The saga continues………
After so long chasing just one – a couple of hundred turn up in an afternoon!
This afternoon – I received a phone call from Ian Hayes of the Environment Agency asking me if I would like to be present at the first stocking of Barbel into the Irwell in over 20 years. Would I!!!
I knew a couple of other who would jump at the chance of being present – Paul of Salford Friendly and Albert Morris of Salford Inter Clubs so a quick couple of calls giving the time and meeting place – a few eager anglers were waiting for the EAs landrover and trailer to arrive.
A couple of hundred of these little beauties were carefully introduced to their new home.
The EA are really doing their bit on the Irwell at the moment – its not only down to the DEFRA pilot project – these fish were ordered a long time ago – and theres more to come over the next few years to be restocked at various points along the river between the city centre and Bury.
I’ve spent many an hour (as I’m sure many of you have too) in pursuit of the elusive Irwell Barbel as 100 were originally stocked in 1990 at the junction of the Irwell and the Croal. There have been occasional captures over the years with most now having died off and not many which have bred on.
Hopefully the EAs stocking program will change this, with fish being introduced throughout the system between now and 2014.
I’m glad I was there, if only to see the Alberts face has he released the first net of fish.
These fish will probably disappear for a year or two – and then maybe start re-appearing around the 2 to 3lb mark and bring a conclusion to my not so vain dream of my first Irwell Barbel. Bring it on 🙂
Certainly nice to see the EA doing their bit Mike,hopefully in a few years those wonderful looking juveniles,will grow on and be giving many an angler a three foot twitch.
It would be good if they become well established. Hopefully the Douglas will be next!
A truly memorable day and a privilege to be involved. Ian Hayes for a knighthood! Paul
RoRface SSHHHHH I was targeting burbot you must have got mixed up lol
This comment has been removed by the author.
Fella's I can't take all the credit, a big thanks to Alan Henshaw's Team including Nick Eyre at the Environment Agency Fish Farm Calverton. Without their skill and dedication we wouldn't have such great quality fish to put in the rivers nationally.
Regards Ian
Fantastic news Mike.
Otterjack – you can try and divert as much of the blame as you like.
We all know it was down to you – we all know that without your involvement it wouldnt have happened – there will be many pints stored up for you behind the bar in the Kings Arms. Thanks thanks thanks from more people than you can imagine who care.
Great post Mike, nice to see the rivers getting lots of attention. I believe the Tame in Stockport also received the same stocking of Barbel recently.
UrmstonAngler
Excellent blog! We definitely get a follow from me!
Wooooooooooooooo!
Just think, no more travelling down to the severn, 200 mile round trips (Bridgenorth)!What a fantastic thing to see, lets all hope these little baby barbs grow on to something big and bad. Must look promising if the EA are stocking these in the river. Actually got all giddy just looking at the pictures, good job I wasn't there in person. I may have peed myself.
Just as an after thought! Great seeing the EA putting these fish in but what about our black feathered 'friends'? I cross the irwell getting into Manchester twice a day and Iam sure these birds are getting more numerous in numbers. Are they as concerned as they should be?
Could do with ea stocking Hyde and dukinfield with barbel nothing but troutup this end