Not as much water as expected but enough to put the upper river out for a while. Ithon colour in.  Only just starting to rise around Hereford so should be fishable there this am.and the upper river is falling quite quickly.

Late fish reported yesterday from the Carrots. A first fish for Lee Salliss on a Blair spoon.12lbs
April 21st  report of two fish from Nyth to Thomas Hough 11 and 18lbs  and one yesterday 22lbs to Will Tricks on fly.
Ross AC 10lb from Weirend on fly and  14lbs on F/C
Goodrich Court 18lbs from the Stones to Ian Binnian.
Ingeston   14lb to David Slade and 10lbs for saul Roberts.
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As suspected there will be NO NEW BYELAWS this season.   They are still with the WAG and have not yet been accepted.  who mays they may not be.  What then I wonder?  SHAMBLES>

PROPOSED NEW FISHING CONTROLS TO ADDRESS THE DECLINE IN STOCKS OF SALMON AND SOME SEA TROUT IN WALES – AN UPDATE

After careful consideration of our evidence and taking account of the many varied and diverse views we have received, we submitted our case and application for approval of our byelaw proposals to Welsh Government on the 20th February for the Cabinet Secretary to consider.

At the moment, timescales for a decision are uncertain, so we are proposing that introduction of any new measures should not happen until the beginning of the 2019 rod and net seasons. We hope this will help clarify the situation for anglers, netsmen, fishery owners and clubs and associations. The current angling byelaws can be found on our internet fishing page  at   https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnaturalresources.wales%2Fmedia%2F684397%2Fangling_byelaws_2018.pdf&data=02%7C01%7C%7C70881609a4b04d07aee908d5aa8a4703%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636602433693571063&sdata=BgZfZ5cjJO%2FZLKftTe2F3Adn2EQRlfAT4%2Fu0usStGYk%3D&reserved=0

An updated briefing note is attached here - it reiterates that our salmon stocks are in serious trouble and have fallen to historically low levels. The same is true of about half of our sea trout stocks.  Although the mandatory catch and release proposals have proved unpopular, NRW firmly believes that they, along with other measures such as tackling agricultural pollution, improving water quality and urgently reviewing the issues around predation are vital for the future survival of these iconic fish.

Most anglers are already voluntarily releasing the fish they catch, to help address the decline, but some are not.  It is essential for every fish to have a chance to survive and breed. We are therefore calling on all fishermen to help preserve as many fish as possible by returning all salmon in every river in Wales in 2018.

It’s very important that fish are treated very carefully: this means keeping them in the water while unhooking, using fishing methods and tackle that ensure the fish has a good chance of survival, and taking care while photographing fish. A good guide to successful C&R fishing can be found here:  https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fishingpassport.co.uk%2Fdownload%2FC%26R_2013.pdf&data=02%7C01%7C%7C70881609a4b04d07aee908d5aa8a4703%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C636602433693571063&sdata=grZ87zUMPAUdeG9jQmLACGQvvNLaPZ%2BUXRP0lD9X0js%3D&reserved=0

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us  Fisheries.Wales@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Thanks

Chris

Chris Rees

Arweinydd Tim Rheoli Adnoddau Naturiol Gwy Ardal y De-Ddwyrain Cymru Natural Resource Management Team Leader Wye Catchment South East Area Wales Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales​

0300 065 4404 / 07920812316

Siaradwr Cymraeg