What about this then, taken from the EA's website in the regional byelaws section-

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk...aws_795945.pdf

It shall be lawful to fish for eels with a rod and line during the annual close
season for freshwater fish in the Midlands Region, provided that the hook
used shall have a gape of not less than
12.7 mm (0.5 inches).
This means you may only fish for eels in rivers, streams and drains in the region
during the freshwater fish close season if the hook used has a gape of 0.5 inch
(12.7 mm) or over however- there are no statutory tackle or bait restrictions when
fishing for eels in stillwaters.

Based on the above paragraph, we may aswell have no closed season.

It seems almost barmy to allow fly & eel fishing, yet no coarse fishing during the period of 15th march to 15th june, i'd say rather than scrap the closed season altogether why not shorten it to just 1 month of the year? at least then almost everybody would be happy, because lets face it three months is a long time & when the season ends on march 15th, it's usually freezing cold.

Will

Hi will. Alot of anglers i know only fish from 16 june to mid october . Thats only 5 months . To think your waiting 3 months for the season to open.on saying that alot of anglers fish well into winter and brave the cold like me.:d you dont have to be mad to fish through winter but it helps if you are..

Originally Posted by billyfish

Hi will. Alot of anglers i know only fish from 16 june to mid october . Thats only 5 months . To think your waiting 3 months for the season to open.on saying that alot of anglers fish well into winter and brave the cold like me.:d you dont have to be mad to fish through winter but it helps if you are..

LOL, i'm glad you cottoned on to the funny side of it

I actually love winter fishing @ least you ain't sweating your kn**kers off all day in the blazing sun & few days later end up looking like an eastern european with your new sun tan

Tallyho

no close season if i had my way there would be close season on all waters including lakes to think that it would be ok to scrap it just beacause a few idiots still fish through without a care to the fish nor other decent anglers is madness and selfish as for getting abuse for pointing out to such caveman type people and getting abuse of them take a leaf from my book ring the e a ring your club ring your mates then snap there rods and give them a good slap dont be intimidated by them there wallys.with respect to all but to think it would not be detrimental to the fish spawning ...........well words fail get out your lead core and stroll on back to the carp puddle you came from is what id have to say to that regards pete

__________________
look and you shall find