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Contrary to hopes of summer lovers, but fortunately to underwater residents, July – traditionally the hottest and driest month of summer – this year has turned out to be cold and rainy. The coldest of this century: just like a compress on heat records in May and June, which brought serious worries to the experts of fish life – for many ecosystems and species such weather is not pleasant (low water level and lack of oxygen), furthermore, the fun with trophy pike hunting should be paused until more suitable conditions for fish releasing.

The greenhouse effect is one of the symptoms for global change, where carbon gasses gone into atmosphere are working as a “plastic film” of greenhouse, but sun is steaming everything on its way. Changes are systematic – with the decrease of territories covered with ice and snow, Arctic and Antarctica is warming up – the less of sun’s energy is reflected by the white of snow, the more it is absorbed by dark soil and water. Gradual decrease of difference between tropical and polar water temperatures are slowing down the Gulf Stream, monsoons stop being rainy, the movement of atmospheric air masses become unpredictable, etc. In Latvia the usual understanding of seasons also has changed greatly. For example, nowadays we speak of the “first ice” when ice on any water body can hold a fisherman and, on which you have stepped on to fish for the first time in the season; however, earlier it meant a more easier way to get fish, because on average ice in lakes of Vidzeme used to hold for 4 - 5 months and frequently was more than a metre thick...

However, how can it be explained that despite the rather rainy July the waters in several lakes of Vidzeme are in the all time lowest point? There are many versions and frequently discussions about future scenarios happen in boats of fishermen, most frequently in boats of fishermen, who in the “Release the Mother!” community are known as Honorary Fishermen, namely, those, who follow number of ethical and aesthetic principles and practice fishing with nature friendly principles. Who knows how to release, that receives – it has been proven in the results of “Release the Mother!” in July.

As it was expected, July also was spent in the sign of Ingus name and great mothers of Lake Alūksne. This time his applications had 14 large pikes, 10 of them one metre long and longer, other fish (99, 99, 95 and 92 cm long) are only slightly staying behind. A very large pike was caught by Gints Klēģeris – 14 kg heavy and 125 cm long, but there is no video of the release, thus, before naming the winner of the month (contacting the winner individually), judges need more time for discussions to talk through nuances and take the final decision.

In July there were 15 applications received from Lake Alūksne, from little, remote Opsa Lake – 5 applications, two of those with 95 and 89 cm pikes, sent in by new spin fishers Rūdis Liepiņš and Kārlis Liepiņš. From LVM Lake Kaņieris and the popular Lake Babīte in July: equal number of applications – 3; but if comparing the sum of lengths (Kaņieris – 96, 103, 74; Babīte – 38, 73, 78) then the beauty of Lapmežciems beats the lake in Lielupe. Furthermore, the fish that was caught by experienced spin fisher Edgars Kukušs this season was the third big pike from LVM Lake Kaņieris that was above one metre. Who knows what surprises will come with autumn?

Altogether in July in 26 applications from 12 different anglers 10 pikes were metre long, 6 ninety centimetres, 3 eighty centimetres and four seventy centimetres and also 38 cm perch from Modris Skulte when visiting Lake Babīte. All these fish were caught and released following the principles of responsible fishing. The sum of all lengths in July was 24.92 metres, but the average size of trophy pikes has increased from approximately 64.5 cm in the first season of “Release the Mother!” to 98.2 cm in July of 4th season of “Release the Mother!”!

The competition “Release the Mother!” will continue until November 30, all anglers can participate in it in the collaboration lakes of the project. All rules here – Regulations. We advise contestants to take care of the technical and aesthetic quality of photos and videos; send in applications TIMELY (in three days after the time of fishing)! Before putting fish in the measuring trough, we advise to pour few handfuls of water in it!

This year “Release the Mother!” is supported by traders of lures, equipment, fishing and hunting clothing, electronics –  FishBon, Eholotes, SIA Ieroči and Golteenn.