John Bailey at the Barbel Society Conference 2018

John Bailey giving a passionate talk about the rivers Wensum & Wye at the 2018 barbel Society conference

[@1twilight9]

Nice to finally see and hear John talk. Always enjoyed reading his articles and book. Bring back a closed season on all natural waters.

[@iainmacvicar5858]

An enjoyable and equally alarming talk. Predation is a dreadful thing. Particularly when we all know how to deal with it but have our hands tied. I recently had a day or two on Graffham and counted two flocks of Cormorants which totalled over 100 birds! So sad.

[@shaunnurse5768]

Well said JB!!

[@rooster5645]

Hi John, a very informative talk and your spot on we have exactly the same scenario at Throop which has been in decline since 2001 due firstly to the arrival of cormorants and in recent years otters, I have fished here since 1978 and the days of catching lots of barbel are long gone! there are still plenty of big chub but how long for? Angling is the biggest participant sport in the Uk and we are the only ones who can change this if we all got together sadly unlike you and some of your colleagues the rest of us do nothing, if you needed anymore proof you have over 400 views and only 2 comments when there should be many more.

[@user-nl7vz4wt3t]

Well said that man! Cormorants need controlling without a doubt. Interesting to hear there's 4 to 6 angling bodies that's supposedly looking out for angler's interests. Yet no of tgem have the backbone to do anything about bringing about a culling mandate to the government. So thats why ive revoked my membership fees to anglers trust, who Incidentally told me that illegally introduced otters were not a problem on our waters!

[@deanalderton6026]

Few barbel are turning up at hellesdin. Maybe the human activity has helped against those predation factors. Plus plenty of place to hide.

[@daz3434]

Thank you John for actually speaking the truth about Otter's and Cormorant's they will demolish our beautiful Barbel and all other fish this can not carry on. I have witnessed on the Severn this year an Otter in my swim actually have a go at a Barbel which I was playing luckily i managed to get it in and released it into a different swim-after that the swim went dead which has never let me down for a fair few fish. This has to be sorted out for the sake of the fish and the future of river fishing!!

[@jack14kd]

There's quite a few in the severn now.dont fish the river anymore as I'm into carp now. But see them when i walk the dog. Keep seeing them around severn stoke

[@daveberry2177]

did you get free sandwiches