Birmingham Anglers Association

I wonder if the Severn will in time go the way of the Kennet. Back in the 70's and 80's the Kennet had big roach and vast numbers of Barbel, but few big fish. A good fish then was 6 or 7 lb, very very few doubles ever caught mostly 1-4lbs, loads of Dace etc. in recent years dace and roach vanished (cormorants?) and Barbel got big. i used to average around 70% doubles in my Barbel captures until about 4 years ago when numbers appeared to crash (otters/age ?) not too many of the small 2 or 3 lb fish. There was quite good recruitment in Osier stream and i watched a guy 1 day catching loads of fish up to maybe 1/2 lb below a weir.
In the Severn's favour is its a big river so predation will hopefully have less impact. and i dont think there are crays in there eating the spawn and fry. Would still like to see all inland cormorants dispatched though, they get through a vast tonnage of fish.

Just realised what a disjointed ramble i have just written guess its my age lol.