storms! Must have cost a small fortune.....

~Bailiff responded quickly to 4 incidents of out of season fishing..... E.A. responded quickly to repair faulty automatic weir plate...... Can report traps or illegal activities..... concerns... etc

do people still moan about a £27..... yawn.....

I was chatting with the E.A. lads whilst they were on the river weed cutting... budget fears... they don't know if they have a job next year.

---------- Post added at 00:53 ---------- Previous post was at 00:52 ----------

Damn... shot myself in the foot.... not many anglers fish rivers... doh!

mick b · Jan 8, 2014

Just to chuck a spanner in the works.....
I think we should return to the Mar 15 - June 15 close season for all coarse fishing waters, running or still.

I only fish October to March so the rising waters etc etc are all part of my season, doesn't stop me catching or enjoying my sport tho.

Peter Jacobs · Jan 8, 2014

The annual coarse licence also allows you to fish for non-migratory Trout as well as Coarse fish, so in efect you can fish 12 months a year with that one licence.

If you chose to only fish for Coarse fish in running water (i.e. your choice) then you are the one who is restricting your license, not the EA.

I would also be very happy to see a return to a complete Coarse Close Season as well for both running and stillwaters.

chav professor · Jan 8, 2014

I think its a tired old argument personally..... the fish and rivers get plenty of 'rest' during the floods!.......

Close season as it stands works fine...

Floods are frustrating, but thats part of interacting with our environment. I quite like that its not a 'Centre Parks' experience laid on for our amusement.

tiinker · Jan 8, 2014

Mavrick you know my feelings on the of the close season I support it . As for the rivers carrying extra water and it interfering with the fishing it does only if you do not go .If you look at the fish that have been caught in the angling press and what is reported on the forums some very good fishing is to be had when rivers are carrying extra water you just have to work out where the fish are. There is plenty of advice on flood water fishing these day. The rivers I fish in my area produce their best fish for me when they are up. Some of my friends specialise in barbell and many of them have had the biggest fish in big water up to 18 pound I and my sons have taken chub from the Lea to 7+ when it has been in flood Tim had a 6-12 and a 7-6 on the same day. Give it a go you may be surprised how good it can be.

maverick 7 · Jan 8, 2014

I realise you can still go river fishing in the floods....I have done it myself and I don't mind a bit of extra water in maybe up to 30cm or so but I defy ANYONE to perform regular stick float fishing in a river that is even only a couple of foot or so higher than normal....it is almost a waste of time...or at least it is on the rivers I fish such as the Trent and Dove.

Alternatively, I can chuck a 5 or 6oz weight out on a flooded river like anyone else can...but please don't tell me that method is anything else other than a chuck and chance it exercise in a flooded river...even down the margins....Looking for the slacks can make it easier but often there are no slacks to be found....not natural ones on rivers like the Trent anyway.....In fact flood river fishing is all based mostly on the luck of the draw....or chuck in this case.

Strange.... how you all claim that your enthusiasm for our sport drives you on come what may....how you all go fishing even in this flooded state that has gripped our rivers now for at least 4 maybe 5 weeks ....and yet I pass many rivers in my area on a fairly regular basis...including the ones that I fish often which usually has plenty of anglers on the banks...and guess what?

....yep...you've guessed it....not a soul for miles and miles. From that then....I can only assume that all the anglers in this country who fish flooded rivers....are members of this forum ....what a coincidence.

Some of you claim that a river only licence would create a division in angling....but hasn't that already been done by the authorities with the introduction of NO Close Season for stillwaters only....or if you prefer, a Close Season for rivers only......I believe it has.

Sam......Retrograde???..........Vaguaries??? Some people will find these words hard to understand ....especially when they have been incorrectly spelt. Why not simplify them with words we can all understand like "Backwards"....and "Unusual or Erratic"....

It's a fishing forum Sam...not Mastermind.

Maverick

sam vimes · Jan 8, 2014

maverick 7 said:
Sam......Retrograde???..........Vaguaries??? Some people will find these words hard to understand ....especially when they have been incorrectly spelt. Why not simplify them with words we can all understand like "Backwards"....and "Unusual or Erratic"....

It's a fishing forum Sam...not Mastermind.

Maverick

Oh dear, Maverick doesn't get universal support so tries to pick fights based in something entirely incidental.

mg: Besides, retrograde is spelt (and pedants often argue that "spelt" is incorrect too) correctly. Nice of you to be quite so condescending though, to me and everyone else on the forum.

Fishing licences are no different to a club ticket. You don't get a discount if you don't use it, regardless of the reason. Your logic is flawed and entirely self centred.

The bad one · Jan 9, 2014

maverick 7 said:
Alternatively, I can chuck a 5 or 6oz weight out on a flooded river like anyone else can...but please don't tell me that method is anything else other than a chuck and chance it exercise in a flooded river...even down the margins....Looking for the slacks can make it easier but often there are no slacks to be found....not natural ones on rivers like the Trent anyway.....In fact flood river fishing is all based mostly on the luck of the draw....or chuck in this case.

Strange.... how you all claim that your enthusiasm for our sport drives you on come what may....how you all go fishing even in this flooded state that has gripped our rivers now for at least 4 maybe 5 weeks ....and yet I pass many rivers in my area on a fairly regular basis...including the ones that I fish often which usually has plenty of anglers on the banks...and guess what?

....yep...you've guessed it....not a soul for miles and miles. From that then....I can only assume that all the anglers in this country who fish flooded rivers....are members of this forum ....what a coincidence.

Maverick

To your first point If you know the river and the lengths you are fishing and you fish them in the flooded conditions then no it is NOT a chuck and chance it thing. Of the 10 lengths of river I have access to I know of at least 1 banker swim on each where I would be 95% confident of catching a barbel or two. My mate who I fish with has a saying for these conditions... "IT'S BARBEL TIME!" He's not wrong either, all our big fish have come in these conditions. Coincidence, luck of the draw? I don't think so! The same swims, the bankers, produce time and time again! They are the gift that just doesn't stop giving!

I'll grant you sticking is difficult with a metre plus on but not impossible as the Trent matchmen from the 60s-70s will tell you. Back in the day, I've seen some great catches of chub on winter leagues come out on a flooded Trent.

Yes many so-called anglers are put off by flooded rivers, but that's not such a bad thing from our point of view, it means we can usually get in the banker swims without some dummy sat in it who is under gunned and doesn't have a clue what he/she is doing.
Oh and as you seem to doubt that I "walk the talk" do a search of the Article Achieves for an article Understanding Winter Floods!

no-one in particular · Jan 9, 2014

I don't fish floods much but I remember one time I turned up and the river was flooding and the lock keeper had opened the flood gates. The water was rushing down and loads of rubbish with it; impossible to fish. I was going to go home but, decided as i had traveled to get there to do something. I found just a little cut back in the bank 3ft long and 2 ft deep right in the edge. Just a tiny little eddy and the rubbish missing it. Thought I would give it an hour just to wet a line with no thought of catching anything and then caught about 15-20 decent roach in that little cut back. OK, not big barbel but, a very enjoyable couple of hours. Where there's a will etc.

tiinker · Jan 9, 2014

maverick 7 said:
I realise you can still go river fishing in the floods....I have done it myself and I don't mind a bit of extra water in maybe up to 30cm or so but I defy ANYONE to perform regular stick float fishing in a river that is even only a couple of foot or so higher than normal....it is almost a waste of time...or at least it is on the rivers I fish such as the Trent and Dove.

Alternatively, I can chuck a 5 or 6oz weight out on a flooded river like anyone else can...but please don't tell me that method is anything else other than a chuck and chance it exercise in a flooded river...even down the margins....Looking for the slacks can make it easier but often there are no slacks to be found....not natural ones on rivers like the Trent anyway.....In fact flood river fishing is all based mostly on the luck of the draw....or chuck in this case.

Strange.... how you all claim that your enthusiasm for our sport drives you on come what may....how you all go fishing even in this flooded state that has gripped our rivers now for at least 4 maybe 5 weeks ....and yet I pass many rivers in my area on a fairly regular basis...including the ones that I fish often which usually has plenty of anglers on the banks...and guess what?

....yep...you've guessed it....not a soul for miles and miles. From that then....I can only assume that all the anglers in this country who fish flooded rivers....are members of this forum ....what a coincidence.

Some of you claim that a river only licence would create a division in angling....but hasn't that already been done by the authorities with the introduction of NO Close Season for stillwaters only....or if you prefer, a Close Season for rivers only......I believe it has.

Sam......Retrograde???..........Vaguaries??? Some people will find these words hard to understand ....especially when they have been incorrectly spelt. Why not simplify them with words we can all understand like "Backwards"....and "Unusual or Erratic"....

It's a fishing forum Sam...not Mastermind.

Maverick

I have taken more than my fair share of fish from flooded rivers never using more than 2oz of lead trying to fish a stick float in a river carrying extra war is near impossible do you have no heavy water floats like big avon or chubbers . With all fishing you have to use the tackle suited to the prevailing conditions if you want to be successful that is the art of angling you should get out more and set the trend on the rivers that you pass you are letting a golden opportunity slip by. Some anglers may use the leads you say but many including myself and my sons have never found it necessary to use more than two ounces on the Thames /Kennet/ Lodden/Lea /Roding/ Medway/ Chelmer. Graham fished the Chelmer on Monday and had a four pound chub out and it was up more than a metre. If you have not got bait in the water you will not catch. Just have a look in the angling press this week at the fish caught from flooded rivers and you will see what can be caught by those that are prepared to give it a go. Butterfly anglers catch the sun but the real angler catches fish the whole season in all weathers by using his knowledge. Get out there time stops for no man never miss a chance once gone it is gone for good.

maverick 7 · Jan 9, 2014

sam vimes said:
Oh dear, Maverick doesn't get universal support so tries to pick fights based in something entirely incidental.mg: Besides, retrograde is spelt (and pedants often argue that "spelt" is incorrect too) correctly. Nice of you to be quite so condescending though, to me and everyone else on the forum.

Fishing licences are no different to a club ticket. You don't get a discount if you don't use it, regardless of the reason. Your logic is flawed and entirely self centred.

I just love your opening gambit of..."Oh dear"......very effective...

I know about the word "spelt" and "spelled"....and spelt is a "past" word...which it was.... in the context that I correctly used it in so bol*ocks to the "pedants"....or "bookworms" for those of you who doesn't know what pedants means. Whilst we are on the subject, I was referring to the word "Vaguaries" when I said it was spelt incorrectly....and you know that.

Anyway, as you correctly said ...it is all incidental.....but if you are going to use big and clever words...it is wise that you present them properly....or you will simply make yourself look like....well, you know what I mean.

Maybe it did sound a bit condescending...but I truly didn't mean to be so sorry guys if any of you felt that way.....but Sam, I have told you before....you do love to hear yourself talk.....stop trying to be the "thinking man's angler"

With regards to your last paragraph.....you're right, it may be flawed but it certainly isn't self centred....many anglers feel the way I do about this topic.

Maverick

geoffmaynard · Jan 9, 2014

I don't see that Maverick. I think Sam is a thinking angler too. No reason to dumb everything down or the next step is TXT Spk posts - at which point I reckon half the membership will walk

I googled images bad spelling and got some funny results:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=i....persistentknitter.com%2F2004%2F06%2F;612;525

maverick 7 · Jan 9, 2014

tiinker said:
I have taken more than my fair share of fish from flooded rivers never using more than 2oz of lead trying to fish a stick float in a river carrying extra war is near impossible do you have no heavy water floats like big avon or chubbers . With all fishing you have to use the tackle suited to the prevailing conditions if you want to be successful that is the art of angling you should get out more and set the trend on the rivers that you pass you are letting a golden opportunity slip by. Some anglers may use the leads you say but many including myself and my sons have never found it necessary to use more than two ounces on the Thames /Kennet/ Lodden/Lea /Roding/ Medway/ Chelmer. Graham fished the Chelmer on Monday and had a four pound chub out and it was up more than a metre. If you have not got bait in the water you will not catch. Just have a look in the angling press this week at the fish caught from flooded rivers and you will see what can be caught by those that are prepared to give it a go. Butterfly anglers catch the sun but the real angler catches fish the whole season in all weathers by using his knowledge. Get out there time stops for no man never miss a chance once gone it is gone for good.

Sorry Greg.......I don't agree with you. ......and I said REGULAR stick float fishing. I realise of course...that I can use some sort of buoy for a float but that doesn't quite light my candle mate.

I have caught in flooded conditions but it is nowhere near as enjoyable and nowhere near as prolific either as fishing in normal conditions....of course that's just my personal take on it but from the absence of anglers on my local rivers.....it looks like I am not the only one with those views.

I will give it a try this weekend....perhaps on the Dove, maybe the Trent...I am a half decent angler...particularly on rivers and I know how it all works with floods etc......I will report back just for the sake of curiosity....but don't hold your breath.

Maverick

---------- Post added at 01:06 ---------- Previous post was at 01:01 ----------

geoffmaynard said:
I don't see that Maverick. I think Sam is a thinking angler too. No reason to dumb everything down or the next step is TXT Spk posts - at which point I reckon half the membership will walk

I googled images bad spelling and got some funny results:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=i....persistentknitter.com%2F2004%2F06%2F;612;525

Well....that's what Sam seems to be trying hard to put over to everybody...isn't it? I just think it's a good idea to write stuff that we all understand...not just the clever few....can't see any implications or anything wrong with that Geoff....

As for your link Geoff.....very funny mate......very funny.

Maverick

---------- Post added at 01:14 ---------- Previous post was at 01:06 ----------

The bad one said:
To your first point If you know the river and the lengths you are fishing and you fish them in the flooded conditions then no it is NOT a chuck and chance it thing. Of the 10 lengths of river I have access to I know of at least 1 banker swim on each where I would be 95% confident of catching a barbel or two. My mate who I fish with has a saying for these conditions... "IT'S BARBEL TIME!" He's not wrong either, all our big fish have come in these conditions. Coincidence, luck of the draw? I don't think so! The same swims, the bankers, produce time and time again! They are the gift that just doesn't stop giving!

I'll grant you sticking is difficult with a metre plus on but not impossible as the Trent matchmen from the 60s-70s will tell you. Back in the day, I've seen some great catches of chub on winter leagues come out on a flooded Trent.

Yes many so-called anglers are put off by flooded rivers, but that's not such a bad thing from our point of view, it means we can usually get in the banker swims without some dummy sat in it who is under gunned and doesn't have a clue what he/she is doing.
Oh and as you seem to doubt that I "walk the talk" do a search of the Article Achieves for an article Understanding Winter Floods!

I need convincing of these amazing catches in floods......because I have never seen amazing catches in floods before........and seeing as your "banker" pegs ALWAYS produce and never stop giving....why don't you do us the honour of photographing your catches and letting us all witness your amazing flood catches.....with dates on as proof of course?

Would finally convince me ....that's for sure.

Maverick

theartist · Jan 9, 2014

Have you tried the EA water levels website guys? Of the 30 or so rivers that i fish from time to time, out of them at least 20 are over their banks but 5 are fishable but at least 3 of them are sock-on right now.

May mean travelling a bit further to get a good days trotting in.

Things will be back to normal in a couple of weeks time and we'll all be back on our usual rivers moaning about how cold it is

sam vimes · Jan 9, 2014

maverick 7 said:
With regards to your last paragraph.....you're right, it may be flawed but it certainly isn't self centred....many anglers feel the way I do about this topic.

Well, might I suggest that you try to reclaim a portion of your road fund licence when they shut your favourite B road because it's flooded. Alternatively, you could ask for a separate road fund licence for those that use motorways and those that don't. Both are about as realistic as your preference for the future of the rod licence.

As for the rest of your over personal rubbish, think whatever you like about me, I couldn't care less. What you think I hope to gain by "trying hard to put over to everybody" that I'm a thinking angler, is quite beyond me. I am what I am, and I certainly won't change on your say so. However, I'll reserve some respect for others and not presume that they are quite so hard of thinking as you obviously do. Nice touch.

mg:

tiinker · Jan 9, 2014

maverick 7 said:
Sorry Greg.......I don't agree with you. ......and I said REGULAR stick float fishing. I realise of course...that I can use some sort of buoy for a float but that doesn't quite light my candle mate.

I have caught in flooded conditions but it is nowhere near as enjoyable and nowhere near as prolific either as fishing in normal conditions....of course that's just my personal take on it but from the absence of anglers on my local rivers.....it looks like I am not the only one with those views.

I will give it a try this weekend....perhaps on the Dove, maybe the Trent...I am a half decent angler...particularly on rivers and I know how it all works with floods etc......I will report back just for the sake of curiosity....but don't hold your breath.

Maverick

---------- Post added at 01:06 ---------- Previous post was at 01:01 ----------

Well....that's what Sam seems to be trying hard to put over to everybody...isn't it? I just think it's a good idea to write stuff that we all understand...not just the clever few....can't see any implications or anything wrong with that Geoff....

As for your link Geoff.....very funny mate......very funny.

Maverick

---------- Post added at 01:14 ---------- Previous post was at 01:06 ----------

I need convincing of these amazing catches in floods......because I have never seen amazing catches in floods before........and seeing as your "banker" pegs ALWAYS produce and never stop giving....why don't you do us the honour of photographing your catches and letting us all witness your amazing flood catches.....with dates on as proof of course?

Would finally convince me ....that's for sure.

Maverick

Jack I can assure you there are such swims and were they are generally know you had better be there early I know of one or two and I am very careful who I point them out to . There is no need for individuals to publish photo's the angling press is full of them. All that is needed is a little thought and some faith in your own ability as MG says just use your eyes. From what my friend tell me who lives in your area one of the hardest things to find on the rivers that surround you is another angler he is doing well right though the season and has only lived up there two years.

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