Usk and Wye foundation.

usk purple · #1 (**permalink**) 19-01-2012, 08:53 AM

Having recently received an e-mail from them noting how p****d off they are with the slagging they have had at the hands of T&S river reports asking if T&S should change who they get to review ,I'm at a loss to see a way foreward . I support the work they do but if the magazine chooses to use certain people surely thats there choice. I also like reading T&S but rarely read river reports from out of my way and when I do , I take Moc's with a pinch of salt as I'm sure happens in most rivers, apart from perhaps Jean Williams on the Usk itself.

Anyone have any insight on this ?

Regards John

Mostyn · #2 (**permalink**) 19-01-2012, 09:25 AM

I received the same email news letter! Have a look at the replies on the 2012 Wye thread FFF

Ephemerella · #3 (**permalink**) 19-01-2012, 11:00 AM

Another vote for Jean Williams' T&S reports on the Usk. Carrying on very much in the spirit of the late Lionel Sweet; her reports are vert valuable to me and have a continuity that would certainly be lost if a less able 'political' WUF correspondent were to take over.

As Mostyn said this subject was yesterday aired on: Wye Results 2012

I've requoted my post below, just so that there is no mistaking my position.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ephemerella

Imagine how bland and uninspiring Wye & Usk reports would be if penned by Commando1 type spin-doctors?

I keep T&S, a valuable collection, so as to be able to compare reports with previous years. Continuity is important; and it does not bear thinking about if Max Coventry wasn't penning the Conwy information. My favourite correspondent, probably best of all, but closely followed by Geoff Franks on the Wye and Jean Williams on matters Usk.
Some of the other correspondents seem very hit or miss, Dee & Clwyd reports sometimes poor, but at least there to read every month... unlike the Severn, at least one missing in 2011. A missed deadline I was informed.

Theo · #4 (**permalink**) 19-01-2012, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ephemerella

Another vote for Jean Williams' T&S reports on the Usk. Carrying on very much in the spirit of the late Lionel Sweet; her reports are vert valuable to me and have a continuity that would certainly be lost if a less able 'political' WUF correspondent were to take over.

To be fair, Eph, I don't think Jean's reports on the Usk are (or ever have been) the issue here: if Geoff Franks chose to make his reports as apolitical and succinct as hers, it's likely that his would be far more useful for posterity, and would contribute to a better political atmosphere on the Wye, and hence more likelihood of successful partnership working between the various interest groups.

For clarity, here's the text of the original WUF email which I also received...

Quote:

Wye and Usk Foundation Update

18th January 2012: Time for change?

For more years than I can remember, Trout and Salmon magazine has informed the game fishing world with top quality articles, features and comprehensive river reports. The latter are compiled by locals – anglers, tackle shop owners, fishery officers and ghillies. The reporting network stretches from Land’s End to John O’Groats and come rain or shine, a continuum of reliable information about the nation’s trout, grayling and salmon fishing is available every month.

In February’s edition the Wye correspondent begins with an apology for what he described in the November edition as….”the latest act of vandalism by the Wye and Usk Foundation”. The apology stems (so it seems) from the fact that he hadn’t troubled himself to check the facts before rushing to print. This is just the latest in a series of negative jibes, innuendo and downright untruths in his vendetta against the Foundation – one in which we feel he has gone too far on many occasions.

Trout and Salmon rely heavily on their local network of reporters to be fair, honest and truthful. After the best part of a decade of denigrating the Wye itself, the Foundation…. and in fact anyone who has been brave enough to stick their head above the parapet and actually do something or hold an opinion that runs contrary to his; is it not now, time for a change?

The Wye has more than its fair share of problems but does it really help to have this continuous stream of negativity? It doesn’t reflect the enormous support and goodwill the Foundation and partners receive. We fully accept the need for on-going debate about what should and can be done for the river. But that debate is debased and smothered by resorting to untruths and personal invective. We expect there are plenty of people out there who love the river and are up to speed with what’s happening but above all can give an unbiased view. What about giving someone else the job of reporting on the Wye?

We would be very interested in your views on this

The Wye and Usk Foundation

Theo

Ephemerella · #5 (**permalink**) 19-01-2012, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theo

For clarity, here's the text of the original WUF email which I also received...

Theo, nice to see yet another vote for Jean.

Your other advice sage I'm sure. I also had the same e-mail yesterday, and just so there is no misunderstanding, it was from WUF director Stephen (Marsh-Smith):

To: ******@hotmail.co.uk
From: stephen@wyeuskfoundation.org
Subject: [Newsletter] WUF Update: Time for Change?
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:54:15 +0000

Wye and Usk Foundation Update

18th January 2012: Time for change?

For more years than I can remember, Trout and Salmon magazine has informed the game fishing world with top quality articles, features and comprehensive river reports. The latter are compiled by locals – anglers, tackle shop owners, fishery officers and ghillies. The reporting network stretches from Land’s End to John O’Groats and come rain or shine, a continuum of reliable information about the nation’s trout, grayling and salmon fishing is available every month.

In February’s edition the Wye correspondent begins with an apology for what he described in the November edition as….”the latest act of vandalism by the Wye and Usk Foundation”. The apology stems (so it seems) from the fact that he hadn’t troubled himself to check the facts before rushing to print....

...snipped...

I gather that as no mature trees were actually felled the charge of vandalism should no longer apply? I know what I think.

The matter was first aired here: Wye Results 2011 and so we are clear its accuracy was not challenged by C1 (WUF Habitat), the WUF Director, or his deputy. There was ample chance; all of whom posted on the thread afterwards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by washington

Some of you may remember that a day or two ago I mentioned that Gilbert's Run, named after celebrated Wye author and angler H.A. Gilbert, had evidently had 3 barbel swims cut into it . Confirmation of this has now come through. The run is fished from the Ingeston side into the deeper water of the run on what is the How Caple bank. How Caple is now a WUF beat. Should the new swims be occupied it makes the fishing of Gilbert's impossible. There are also reports of major removal of trees at Backney and we are not talking about coppicing here. It's not just to let the light in. There are fears that the work is to facilitate more coarse fishing. If I find out more you will be the first to know.

strikealight · #6 (**permalink**) 19-01-2012, 03:34 PM

Every river should have a Jean!

stealth_fox · #7 (**permalink**) 19-01-2012, 04:17 PM

Good post Eph.. vandalism in this case doesn't need to include felling of trees but the definition that applies here is wilfull or ignorant destruction of artistic or literary treasures or the spoiling of anything beautiful or venerable.
What hasn't been established as yet is if the WUF are involved in any way other than making a profit from selling Barbel day tickets after the event.

strikealight · #8 (**permalink**) 20-01-2012, 12:30 PM

See Geoff Franks' apology for the "vandalism" comments in his report of this month's T&S.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
OBE for the Wye & Usk Foundation	Editor	Fish&Fly News	1	15-06-2011 02:32 PM
Wales, Wye & Usk Foundation	Moggins	Trout and Grayling Fishing	134	30-05-2008 05:29 AM
Wye and Usk Foundation Webcams	tonyj	UK River Updates	2	06-12-2007 04:06 PM
Wye and Usk foundation fishing	robbie2	General Fly Fishing Discussion	2	07-09-2007 12:09 PM