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
This story is from the February 21,2017 edition of Angler's Mail.
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This story is from the February 21,2017 edition of Angler's Mail.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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Making Short Work Of Specimen Chub
It takes angling guide Kenny Parsons a few hours to drive from his home, near Bath, to his favourite Wessex rivers, but it doesn’t seem to bother him, as he just loves to catch big chub on feeder and fl oat tactics, his personal best standing at 7 lb 12 oz. One of his favourite methods for this cunning species is a maggot feeder with a short hook link.
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They’ve done it! Robbie Northman and John Bailey have been on a long mission to catch a 4 lb perch. Robbie got there first, landing this specimen recently.
Pole position carping
The thinking carp angler offers his opinion, insight and advice every week exclusively here in Angler’s Mail. Col will help you become a wiser angler.
My best catch!
This week: Billy puts his newborn daughter on the scales after a productive winter carp session.
Huge zed after run of disasters
19 lb 4 oz monster zanderRiver boat fishing sessionSeries of calamities
Christmas stocking
The future of fishery management is a bright one, these BTEC Fish Husbandry students keen to help stock an Essex lake with carp over the Christmas holiday, including this 21 lb mirror.
Alien aquatic plants
In this final part of my special look at alien species, I have highlighted some invasive aquatic plants that have had an impact on waters, with an evaluation on the degree of threat that they pose, on a scale of one to ten, one being the lowest.
A guide's guide to guides
Canadian Jeff is a great guide, helping anglers to catch the fish of their dreams.
