http://chng.it/4PFK4FLVjJ
Signed, in Ireland folk have been allowed as long as they keep 2 metres apart.
Do you want this putting on other forums Fred?
It's not my petition Richard, I got the link from Alex, but I guess the more places the merrier. That said like all petitions it won't do he slightest bit of good, but no harm in reminding them! :D
Fisheries Management Scotland have been putting the case for restarting angling to the SG for a while now.
Well we all saw how in touch with anglers the SG was during the shambolic waste of time and money that was the WFR, so there is hope .......... no ... wait a minute! :lol:
Some of the comments are hilarious
"Whilst our waters are unattended the fish stocks will suffer due to cormorants"
Quote from: ianmck on April 20, 2020, 06:43:24 PM
Some of the comments are hilarious
"Whilst our waters are unattended the fish stocks will suffer due to cormorants"
Another low water spring here. The bloody herons, cormorants and gulls will hardly be able to fly. The smolts will take a hammering.
There are a few rivers.....Northie being the notable one......where smolt shepherding seems to have worked. I doubt anyone will be permitted to do that this year. On the plus side, there are not so many eyes about on some rivers!
Quote from: ianmck on April 20, 2020, 06:43:24 PM
"Whilst our waters are unattended the fish stocks will suffer due to cormorants"
:lol: Well I never expected to see that one come up.
Signed.
The places i fish i would be miles away from anyone, would be great to get out with the rod.
Quote from: ianmck on April 20, 2020, 06:43:24 PM
Some of the comments are hilarious
"Whilst our waters are unattended the fish stocks will suffer due to cormorants"
Believe me a dozen Cormorants can devastate a fishery, I have seen it at first hand, Carp nearly 20 lbs in weight with huge beak damage on their backs, the bird had no hope in hell of eating it. One of the few wild rivers in England, the Derbyshire Wye has been decimated and the Dove. When I was a lad we saw the odd Cormorant in the winter, now they are breeding in Leicestershire, 90 miles from the nearest sea, now man has driven them there, wiping out the inshore sea fisheries, but the freshwater habitat hasn't evolved to take such predation. The destruction on small upper rivers by these birds has destroyed miles of rivers, the Wensum in Norfolk has sections that were electro fished and hardly a small fish to be found, areas with more bankside tree cover are full of fish, so it ain't pollution.
I've never actually seen a cormorant. Plenty of shags, but no cormorants. So what are these anglers doing that requires their presence at waters to stop cormorants taking fish? Are they actually allowed to kill them?
Quote from: ianmck on April 20, 2020, 10:20:45 PM
I've never actually seen a cormorant. Plenty of shags, but no cormorants. So what are these anglers doing that requires their presence at waters to stop cormorants taking fish? Are they actually allowed to kill them?
The power of the RSPB means they are protected.
Just about everywhere else on the planet is blootering the feck out of them. I do think it is the stocked fisheries that took them from the sea in large numbers, as opposed to staying in the sea in the poor months with a goodly percentage dying. Now they head inland for a nice easy life.
I have videos I took in the Tolsta area of Lewis where 1000s of them gather every winter.
I'm sure I've read the cormorants we see in inland waters are a European invasive species of cormorant and not our own sea bird species. The power of the RSPB being you can't cull them incase they are a natural cormorant. :roll:
And they certainly cause massive damage to fish stocks in rivers. They decimated stretches of the river Earn.
Right so now we have got the cormo-rants out of the way, do you think we will get out fishing again anytime soon. :lol:
Sadly I think Boris will remain very much unmoved by the near 1500 fed up anglers.
I think once there is any loosening of the lock down it will be pretty difficult to stop.
As I said last week the lochs to the North of me are gettiing fished anyway.
Quote from: fergie on April 21, 2020, 11:09:34 AM
I think once there is any loosening of the lock down it will be pretty difficult to stop.
I agree. I think I detect the first cracks appearing and patience wearing a bit thin.
[attachimg=1]
Maybe not getting fished right now though. 🤔
Quote from: fergie on April 21, 2020, 11:51:25 AM
Maybe not getting fished right now though. 🤔
Same every dry spring. Difference is they can't blame anglers and walkers this time. Why in the name of **** are keepers out burning in these tinderbox conditions AND at a time when the consensus is we should be keeping pressure off the emergency services?
Quote from: admin on April 21, 2020, 11:59:08 AM
Same every dry spring. Difference is they can't blame anglers and walkers this time. Why in the name of **** are keepers out burning in these tinderbox conditions AND at a time when the consensus is we should be keeping pressure off the emergency services?
Davy Holt had pictures up of that blaze last night. And a nice wee video he took using his thermal imager. Fred showing his blinkered view again. That fire is on a "rewilded" hill consisting of scrub/gorse.rank heather and dead grass. Young chaps out for a wander started it. There was another similar fire not too far away. Again, on a hillside that had not seen a grazing animal in goodness knows how long.
As I said to a bloke advocating letting more twats out walking/running/cycling just now "Leave them locked up until it rains".
Interesting there are just as many fires, except no one can blame keepers this year. Mind you, the Barra crofters are having a good stab at burning their whole island this year.
A wee update from the Brahan Syndicate Factor -
"Fish Legal advice that fishing is "ultimately up to proprietors", is heavily qualified - travel to fish cannot be considered essential. The police have enforced that position on several rivers.
Being seen on the river is now considered socially unacceptable and this position has been adopted by all DSFBs. FMS advice is that "ultimately, it is for individual proprietors to determine whether fishing can take place in accordance with the latest announcements. However, we do not consider that fishing is an essential activity, and, in most cases, it requires a degree of travel which could not be considered essential. It is our view that the fisheries management and angling communities should play a full part in this greater societal commitment, and therefore it is the strong recommendation of Fisheries Management Scotland that we should refrain from fishing during the lockdown period..."
FMS has two current priorities: 1. Working with Dr Antje Branding (Marine Scotland Policy) they have sent a joint submission to the Cabinet Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham, for DSFB Assessments to be considered in the same light as Business Rates, with Government assistance to Boards as a result. 2. A return to fishing, at least locally, as soon as the lockdown begins to unwind. I am informed that near daily meetings are taking place because of the impact on rural communities. Fishing was left off the original Small Business Rates Relief scheme simply as an oversight.
And our MSP's are asking the appropriate questions, as a sampler:
Question S5W-28280: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 08/04/2020
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of many sporting clients coming to Scotland for leisure purposes, which contributes to other retail and hospitality businesses, for what reason sporting businesses are ineligible to apply for the support grant for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.
Current Status: Expected Answer date 06/05/2020"
Quote from: Laxdale on April 21, 2020, 12:24:19 PM
Davy Holt had pictures up of that blaze last night. And a nice wee video he took using his thermal imager. Fred showing his blinkered view again. That fire is on a "rewilded" hill consisting of scrub/gorse.rank heather and dead grass. Young chaps out for a wander started it. There was another similar fire not too far away. Again, on a hillside that had not seen a grazing animal in goodness knows how long.
As I said to a bloke advocating letting more twats out walking/running/cycling just now "Leave them locked up until it rains".
Interesting there are just as many fires, except no one can blame keepers this year. Mind you, the Barra crofters are having a good stab at burning their whole island this year.
:roflmao
He added this 10 minutes ago -
"this is my neck of the woods, there are no keepers on that ground, no grazing, no land management but has loads of rewilding areas on it right in the area where the main fire started. Its still going just now, but thankfully its restricted by the terrain as to how far it can spread."
The lads are saying a lot of walking and countryside pages are working themselves up over this fire. All fabrication.
Most likely started in the same way as the Tarvie fire.....a bloke having a smoke just dropping his cigarette and ambling off on his merry way.
Quote from: Laxdale on April 21, 2020, 12:27:19 PM
- travel to fish cannot be considered essential.
Can't argue with that really even although it seems that reasonable travel for the purpose of exercise is fine. It could be argued that there is some exercise in the process of fishing, exercise is not the primary purpose.
Could be worse. In Spain for example you are not even allowed out for a walk. However if you have a dog you can walk that. At least in the good old UK dog exercise is not more important than human exercise.
That's the kilpatrick hills. There are fires there every single year usually around greenside reservoir, primarily caused by the local neds from duntocher. There has also been a lot of tree felling recently. Lots of dry wood lying about to keep it burning. High winds at the moment have probably helped it spread and made it worse than usual.
The lower slopes of the hills are grazed by livestock. The middle is typical dry heather and the tops are mostly marshy grasslands around the lochs. I wouldn't exactly call it a rewilding area, it's just the forestry commission are replanting what they chopped down but are using native trees in more natural plantings this time. There are actually some old grouse butts kicking about up there.
As far as getting back to fishing goes it would be better phased in. Common sense would dictate that last on the list should anything that requires guides or ghillies, comes with accommodation like lodges, hotels etc, boat fishing, small fisheries and the like. In short anything that by definition brings people into contact has to be last back and probably best delayed until 2021.
I am seeing more and more people doing outdoor activities. Saw some people up on the hills flying kites the other day. Some guys kicking a football about the local football pitch earlier. Maybe if we promise to only use split cane rods and cast and walk then we can get it classed as exercise too :lol:
I just wish this virus could have done the decent thing and waited until the end of the season. That the BBC would have had to dump Strictly Come Dancing would have just been a bonus. :lol:
Quote from: ianmck on April 21, 2020, 01:35:25 PM
That's the kilpatrick hills. There are fires there every single year usually around greenside reservoir, primarily caused by the local neds from duntocher. There has also been a lot of tree felling recently. Lots of dry wood lying about to keep it burning. High winds at the moment have probably helped it spread and made it worse than usual.
The lower slopes of the hills are grazed by livestock. The middle is typical dry heather and the tops are mostly marshy grasslands around the lochs. I wouldn't exactly call it a rewilding area, it's just the forestry commission are replanting what they chopped down but are using native trees in more natural plantings this time. There are actually some old grouse butts kicking about up there.
I challenged Davy if what he said was true...I did a copy and paste and challenged him.
The response -
Gordon Mackenzie not quite, this area is to the right of the Greenside within the yellow line and the red is the bit that looks to be still burning. This area has large patches of replanted native trees, zero grazing and zero management. The response came with a map, and areas in question marked.
Quote from: admin on April 21, 2020, 02:56:47 PM
As far as getting back to fishing goes it would be better phased in. Common sense would dictate that last on the list should anything that requires guides or ghillies, comes with accommodation like lodges, hotels etc, boat fishing, small fisheries and the like. In short anything that by definition brings people into contact has to be last back and probably best delayed until 2021.
It can be done, just no boats, huts or sitting on benches,and the ghillie just direct operations and nets fish.
Accommodation and travelling are the problems, aside from age restrictions.
Quote from: Laxdale on April 21, 2020, 03:27:23 PM
I challenged Davy if what he said was true...I did a copy and paste and challenged him.
The response -
Gordon Mackenzie not quite, this area is to the right of the Greenside within the yellow line and the red is the bit that looks to be still burning. This area has large patches of replanted native trees, zero grazing and zero management. The response came with a map, and areas in question marked.
Fair enough. I am only going by the news report that said it was on cochno road and was started at a reservoir. If it's not the greenside, then it surely must be at jaw/cochno loch. There is some native replanted woodland to the south of here but it is right beside several farms. Plenty of sheep and cow grazing.
https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/vet/scottishcentreforproductionanimalhealthfoodsafety/cochnofarmandresearchcentre/
Quite a lot of land management actually.
Perhaps it has been misreported. Maybe fergie can shed some light on the actual location?
Quote from: Laxdale on April 21, 2020, 03:29:18 PM
just direct operations and nets fish.
So, all he'll need is a loudhailer and a very long handled landing net. Can't see that doing much for the ambience. :lol:
Quote from: ianmck on April 21, 2020, 04:05:29 PM
Fair enough. I am only going by the news report that said it was on cochno road and was started at a reservoir. If it's not the greenside, then it surely must be at jaw/cochno loch. There is some native replanted woodland to the south of here but it is right beside several farms. Plenty of sheep and cow grazing.
https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/vet/scottishcentreforproductionanimalhealthfoodsafety/cochnofarmandresearchcentre/
Quite a lot of land management actually.
Perhaps it has been misreported. Maybe fergie can shed some light on the actual location?
He mentioned jaw yesterday. He does a lot in the area keeping crows, foxes, etc under control for the farmers. He has some funny stories about all the times the cops get called to him because "there is a scary man in the field with a gun".
Quote from: Laxdale on April 21, 2020, 05:16:54 PM
He mentioned jaw yesterday. He does a lot in the area keeping crows, foxes, etc under control for the farmers. He has some funny stories about all the times the cops get called to him because "there is a scary man in the field with a gun".
:lol: There's quite a lot of vermin of a different kind infest the local woods. If only they could be shot as well.
If this crisis has taught us anything about our leisure time it's to have more than one outdoor hobby you are passionate about. Anglers have been hit badly by it, walkers with a bit of imagination hardly at all and cyclists are pretty much unaffected. I'd like to get back fishing as much as anyone, but there are options. :D
I didn't take that pic but to me it looks like the jaw cochno area. Waterboard some farming and lots of Heather up that part plus the usual forestry. My side of the Kilpatrick Hills is untouched we have had a strong easterly wind for around a week now so it's pushing it west towards Dumbarton. Here's a pic from my area today.
[attachimg=1]
A mate of mine over in East Kilbride is getting a great view of it.
Chances are it's a piss up campfire that's went wrong or kids doing what kids do. But that wind and the dry conditions have made it a bit more spectacular this year.
That's still a fair amount of smoke. Very high winds forecast for tonight so I expect it will spread even more.
Quote from: fergie on April 21, 2020, 07:22:49 PM
so it's pushing it west towards Dumbarton
Nae great loss there then. :lol:
I wonder who paid for the helicopter that was used to help fight the fire today.
Quote from: Laxdale on April 21, 2020, 07:44:01 PM
I wonder who paid for the helicopter that was used to help fight the fire today.
There was something on the news about Richard Branson. I wonder if it was him? :lol:
Depends onn who might have fire insurance cover !
Quote from: admin on April 21, 2020, 08:07:50 PM
There was something on the news about Richard Branson. I wonder if it was him? :lol:
Fuck that will cost us. Bloody skint that poor bastard is. :(
Wonder how many poachers the helicopter scared off :lol: