Rising or Falling - Spring conservation - smoke and mirrors.

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

Rising or falling?

Is this the moment for new blood at the River Tweed Commission? I think so and hope I can persuade you to agree - it's time for a change.

I have written a series of letters asking questions, general and specific, about the management of the river. I telephone. I went un-invited to the RTC's boatmans' meeting on the 21st of January 2010 but, as soon as I challenged the RTC as to the question of the fish numbers, I was asked to leave.

They refuse to speak to me. I am apparently rude and vexatious - hence this blog.

I arrived in Kelso for the first time as a fourteen year old to fish for roach. Two of us, tackle and a tent were planted on the Mayfield Walk whilst parents enjoyed the Ednam.

In later holidays our home range grew. Perch and pike at Yetholm Loch, stalking trout with a worm up the Eden and soon a first trout on a fly (and a silk line) off the Cobby.

For thirty years I have been a Syndicate member - Lennel on the lower Tweed below the Lees and opposite Tillmouth.

I hoped that I would retire to the Borders. I like the valley, the history, the river and the people.

In my thirty years the biggest single event was the buy-out of the netting stations but I am afraid that bigger events are on the way - the changes in the river.

The coarse fishermen disappeared twenty years ago. There are now no clouds of big dace or roach. After the netting buy out the proportion of fresh run fish caught in my bit of the river dropped markedly. Then the numbers started to slide then the size.

The Commission say this all this is wrong. The 2009 headline figure is only 10,465 but says our Chairman Mr Douglas-Home he hopes "it is just a blip" and comments "we have had years like this before".
I challenge that view. Do you? If you want to take part it is simple:

• remember to try and be constructive. The aim is to provoke thought and discussion rather than be rude.

• Look to the right of your screen. There are other pages as to different topics. Click on those pages and see what you feel about what is said.

• If you want to comment it is easy. Click on post a comment and fill in the box.

• The hardest decision is as to your name. There is nothing to stop you using your real name. If you do not want to do that go to "Anonymous" but better still use "name" it can be any name. As soon as you choose the "name" box you can add a nom de plume which can use for all your comments and it is easier for others reply to a comment.

• give a clue as to whether you work on the river, have a business which depends on it or are a fisherman.

• Add a photograph from your mobile phone or digital camera

• Members of the Commission and the Foundation are welcomed especially.

If when you have read some of the topics I have raised on these pages you feel that I am right or wrong say so - be blunt - let us hope that those who run the river might, at last, listen to those who love it.

Thank you.