Following the recent postponement of a proposed Autumn paddle on the Hampshire Avon for environmental reasons - the water levels were just too low, and although the EA had confirmed that Salmon spawning wouldn't take place until December and January, they had also expressed concerns that possible contact with gravel beds could damage potential nesting sites - it would appear that such issues are not respected by all users of chalkstream rivers.
The closed season for salmon fishing on the River Itchen runs from the 3rd October to the 16th January (inclusive)*, but the thought that wading in the river during this period might also cause damage seems to have been pushed out of mind by anglers drawn by the lure of Grayling.
On the 31st October 2010 a member of a fly fishing website forum decided to "post some pictures from my day out on the Itchen today." He continued by saying that "It was good to get out and and spend some quality time fishing even though the water was pretty cold while wading!", and noted that "wading is essential as the beat is tree lined on both banks." The stretch of the river was identified as "a day ticket beat in Brambridge called "kanara Water" and was booked through Rodbox in Winchester. They also have some other beats available (some bank, some wading which are equally good.)".
The Rodbox website currently confirms that Grayling fishing continues on the Itchen - "We are now taking bookings for grayling fishing" - whilst the FishPal website notes that for the Kanara fishery "The configuration of the fishing lends itself to wading, which is attractive to many anglers."
Word of such practices has even reached Japan:
A fisherman in the River Itchen possibly impacting spawning redds.
Less impact than a canoe or kayak floating above the gravel?
The hypocrisy of such activity deserves to be recorded. If you have legal access to any stretches of the River Itchen and a camera in your hand please notify the EA about potential breaches of SAFFA legislation.
Don't forget that Barbel spawn from May to July (and that in their larval form/young fish remain in gravels for another month), and whilst they may be an alien species introduced to the Itchen by anglers, they also enjoy the full protection of the law from trampling feet: "any person who wilfully disturbs any spawn or spawning fish, or any bed, bank or shallow on which any spawn or spawning fish may be, shall be guilty of an offence."
*Similarly, the closed season for Sea Trout fishing season on the River Itchen is from the 1st November – 28th February (or the 29th February in Leap years), and the closed season for non-migratory trout fishing on the River Itchen :is from 1st October – 21st March.
The closed season for salmon fishing on the River Itchen runs from the 3rd October to the 16th January (inclusive)*, but the thought that wading in the river during this period might also cause damage seems to have been pushed out of mind by anglers drawn by the lure of Grayling.
On the 31st October 2010 a member of a fly fishing website forum decided to "post some pictures from my day out on the Itchen today." He continued by saying that "It was good to get out and and spend some quality time fishing even though the water was pretty cold while wading!", and noted that "wading is essential as the beat is tree lined on both banks." The stretch of the river was identified as "a day ticket beat in Brambridge called "kanara Water" and was booked through Rodbox in Winchester. They also have some other beats available (some bank, some wading which are equally good.)".
The Rodbox website currently confirms that Grayling fishing continues on the Itchen - "We are now taking bookings for grayling fishing" - whilst the FishPal website notes that for the Kanara fishery "The configuration of the fishing lends itself to wading, which is attractive to many anglers."
Word of such practices has even reached Japan:
The hypocrisy of such activity deserves to be recorded. If you have legal access to any stretches of the River Itchen and a camera in your hand please notify the EA about potential breaches of SAFFA legislation.
Don't forget that Barbel spawn from May to July (and that in their larval form/young fish remain in gravels for another month), and whilst they may be an alien species introduced to the Itchen by anglers, they also enjoy the full protection of the law from trampling feet: "any person who wilfully disturbs any spawn or spawning fish, or any bed, bank or shallow on which any spawn or spawning fish may be, shall be guilty of an offence."
*Similarly, the closed season for Sea Trout fishing season on the River Itchen is from the 1st November – 28th February (or the 29th February in Leap years), and the closed season for non-migratory trout fishing on the River Itchen :is from 1st October – 21st March.
