QUOTES

1. From: "Alastair Rawlings" Twice Angling Times "Rapala lure king".

Dear Chris,

Congratulations on your find, I don't know how you linked moon phase, month of year, and fish feeding times together but well done an incredible achievement. I have now charted my own, over 500 15Ib + double figure pike catches to moon phase and month of year, and will be doing the same for future catches.

Lunar drag times according to my pike study are indeed working most of the time. As very few pike are caught within 30mins either side of rise hp set & lo.

I have acknowledged you in my new pike study of your great find, and will also do the same in my pike book that I'm writing too.

I now after some hard thought and checking my own data, know you are right in the fact that all pike are indeed triggered by the moon to start/end their feeding. The weather as you say, enhances or depletes sport sometimes to zero. I have found that (as you know) a cold/cool front approaching enhances sport the best, and makes the feeding periods last longer and are more intense. I will continue to study the pike and the weather and feeding period times, there are still some many things to learn about the pike. One of these is, with NO cold front approaching why pike refuse to feed on say for eg. lures in a feeding period one day, but take deads no problem. Another day/period again with no cold front approaching visa-versa might happen? Method plays a big part here. With a cold front approaching, the pike will take anything, as their on big time but only when the moon say's go.

Cheers Chris,

With respect Alastair Rawlings.

6. Bob Roberts. Advanced Carp Fishing, magazine, Feb 2000.

UNDER PRESSURE
"Now I am no expert but I have listened to those who would have you believe that they are and they usually claim that high pressure is bad and low is good. Well I am sorry but I disagree. In fact I will go further and suggest they probably all read the same article 10 years ago and have simply gone around quoting it ever since. That is the trouble with one- trick ponies. They have read something that sounds impressive and before you know it they believe they have invented it. Huh!!!
Low pressure can be good at times of the year when it is associated with wind and rain but, come winter, I am not so sure. I have had multiple catches on winter nights when the moon was ringed with a frost halo. That is something you do not see when the glass is low".

FROM THE SAME ARTICLE

DARK SIDE OF THE MOON.
"The second consideration is one that recognise but do not quite understand. No thats not true, I do not even begin to understand it. Last year I got drawn into some serious discussions about moon phases. There is a theory doing the rounds, especially in barbel circles, about certain phases of the moon having an influence on fish behaviour. How or why is beyond a simple bloke like me but I have sat with respected anglers who have predicted the timings of fish showing up with uncanny accuracy. All I will say is that you discount the ravings of these lunar-tics (pun intended!) at your peril.
One thing the lunar theory ties in with is short feeding bursts. If you study the lunar theory you will see they indicate feeding patterns falling back by around an hour each day in the same way as does moonrise and moonset. The tides follow the same pattern, if the moon can set an ocean in motion then surely it can have some influence on stillwater fish. If that is the case, could it be that feeding times are not as random as we imagine? How often have you gone ages without any sign of activity only to have two runs in as many minutes"?

8. anglersmail@ipcmedia.com STAR LETTER

Dear Mr Westwood, 16/1/02

I write in wonderment as to what has happened to "etiquette" these days? I refer to the piece written by Dr. Stuart Glough in the Dec 15th edition of Anglers Mail, entitled "Lunar or Looney"?

The write up was completely one sided. Perhaps it could have been more balanced, if the learned Dr. Glough would have directed anglers that are interested in such matters to my website at www.moonstrike.co.uk. That way they could read about the matter, written by someone who has actually studied and pioneered the subject (in England), try out some of the suggestions, and form their own conclusions!

Mr Glough wrongly states, that it is the state of the tide which governs marine activity, and that this is proven.

Yes the highest tides at new and full moons often produce the best sport at sea, and this is attributed in part to the fact that more bait is stirred up. The days around these phases will also offer the best sport on inland waters, from ponds to vast lochs! It is the position of the moon which first decides when marine life will be active.

I have spoken at great length with John Holden about this, and he soon agreed, advice like e.g: the best time to sea fish are during certain hours of the flood and ebb tide. Are full of contradictions, somebody may be Bass fishing at the top of the flood tide in a heavy swirl and catching, at the same time one could be catching Bass in flat calm from a different coast, the latter being disregarded as a one off!

The sentence, " Now and again the shoals will react quite out of character and some lucky angler will hook a dozen fish from flat calm water and in bright sunlight" in one of Jonn Holdens books, sums this up!

Angling literature is full of these contradictions, where fish which appear to be caught at odd times, and in unfavorable conditions, are passed off as lucky. Fact is most specimen fish are caught in this way, and my site is a guide to help anglers predetermine these times, they are not as random, or lucky as they appear......

Yours Faithfully.

Chris Lyons

11. ANDY HUMPHRIES. BARBEL CATCHERS CLUB
Andy Humphries of the barbel catchers club checked a couple of thousand barbel catches to moon phase. He didn't see a pattern. I suggested he try again using barbel over 7lb. Contrary to what anglers think the period around full moon came out tops, Followed by the 2nd and 3rd days after first quarter, and the day of last quarter. He concluded that he would be taking much more notice of moon phase during further sessions.

Andy also sent me details of captures of 13 big barbel, 10 were taken on days I deem as excellent, and one on an average day. The remaining 2 smallest fish came on dodgy days.
They all came at key moon points and in most of the cases I demonstrated this with fish I have documented at the same points and moon phase.

My 3600 documented fish, mainly double figure barbel(Over 2600) the rest being over 1000 20lb+ pike, carp tench and other species. Show distinct peaks around these days, new moon, followed closely by full moon, and first quarter, then last quarter.

12. Dear Dave Burr, (EDITOR BARBEL FISHER MAGAZINE).

In response to the article Lunar Lunacy, By Fred Crouch:

Fred states that all animals need food, safety, for some reason he overlooks the fact that
animals need REST, and that includes fish and barbel. He also asks "why should it only apply to fish and not other animals" who says moon phase only applies to activity in fish?

For one it governs the menstrual (MONTHLY) cycle in women, they are not fish.

Blood is thinner in humans at full moon.

It also accounts for an increase in R.T.A's, violent crime and suicide rates, around full moon.
Scientist have found a dramatic increase in electrical activity in trees around the full moon, trees are not fish.

That the moons position is one of the most important factors in governing activity in fish and all animals, has been known for hundreds of years(Maori's).
Many fishing guides in America,Canada, New Zealand and Australia take moon phase into account. There are numerous "solunar" related fishing and "hunting" websites on the internet. They ALL sing from the same hymn sheet.
The word "hunting" applies to birds and "mammals" these also are not fish.

Barry Norris recently posted a list of solunar websites onto the B.S site, despite him being aware of my site www.moonstrike.co.uk, he did not include it in the list. Funny because it applies to Britain and barbel!

Could I suggest that if Fred or any other "high profile" angler would have carried out the research, and hold the amount of data (over 2600 double figure barbel caught at key moon times and 1000 other specimens) I have on this subject it would now be an accepted FACT? This is not anecdotal evidence, most cases are witnessed FACT.

Not one of the Barbel Society committee have ever contacted me to discuss my work and look at this data (why)?

Despite the constitution of the society stating:

3. To disseminate information on barbel angling............

4. To research the ecology, habitat, life cycle and behaviour of the barbel.

That is not to ignore and block, by block I refer to me giving further talks, while it is perfectly in order for founder member Stuart Morgan to give talks on moon phase, is that why I have been blocked then?

Having recently phoned Fred to discuss his "article" that was not a "personal attack" he assures me that "barbel always come straight into his swims, and that he usually starts catching straight away"!
He would not inform me where the lakes are where fish eat 24 hours a day, any day, and as soon as he puts food in.

As I asked Fred, would I have started a guiding service to demonstrate the findings of my research to anglers, if I were WRONG? He could not answer that and declined to come and fish with me, so Fred stay there with your antiquated cane rod in the angling "dark ages".

Of course I did not expect my findings to sit very well with "Mr Barbel" I wonder why it took him so long to write a page of "sour grapes".

If Fred and the society committee ever wish to get from your pedestals and do something "constructive and of benefit to anglers" on the subject, not innacurate accounts from the past, you know how to contact me.

Regards

Chris Lyons

Hi Chris

No need to send me a hard copy as could use you email and enter it as a letter in the Barbel Fisher.

However, I feel that you are being a bit hard on the Society when you claim that you are being 'blocked', were this the case then surely as magazine editor, I would be aware of such a decision. I can assure you that I am not, indeed there are no such policies in place concerning any individual when it comes to the Barbel Society. Proof, were it needed; I have published articles bylabout certain individuals that have been in 'dispute' with comm iftee members and that have spoken out against the Society.

I have read your theories in the Barbel Fisher long before I was the editor, personally, I have discussed them with other anglers both amateur and experienced. I have yet to find one person that agrees whole heartedly with your premise although most agree that there must be 'something in it,.

I think the biggest problem with endorsing your theory is that should one abide by it, then one's angling time would effectively be cut to a minimum, this may help to catch fish during short sessions but could also lead to the loss of confidence during the, so-called, unproductive times. Again, it is my personal view, but I think confidence puts more fish on the bank than anything.

Enough of my opinions, I am sure that they will not sway you. What I will do is forward this to Fred (I have received one other letter regarding his article so I will send that too), thus giving him the opportunity to form a response. Should you wish to rephrase anything you have written to put it into the form of a letter or even a short article, then I will hold off sending this for a few days, if I have heard nothing else from you by Friday then I'll put this in the post to him.

Please accept my assurance that I am willing to publish any constructive, well considered arguments within the magazine but I will not allow name calling or personal attacks so please, keep it friendly; we may not all agree but there is no need to get nasty.

Regards

Dave Burr

As you see from the above response, Mr Burr has failed to provide any answer to the points raised in my correspondence regarding the article, which I regard not only as a personal attack questioning my sanity, but also an attack to undermine and damage my work.

It would seem that the Barbel Society are totally unwilling to constructively debate the matter which can only benefit members and which adheres to their constitution. Perhaps Mr Burr can point out who has got "nasty"? INCIDENTLY MY RESPOSE TO FREDS ATTACK NEVER WAS PUBLISHED BY THE B.S AND NEITHER WERE ANY OF SEVERAL POSITIVE LETTERS "BACKING ME UP" SENT IN BY OTHERS.....STRANGE

13.
24/5/02

Roy Westwood (EDITOR)
anglersmail@ipcmedia.com

Dear Roy,

Further to the excellent and unbiased article entitled ARE YOU A MOONSTRIKER? In the April 20th edition of Anglers Mail. Which was covering my work regarding fish activity in relation to phases of the moon.

I write to offer your magazine the opportunity to be the only UK angling publication to feature some of the daily peak times of the most likely fish activity (during the coarse season).

This I feel would be a major asset to your magazine, would be of great benefit to the specimen angler. It would also soon demonstrate just how important the moons position is in governing the movements/feeding behaviour of fish (never mind installing radio transmitters into bream!).

Look forward to hearing from you with your decision.

regards,

Chris Lyons

FEB 2003 LETTER TO JAMES HOLGATE EDITOR OF "COARSE ANGLING TODAY".

Dear James,

In response to Stef Horaks comments regarding lunar cycles and fishes activity.

First I would point out that any angler worth his salt knows that he does not induce fish to
feed, they switch on when they want. Stef Horak is more than aware of this yet for some reason loathe to admit it. However, this sentence written by him in July 2000 sums it up "some days it may take up to six hours to get the barbel feeding confidently, even in good conditions". That is NOT inducing fish to feed, make up your mind Stef!

That Mr Horak or any other top angler cannot see how the moon effects their fishing in a few sessions I do not buy, more so when fishing for fish that can be seen as Stef does so often. How come that I have put several double figure barbel on the bank(witnessed)virtually to the minute of times I have given anglers, these times were arrived at by advancing moon times from previous days catches, yet it would appear that these top anglers cannot do the same, amazing! I recently caught a river Wye record Chub of 7.6 by advancing the time a Chub was caught in a match the previous day. The Chub in the match was around 11.30, mine the following day at 12.10 the time I was looking at!

Friday 27th of July 2001, clearly demonstrates Stef's inability to induce fish to feed, Moon high point was at 19.15 (a key point). It was scorching, the lower severn low and clear. Stef had a double (fishing opposite me) smack on H.P at 19.15, I had one at 19.48, and Stef's mate one at 20.10. Three doubles within an hour, close to moon high point (which was why I was there) and in bright sunlight. Dusk into darkness proved useless as is often the case when barbel fishing. I wonder how many hours Stef had been there dribbling maggots into his swim only for fish to feed as I had worked out�..

Regards,
Chris Lyons

A post by Andy Frances owner of barbelworld website, posted 1:2:03

Re: Moonphases
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Let's be careful of what we say about other people on the board. Chris L isn't exactly a friend of the site anymore and it doesn't seem fair to discuss him specifically as he can't answer back.

Incidentally, I find it a little worrying that Anglers Mail seem to be really pushing this theory of moon phases by directing people to a moon phases web site every week. I hope the younger readers of Anglers Mail don't take too much notice of these plugs as they need to be out on the bank at every given opportunity, not just when the moon's right.

From the same thread posted by "Angling Experiences" boss Graham Elliot

Re: Moonphases
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Damien.

After the temperature importance, river colour, flow, wind direction etc. the moon phase adds a not very important factor.

If you believe all you read some "sellers" might tell you they can tell the time of day when you will catch.

Believe me Damien it is a total load of old "b........" peddalled by people of the night.

an example.

One "strange man" told me I had not caught a fish, witnessed by 10 others because the "time was not right moonwise"

Cranks and saddies.
Ignore them and the propoganda.

Graham Elliot