[steved]

Another classic springer well done that man gives us all a ray of hope

 

[Slaneybs]

Those are two lovely fish!
Thanks for the pointer to Avon Diary to see them.
I also read the site's reference to gill nets in the bay - are those commercial bass fishing nets?
It seems crazy to have a drift net fishery so close to a threatened salmon river!

 

[PeterRoss]

Those are two lovely fish!
Thanks for the pointer to Avon Diary to see them.
I also read the site's reference to gill nets in the bay - are those commercial bass fishing nets?
It seems crazy to have a drift net fishery so close to a threatened salmon river!

How right you are, here is the quote you refer to, could this be why so many of the Salmon caught show signs of damage?
One of the other great unknowns that you can't help but to notice out there are the number of gill nets strung out for miles across the entire bay. We weren't out far, certainly less than ten miles, and it was almost impossible to drift due to the number of nets. An invisible curtain stretching for miles. Do the salmon run at the height these nets are set? Do gill-netters catch salmon on a regular basis? Certainly the rod fishing for sea species has declined dramatically over recent decades. Bearing in mind, where possible, many pleasure anglers now return most of their catch voluntarily and there are laws that ensure species under threat from over exploitation, such as bass, do not suffer at the hands of pleasure anglers.

 

[PeterRoss]

here is a bad one from a couple of years ago, very nasty

 

[Slaneybs]

That looks more like an injury from a propeller or something sharp and knife-like. if it was a net you would have the characteristic deep scores from trying to get through a net. I wonder if could it be damage from something sharp on the sluice gates that seem to be spread along the river and illustrated in the thread. Whatever caused it, it is a horrendous injury.

 

[PeterRoss]

Anybody been on the bank this week? Anything seen? I'm heading down tomorrow

 

[Gary M]

I fished Somerley Monday royalty Tuesday and bistern Thursday not a touch but perfect conditions, the fly is fishing really well, good luck to everyone over the weekend I'm sure there's fish in the river you just need to be in the right place right time.

 

[Humber 67]

Fished Bisterne today and Westover last Sunday almost seams like the water has risen!!! fished ok but it’s hacking through Martin

 

[HantsAvon]

Fished lower Bisterne today..... nothing to report I'm afraid, but water looked good.

 

[Bisterne rod]

Fished top beat today nothing seen
Martin

 

[PeterRoss]

Many thanks Sean and Martin, it was good looking and quiet below you on AT as well

 

[Bisterne rod]

Managed to get one to take today cracking looking fish but the hook didn’t stick. Absolutely gutted
Middle beat
Martin

 

[Gary M]

With the big spring tides last week it should have put a few fish in the river, better luck next time Martin.

 

[HantsAvon]

Unlucky Martin.....we didn't see anything on top beat today.

 

[PeterRoss]

Great to hear there are fish coming through, and better luck next time Martin

 

[HantsAvon]

Report of a 20lb+ fish lost at Bisterne this morning..... although lost, it's good to see a few February fish about.

 

[Gary M]

Had a kelt today at Somerley nice to have a bend in the rod.

 

[PeterRoss]

See an absolute beauty at Somerley today, (avon diary) any thoughts on the scale loss? Well done the chilly angler!

 

[sneakypeter]

3 fish from the river, all to the same angler, that is some going, well fished that man.
The damage could be from nets, the coast is staked out with gill nets?

 

[Tony M]

The lower edge of the Caudal Fin looks a bit of a mess too, but lovely fish all the same