hi guys
don't normally post here, but have fished for barbel - sometimes successfully - on the river medway in kent for a few years.
the recent anglers mail has on its front cover a photo of a keep net with three barbel in it, being gleefully dispalyed by what I can only describe as an attention-seeking t@sser.
anyone who knows about or cares about barbel will know that a keep net can be tantamount to a death sentence for them, especially in summer temperatures and low water oxygen levels.
I didn't get time to check, but I wonder if the fishery owners are aware of this idiot's antics?
all to get 'in a magazine'.
I make no apology for the tone of this post - barbel are loved as the bonefish of fresh water, and will fight to a standstill. TO then torture them in this way is inexcusable. I have no doubt the same apoplexy is erupting on barbel forums too.
that that journal feels it acceptable to print such a photo says much about their standards as anglers.
dan

I totally agree Dan, if I had my way, I would have put them out of their misery by chucking a spare Otter into the keep net.

Pip pip!

The Pirate.

__________________
Sonik Sports Team Pitsford Pirates - No pressure, just pleasure! Pip pip!

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/trade-cla...e-bonanza.html

http://www.soniksports.com/

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/fly-lines...unkistbob.html

I don't think it's exactly the crime of the century to be brutally frank. I haven't kept a barbel in akeepnet for many years but often did so in the 70 s, as we all did . Cannot recall a single casualty. I do look after whatever I catch but think we sometimes veer towards hysteria when it comes to welfare of our captures - pike and carp guys can be especially sanctimonious - if we are really that obsessed we shouldnt stick hooks in them, and drag them around underwater really...

what a crock of SH1TE if they have been stocked into a stillwater they will now be used to low water oxygen levels ,if they were not used to low oxygen levels compared to a river the EA would not continue to stock them in stillwaters ??,i was one of them that was vehemently against stocking in "ponds" but they have proved that the species can survive and survive very well indeed ,a proper angler would have his keepnet spread out to max the movement of water flow through it even in a stillwater , as for rivers how would you peg your keepnet out ????????????

__________________
WHEN YOU LEAVE THE RIVER, TAKE NOTHING, AND LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINT'S!!!

THA CAN TELL A YORKSHIREMAN ,BUT THA CAN'T TELL HIM MUCH !!

I agree with Dan, unfortunately too many people are fishing just to show off their catch and it is all bigger is best, the real essence of fishing is going. I much prefer not seeing anyone all the time I am fishing, let alone anyone with a camera and have never owned a keepnet.

However it could be possible that the angler in question has helped get the fishes energy/oxygen levels back up after the fight and then stocked it in a large keep net until photo time, not something I agree with but perhaps an option.

AS a life long specimen angler- albeit someone who loves catching small wild browns too - bigger IS better. It shouldnt make any difference that a chub is 6-2 and not 5-14 , or a pike 19- 12 and not 20 -4 but it does.

Presumably matches on the middle Severn are still won with big bags of barbel?

I can't even remember the last time I used a keepnet. Unless you are match fishing, or specifically want to stop fish returning to the shoal in a river whilst you're trying to catch more, why use one? Actually, even on the last point I still never use one, I'd rather release straight away. Fish handling is the main thing, whether using a keep net or not, especially with big fish. But additional handling through using a keepnet is still best avoided in my opinion.

I know you love barbel really Stewart. You just can eat a whole one

__________________

For me, the issues with barbel and keepnets are fin entanglement, oxygen and recovery. An appropriate keepnet, correctly positioned and used with care should not be a problem.

I don't use mine very often - I don't fish matches any more, and I haven't put a barbel in one for over 20 years and personally wouldn't do it these days - but I still understand the simple pleasure of seeing a day's catch again before releasing it.

If you're that bothered about "torturing" them why go fishing in the first place?