I used to enjoy this time of the year, usually the first visit to the Teifi
at Cenarth, but somehow the prospect of driving some 6 hours, (one way)
catching a fish, (if I`m extremely lucky) then having to return it, does not
provide the excitement it used to.Therefore I do not bother going, then when
I am allowed to take a fish from mid June the conditions invariably tend to
make fishing extremely difficult. Leaving say latter September and October
for any "decent" fishing conditions - if I catch one fish a year (after
paying the Environmental Agency some £80.00 for the privilege) I suppose I
can then go home happy after a "season`s" fishing. The point I really would
like to make is why is say estuary netting still allowed? I have watched 2
netsmen on several occasions in one 2 hour period, taking more fish than I
could ever dream of taking in say 5 years of fishing. Also at the local pub
where I normally stay, a local boat owner brags about (and takes orders for
from other local people - restaurant owners etc) the amount of Salmon and
Sea Trout that he nets out in Cardigan Bay. Why do I get penalised when I am
fishing for pleasure, and yet the people netting estuaries etc do so
legally, solely to make money and no conscience regarding conservation.

It has always been thus, though that is not a reason for the situation not 
to change. It does require all of us to lobby MPs, support the net buy out 
group etc. I remember visiting the Teifi in 1966, (yes, I go back that far!) 
at what we then called Whitsun. There had been a summer spate and the river 
was full of fresh fish (salmon). The two brothers who were the coracle men 
then caught 120 fish in one day - as you say, more than a reasonable person 
would expect to take in several seasons. I saw them being loaded into the 
dealer's lorry. I thought it was disgraceful at the time, but no one would 
take any notice, there were plenty for all, especially the greedy netsmen. 
Now they are a dying resource, we are still not doing enough to protect 
them.
"james.willsden"  wrote in message 
news:LgIPf.34155$Ru5.20351@newsfe6-gui.ntli.net...
>I used to enjoy this time of the year, usually the first visit to the Teifi
> at Cenarth, but somehow the prospect of driving some 6 hours, (one way)
> catching a fish, (if I`m extremely lucky) then having to return it, does 
> not
> provide the excitement it used to.Therefore I do not bother going, then 
> when
> I am allowed to take a fish from mid June the conditions invariably tend 
> to
> make fishing extremely difficult. Leaving say latter September and October
> for any "decent" fishing conditions - if I catch one fish a year (after
> paying the Environmental Agency some £80.00 for the privilege) I suppose I
> can then go home happy after a "season`s" fishing. The point I really 
> would
> like to make is why is say estuary netting still allowed? I have watched 2
> netsmen on several occasions in one 2 hour period, taking more fish than I
> could ever dream of taking in say 5 years of fishing. Also at the local 
> pub
> where I normally stay, a local boat owner brags about (and takes orders 
> for
> from other local people - restaurant owners etc) the amount of Salmon and
> Sea Trout that he nets out in Cardigan Bay. Why do I get penalised when I 
> am
> fishing for pleasure, and yet the people netting estuaries etc do so
> legally, solely to make money and no conscience regarding conservation.
>
>