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Does anybody know where I can buy fresh water eels, at a reasonable price. I have tried fish mongers, one in Oxford quoted �35.00 a Kilo!!!!!!!!!
(must be flying them in from Holland)

I have a Bradley Smoker, and would like to try smoking them myself, I am reluctant to spend to much, as its a first attempt and experimental.

Any help would be appreciated


Tony

Try Mick at Billingsgate for live eels or ask local fishermen. Your Bradley should produce lovely hot smoked eels, ensure the beasts are the right length to fit in the chamber .

Hi Tony

Do you know any water around you that may hold eels and you can get access to?

If so go on ebay and type in Crayfish Trap. these are c�5 and can be used to trap eels as well as cray fish (you will need a licence from the enviromental agency). Just bait it up with cat / dog food, chuck it in the water and wait for c6 hours...............

Cray fish (Signal only please) and eels smoked - lovely........

Cheers WW

Thanks Guys


1) Actually a couple of years ago I looked into catching Cray Fish, read all the literature, contacted the Environment Agency who said they would issue a licence if I had permission from the land owner.

A tenant farmer, friend of mine, gave me a contact name of the estate waterway manager. and said I could fish from his farm.
I wrote to the estate manager and included the reply and documentation I had received form the Environment Agency, with information on the types of traps I was going to use, and a plan of the stretch of water I was going to fish

About six weeks later, I received a letter saying my request was being reviewed at the estate managers meeting.............

About a couple of months later I received another letter, with a flat refussal................So ended my Cray Fishing aspirations

However I do have permission from another farmer, to fish for eels from his land, just need to sort out a rod licence and bait!!!!!!! a few worms should do the trick.

Anyway I have a number of books on the subject of smoking Fish and Meat, at least I have a plan for smoking Eels in the Bradley Smoker.
I have hot smoked Mackeral, they turned out very well, I will probably use a similar method for eels

If I catch any, I will update this message, If you hear of any fishermen catching eels, and willing to sell me a couple, please pass on their details.


2) I had also considered Billingsgate fish market as a source, even spoke to the trader who would sell them too me. Unfortunatly Billingsgate is a heck of a long way to go from my house, in Wiltshire, trading starts at about 04:00 a.m.!!!!!!
I was hoping to fit it in if I was ever in London, but that has not happened either - Just have to catch them myself


Regards - TonyE

Hi
not sure I know what you want nor what I saw today but...

... in the local Chinese wholesalers (Manchester) were what I think are live eels

Do you have wholesale Chinese markets where you are?

George

Thanks George


I think what you saw in your Chinese Market in Manchester is what I am looking for i.e. live eels

Nothing like this where I live, Bristol 35 miles, Bath 25 miles and Swindon about 20 miles. I have a few options, one is to catch them myself, a local farmer has given me permission to fish from his land. Been a heck of a lot of rain recently, the river is swollen, I will wait for the level to drop, and meybe give it a try.

Thanks for your reply

Regards - TonyE

Hi
I used to live in Cheltenham, so close to where you are (well compared to Manchester) and elvers were to be had there in 1976 so there is hope for you

George

Hi George


I believe Elvers are still being caught in the River Severn, however number are considerably down. I think the eel population is considerably reduced compared to what it used to be.

I have a few ideas to follow up on, one is to fish for eels myself, a local farmer has given me permission to access the River Avon from his fields.

I had a look at the river on Wednesday, there was heavy rain recently, it was in full flood. I will wait a few days, and try again.

Thanks for your reply

TonyE

Tony, if the farmer gives you permission to fish for them an eel trap may also be an option.

I'm not sure whet they come to for the big traditional cane ones but it could be interesting to find out

Try This:

HERE

Or

OR HERE

Hi Fallow Buck


Great idea - A couple of years ago I considered fishing the for American Cray fish, which I believe has 'invaded' our rivers etc.

I Contacted the Envoronment Agency for advise, discussed with a friendly farmer, but I had to contact the Estate Managment office, as he was a tenant farmer

After about 3-4months from my written request, I was denied permission.

However this is a different farmer, with the River Avon running across his land, I am very tempted to start the whole process all over again.
If I catch eels when fishing for Cray Fish, well thats a bonus!!!!

You have just re-kindled my interest in Cray/Eels

I tried a local course fishing venue for Eels last Sunday, fished from 6.00 - 8.00p.m. When the sun went down, the temperature plummeted, not a single bite - However I have been Sea Andling for about 10 yrs now, sitting on Chesil Beach 'freezing yur bits off' is all part of the fun.

Excellent idea - I will definatly give it some thought

Thanks for your suggestion

Regards - Tony

TonyE wrote:Does anybody know where I can buy fresh water eels, at a reasonable price. I have tried fish mongers, one in Oxford quoted �35.00 a Kilo!!!!!!!!!

What about elvers instead They are now considered a delicacy and are priced at up to �700 per kg in the UK...

Dave

Hi Dave


I have been 'talking' to a number of Course fishermen of a fishing Forum, one of the guys suggested fishing for Eels, down in Clevedon where the river runs into the Bristol channel, but I should be very careful of the elver fishermen. I thought it was a good idea and sensible suggestion.

I was advised by another member to be very careful of the ELVER fishermen, they guard their patches jealously, and do not tolerate outsiders. Apparently cars have been set on fire, by these crazy people.

Thanks for the suggestion, I really would be happy with a couple of occasional eels, that I can try in my Bradley Smoker.

�700 / Kilo no wonder they do no tolerate outsiders


Regards - Tony

Ouch, forget I mentioned it then

I'd be very upset if someone harvested "my" sloe tree in the local woods before I got to it. But I wouldn't burn anyone's car down over it. But Sloe's don't make �700 a kilo either...

Dave

Hi Dave


Let me know if you need anymore Sloes, there seems to be an astonishing number of 'good' quality sloes this year, I will pick some for you


Tony

Thanks Tony, if I need some I'll let you know,

Dave