Derek Gibson
Well-known member
Many years ago none other than **** Walker (love him or not) wrote '' it is a mistake to revisit the scene of angling triumphs many years later''. I recall that many of us young Walkerites thought that it was just old **** once again being controversial!! Today however ask me hand on heart the same question, and I would unhesitantly say old **** was right.
There may be many reasons why fisheries deteriate, but from my perspective looking back over fifty years the hand of man has had the most significent influence. I look back to Throop weirpool on the Stour, my first visit was in the late sixties. I didn't return until the eighties (misery). Topcliff weirpool River Swale, ditto, There are numerous examples of the above.
Just recently an old friend roped me in to have a look around a carp pool we had been members of some twenty or more years ago, then it had it all, our own mini Redmire. Back then we spent many evenings there margin fishing between the numerous bushes and prolific weed beds, making some epic catches of up to ten/fifteen doubles, mostly mirrors at one sitting. This last visit however saw my friend Lacey and I staring blankly in silence. Gone were the bushes that lined one bank, in there place numerous wooden platforms,gone were the weedbeds and lilies. We turned away in total silence.Improved fisheries? Revisit the scene of angling triumphs? You were right ****, and I for one bear witness. What's your take on this. I'd love to hear.
There may be many reasons why fisheries deteriate, but from my perspective looking back over fifty years the hand of man has had the most significent influence. I look back to Throop weirpool on the Stour, my first visit was in the late sixties. I didn't return until the eighties (misery). Topcliff weirpool River Swale, ditto, There are numerous examples of the above.
Just recently an old friend roped me in to have a look around a carp pool we had been members of some twenty or more years ago, then it had it all, our own mini Redmire. Back then we spent many evenings there margin fishing between the numerous bushes and prolific weed beds, making some epic catches of up to ten/fifteen doubles, mostly mirrors at one sitting. This last visit however saw my friend Lacey and I staring blankly in silence. Gone were the bushes that lined one bank, in there place numerous wooden platforms,gone were the weedbeds and lilies. We turned away in total silence.Improved fisheries? Revisit the scene of angling triumphs? You were right ****, and I for one bear witness. What's your take on this. I'd love to hear.