Eel Trap results 2012

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Sun May 20, 2012 4:00 pm

hi all
4 elvers is the current count at bow locks. plenty of mittens coming out.

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Sun May 20, 2012 6:15 pm

Great news Andy, glad its not Bow Locks Laughing

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Sun May 20, 2012 9:28 pm

David, we are happy to do next weekend 26/27th.

We are away weekend 2nd and 3rd June.

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Mon May 21, 2012 9:56 pm

Thanks Colin brilliant. I am going down tomorrow afternoon for a quick look in the sunshine.

Chaps have been in contact with Joe and he said the warmer temps are good and with any luck some movement Smile

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Tue May 22, 2012 4:33 pm

Had a quick check today and was empty, here's hoping for the weekend chaps

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Sat May 26, 2012 4:24 pm

Hi Dave, have checked the eel trap today with Michael 3.30pm. Weather was clear blue skies, hot 25o strong wind. In the trap we had 11 mitten crabs ranging between 10mm to 30mm, the majority being in the 20mm bracket, but most importantly there were 3 eels. Two we measured individually at 13cm each, the third one was dead in the trap, its head was stuck in the holes of the box. It couldn't get through. That was also 13cm. The two live ones were released above the trap so they could carry on up the river. I have got some pictures on a camera and will try to upload them now. See you tomorrow at 10am. Michael and Colin

Posts : 2435 Join date : 2010-01-28

Our first eels, well done Colin and Mike.

Crazy number of mittens Shocked

That's too many for coincidence, they surely must be leaving some kind of chemical trail behind them?

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Sat May 26, 2012 6:30 pm

Great result, well done guys Smile

Mittens yes crazy numbers, there is that survey that is being run so will find the link for.

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Sat May 26, 2012 11:01 pm

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Sat May 26, 2012 11:16 pm

Cheers Colin, have just send them to Joe and will find out about the dead one and come back.

Mittens can be recorded here

http://www.brc.ac.uk/risc/mitten_crab.php

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Sun May 27, 2012 9:37 am

I wasn't aware of that MBA webpage. Would be it an idea to post it onto other forums and get anglers to record catches/sightings?

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Sun May 27, 2012 11:52 am

You can see the dead one in the first photo on the right with head stuck in hole in side. pale

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Mon May 28, 2012 3:33 pm

Colin I am meeting with Joe tomorrow at Molesey to look at it and see what can be done. If it happens again then it may have to be removed until a solution is found. Will keep you updated

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Mon May 28, 2012 3:46 pm

Neil yes should be out there mate, good shout

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Mon May 28, 2012 5:16 pm

OK, its on the Cemex and Reading DAA forums plus I've put in on the home page of the Walton PAC website.

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Mon May 28, 2012 8:39 pm

A question that came back on Cemex, is this survey just for the Thames or any water?

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Mon May 28, 2012 8:43 pm

Anywhere and everywhere mate Smile

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Mon May 28, 2012 8:47 pm

Thanks David

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Mon May 28, 2012 9:30 pm

Dave, maybe they could move the mesh on the outside which has smaller holes, to the inside ?

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Mon May 28, 2012 9:34 pm

Going to take a look and see what he says, but yes agree.

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Tue May 29, 2012 1:02 pm

A bucket full of eel this morning Smile

Sizes ranged from 40mm to a brute of 330mm

Seems they are well on the move folks, can I have a hand up for Saturdays check please. Happy to do midweek as shifts are that way.

If anyone else is local and interested in getting involved and getting trained, let us know.

Posts : 738 Join date : 2011-11-14 Location : Kingston

What accounts for the discrepancy in size?

This chart (from Wikipedia) suggests that the 40mm + size is what would be expected for eels migrating inland:

Eel Trap results 2012 - Page 2 Anguillamuk

Eel Trap results 2012 - Page 2 Anguillamuk

So what is the 330mm one doing in there? Does the trap only catch eels moving upstream, or could this be an early spawner heading downstream and hence across to the Sargasso Sea? Or do some eels just take much longer to move upstream to their living quarters?

Out of interest, Will any I were in Devon this weekend, we were looking under stones in a small stream (i.e. 40cm across) and came across an eel of about 20cm or so - we assumed it was going upstream. This was about 4 miles inland.

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Tue May 29, 2012 1:38 pm

I think they were all going upstream and there is no attractant flow on the upstream end, so unlikely to find it. Plus shooting over the weir I would imagine the quickest easiest route.

As top the sizes, was strange getting something so big for sure. Could be that they are spending much longer in one area before something sparks them into moving, namely for now the reduced flow and warm weather.

Whats great about this monitoring programme is its a first for this part of the Thames, so all results are new and we are building that picture up for the experts to analyse. Smile

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Tue May 29, 2012 2:28 pm

Hi Dave
don't forget i'm away Sat /Sun 02.06.2012 - 03.06.2012 so can't get down to check the eel trap,however i may be able to do it on one of the bank holiday days-
Colin

Subject: Re: Eel Trap results 2012 Tue May 29, 2012 2:36 pm

i'm free most days, as being unemployed so let me know and i can cycle there

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