Saw the letter, the guy always seems to have something to moan about - he fair laid in to ADAA in a previous issue (August 2011) about stocking Parkhill, but didn't acknowledge any of the positive work they do ! Sure, I would prefer genetic Don stock where stocking is concerned, but he didn't even suggest that possibility. You know, 'gene flow' is not always a bad thing in nature...
I would imagine some Sea Trout (which are really Brown Trout) from natal waters other than the Don, actually do naturally spawn in the Don ? Is there an exclusive 'Don strain' ??
Regarding the question, I am all for Sunday fishing for Brown Trout and don't see his argument at all. It was a joy to fish runs and pools that hadn't been 'trawled' through by flying C's ! It was nice to meet other genuine trout anglers too. And it is my day off. Apparently, for ADAA waters, the Sunday fishing has acted as an effective deterent. If unscrupulous 'rogue' anglers are using Sunday trout fishing as a cloak to target migratory species then that is a whole other issue as far as I am concerned, and a worrying one at that.....but does that happen en masse ?
I am certain that most Brown Trout anglers catching a migratory species would return it. Perhaps all Sunday fishing should be C+R to avoid any 'iffy' Sea Trout getting chapped - doesn't affect me as they all go back to play. Would prefer not to have limitations on tactics but if I had to fish dry fly to please the likes of Mr. Thornton, let's just say I woundn't moan about it half as much as he seem to !
Scotland is a secular country, like it or not, and the religious argument should not come in to it IMO. I respect the opinions of those that disagree, but they should simply choose not to fish and let the rest of us get on with legal sport.
Lindsay