R
Ron Clay
Guest
There was a time, during the sixties when I thought carp the ultimate species. It was of course during those heady days of the formation of the specimen groups. I fished for carp on odd occasions with Tag Barnes at a small lake near Harrogate. This was carping of the classic kind. Mk IVs, freelining, balanced paste and crust, lovely sunsets and sweet smelling dawns.
Straight out on BB it was.
Then I emigrated to South Africa. There I found that carp, once I had learned the local methods (Bolt rigs), were easy to catch. They also had taken over vast stretches of river where once swam in abundance some of the most beautiful freshwater species that have ever existed on this planet.
Carp were doing their worst.
I lost interest in them to the point where whenever I caught one I was not only disappointed but occasionally disgusted.
This has left it's impression on me for life I guess.
There is one big difference beween carp and all the other species of fish that swim in England. Carp are the only species that have become like they are today as a result of man's intervention. In the same family we also have kois, and the various species of goldfish. Carp were developed by man for food - nothing less. The other species of this family were developed for show and pets.
When I go fishing I want where possible to hunt a true wild creature. The vast majority of hunters would never set out to capture a domestic dog, pig or cow. In the same manner I don't want to catch an "overgrown goldfish".
I have nothing against carp anglers. They are entitled to fish for whatever they like. However what does raise my hackle is peole who talk of stocking carp into places like Ireland, or in our rivers. These places are home to our natural indigenous species, species that truly belong here. And because they are native, they should be given priority.
Call be a racist if you like, but there is a whole world of difference beteen comparing differences in humans to comparing differences in fish.
Straight out on BB it was.
Then I emigrated to South Africa. There I found that carp, once I had learned the local methods (Bolt rigs), were easy to catch. They also had taken over vast stretches of river where once swam in abundance some of the most beautiful freshwater species that have ever existed on this planet.
Carp were doing their worst.
I lost interest in them to the point where whenever I caught one I was not only disappointed but occasionally disgusted.
This has left it's impression on me for life I guess.
There is one big difference beween carp and all the other species of fish that swim in England. Carp are the only species that have become like they are today as a result of man's intervention. In the same family we also have kois, and the various species of goldfish. Carp were developed by man for food - nothing less. The other species of this family were developed for show and pets.
When I go fishing I want where possible to hunt a true wild creature. The vast majority of hunters would never set out to capture a domestic dog, pig or cow. In the same manner I don't want to catch an "overgrown goldfish".
I have nothing against carp anglers. They are entitled to fish for whatever they like. However what does raise my hackle is peole who talk of stocking carp into places like Ireland, or in our rivers. These places are home to our natural indigenous species, species that truly belong here. And because they are native, they should be given priority.
Call be a racist if you like, but there is a whole world of difference beteen comparing differences in humans to comparing differences in fish.