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Viewing 1 to (7 Total) River Teme |
Total Posts: 11
Joined: August 4, 2015
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Evening Gents, just wondering if any body bothers fishing the Teme for barbel these days? Haven't fished it myself since the great floods of 2007 which by all accounts decimated the barbel stock, as many of you will know it was a cracking barbel river on its day of which the BAA have some beautiful stretches. If people still fish for the silvers in there then fairplay but if the barbel stock is virtually non existent and no one is using the waters then may be the Association should relinquish control of the waters and use the extra funding to acquire new venues etc, any thoughts?
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Posted on June 7, 2017 at 6:05 PM
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Total Posts: 57
Joined: January 5, 2017
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Re: River Teme
Don`t fish it as much as I did many years ago but I have a relative who has a caravan on a stretch near Eastham. He had 1 Barbel last year and heard of another 1 (on caravan site stretch). Catches mostly Trout (To 2lb) and Grayling (To 1 1/4 lb). Also Chub and a few Bream in the slower parts.
Posted on June 7, 2017 at 9:16 PM
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Total Posts: 30
Joined: July 2, 2015
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Re: River Teme
It is true that since the 2007 floods the Barbel appear to have all but vanished. Locating them is difficult and many sessions have resulted in blanks or only Chub being caught from once prolific Barbel swims from Eastham Bridge, through Lindridge, Eardiston and down to Stamford Bridge.Of course this could be coincidental but several theories exist as to the demise of Barbel stocks through the Teme. There are discussions already on this forum, dating back to the setting up of this forum, so I would advise looking back at these to get a feeling of probable reasons for the apparent reduction of the once large numbers. I also refer you to a study being carried out by Catherine Gutman Roberts, of Bournemouth University, who is carrying out an environmental study into the Barbel population on the Teme and related rivers. Not published yet (to my knowledge) but there is a reference in the News section of this website.
A session that produced more than 1 Barbel last year I would have considered to be exceptional but there have been reports of small Barbel being caught so they are still breeding although I would have thought that 10 years on the stocks would have recovered to their former numbers if the river was 'all in order' and returned to its former condition.
Several reports exist that Barbel numbers in the Severn have also been depleted but I have less experience of that situation.
If you decide to go and fish the Teme then good luck and tight lines.
Posted on June 8, 2017 at 7:22 PM
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Total Posts: 407
Joined: June 10, 2015
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Re: River Teme
I dont subscribe to the floods theory to be honest. A fish that is designed to thrive in fast and turbulent water wont suffer greatly in huge floods and such. It's obvious the resurgence of the otter is to blame for the demise of Teme barbel,if you look at the Teme in summer, it tends to be low, making the river a series of deeper pools separated by shallow riffles, making barbel easy pickings for predators. this is why lots of smaller rivers have suffered, Kennet, Ivel, Teme, BA etc.
Barbel numbers have also declined on the Severn, but being much larger, can cope with an otter population much more easily. At some point, nature will find a balance between prey and predator, it always does.
Posted on June 9, 2017 at 9:17 AM
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Total Posts: 821
Joined: July 4, 2015
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Re: River Teme
It's difficult to attribute just one event or factor to blame on the reduction in Barbel numbers, I enjoyed the very tail end of the good days on the Teme, but there is no doubt that it all went down hill fast after the 2007 floods.
Whether that was a combination of reasons such as Otter predation floods, and angling pressure no one really knows, and of course the EA have not offered any reasons, but instead concentrate on such things as Shad numbers,and weirs.
For the Teme to go from the premier river to non league status was a disaster, not only for the Barbel but for all other species too. However if the powers that be, do know, they are not telling.
I fished the Teme just once last season in March, not a touch, not even a Chub rattle, that would be unheard of a few years back.
The last Barbel I had was a 9lb plus fish back in June 2011, but I will give it another go this season, no great expectations, but it really has to be done, such a great River.
Posted on June 9, 2017 at 11:21 AM
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Total Posts: 2
Joined: June 25, 2015
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Re: River Teme
Hi, I still fish the teme quite alot , but my barbel rods have not been out there for few years  I now trot a stick for the trout & grayling . Still my fav river, still beautiful , but nothing like it has been in the past
Posted on June 9, 2017 at 6:08 PM
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Total Posts: 11
Joined: August 4, 2015
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Re: River Teme
Not sure about the otter theory, Stanford Bridge was prolific before the floods. I have travelled that way regular for many years to just outside Hereford to maintain the High Pressure natural gas installation there and recall the massive expanse of water across the fields at that time. Chances are the fish were stranded once the waters receded and then were open game to the predators, the river came down with that much force it literally washed away the bridge between the two meadows where the small stream enters.,The HP gas pipeline from Hanbury to Hereford which goes under the team near Knightwick was left high and dry due to the bank erosion. Sadly I don't think it will ever be the same again.
Posted on June 9, 2017 at 7:34 PM
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