As a fishery, we place fish welfare – and by extension water quality – above all else. So, aligning Rum Bridge with Pallatrax and its Associated Fisheries Scheme was an easy decision: we are, quite simply, of like mind.
Although we do allow other nutritionally balanced freezer bait boilies to be used on our lakes, we strongly advocate the use of the three in the Pallatrax range; and in particular the Multiworm which, in addition to contributing directly to healthy weight gains over many years, has accounted for the lion’s share of big fish captures, both here and at our previous syndicate water.
Moreover, the many ‘repeats’ that we have seen, both at Rum Bridge and our old fishery, prove it is a bait that – perhaps due to its being all-natural, thus reflecting closely the carp’s regular diet – simply does not ‘blow’.
Similarly, we believe strongly that the practice of *unnecessarily* (and I stress: unnecessarily) dropping leads on the take can and should be construed as littering.
Whether this practice contributes adversely to water quality is a debate for more erudite souls than I.
But frankly: it’s lead. Which means it’s not going to make a positive contribution, is it?!
So, though at this stage it would be commercially ill-advised for us to ban the use of lead on our fishery, I personally use the company’s Stonze weights extensively, and consider them to be a genuine edge; whether used as a traditional weight (particularly when soaked in neat flavours), and as a method feeder – an ideal partner for the firm’s perennially effective method mixes.
Much the same applies to the new Gripz hooks, which I feel represent an advance in hook design, and a superior alternative to traditional barbless patterns.
Here again (and sadly) from a commercial standpoint, mandating the use of Gripz would be a step too far. The surge of resentment at our enforcement of barbless hooks has proved too much for a number of would-be anglers who, believing ‘microbarbed is best’, choose to vote with their feet.
And that’s fine. Because, as a business, we eschew short term gain in favour of sustained long term success – something that can only be achieved by putting the fish first; not by pandering to the ‘catch at all costs’ brigade, whose goals and preferences are clearly better served elsewhere.
The Pallatrax Associated Fisheries Scheme enables us to tap in to a team of equally inclined – ethically and environmentally minded – anglers who share our vision. And will thus appreciate and respect the fishery we have worked so hard to create; and the fish we continue to nurture.
At the cost, it has to be said, of many a good night’s sleep…
