'American Signal Crayfish', to be precise, these 'critters' were introduced into British watercourses in the 1970s and have virtually eradicated our own native crayfish, reducing them to a mere 5% of their original number. A similar scenario to red and grey squirrels, these unwelcome guests are now seen as a pest and anglers are by law, encouraged to kill them if caught and not returned. A bit like carp are treated in Australia. Anyway, on a recent visit to friends who are lucky enough to live by the banks of a lovely English river and it being 'closed season' for river fishing (for fish, that is), I adopted the foraging approach and caught a handful fo these fellas for the pot, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall-style :) As I waited for my net loaded with oily mackerel to coax them to me, our host foraged for wild garlic. Hugh would have been proud. They were delicious and I will continue to do my best to help out with their eradication. You can't beat catchin' and cookin'. Who needs a supermarket? This original will be sent to our lovely hosts as a thank you. Soft pastel on Fabriano Tiziano coloured pastel paper.
