The local rivers are very small rivers, and as such can take much less angling pressure than can the Severn, Trent, or any of the longer bigger rivers. Their fish population is limited by the small size of the streams.
They also flow very close to a lot of high density housing, thus having an angler catchment area which is disproportionately larger than most other rivers. Such housing has the local anglers, amongst them many of those who do not pay licence fees, club fees, and who leave the litter. Most anglers who travel greater distances are more serious about their sport, pay their dues, and behave themselves rather better. Sorry about the obvious generalisations in there.
The local rivers are thus very badly affected by publicity, by reports in here, in BFW, in the angling press, in photographs, even by word of mouth, tackle shop tittle-tattle, and the ever present and growing grapevine.
I know that the site does have a large proportion of local members, but have a look at how many photos have been posted from our nearby streams, as compared to other rivers, and you will see that some of our local anglers are rather keen on having their mugshots on view. It's all publicity, whether the swim is identified or not.
Local anglers have been somewhat slow (very slow!) to embrace the idea that "loose lips sink ships" is as appropriate to angling as it was to flotillas during the war. I would never tell any angler that he must not show off his captures quite so readily, but if they asked me I would certainly advise it.
The river is not yet "f.....d", but has been decidedly degraded, and there may yet be worse to come.
The time has maybe arrived for anglers to consider which they value most: their future fishing, or their 3 minutes of fame.
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