I don't know if its just me, but what I have seen this afternoon actually made me a bit mad.
I went down to the Dulais river to have a look at the conditions, water levels etc. and to have a quiet walk around the canal with my partner.
There was a guy fishing and as I watched him, he was landing a trout. Great I thought, however his landing method was to me appalling. He dragged the poor fish onto the bank, over gravel and stones at least 15 feet and then left it for a minute or two whilst he got his dry towel and then dispatched it, none too elegantly.
From where I was standing it also looked way too small to be taken, but after the way he treated it he couldn't have released it if he wanted as it was too badly treated.
I was always told that you should treat the fish with some respect making its dispatch quickly with the least amount of cruelty to the fish. Also using a landing net, which I thought was mandatory on these waters anyway. (Is there anyone from Neath & Dulais Angling Association on these forums who could answer ?)
If this guy was some teenager who didn't know better fair enough, but this guy seemed to be in his fifties.
I know there are some that would argue that as "its going to end up on the table anyway so what", but I was wondering what everyone else thought.
Am I being too sensitive???
Cheers.

I know how you feel. It really makes the blood boil, doesn't it?

I had a particularly nasty incident at Hazel Copse a couple of months ago.
Some chap was fishing on the opposite bank to me & there was an old fella fishing half-way between us. The lake is only about 1.5 acres, and quite open, so you get the picture.
Our gent landed the fish in a net, slapped it down on the bank and frantically started gouging the hook around with his fingers.
After a couple of minutes (!) fumbling like this, he then KICKED the fish from the bank back into the lake.
I had assumed he was going to dispatch the trout & I heard the old fella 15 yards away from me tutt loudly.
That was that as far as I was concerned. I walked calmly around to our C&R specialist (noting the newly "released" belly-up about 3 feet out) & asked if he'd ever released a fish before. He said yes.
I then told him that I asumed it was his first time, and then said I'll show you how... I had to re-net the fish, then held it upright for about a minute or so and it did swim away.
"There you go, much more elegant than booting it back into the lake".
I also said something about the fish being able to be caught again, rather than simply die a lingering death.
"Smart A$$" was all he could say. I looked down at him & replied "learn to fish".
The poor old chap fishing between us said "thanks, I was about to say something myself".
Our diminutive angry little fish-kicker packed up about 5 minutes later.
I left 5 minutes after him & it was only 2pm.
Totally ruined my day, but hopefully I made my point.

Sorry to hear about your experience - it seems ignorance is universal.
Glad you were able to try and put him straight.
I've sent a copy of my post to the club, so I hope something will happen.
I also think he was fishing where the cameras are.
I was thinking of joining this club, their response will make my mind up.

Glad I'm not alone in my opinion.
cheers
Kay

I once saw this sort of thing happen a Bewl Water a long time ago mind.I got the hump with some bloke who dragged a fish up the bank then couldn't find his priest,he ran around and came back with a stick and bashed the living sh1t out of the fish.I walked up to him and politely spoke to him,all i got was "f.ck off and mind your own business".I finished fishing and reported him to the staff

Neil

if i had a quid!

one fella was catching fish down on my local, as they wer not what he wanted and size wise he thought he would throw them over his shoulder into the bushes
twice i saw him do it, you can imagine what i called him..
on the path way passing him i tripped on a stone accidentally nudging him into the water with rod in hand..

Oooops!

My biggest pet hate, well in fact not so much a pet hate as more it enrages me.

I am surprised how many so called "fly fisherman" don't have the 1st ide how to net, unhook and return a fish.

I have witnessed a lot when I ran Coyle Water last year.

An example:
Chap purchased a 1 fish then catch & release ticket. So, one would automatically presume that means you catch 1 fish then go onto catch & release. He caught a fish, dragged it up to the 2nd tier gravel path went back down to the bank to do something, while he was doing that the fish was of course flapping about on this gravel. At this point I ran over as he picked the fish up and was taking it back to the water. As I approached he was holding the fish in the water. The fish clearly struggling so I asked him what he was doing? He replied "Putting it back, it's not big enough, I'll wait to get a better fish". I told him the ticket clearly states 1 fish then catch & release, you can't pick and choose what fish you want. He slowly released his grip on the fish and it eventually swam away.
Suffice to say I had to scoop the fish out the following day.

There is an angler that fishes the river regularly and it's is quite bizarre and also terrifying to watch. If he catches a fish, he doesn't used a net, drags the fish onto the bank then to get the hook out he stands on the fish and now comes the tricky part. There is always a wall or similar near where he fishes and it would appear he doesn't really like fish that are wriggling about because they are half dead after him standing on it, so he tries to whack the fish off the end of the wall, dropping it every time he tries. He has to do this 4 or 5 times.
It absolutely disgusts me and I have questioned, well not question more tell him he is doing it wrong and explain how to treat a fish you are going to kill becaue I am a firm believer that even though you are going to kill the fish, you still treat it with respect, right down to the last act (it's not called a priest so that it can conduct weddings).

But what can we do? the guy I've spoken to on the river just ignores me and thinks he knows best.

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The best way to a fisherman's heart is through his fly.

http://www.gardeningleave.org

It's the lads on the full C+R ticket that enrage me. they catch a big fish and net it, put it on the grass and pull the hook- at this stage I think they must be on a killing ticket- oh no after 2 mins of holding the fish- taking photos and showing it to their mates who ran from other side of lake, they then try to put it back- of course it goes belly up and is beyond saviour. Jeez- all for the sake of a pic and some high fives from their mates. I barely need to touch a fish when I catch one- most of the time the de-barbed hook just falls out in the net and the fish can swim off. I just think fisheries need to clamp down a bit on bad practice.

If you have told him more than once about his sick practise ( dunno which is worse your bloke and his wall or mine with his stick ) then report him to your club or association

Neil

Ask him whether he wants you to beat him to a pulp on the wall or clock him once smartly over the head with your priest.

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Location - Ospreylia

Then again forget what i said,WO's is a far better solution.Club him a few times then chuck him in a bush somewhere

Neil