Results from salmon scale are interesting
Remember the Idle Salmon?
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The differences
between salmon and brown/sea trout: 1. More streamline shape |
Dr Tim
Jacklin from the EA (Environment Agency) asked me to send some scale samples.
I did, and he has kindly sent me the results, which are quite interesting.
Similar
to a tree’s rings, a fish scale reading can give an interpretation
of its life history.
The salmon I sent him appears to have spent two years as a parr before
smolting and heading out to sea (probably in spring or early summer 2002).
It is there it spent the following winter and summer before migrating
into fresh water, most likely in autumn 2003.
The scale shows areas of erosion possibly caused by spawning which is
consistent with my report that it was a kelt.
We are told to keep our eyes peeled for reports of salmon parr being caught
in the future, so if anyone is lucky enough to catch anything that resembles
a salmon they should cross reference it with the checklist shown.
If it is a salmon from the Idle or any rivers in our region, handle with
extreme care and let me know.
Winter fishing
During
this time of year we are often experiencing heavy rain, which has many
parts of the country on flood alert and leaves rivers unfishable.
It means the angler usually heads for the local gravel pit or pond where
sport is odds-on guaranteed, this is thanks to the huge population of
carp which are producing some exceptional weights.
Our very own Chesterfield Canal is a good proposition. Here we have a
good mixture of fish including the carp.
The canal anglers are very lucky nowadays with the quality of fishing
available to them and the prospect of even more fishing becoming available
through all the restoration work carried out.
The use of bloodworm on the canal is commonplace since the bait is more
readily available and affordable.
This ‘natural’ bait, in conjunction with the joker, has figured
in the majority of top match weights but not all clubs who rent sections
allow such a bait to be used.
I suppose the reason behind this is the belief that fish would become
more difficult to catch in the long term using more conventional baits
such as maggot.
I watched a member of the Worksop United club fishing the canal opposite
the Manton Club take fish after fish the other day using pole and red
maggot.
The bloodworm is not allowed on their waters for this very reason, I was
told, and, at the AGM of the club recently, a vote was taken to uphold
the ban.
A sticky subject to some I know, but on reflection, the United anglers
still catch bags of good fish without the use of bloodworm on their section,
as I witnessed.
Whatever bait you choose, or venue, there’s plenty of sport to be
had. But keep well wrapped-up!
Pier Fishing (Sea)
Another alternative, as in the case of Worksop all-rounder David Allison,
is to give sea fishing a whirl.
When David isn’t pike fishing because the rivers are ‘out of
sorts’ he regularly pops over to Bridlington pier with his two pals
Derek and Daniel.
Fishing mackerel strips on Aberdeen hooks with 5oz grip leads, they cast
as far as possible into the cold North Sea and caught over 50 fish between
them on their last trip, mostly Whiting and Flatfish.
It is important they catch the tide, so they often leave home at ‘unusual’
times, the last being at around 4pm.
They are fishing shortly before 7pm then fish until around 10.30pm depending
on the tide. Now that’s what I call keenness!
Notice Board
Child
protection and first aid workshops. Joint Angling Governing Bodies (JAGB)
child protection and first aid workshops are at Sandhill Lake Adventure
Base, Worksop on Sunday 7th March.
The workshops are available to any member of the general public who is
involved in working with children or vulnerable adults (for example, coaches
or youth club leaders).
For further information, or application forms, please contact Glyn Williams
on 01909 501030.
Angling Course. Ken Stevenson’s angling course is continuing at the
Gateford, Worksop on Wednesday from 7pm to 9pm.
Worksop United are asking all members who have yet to pay their subscriptions
to do so by 29th February or risk being omitted from the club.
Gateford Angling Club are having their annual general meeting at the Greendale
Oak, Norfolk Street, Worksop, this Sunday at 7.30pm where 2004/05 subscriptions
are also due.
Sherwood Forest Farm Park Fishery
Fi
sheries
at Sherwood, and Holmedale, have spinners in to stop them freezing up,
and have two lakes that are fishing well at the moment.
On the Sherwood, fish pegs 10-31 with the waggler and maggot taking roach,
perch and skimmers –12oz in nets, 15-20lb casting three rods out
bulk shot under the float and a number eight dropper 22 hook and feed
six maggots every cast.
On the Holmedale the carp are scarce but the pegs round the spinners are
producing lots of roach. Local angler Bob Place fished peg seven this
week on the waggler and single bronze maggot and had over 70 roach –
1lb.
If you want to get in contact with Martin to give him any results, stories or information, you can e-mail him at martintrona@aol.com