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Hi Steve and all,

Thanks Steve for posting this info as did not think it my place after our conversation earlier.

Perhaps now those like Mr Jameson, Barnyard or whatever names they choose to hide behind today, tomorrow or next year will stop sniping and trying to shift blame to where it does not belong. Those that have taken Kickles will realise the consequences of there actions. Even if they did not instigate the loss they could have refused the offer when it was given which would have nipped this in the bud, but unfortunatly we cannot change history. We all make mistakes in life because we did not see the consequences coming, but should not be constantly castigated for it.

It is a sad fact that this turn of events will change the future of river venues, Clubs finances and the way they operate. Allready large owners of fishing rights like the BAA, LAA etc. were starting to struggle. MKAA will find a large decrease in there revenues next season and as the availability of venues becomes harder for the large percentage of pleasure anglers and the single species groups so the interest generaly will decrease.

Although privy to some info I do not know for certain who has won the Tender, but if I was a betting man my money would go on a comercial venture, next week's press should unveil all. If this is so then it could be both a good thing and a bad thing, a good thing because if you can afford it then you will still get a chance to fish for one of the monsters it contains for the limited time period that they are there. My own personal opinion is that, that will be for a long time because contrary to popular belief there are also quite a few fish in the lower doubles that will take the place of those that die off. There is also nothing to suggest that these will not attain the same weights of there predecessors.

A bad thing because if this does prove a commercial success then it will open the floodgates if they are not already. I must admit that I considered putting a bid together on similar lines but my priciples would not allow it despite many offers of financial backing.

Ray, Lee and Steve have worked hard to put together an "Open to All" river campaign and although I am not attending the meeting I have offered my support in whatever capacity they feel would be usefull and hope that it achieves something.

My deep feeling is that I would like an organisation like the Barbel Society to pick up the cudgeol and run with this. They more than any organisation and that is no slur on Ray, Lee and Co or Ray Walton and his attempt to form another society. But I feel the society is the only one out there that concentrates solely on rivers, has the experience and battle scars of fighting lost causes and the determination to succeed.

Unless we are united and that includes those that have decried the BS but have the influence to command media space, yes Ray, Martin, Guy, Stewart etc I mean you. Surely it is about time we learnt and could agree to disagree on some topics but unite to try and protect the liberty and right to pursue our chosen sport and fish in general.

The Society as an organisation might not want to champion this, but if not we need all inetersted anglers to challenge it as one and bring as much influence individually and collectively as we can muster.

Keith