cg67
In the interests of clarity should have posted the quote to which my statement referred, namely;
Originally Posted by Ray Daywalker Clarke
"Wildlife will not and does not suffer from anglers, if it did, there wouldn't be any wildlife left by now"
I said that statement was 'completely ridiculous and absolute rubbish'
Ridiculous because for someone of Ray's standing to even think that is true (I initially thought is was a joke) and then to write it on a public forum is ridiculously misleading to young anglers and non-anglers alike.
Rubbish because it is completely untrue.
The Points I raise points can be supported by sound science and clear example.
You may not know it but when rest days were advised (on Nature Conservation grounds) to an angling group they not only accepted the advice but added extra rest days themselves.
What a brilliant example of anglers working WITH nature rather than the opposite you and others propose.
Human beings have a choice when to be on the river bank, plants and invertebrates do not, many simply cannot relocate at all or cannot adapt fast enough.
Many small and seemingly insignificant plants are decades old and might have been growing in the same location even before you were born.
What right have we to trample them into the ground during their breeding season just because we want (MUST) be on the bank at their most important time.
Besides what is wrong with anglers working WITH wildlife, surely coarse anglers cannot be so selfish as to trample roughshod over everything our forefathers have protected just to fish a few more days a year?
At present we can PROVE our conservation ethics by leaving the rivers to themselves for three months, what will anglers prove if they dont?
.
Yet again a nothing statement from mick b. The rivers are only left alone by anglers, and not by choice. Boat traffic for one is always on the rivers, and during our imposed closed season, boats are at the start of the holiday season, so that puts that to bed for a start.
As for working with wildlife, anglers do, more than most on all rivers and still waters. Tell me this, when others are walking the banks, feeding ducks, mooring boats etc etc, do they have special powers so they don't trample anything down ??? didn't think so.
So show us all this conservation ethic proof you have for when anglers fish all year on rivers,
mg: forgot you haven't any, and you won't have until anglers are fishing the rivers all year. You also made a statement you have sound science, yet have still failed to show us any, all pie in the sky.
This isn't anti close season, its anti all year fishing. If the tackle trade is backing it, then fine, because at the rate shops are closing down, you will not have local tackle shops, just a few spread here and there over the country.
As for me being a person of standing, again pie in the sky. I am an angler and nothing more as far as angling goes. I don't buy into your made up statements regarding the close season, because the truth is, thats just what they are, Made up, to try and keep the closed season, just for your own benefit, not for the good of all angling.
---------- Post added at 18:15 ---------- Previous post was at 17:47 ----------
The question regarding the Close Season was replied to as follows:
Retain the current season, as is: 38.5%
Like i said Peter, the sums are Spun. The question is easy, close season Yes or No. Above is just 38.5%. Your own figures.
There was only 29,000 asked the question, out of the so called 4 million anglers, now that is a spin on figures. To get the best result regarding the close season, all anglers should have a vote, yes or no, when getting their licence, but i doubt that will happen, its far to easy, and keeps the debate away from the anti all year brigade.
I am not interested in all the spin regarding who said what, science etc etc, because it is again very simple. There are NO facts as to what, could, would, may or may not happen, if anglers fished the rivers all year. The only way to get the facts is by fishing. Something i know you don't want, thats fine, i used to be the same, not any more.
For me it's easy, you open all waters all year, Wildlife will benefit, as has been proved on still waters, spawning fish will not suffer, as proved on still waters, and the tackle trade will benefit. That may stick in the throats of some, but they will be the first to start shouting when their local tackle shop has to close down.
As for the 1% Peter, well that was taking the P***, we all know its far less than that, but no one but you picked up on it, well done. Hope your ok and the fishing is fine.
regards
Ray
