Secret Lives of fish.
Will carp (such as Big Rig), which put on weight quickly after being heavily fed by fishery managers, live a short life? Or will they live as long as any other carp? Andy Williamson, Leicester.
A Ian Welch says... The furore that surrounded the stocking and capture of ‘Big Rig’ provoked many questions, including its validity in terms of record listings, the science behind its growth and the likelihood of it maintaining an artificially produced weight.
A stocked giant may have been new to the carp scene, but growing fish to huge weights before their introduction has been around since Nigel Jackson pioneered the growing of huge trout at Dever Springs, in Hampshire, producing rainbows and browns to around 30 lb.
This ultimately lead to the establishment of separate record listings for fish deemed to have been cultivated, as opposed to those that attained their weight naturally. If current trends continue, the same may one day be the case for carp.
Perfect conditions
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Making Short Work Of Specimen Chub
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A guide's guide to guides
Canadian Jeff is a great guide, helping anglers to catch the fish of their dreams.
