As a very recent returnee to winter river coarse fishing after a 35-year layoff, I'd be delighted if the Close Season was scrapped. I speak with the evangelical enthusiasm of the recently re-converted (like those former 40-a-day smokers who bang on and on at their mates who don't want to give up
). Colours to the mast, I flyfish rivers for wild trout and have to endure a 6-month Close Season in that game, and to be honest the early weeks of the season when cold tend to offer pretty poor sport.
The opportunity to spend another few weeks mooching the banks of the Windrush,Cherwell or Thames, willing the quivertip to be pulled round by a beefy chub appeals far more that dredging the riverbed with tungsten-beaded nymphs in mind-numbing repetition. Dry fly - now that's a different matter, but that ain't happening 'til May, usually.
Can't buy the argument that the fish in our rivers - those that are left - need us, the law-abiding conservation-minded anglers to lay off them for 3 months while they don't spawn. Apart from anything else there doesn't seem to be enough of us to make a blind bit of difference. In a dozen river trips since Christmas, I've encountered the grand total of one other angler (not counting bumping into Jason Bean in the car park at Thrupp as I was finishing and he was starting!).
Those who wish the fish harm certainly don't think "Better not poach is weekend - it's the Close Season after all" and I for one would stop fishing immediately in the unlikely event I appeared to be disturbing fish that were spawning or preparing to.
You never know, my presence might just keep a cormorant, otter, mink or poacher away from the river for a few more hours; small comfort, but nevertheless......
Mike