Got rid of my keepnet 20 years ago.Anyone going fishing, take extra caution in this weather regarding the welfare of fish.
Waters are suffering very low oxygen levels at the moment and after landing a hard fighting fish, take extra care when releasing back into the water. Carp will need to be held in the water to allow the fish to get enough oxygen through their gills to swim off strongly. Failure to care for fish will often see them go belly up and die. Also, if you are fishing for specimens, remember to use a unhooking mat, and make sure it has been dampened before putting a fish in to avoid scale damage. If you ain't got one, any decent tackle shop will gladly sell you one.
Barbel are vulnerable to not being treated properly, especially by inexperienced anglers.
After catching a barbel, return to the water as soon as possible in a fairly strong flowing current. Cradle the fish with one hand supporting it underneath between it's head and belly, other hand gently supporting it just Infront of its tail fin.. Point the Barbel upstream and hold it steady until it has got enough oxygen through its gills to be able to swim off by itself, this could take up to 10 minutes to ensure it swims of to fight another day . It will let you know when it's ready when it flaps its tail for freedom.
Also, if not fishing a match do you really need to use a keepnet? Releasing fish soon after being caught will help them recover, where as putting them in a keepnet in this heat will likely result in fish fatalities.
a friend from work fishes a lot in Ireland(he has family there) and some of the videos and pics hes shown me are out of this world such a beautiful place( think near Enniskillen )Just back from a week in Ireland. Fishing poor with low, clear water but does the soul good just to be there. Went back to a remote place on the Shannon we discovered 21 years ago but hadn't fished for 10 years or so. Still absolute paradise.
I bet the Roach and Bream shoals are nowhere near what they used to be in the 80s mate. Did you see any Cormorants or polish whilst there? Both experts and a nuisance in decimating freshwater fish levels. At least the Cormorants don't have a choice of buying theirs from a fishmonger.Just back from a week in Ireland. Fishing poor with low, clear water but does the soul good just to be there. Went back to a remote place on the Shannon we discovered 21 years ago but hadn't fished for 10 years or so. Still absolute paradise.
I bet the Roach and Bream shoals are nowhere near what they used to be in the 80s mate. Did you see any Cormorants or polish whilst there? Both experts and a nuisance in decimating freshwater fish levels. At least the Cormorants don't have a choice of buying theirs from a fishmonger.
Then the barbel came on the feed and I had four of 11-0, 10-2, 9-12 and 9-0. As soon as first light came they switched off. This was a superb night’s fishing, and I think the feeding was triggered by cooler, better ogygenated water.
Crikey, those are big fish. Is night fishing on the part of the Trent you go to necessary to catch barbel ? Haven't had a chance to get out since the rain but things were getting very stale so I'm looking forward to getting onto the Severn on Sunday.
At the moment the only barbel I am catching are at night but that’s because of the weather. Good luck on The Severn!
Good day's fishing on the Severn, my mate and I had 6 barbel between us (i.e.he had 5 and I had 1 whilst poaching his swim). First time I have fished a PAAS water and was pleasantly surprised.
On the Wye front, my mate has had a letter from the Wye & Usk foundation telling him that the stretch he was booked on is closed until the end of August due to low water conditions. Sounds serious but worth checking out for anyone headed in that direction.
Good work mate. I’m on the wye for a week, starting 1st September! Could be a major problem.
Which PAAS stretch did you fish!
I had a look at the river yesterday mate. Absolutely down to its bones. I haven't fished for salmon for months.Good work mate. I’m on the wye for a week, starting 1st September! Could be a major problem.
Which PAAS stretch did you fish!
@snorky is the man for Wye info. He told me several Salmon and Barbel have gone belly up do to chronically low water and oxygen levels. I'm hoping to fish on his stretch when the river has had a proper flush through, but it won't be anytime soon, unless pisses down in wales for a few days.Good day's fishing on the Severn, my mate and I had 6 barbel between us (i.e.he had 5 and I had 1 whilst poaching his swim). First time I have fished a PAAS water and was pleasantly surprised.
On the Wye front, my mate has had a letter from the Wye & Usk foundation telling him that the stretch he was booked on is closed until the end of August due to low water conditions. Sounds serious but worth checking out for anyone headed in that direction.
Ha, you're on here. Was you fishing for another old trout on POF last night mate? ; )I had a look at the river yesterday mate. Absolutely down to its bones. I haven't fished for salmon for months.
I think HDDA may have suspended coarse fishing. Hopefully next week may change conditions.
The Snork abides my friend :)Ha, you're on here. Was you fishing for another old trout on POF last night mate? ; )