Blood suckers found in Durham...>!!!

and i dont mean NIXON>>>>


The Environment Agency has confirmed reports from local anglers that the River Wear at Chester-le-Street, County Durham, has become a spawning site for lamprey.
So far the Environment Agency has identified 12 spawning sites and a total of seven adult Sea Lampreys have been spotted in them.

Scientists are continuing to search for more of the fish as they are extremely rare and provide a good indication of the high quality of the river water.
Paul Frear, Environment Agency fisheries officer, said: "We were thrilled to discover lampreys back in the River Wear as these rare blood-suckers show us that the water quality in the river is very high.
"Lampreys are extremely selective with their spawning sites and will only nest where the water quality is optimal.
"Today, only three species of this blood-sucking creature remain in Britain and their habitats are protected by an EC directive."
The lamprey is an unusual creature, using its suction-cup like mouth to attach itself to the skin of a fish and rasping away tissue with its sharp probing tongue and teeth.
Outwardly resembling eels, as they have no scales, an adult Lamprey can range from 13 to 100 centimetres long, with large eyes, one nostril on the top of its head and seven gill pores on each side.
During the Middle Ages lampreys were widely eaten by the upper classes throughout Europe, especially during fasting periods since they taste much meatier than other fish.
A "surfeit of Lampreys" has traditionally been blamed for the deaths of King Henry I and King John who overindulged in them.


and from the BBC..


The discovery of a rare blood-sucking fish in the River Wear is proof of high water quality, conservationists said.
Seven adult sea lampreys, which have toothed, funnel-like sucking mouths, have been found in the river near Chester-le-Street, County Durham.
Only three species of lampreys remain in Britain, and they are protected under European law.
The Environment Agency said the creatures only breed in water which is very clean.
So far the agency has identified twelve spawning sites, known as redds.
Fisheries officer Paul Frear said: "We were thrilled to discover lampreys back in the River Wear, as these rare blood-suckers show us that the water quality in the river is very high.
"Lampreys are extremely selective with their spawning sites and will only nest where the water quality is optimal."
Scientists are continuing to search for more lampreys, and anyone who spots one is asked to report the sighting to the Environment Agency.

Only a few guys on here have seen the Durham wear (free stretch in particular) if you had,you'd perhaps question why the hell the lamprey are there,cos initial inspection would'nt give me the conclusion that the rivers clean and healthy,most days sanitary towels,beer cans,bikes,tyres,etc etc can be seen either drifting by or thrown into the waters edge. But...contarry to all of this....the diversity of fish secies is quite incredible, it seems to have every fish species possible, so something must be going ok,just wish they'd tidy the place up.
Nice read Darren

Get Tim down there for some pike bait

Plenty of eels in there too

i was just thinking............christ its bad enough when the eels ruin the chub fishing never mind the bloody lampreys

Good sign for the water but they must be coming up as far as finchale and then getting taxis to chester le street

and the bad news is.................................. when a site is EC protected there is no fishing allowed free stretch or not my bro in law works for the ea and he assures me that it will happen if deemed necessary and its obviously a clean water as the salmon and sea trout return year after year

thats it then we all have to wee in the free stretch to keep it open

i can see it now, explaining to plod that its" for the good of fishing"

One of my reg waters i fish has lamprey spawning grounds and at the time of year they spawn its fckin pike city in there :) with 100lb bags not uncommon.

was reading this weeks AT and some guy apparently caught a lamprey on a pellet.