Whilst fishing at Bolton Abbey on Sunday, I caught a small brown trout and squatting down from the bank side to release the fish in the water there was this massive Crayfish came out from under the banking side towards the fish and my hand I didn’t half shift back up not realising what it was at first sight, it was half size of a good Lobster, I’ve seen quite a few Crayfish before but have never seen one as big as that. I took some photo’s with my phone but the pictures didn’t penetrate the water which was a shame. Glad I wasn’t paddling bare foot in that area.

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Alan

It's great to be in the right place at the right time,
But when it comes,You need something good at either end!

Hi' Alan. A crayfish as big as your description could be a big American Signal Crayfish. If it is, it is bad news. I don't know if there is a history of them in the Wharfe, so it might be a good idea to let the Environment Agency know. TerryC

There are a lot of signal crayfish through the Wharfe thereabouts - we were lucky enough to fish the Burnsall water and the river keeper told us that the bigger trout feed on the signals.

Should have been your supper!!!
Regards
Mark

and the chub,barbel love em aswell !!!!!!!!!! and boy they taste damn good !!!

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

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

by the way you didnt say what sort of crayfish it was ,the american pest signal crayfish is unmistakeable with its red claws,however the native white claw can grow quite big ...

http://thomsonecology.com/eng-crayfish.htm

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

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

B####y signals are everywhere
We even have Mitten crabs down on the Thames

yeah and you can bloody well keep them down there !!!!!!!!!!!!

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

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

Sorry I forgot to say what the colour was, It was a light brown/grey more or less the same as the sand on the river bottom (I'm not right good on colours)
I didn't notice any markings but I will report it to Mark the Bailiff tomorrow

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Alan

It's great to be in the right place at the right time,
But when it comes,You need something good at either end!

Why didnt you pick it up to have a good look ya big jess

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Your fish ----> ><((((º> My fish ----> ><(((((((((º>
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Cheers Danny

Co-Founder of S.S.F.D 2010

They're delicious on the BBQ, just like lobster. Apply for a trapping license from the EA and get yourself a bunch for the summer.