The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

Just got back from a flooded field close to the River Adur, West Sussex and although its been cool they are at it all ready!
Will post some pics later, I rescued a few stranded ones left high and dry as the water recedes.

stalkingluke wrote:Just got back from a flooded field close to the River Adur, West Sussex and although its been cool they are at it all ready!
Will post some pics later, I rescued a few stranded ones left high and dry as the water recedes.

Are you sure that they were not just stranded, carp start ovarian development when the water temperature has remained constant at a temperature above 10C. Then spawning will not generally occur until the water temperature has stabilized at above 18C. The carp and tench here are not even carrying spawn.

JerryC wrote:

stalkingluke wrote:Just got back from a flooded field close to the River Adur, West Sussex and although its been cool they are at it all ready!
Will post some pics later, I rescued a few stranded ones left high and dry as the water recedes.

Are you sure that they were not just stranded, carp start ovarian development when the water temperature has remained constant at a temperature above 10C. Then spawning will not generally occur until the water temperature has stabilized at above 18C. The carp and tench here are not even carrying spawn.

I was surprised to see them spawning so soon after the cool wet April but there was no doubt about what they were up to, two of the bigger fish I rescued deposited eggs all over me which I thought was a bit ungrateful as within a day or so the pool they were in will have soaked away completely!

Last year they spawned on the 21st of April in the same flooded field (that time by controlled flooding) during a much warmer spring, so my only guess is that the water which is run off from the surrounding fields and has been present for 15 days now has warmed up quickly and triggered spawning. The strange thing is that these carp disappear in the summer into narrow drainage ditches as there is no way back to the main river. It could make for some fun stalking.

The dirty, filthy, randy lucky buggers. :hahaha:

I was on my way home from a meeting so dressed smarter than I usually am, but arrived home covered in slime and fish eggs. I think my wife thinks I joined in the fishy orgy, she didn't ask questions just shook her head.

stalkingluke wrote:I was on my way home from a meeting so dressed smarter than I usually am, but arrived home covered in slime and fish eggs. I think my wife thinks I joined in the fishy orgy, she didn't ask questions just shook her head.

They have started on one of my waters too, and apparently a few venues in France also....