Signals

[crabsticks]

Hi can any of you guys, guyesses supply any info on how to catch crays and are they ok to eat, as I have heard they carry disease...thanks

[aeshna5]

I don't know about catching them, but the disease they carry affects (+ decimates) our native crayfish; not something you need worry about if you eat them! If the're from clean water there shouldn't be a problem.

[Dan Salter]

Hi crabsticks
Im not entirely sure how to link to a thread but ill try
this is a huge long thead all about trapping signals that has been running on here a while...should find all the info you need

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...yorkshire.html

[crabsticks]

Originally Posted by Dan Salter

Hi crabsticks
Im not entirely sure how to link to a thread but ill try
this is a huge long thead all about trapping signals that has been running on here a while...should find all the info you need

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...yorkshire.html

Thanks for the link Dan I have tried to post replys before but could'nt

[Dogghound]

You can catch them on rod and line in some places with fish chunks (or any bait when fishing ), but the best way is to use a small funnel like basket, like a lobster pot, with a dead fish in it, or they can be netted or caught by hand, its best to catch them at night,Crayfish are delicious when briefly cooked in salted water seasoned with crown dill. Like lobster, the crayfish turn bright red when cooked. They should be cooled in their cooking liquid absorbing salt and dill aroma to enhance their flavour. When chilled, they should be shelled and eaten with fingers, accompanied by fresh dill, freshly toasted bread and butter. Its best if you leave them for afew days in clean water (a tank) before eating them. Ive know them to grow to 11 inchs but normally they are alot smaller.

hope this helps

[m1.carson]

Hi,

I live in the Thames region, and the rules governing fishing/netting crayfish were so cumbersome that it wasn't worth while, the trap has to be so long by min. dimension here, max. dimension there, aperture this, etc. etc. etc.

They can stay in the Thames,

Max.

[The Woodman]

The penalty of ingnoring the regulations imposed by the Environment Agency could mean a fine of max £2500 or six months eating boiled spuds and cabbage, if caught using unlicenced "instruments".
Contact your Consenting Officer at your local EA office and he/she will help you to do it legally.
Commercial traps made by "Trappy" are available, around £13 each, the trapezoidal type fish better than the conical shape. Consider hand picking from under stones, lay tiles for cover or use a bunch of bacon rind tied to a length of line to a hazel rod for the backwoods experience.
There are people making a good living out of "wild" signal crays. Dogghound is right on with the gastronomy and advice to purge them for at least 24 hrs in fresh water to rid the intestine of material.
By the way, the disease they can carry is Crayfish Plague and this won't harm you, only our native white clawed crayfish.

[thunder]

Please don't forget to sterilise your equipment and footwear if you change from one waterbody to another, to avoid you carrying the plague around!

henrya

[m1.carson]

Hi Woodman,

Like the info, but, surely using a hazel or willow withy constitutes fishing with rod and line and is also liable to a large fine even without a hook. [ similar to my father-in-laws eel balling, with a bunch of worms tied around with wool that their teeth get tangled in].

I'm not sure this is the right post for this, but I haven't seen a water baliff checking licences for years, and in this area we have a considerable number of foreigners fishing for the pot, even out of season, with a "me no know" type reply if queeried.

Max.

[The Woodman]

Hi Max
Good point about the rod issue. The legislation (Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 Sec. 27) says "A person is guilty of an offence if, in any place in which fishing for fish of any description is regulated by a system of licencing, he-
a) fishes for or takes fish of that description otherwise than by means of an instrument which he is entitled to use for that purpose by virtue of a fishing licence or otherwise than in accordance with the conditions of the licence; or etc., etc.

I was always under the mistaken impression that crayfish were crustaceans but my local EA Officer says they are fish in law and that a very old case proves that. In that case you are right to point out that that method is covered by a rod licence.

It might be cheaper to fish the things out with a licenced rod rather than pay trap licence fees. I'll find out. Of course, one might just have a rod licence anyway. Bureaucracy eh!