Siblyback

[handeman]

SWLT have decided that they will downgrade Siblyback from a premier fishery next year. The expansion of other leisure activities has effectively driven anglers away. Cornish anglers are particularly upset as it is the only premier water in Cornwall. I believe that SWLT are considering upgrading another water. They are having a consultation meeting for users in November.
Bill

[sandy]

Sad day for a lot of the Cornish lads that fished this water for years. It is a shame really but it probably makes commercial sense on paper for SWLT to maximise its profits from the water.

These motives don't always work in the interests of the fishing public in Cornwall but we'll have to wait and see how things pan out. Stithians is being mooted as an upgrade of some sort but it already has watersports like Siblyback and I can see a few problems with that.

Firstly a lot of the customer base is not based anywhere near Stithians as its a long way down the peninsular. It as a venue is unlikely to draw the anglers from Plymouth, Torpoint, Liskeard, and St Austel in a hurry. Also if watersports are the answers to profits surely the same is true at Stithians.

Perhaps the improvements at Colliford will make a difference - functioning toilets would be a good start. Also some availability of tickets on site may help sales numbers.

For one I will be interested if their plans include stocking of Rainbows in Colliford as I think that is highly unlikely to be successful due to the high acidity of the water and its vast size. of course brown trout stocking is probably also a non starter in any numbers as they are three times as expensive pound for pound as stocked rainbows.

Perhaps a few of the Plymouth anglers will head for Kennick but at nearly 100 miles round trip I cannot see that being highly attractive either.

All in all I'm not sure where this is heading but perhaps in a few years time it may be that if you wish to pursue big reservoir rainbow fishing you'll have to head up to Wimbleball as Kennick can sometimes seem a little over subscribed.

I think I'll concentrate more on my little river trips and longer trips will head to Wales and Scotland.

Sandy.

[terry]

A real shame about Siblyback, probably the thin end of the wedge.

What ever happens please, please do not allow Colliford to be stocked with bloody rainbows.

Terry

[sandy]

Rainbows in Colliford would be a big step backwards IMHO . I'm pretty sure that most of the fish in Colliford are mostly wild now .

Any small amount of Stocking of brown trout in Colliford by SWL Ltd is of little impact on such a large water. The natural recruitment within the lake must be far more. A few hundred stocked fish a year are just likely to be lost in what has to be one of the largest banks to fish in England.

It would be interesting if they are going to move the boats to Colliford as this might provide some very good Loch Styling sport - and vast water can be easier fished with their use.

Also if it is income streams they need perhaps this is one way they could maximise profit from existing assets while actually providing some sort of fishing water service. Far be it for anglers to give advice but I sometimes wonder at their current thinking .

Sandy.