Do we really understand what’s happening in the waters we fish?
November 23, 2014 12:53 pmDraining down the Kingfisher Pond indicates just how little we understand about what is happening in the waters we fish.
The main thing that strikes anyone looking at the pond, or the bottom, is the number of mussels. There are thousands, as the picture below indicates.
These unusual creatures sit on the bottom and live by filtering food from the water before expelling cleaner water back to the pond. The problem they cause for anglers is that while we believe the bottom is smooth it is clear from the photograph that it is not. Imagine, what happems to any bait, maggots in particular that fall on such an area! Also think about any line that is on the bottom. Could mussels be responsible for some of the occassions when we unexplainably get fast on the bottom?
Second, and perhaps more important, relates to the amount of fish that were found, some 200lbs, and begs the question, just how effective, or otherwise, is angling at catching fish?
One can only conclude that it isn’t. For example anyone who has fished the Kingfisher and caught 20lbs must have thought that they have had a good day, and yet the figures tell us that they’ve only caught 1% of the fish available. We’re obviously not a good as we think we are!
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This post was written by martin read
4 Comments
20lb of 200lb is 10% not 1% therefore they did have a good day
Did you mean 2000lb
Sure did Dennis, just testing, or typing wrongly more like. 20 lbs out of 2000lbs isn’t a good return for effort.
In connection with being snagged on the bottom, possible cause , mussels ; I have also been snagged in ” the margins”. Looking at your most recent photo’s of the drained bed ,the cause could be the large stones & the concrete slab that are in abundance. Could they be removed as part of the refurbishment of the pond. It would certainly improve the situation. Thank you.
Your e mail was correct Ian, I do have a lot on my plate, the top of a long list being to repair the leak and get the pond refilled and restocked.
Regarding the stones of course they can be moved, it is simply a question of pairs of hands. Volunteers are not easy to come by and in my mind we have far more important things for them to do when we begin the repairs. But if you, or anyone else for that matter, can help then please be our guest.