Feeder streams are spawning areas that must be protected

I CANNOT believe that the Environment Agency and angling bodies are prepared to allow the decision to abolish the closed season on rivers to be swung by a vote of 20,000 rod licence-holders.

Sneaking through nettles or quietly snipping my way through a bramble patch to arrive at a virgin swim with unknown fishy inhabitants is part of my enjoyment of the sport.

I may spend half the day pulling thorns out of my legs, but there is something exciting about having the chance to fish a bit of water that’s been rested.

While big rivers may well be able to absorb angling pressure throughout the year, this doesn’t apply to the brooks, streams and ditches that feed them. These smaller watercourses are more vital for spawning and as nursery grounds than the main river, in many cases. Often narrow and shallow, they are vulnerable to disturbance. Disturbed fish will struggle to settle for spawning and fry won’t be able to feed themselves up in peace.

Rather than have the matter swung by a populist vote, would it not be better to have a few sections of some larger rivers opened to year-round angling and the results scientifically monitored for a few years?