Re: Otters at Apley Estate

Scousehooker, they're probably on every Severn stretch these days. Bizarrely, I'm still yet to see one, despite me being out three times a week on average. The Teme, being a small river, spends most of its time without much water in it, so is just a series of deeper pools separated by riffles, meaning the barbel were easy pickings for the otters, so as Stu says, otters are the reason for the demise of the Teme, IMO.

The Severn, much bigger, and although barbel stocks are falling, I'd like to think that nature will find a balance at some point, and the predator/prey balance will level out. The situation is the same on the W.Avon.

One thing people do forget, is that otters were on the Severn, Avon, Teme etc, long before barbel were. It was us that hunted them down to near extinction, but I do think they've overdone the reintroduction a little.

That's my take on it anyway.

Re: trimpley

Same every season mate. Stops after about September time when the solar powered brigade pack away their gear until the following June. Disgusting.

Re: TAKING THE WIFE.

i think it was the case many years ago, but these days I see plenty of folk taking the missus with them, they sit there and take in the scenery. Can't see a problem with it myself.

Caring for barbel in the heat

Thought I'd share this from the barbel society, for anyone fortunate enough to land a barbel in this current heat:-

The fabulous sunshine we are basking in does cause additional problems when we are out catching barbel in these conditions.
The water temperature will increase , the dissolved oxygen will be reduced and barbel will take longer to recover.
Seasoned barbel anglers will be aware of this but each year many anglers are fishing for barbel for the first time and this is really for their benefit.
Basically be aware that the barbel will take a lot longer to recover so keep them out of the water for the shortest possible time and rest them for as long as it takes before letting them swim off.

To add my little bit to that, if you're fishing for barbel, don't fish too lightly for them, leading to a long, protracted fight which will exhaust the fish, and please, please, please, PLEASE....

DO NOT PUT BARBEL IN A KEEPNET!

JC

Re: Fladbury16th June.

Some Barbel coming out of the Lower Severn, just a huge slab for me, JC has had one John..expressionless