Firstly, thanks for focusing the debate fish 21, as I think this is an important issue!
The topic of sea trout feeding has been well discussed on other forums, whereby the general consensus is that the feeding instinct is not an on/off switch and fish will continue to feed, perhaps on fry, in the river. With increasing time in freshwater this instinct surely fades; hence becoming more difficult to catch?? So this applies to sea trout of all sizes.
I personally have never come across large sea trout targeting fry/par, it may occur in isolation, but if it were detrimental to fry/par stocks, then would it not occur more regularly, and be seen by more anglers? Fish 21 are you sure it was sea trout and not large brown trout?
I think the Torridge currently has a good run of sea trout, but surely it has the potential to produce a larger population, shown by the numbers of fish that used to run the river. (before my time!). Therefore conservation is very important, especially as their appears to be a national decline in stocks, hence the formation of various sea trout monitoring projects like the Celtic Sea Trout project.
The following is a quote from a Salmon and Trout Association leaflet, titled Sea Trout, Protection and Preservation. This can be found on their website at
News - The Salmon & Trout Association (see the 7th in the list).
"Larger female sea trout are often multiple repeat spawners with a potential to deposit many eggs over their lifetime, so maximising their contribution to local stocks. They have proven their fitness to survive in both the river and the sea and so contain important genes to pass on to their progeny. Protection of larger fish is therefore vital"
In my opinion this explains the importance of returning larger fish, which I think applies to both male and female sea trout. Especially as male sea trout seem to be very rare?
The leaflet also goes on to say that anglers can help preserve stocks by returning all sea trout over 5lbs, and this is in line with the recommendations of the Torridge Fishery Association.
To answer your points Amorphous, I think the above answers point 1 as the Salmon and Trout Association will have consulted scientists and relevant professionals in the production of this advice. Point 2, if I understand it correctly appears to show you don't have the good of the river in mind! Point 3, if you are referring to the trapping for broodstock for the hatchery, the sea trout are a by catch and released back into the river.
Also I would like to say that large fish are very difficult to cook properly, and therefore a 1 to 3lb fish is far better for the table.
Duncan Betts