It matters to the controlling body. Like circus's the horde of anglers descending on the pitch brings with it the odd example what would be better as a circus exhibit - The untidy/selfish angler. Leaving litter and sh*t all other. This brings its own problems with the main holder ( Landland) and for what many a year a club/body has been cultivating as open water is suddenly removed and then goes to a syndicate - with its restriction on guests/day tickets.
Additionally, the sudden publicity, brings unwanted guests fishing at night,( indeed are there not certain Carp anglers who brag about guesting) especially in waters which have "no night fishing rules". This generates more friction with landowners, extra work by any baliffs or members of that fishing body.
For this reason Paul - and the fact that it is like a Circus with all kinds of animals visiting, I can respect the wishes of some controlling bodies to keep the locations of caught fish quiet - like the Derwent Specimen.
Is life all about records in papers or about the pleasure of sharing such a catch with immediate friends and knowing that the peace and tranquilty and fishing in unspoilt surroundings, will be avialble next time for you, your family (sons daughters wife - if they fish) and immediate friends to enjoy.
I would therefore say Yes it does matter, and I would expect any angler would realise this. If anglers do not think about these matters, the number of waters removed from anglers and their standing within the community will fall. We as a body cannot tolerate any "circus freaks" which bring discredit to angling.
AS Graham stated Different waters will respond with differnt fish. It it more skillful and ultimately more satisfying to catch a Derwent 12b, Trent 14lb than an Ouse 18lb, knowing that these are truely specimens for their own waters. I would not be satisfied at using smae bait, fishing the same swim and catching the same record (or even larger) barbel. However, I would be plased to catch a 12lb teme from an unfished swim, or evn a 2lb grayling from the Derwent. Either would give me more pleasure.
Lastly, surely, the circus animals are just that - being lead - by normally the dedicated one-river angler displaying his talents and then just being egded out by the hoard. When will they dedicate themselves to the pursuit and challange of large fish, sought out by their knowledge of watercraft etc.,rather than others.