This is an extract from the first message of the thread inFISHINGmagic’s Forum that sparked the whole thing off:

“It is common knowledge that last weeks AnglingTimes on page 3 was the picture of a 3 lb roach/bream hybrid takenfrom Linch Hill in Oxon. The caption claimed it was a roach. Bothmyself, Graham and several members of this web site have sentEmails/letters to AT pointing out this error and on the day ofpublication too. Yesterday’s Angling Times (a week later) containedno apology for their mistake, which I find rather strange……….”– Ron Clay, 1st February 2001.

A later extract from a message reads:

I have to say it is definitely a hybrid and welldone to those who spotted it as it is a very roachy-looking hybrid.The anal fin gives it away as it is so dark in colour and too longfor a roach. – Fergal Scully, 4th March 2001 (Formerly workedfor the Irish Central Fisheries Board surveying fish stocks on thecanals. Hybrid identification was a major part of his job).

And more recently:

I don’t blame the guy’s who are claiming theprizes for these “roach” IF they genuinely believed they were roach,but I do have a genuine disgust for the weeklies who will not evenpublicly acknowledge that mistakes have been made!!! If they insiston this line then perhaps we should all get in touch with the prizesponsors and see if they have any comments? – Paul Williams,5th March 2001.

Angling Times responded by sending scans of the relevant pictureto FISHINGmagic. They also sent a scan of another fish caught on thesame day. They have not yet commented on whether or not the fish inthe ‘returning shot’ is a true roach or not. Take a look at the pictures below andtell us what you think.

We thank Angling Times for responding with the pictures and we look forward to hearing their comments.

NOTE: Alwyne Wheeler, in his book ‘Key To The Fishes Of Northern Europe’ gives an anal fin count of 9 – 11 branched rays for a true roach (Rutilus rutilus).
This is the fish that sparked it all off.
Many believe it to be a hybrid

This is a shot of another roach caught
the same day from Linch Hill

A closer look at the suspect fish

And the anal fin that
gives it all away

A closer look at the other fish

Spot the difference?
You can see in
the original shot
that the anal fin ends
at the fingers

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Fishing Magic
Online Fishing Magazine and Forums.
Contact us: info@fishingmagic.com
© FishingMagic 2000-2021
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community.