Mr A. Douglas-Home,
Chairman,
The RTC.
26.4.2010
Dear Sir,
Spring conservation
The well trailed and predicted has arrived. Total catch and release until July.
I wonder whether you would enlighten me (and everyone else who reads this blog) by answering these questions:
- We have had partial catch and release now for twelve years. Is not your announcement an admission that catch and release has failed?
- Where do all the springers go after they have been released? Back in the river is the answer. What happens to them then? They are caught and knocked on the head in July, August, September, October and November. Explain how your new conservation policy enhances their chances.
- You say the policy was agreed at the March (2010) meeting of the RTC. I have the agenda and the quarterly report. I was at that meeting. There was no forewarning of the proposal and no debate. You brushed off one challenge by saying there was not enough time and the meeting had to move on. Admit it this policy had been decided in advance by you and long before the start of the 2010 season. The hidden agenda is total catch and release full stop.
- If that is wrong, tell me how you have measured this season's stock given the long very cold winter, the collapse in fishing effort and in the middle and lower river the prolonged high water levels. You have no idea whatsoever how many fish are in the river.
- Is it not right the Ettrick counter has shown no improvement in stocks despite the removal of the drift nets and extensive catch and release?
- You say there were circa 1,150 spring fish caught last year. How many were killed? 20%? 220 fish? Are you saying the situation is so critical 220 fish are crucial?
- You say in the context of the autumn run that only 10% are caught. Can I therefore conclude that there are 10,000 spring fish in the river of which 220 are killed?
- You say you are doing this in the name of conservation. There are many cynics in the Tweed valley who believe that the angler is a soft target and you hope that total catch and release is on the way so you can head off the day when you have to pay for proper genetic research and/or consider a hatchery.
- If you really believe you are doing this to fulfil your statutory duty to preserve the spring salmon stock why don't you shut down the Ettrick to fishing altogether?
- What is your justification for your "conservation scheme" payments to those who have tributary and upper river fishing? They can happily collect rent for fishing over gravid and spawning fish in the backend? Are those not the areas in which fishing should be discouraged altogether never mind subsidised?
- Have you ever thought of trying to carry the rods with you? Have you ever thought of asking the fishers to assist survival by using singles or doubles not trebles? Barbless? Not lifting fish by the tail? Dishing out survival nets a la Carron instead of T shirts?
- Have you ever thought about a course in public relations? Do you not realise how badly all this comes across?
- Are you going to reduce your rents at the Lees?
I have no doubt whatsoever I will not receive a reply but I hope you will forgive me for asking.
Best wishes,Tweed Lover
5 comments:
As a newcomer to this blog, I will start with controversy! Why do you sit on the sidelines sniping at the people who run the river who do so with the best of intentions and for no reward. Get off your arses and do something! Become Commissioners, air your views in public at the forum designed specifically for that purpose.
One of you seems to have the hump that he attended a Boatmen's meeting and was asked to leave; maybe it was because you're not a Boatman and were not entitled to be there!
Many of the Commissioners (I am not one myself) put a great deal of time and effort into the river because they care about it. If you lot care, as you imply, then do something about it. Are any of you Commissioners? If not, wind your necks in and stop whining like schoolgirls.
I will now sit back and await the inevitable abuse!
29 April 2010 19:00
Dear Speycaster,
Can I start at the end? I hope no-one abuses you for your robust comments.
I believe you have made some very fair points. I will edit out or completely remove "abuse" so I hope your prediction does not come to pass.
I was hoping to add a page about the Commission but have not had time. I will try and do it in the next few days. We are going to lock horns but you will have to wait.
If you read the letter above this comment you will see that I travelled 450 miles and had an overnight stop just to go to the Commissioners 2010 AGM.
It was hugely enjoyable experience. Exceptionally interesting. I would not have missed it for the world. Seriously. It was fascinating.
I will never go to another. It fulfilled all my worst expectations. It was completely stage managed.
We have more debate about what flavour of crisps to buy for lunch than the Commissioners had that morning.
it is clear and obvious that Speycaster has been trying on his new FishTweed Sweatshirt and has the neck stuck somewhere above his ears allowing him not to see or think straight. The truth of the matter is that Tweed is in a serious state of decline. A tragedy and concern for all involved. I ask you, who have always controlled this river? Yes- Tweed Commissioners- ( Beat Owners) those with a vested interest. They must now stand accountable, and accept that their strategies and policies for the well being of this river have not and are not working. I would suggest a time for change before it is all to late. (We lot), as you describe us believe this Blog just might enlighten the present regime as to the fact, an ever increasing number of people are more than unhappy and most concerned as to the future of this once great Salmon river.
30 April 2010 10:51
Dear Speycaster, (Malcolm?),
In 200 words. I phone Drygrange. Ask for information about FishTweed. Yonge talks to me as though I am something unpleasant stuck to his shoe. I write formally asking questions. Unsatisfactory response. Home writes this: "I would be grateful if you stop writing to me. I found an e-mail this morning from you in my inbox and decided very quickly to delete it without reading it, which is exactly what I will do with any further communication from you. I will of course be delighted to deal in any way required, in writing or at a meeting, with any other members of Lennel at any time." Bully. I continue to ask questions. Ignored. I therefore go to boatmens' meeting. Thrown out. They attempt to marginalise me and contact a member of my syndicate about my impending appearance at the RTC AGM. AGM total waste of time. Everything stitched up in advance. Rubber stamp exercise. Power in Home's personal invitation seven man committee which includes three neighbours and a friend. Result: blog. Do I want it? No, but to put it in your words I have got off my arse and stood up for what I think is right.
Now you tell me something. Lots of points have been made on this blog. With what do you disagree and why?
Oh, and by the way, the RTC and the Foundation can have the keys to take part in this blog if they wish.
I would be delighted if they would take part. Their PR is dreadful.
The only person who has the nouse to explain what he is doing and why is Dr Campbell in his blog.
My impression is that they feel they are accountable to no-one.
One of my lot raised the blog with the RTC Administrator who said "we don't read things like that" which just about sums them up to a tee.
And another thing now that you have got me on my soap box. You talk about Commissioners working for nothing but love. I have a teeny weeny suspicion that there might be a connection between the Commissioners you have in mind and their fishing income.
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