ANGLERS PASSIONATE ABOUT DEVON RIVERS – RTFCA AGM

            The River Taw Fisheries and Conservation Association held their AGM at The Fox and Hounds Country Hotel last Friday. Chairman Andy Grey reported on a disappointing season in 2024 with salmon catches the lowest since 1952. The Environment Agency statistics showed a consistent number of rod hours over recent seasons with an estimated 0.18 salmon per licence holder if my notes are correct. A month into a new season and no salmon have been recorded from the Taw. The Torridge has done rather better with three salmon recorded.

http://www.halfmoonsheepwash.co.uk

            The environment was as always at the top of the agenda with the association working extremely hard with the North Devon Catchment Partnership to help raise funding for habitat improvement and enhanced water quality.

Members raised their concerns regarding water abstraction and pollution incidents with the EA officers. It was very apparent that the Environment Agency is understaffed with hard working ground staff covering a very wide geographical area. Agricultural practices and sewage overflows are undoubtedly the main concerns and progress is being made in combatting the issues via education and fines for breaches of consents. The Environment Agency officers present emphasised the importance of reporting any pollution concerns via the EA hotline number 0800 807060. Anglers are very much the eyes of the river and play a vital role in raising awareness.

The number of Environment Agency Fishery officers in Devon now stands at two a reduction from over twenty employed recalled one North Devon water bailiff present at the meeting. Whilst the issues facing rivers have changed to some extent over the decades and focus has moved more towards environmental protection it is obvious that political priority is not on the health of rivers. Observations of local sewage infrastructure indicated that there has been no significant upgrade in the capacity of some rural sites despite extensive housing development. South Molton being a good example of this.

The dedication of local environment officers including Sam Fenner and Harry Chance was noted with those present at the meeting eager to share their observations on the river and its many issues. There is a great deal of work being undertaken to work with farmers to ensure compliance and improved working practices to reduce soil run off and silage spills.

            The association are working with scientists to gather vital data using EDNA technology to help build a picture of migratory fish locations including shad, salmon, sea trout, eels and lamprey. This will enable targeted investment over the coming years.

            The Torridge Rivers Association held their AGM at the Half Moon Inn at Sheepwash the previous week where the environment was also high on the agenda. The main focus was the associations salmon hatchery that has successfully raised 33,000 swim up fry. These fry have now been stocked out into strategic areas of the Torridge river system.

            The RTFCA welcomes new members and has launched a Facebook page and new website to help promote and engage. https://www.rtfca.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/groups/RiverTawFisheriesAssociation

THE TEIGN BOOK – A REVIEW

THE TEIGN BOOK

THE STORY OF THE RIVER TEIGN RESTORATION PROJECT AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE CATCHMENT

NEIL YEANDLE with photographs by Mike Rego

            Rivers inspire with their unique histories as they flow through our green and pleasant lands and it is anglers who are amongst those with the deepest connection and passion. This is evident throughout the pages of the Teign book written by Neil Yeandle who has produced a very comprehensive and informative book on this fascinating and beguiling river.

            Neil is a lifelong angler whose connection with the Teign commenced when he moved to the West Country in 1988. He became a member of the Lower Teign Fishing Association in 2001.

            ‘As a keen sea trout angler, he soon fell in love with the Teign, although night time angling and work were never a great combination. After setting up a business Partnership, and later his own company in 1988, he was fortunate enough to be able to retire in 2011, leaving him more time to pursue his passion for angling. Neil has served on the Lower Teign Fishing Association for many years and as secretary of the Teign Angling and Conservation Association since 2013. He volunteered to write a book as part of the River Teign restoration Project and this is the fruits of his labour.’

            Passion and dedication to the river Teign the environment and of course its fish are apparent throughout the pages of this book. I was encouraged to write a review of this book by Roger Furniss, Chairman of The Teign Angling and Conservation  Association. I feel honoured to have been given this opportunity and as an avid collector of fishing books it was a task I relished.

            The Teign book is far more than a fishing book for it delights and informs readers with an evocative story of the river and its tributaries.  The full life and extraordinary  cycle of salmon and sea trout is explained in detail and enhanced with the colourful illustrations of Robin Ade . The fascinating natural history and man-kinds impact over the centuries is fully documented as the Teign plunges from the rugged heights of Dartmoor to the estuary at Teignmouth.

            The book contains a wealth of photographs taken by Mike Rego and many others donated by many interested parties. These images are a valuable addition to a rich and informative text.

            I have yet to fish the River Teign though I have developed a close interest in the river after reading of its fish in several books and articles over the years. My wife and I have also walked the banks of the Upper Teign as it flows through the deep wooded gorge below Castle Drogo and stayed close to the river during a short break at Chagford during the summer of 2024. I glimpsed good sized trout lurking in the sunlit waters that had that beer stained colour that always adds a sense of depth and mystery.

The steep and wooded gorge below Castle Drogo

I also enjoyed some success whilst fishing at Fernworthy Reservoir at the head of the South Teign.

            I have long held the belief that each river has a distinct and unique character undoubtedly influenced by its history and geological location. This belief was fully endorsed as I devoured the contents of this comprehensive account of the Teign. The stories and accounts of angling trips entwined with folklore and superstition add an entertaining and intriguing dimension to the book.

The fact that a rivers life spans millions of years is told within the pages and it becomes increasingly apparent how mankind’s hand has impacted in recent history. The key purpose of  the Teign Restoration project is to raise awareness and engagement with the public in regard to the catastrophic decline of salmon and sea trout.

            The sad story of salmon decline in the book is one that is replicated across the West Country and the Teign’s anglers have certainly shown determination to do all that they can to try and reverse this decline. The gathering of vital data over several years via walkover surveys, redd surveys, electro fishing surveys, river fly surveys, tagging projects, piscivorous bird surveys, in river works and temperature logging has provided an in depth knowledge of the rivers vital habitats and interconnected eco system. This data is used to channel effort into habitat improvement ensuring that work is invested wisely.

            In addition to all of this work a salmon play, Our River Poetry competition and an exhibition at Castle Drogo have helped to engage with an audience far beyond the angling community.

https://www.medtheatre.co.uk/projects/river-teign-restoration-project/

 

            The book is a celebration of hope for the future and how anglers and conservation bodies can work together. The Teign is a beautiful river its journey from source to sea through a vibrant landscape deserves to be told and this book gives a fascinating insight into a river as a living part of the land in which we live. After reading the book I am inspired to explore the rivers valley and maybe even search for those stunning fish that haunt its mysterious shaded pools.

Full Report from Bulldog Fishery

Full Report from Bulldog Fishery

Heavy frost ❄️ bright sunshine 🌞 and an Easterly wind 💨 Everything you DON’T want for a days fly fishing… However, the anglers that fished the postponed February fly comp today took on the challenge!
First to hook up on one of Bulldogs finest hard fighting rainbows was none other than Mr Denis Ives, a mer 12 seconds after the starting horn! This puts Denis in second place on the wall of Fame for fastest hook up in a comp!
Many fish were hooked and landed throughout the morning with some truly heartfelt moments with some of the bigger stock lost at the net! It was certainly the case for Ian! Losing what can only be described as a colossal Tiger trout at the net.There were a few choice words shouted in anger that won’t be repeated here! But as they say, every cloud has a silver lining and with the next rotation on the lake, Ian landed 2 fish in quick succession. One of which being a 6lb12oz rainbow! 🐟
Then a big cheer came from the opposite side of the lake, Graham Turner had landed a Tiger weighing in at 5lb9oz!
Although tough conditions the anglers persevered throughout the morning and rods kept bending. After the lunch break where Nigel and Tom could be heard bickering about who makes the best roast potatoes (we all know it’s Tom 💪) it was time to get the lines back out.
Numerous fish could be seen chasing the fly but not committing! But thankfully the fishing Gods were smiling on us and more fish were soon bagged. Lee Newton was the first to fill his 6 fish limit, shortly followed by Rod!
Eventually the final horn blew and it was time for the all important weigh in! Results as follows:
1st – Rod Daniel 6fish- 27lb2oz
2nd – Denis Ives 6fish-22lb2oz
3rd – Lee Newton 6 fish – 19lb
Biggest fish of the day:
Rod Daniel -7lb brown trout
As always Tom was on hand with his filleting knife to raise what we can for the vets charity by means of a gut/filleting service! Thank you to everyone that kindly made a donation! 🙏😁
A great day with a great bunch of anglers 👐
Ps if anyone finds Will Cory wondering around looking lost it’s because he can’t find what peg he’s supposed to be fishing, please return him to one of the Lee’s ASAP 🙏 🤣
Roll on the March comp! 💪
🎣

A NEW SEASON UNDERWAY AT WONDERFUL WIMBLEBALL

A NEW SEASON UNDERWAY AT WONDERFULL WIMBLEBALL

The Exmoor landscape glistened with frost as the sun climbed in the clear sky.  I negotiated the icy roads on my way to Wimbleball on the last day of metrological winter.

A veil of white mist hid the reservoir from view as I approached with not a breath of wind.

            Several anglers were already at the water’s edge and had enjoyed early success. I was meeting with my good friend Jeff Pearce who had assisted with the launching of several boats offering advice based on the previous days opening.

I had already set up my Snowbee Diamond 2 Fly Rod #7 4-Piece – 10′, in combination with a 7wt, Intermediate line with black lure on the point and small diawl bach on a dropper. This was my go to set up early season and I was to use this throughout the day. I had a few casts in the boat bay whilst Jeff continued to assist arriving anglers with the boats.

The mist was lifting quickly as late winter sunshine quickly warmed the air. The lake was mirror calm only the departing boats rippling the waters. I captured a few images of the scene and poured a coffee. It was good to be back at this jewel in the crown of West Country Fly Fishing.

 

This was day two of a new season and anglers the previous day had enjoyed most success fishing from the bank. The most successful flies were undoubtedly black and green perpetuated by the fact that most anglers choose this pattern early season.

Jeff and I had a cunning plan to utilise our boat to move around beaching the boat at promising areas and fish from the bank. Our first point of call was Bessom’s an area that gives access to reasonably deep water. I was full of optimism and belief but the first hour passed without any connection to the lakes residents.

Jeff was first to connect tempting a typical hard fighting rainbow on a black booby fished deep and slow. Despite lack of success I persisted casting out and working my lure back slowly inch at a time with the occasional speedy twitch and pause.

Persistence and belief generally pay off and suddenly the line zipped tight and I enjoyed the delectable throbbing of life transmitted through the line the rod absorbing the feisty rainbows attempts to shed the hook.

We spent another hour or so catching another six rainbows the best around 3lb 8oz. Whilst we could have stayed and caught steadily we decided upon a change of scenery moving to Cowmoor and an area of bank that has been cleared to allow easier access and plenty of room for the back cast.

 

 

It didn’t take long before the rods were bending and reels singing as rainbows hit our lures treating us to acrobatic antics as the fish leapt cartwheeling on our lines end. Jeff had by now changed over to a similar set up to me and tempted fish on a regular basis. We ended the day on fourteen trout averaging 2lb 8oz the best probably 3lb 8oz. Jeff lost what felt like a big fish of which many have been stocked the best topping 10lb.

The day will be remembered for the warmth of the sun the beautiful scenery, good company and of course those hard fighting full tailed Wimbleball rainbows. In many ways it was another perfect day that ended all too soon.

 

Opening Day Report from Wimbleball Fishery.

Seven boats and twenty-nine bank anglers attended opening day on Thursday. Some great catches were had, pictured was Simon Peters, from the bank at Cow Moor the fish were cruising the bank, you’d get 1 or 2 quick succession then it would go quiet for a while, ended up with 15 fish between two anglers, including pictured one around 5lb.

Peter Duckett had 3 right off from by the flagpole.

Anthony Cartwright had a great day on Friday fishing the bank from Ruggs, catching 16 fish on a mixture of floating lines with lures to shooting heads and boobies. Picture of decent fish in margin by rod, not far off 10lb.

Kieron Jenkins  with the best of a 21 fish total from the boat saturday, with most fish coming from Bessoms with some lovely overwintered fish from around the Pontoon.

Best method was fishing di7 and two boobies (pink and black) slowly at depth. Plenty of  positive vibes from anglers, bank seemed to outfish the boats weather was so different from previous seasons and the cold temperatures with bright sunshine put the fish down a bit but some still caught on floating lines and diawl bachs!  Get those online returns in, as at the end of the month Wimbleball admin will pick a random catch return for a free take 2 fish then catch and release ticket.

Celebrating the Salmon Season 2025

March 1st and the commencement of a new salmon season on North Devon’s Taw and Torridge. I joined members of Barnstaple & District Angling Club at Newbridge to celebrate the occasion at their bankside hut. Warm spring sunshine brought smiles and optimism a contrast to last season’s start with a raging torrent of dirty water combined with hail and thunder.

A Hang glider drifted high above in a clear blue sky. We chatted warmly of seasons gone and those who had walked the river banks at this very spot. It was good to share the spring day with a band of fellow piscators those stories of silver bars bringing hope for the season for anglers are an eternally optimistic bunch. A cool beer, hot dogs, Lemon drizzle and a cup of afternoon tea.

The river was running high with that healthy aqua tinge of spring. With the biggest tides of the season any salmon were likely to be well upriver by now but it was perhaps still worthwhile savouring the throb of a spinner as it traversed the currents or the drift of the fly over well-known taking lies.

Daffodils, celandines and primroses brought that touch of yellow to the lanes and river bank. We will soon glimpse the first martins and swallows and who knows perhaps that silver tourist will bring a touch of silver to enrich some lucky anglers life.   I look forward to reporting on the first spring salmon of 2025.

POPULAR FLY FAIR SIGNALS EVE OF A NEW SEASON

 

  The South West Fly Fair hosted by South West Lakes Trust and held at Roadford Lake has become a popular fixture in the West Country angling calendar and is seen by many as the curtain raiser to the season ahead. I have been attending the event for many years and always enjoy the opportunity to catch up with familiar faces and forge further connections within the fly fishing community. The main sponsors for this year’s event were once again Turrall, Chevron Hackles and Snowbee.

(Above) Snowbee’s Simon Kidd

            Gale force winds and heavy rain failed to dampen enthusiasm as keen fly fishers gathered around the many stalls within the spacious conference rooms. There was an impressive array of tackle, clothing and fly tying equipment on display along with representation from local angling clubs, associations and the hospitality sector. As always river conservation was high on the agenda with a real passion for the preservation of our rivers and wildlife within.

            The River Teign Restoration Project that brings a story of salmon decline and the efforts to restore the river to its former glory was of particular interest to myself and I look forward to reading all about it in ‘The Teign Book’  written by local angler Neil Yeandle. The book now sits on my desk ready to read over the coming weeks. Glancing through its pages I can already see that it is an evocative story of catastrophic decline and sterling work to restore habitat that brings hope for the future.

            Former head of angling at South West lakes Trust Ashley Bunning was present with South West Waters Invasive species team highlighting the threats posed to our environment and native species. https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/about-us/latest-news/tackling-invasive-non-native-species-to-help-protect-our-wetlands

Ashley Bunning – South West Water

            Talking with various organisations it would seem that 2025 is set to be a busy year for the regions anglers with plenty of events planned.

(Above) James Christoforou from the Arundell

The Arundell Arms is set to host several events over the coming months starting on March 5th with a grayling day and showing of Jack Perks acclaimed film ‘Britain’s Hidden Fishes’. This Country Hotel steeped in angling history since 1932 has a sound future with the vastly experienced  David Pilkington working with new fishing guide James Christoforou.

http://WWW.THEARUNDELL.COM

Charles Jardine and Leon Fisher

     Leon Fisher is the new head of fishing at South West Lakes Trust and welcomed well respected angler and long-time supporter of  the show Charles Jardine to open proceedings. Shortly after Charles took to the wet and windy outdoors to demonstrate the art of fly casting. Charles as always wielded his fly rod with deceptive ease to propel the fly line into the gale force gusts whilst casting valuable advice to the anglers sheltering in the porch area.

 

Charles stressed the importance of stance and how to hold the rod pointing out that these basic foundations are the key to consistent delivery of the fly to the target. A very important point is that protective glasses should be worn at all times. It was refreshing to hear Charles reflect upon the design of rods and their price tags. Whilst top of the range rods are a joy to use the actual performance is largely in the hands of the angler.

                                    https://www.hanak.eu/en/about-us/company-hanak

I chatted with Local angling guide Lewis Hendrie who was on the Hanak stand with their team of dedicated fly anglers. Lewis has his routes on Exmoor having grown up in the village of Exford learning his art on the wonderful rivers and streams that cascade to Devon’s North and South Coasts. Chatting with Lewis he pointed out that he had featured as a rising star in the Fly Fishing world in my North Devon Journal Angling column twenty five years ago. It is the mixing and mingling with fellow anglers that is at the heart of this event. Whilst fishing is the vital link conversations often flow far wider contributing  to a healthy community.

Andrew Beattie of https://abtfishr.co.uk 

Always interesting to see new and Innovative products ABT have a range of robust products for fly fishing and other disciplines designed by Andrew. The LRF Critter cradle with disgorger caught my eye as a useful tool for the growing band of sea anglers exploring the fascinating miniture world of species hunting.

The ideas behind the CritterCradle are as follows:-
  • Primary objective is fish care during for LRF angling
  • Provides a clean fish friendly surface for unhooking
  • Photography – a neutral grey compatible with camera exposure meters for good image exposure
Features
  • Competition card slot 68mm wide
  • Integral knot tightener (on the measure extension)
  • Measure & measure extension up to 300mm
  • Small hook disgorger
  • Light weight/ compact size for carrying
As a result it is a good tool for teaching & engraining good fish care techniques in young anglers (old too!).

Fly tying features extensively at the fair those present creating a wonderful range of flies, lures and nymphs to tempt a wide range of species in many waters. Tiny dry flies and nymphs to temp wily wild brown trout and grayling. Gaudy lures for freshly stocked rainbows and those big mouthfuls for ferocious pike. Fly tying can be a hobby itself filling those long winter nights spent dreaming of those warmer brighter days ahead.

Rodney Wevill of the Fluff Chucker’s

We are very fortunate in the West Country to have a vast range of waters to explore. One of the discussions at the expert forum between Charles Jardine, Rodney Wevill and Gary Champion was the wonderful places that fly fishing takes anglers to across the world. With a vital connection to nature highlighted by the speakers.

I returned home from the fair with my mind buzzing and full of inspiration for the coming season. The value of life and savouring each day and moment emersed in angling and the natural world is always highlighted at these events.

John Aplin (Centre) from Casterbridge Fisheries Ltd

Accommodation and Fly Fishing in Dorset

Grayling in a timeless Valley

Trout Fishing for Beginners – with Directions for Dressing Flies for Trout and Grayling and useful Recipes

By Devonshire Fisherman ( Rev A Hughes)

The month of January is, unfortunately for the fisherman Artic in its conditions to tempt him to leave the fireside and pursue the gentle art: but February though it has well-earned itself the cognomen of “fill Dyke.” Is not always a wet month. There are many of its twenty eight days which possess a charm as fascinating to the piscator as the more genial breath of spring: when the fish are alert, and rise to the fly with exceptional readiness.

            “About the year 1896 grayling  were first introduced into the River Exe”. Five hundred yearlings.

Trout Fishing for beginners published in 1926 tells of the River Exe and its grayling.

The River Haddeo joins the River Exe a couple of miles downstream of Dulverton and has a character all of its own. This is probably in partly due to the influence of Wimbleball reservoir that has impacted upon flows reducing flooding as the dam takes the sting out of any heavy rainfall events.

            The Dulverton AA beat runs for about a mile upstream of the junction with the Exe and has a wealth of interesting features to explore. Grayling are a fish I have a fondness for part in due to the fact that they give an excuse to fish the river during the winter months when the landscape has a unique and beguiling atmosphere.

            I waded beneath the old stone bridge that carries the A396 to enter the peaceful Haddeo valley. Working upstream the left of the River consists of woodland and pheasant pens used by the local shoot. High above on the hill are the remains of Bury Castle believed to have been built by William de Say before his death in 1144. A google search for William de say brings little reward so the history just adds a bit of mystery to the valley. To the right is farmland with sheep grazing and young lambs already in evidence.

            The river is running clear and at a good height as I start to explore its pools and runs with a pair of heavy nymphs. Evidence of winter storms are all about with plenty of fallen trees and woody debris some of which will add to the rivers health and biodiversity even if it renders a few swims unfishable in the short term.

            I fished this beat in January of 2024 over twelve months previous so I already have an inkling on the best areas for grayling. It is remarkable how the river often seems devoid of fish during the winter months. During the late spring and summer wild brown trout are abundant darting for cover in the clear waters and rising for flies. I catch a couple of out of season browns during the day but I often wonder where the majority retreat to in winter.

            It’s an overcast misty day, cock pheasants, survivors of the shooting season strut arrogantly on the far bank eyeing me with suspicion. Snow drops add a welcome brightness to the gloomy day and foretell of the Spring days to come. A shallow pool is full of frogspawn a sight I have relished since a young boy fascinated with ponds and the life within.

            It is a joy to work my way slowly upriver allowing the nymphs to trundle close to the river bed. I watch the bright tip of my nymphing line intently lifting the rod each time it pauses feeling for a fish. After half an hour or so in a small pool I lift the rod and feel that wonderful life throbbing at the end of the line. The 3 weight rod bends pleasingly as I glimpse the silver flanks of a grayling its crimson sail like dorsal fin adding momentum as it holds in the fast flow. A pleasing fish of perhaps 8oz is soon safely in the net and slipped carefully back into the river.

 

            Catching that first fish of the day always brings a certain contentment for whilst it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things it does bring satisfaction for when asked later about the day you can at least report upon a degree of success.

            I fish on upriver and eventually come to a deep lie from which I extracted a grayling on my visit last year. To some extent success always encourages that little extra perseverance next time you fish.  A fact that often leads to the belief that you have located a hotspot when you may perhaps have just had an extra drift or two because you believe. Anyway the line twitch’s just where I expect it to and the second grayling of the day is soon netted.

            A few yards upriver there is a tempting deep looking pit where I prospect carefully. The line again pulls tight and there is another pleasing tussle with a lovely plump grayling of 12oz or more. Whilst these Devon grayling seldom reach the weights of their fellows in Dorset or Hampshire they can only be judged on the rivers they dwell in and on light tackle they offer superb and challenging sport.

            Before starting to work my way back down river I pause to savour the scene. Country cottages across the valley woodsmoke drifting into the still cool air. An ancient oak tree stands beside the river its immense worn and weathered trunk testament to its age. It is fascinating to ponder for a moment or two on the history of this tree and what has transpired through its long life. Generations of anglers have fished this stream. Children from the village have undoubtedly caught trout here in days gone by drifting worms perhaps ignored and tolerated by the river keeper of the day. Poachers would undoubtedly have taken salmon from these waters during the late autumn and winter. Both types of poacher are seldom seen these days for children sadly seem to have lost the freedom and inclination to connect with rivers whilst the salmon are no longer there to poach in any number.

            These observations only relate to the past fifty or so years. The old oak could be four hundred years or more old dating from before the Industrial revolution and witness to the many wars and tribulations of mankind. I guess the reassuring ever rolling stream and majestic oak bring a certain grounding to ones soul as we fish these pleasing rivers of life. In his new book due to be released this spring Robert MacFarlane askes the question. “ Is a River alive?” .

https://www.sevenfables.co.uk/product-page/book-is-a-river-alive-robert-macfarlane-1

            Standing within these cool, enchanting waters the answer is surely yes and that its  life is long, unlike our own lives in the words of the rock group Jethro Tull,

“Life’s a long songBut the tune ends too soon for us all”.

I retrace my steps back down river as the afternoon light begins to slowly fade. Ancient trees towering in the misty landscape. I look forward to returning in a month or so when those crimson spotted brown trout will rise, spring flowers will decorate the river bank and birdsong will reverberate through this peaceful timeless valley.

 

Acoustic fish deterrence at the intake of Hinkley Point C nuclear reactor

My good friend Mark Everard included this in his latest Newsletter. This will undoubtedly have a significant impact upon the fish within the Bristol Channel and I would urge all who care to sign the petition linked beneath.

‘Acoustic fish deterrence at the intake of Hinkley Point C nuclear reactor

I have noted previously that EDF is frankly telling lies about the alleged ‘minor impact’ that an uncontrolled abstraction of cooling water from the Severn Estuary would have on fish.  Modelling suggests 182 million fish killed a year for 60 years… hardly minor!  Add to this the many are protected species – shads, lampreys, salmon, sea trout and others including much of the allis and twaite shad population of the UK that congregates in Bridgwater Bay – not to mention impacts on non-designated species.  EDF suggests that creating a small bit of saltmarsh – highly unpopular with local communities and farmers – will offset damage if they are allowed to backtrack on fitting acoustic fish deterrent systems (about which they also promote untruths relating to noise and maintenance) but this is utter rubbish as it will not address biomass or species diversity to any significant degree.

As you know, I have done national and local radio around this.  There is also now a petition that you can find here – https://win.newmode.net/hinkley-point-nuclear-power-station-fish-protection – so please have a look at this and, if you are so motivated, please sign it.’

Dark clouds hang over the Bristol Channels future as millions of fish face death at Hinkley Point

Do you live in North Devon? Are you interested in the health of your local rivers?

Do you live in North Devon? Are you interested in the health of your local rivers?

We are looking for new volunteers to join Westcountry CSI and become citizen scientists!

What is Westcountry CSI?

Westcountry CSI (Citizen Science Investigations) is a scheme established by Westcountry Rivers Trust (WRT) that involves monitoring the health of our streams and rivers, through spot sampling.  We are organising a training event (delivered by WRT) to sign volunteers up.

The surveys are fairly quick and can take up to 15-20 minutes to complete. Once you sign up to the scheme online, you will receive free kit including phosphate test strips, a turbidity tube and a dissolved oxygen probe. As part of the project, volunteers are asked to take monthly samples at their chosen monitoring site and upload the results onto cartographer – a database managed by WRT.

The event details are included below:

Westcountry CSI Training Event

at Hatherleigh Community Centre

on Thursday 20th March

from 10.30-12.30pm

If you would like to book a place at the event, please email [email protected] confirming the area you live and where you’d be interested to survey, if you have a preference.

For more details about the scheme there are plenty of resources available on the WRT website here: Westcountry CSI – Westcountry Rivers Trust (wrt.org.uk) or you can view the CSI Leaflet here: CSI Leaflet.

The training event is funded through Devon Wildlife Trust’s Northern Devon Natural Solutions project and therefore, we are only looking for volunteers who can sample streams and rivers in the northern parts of Devon, although this can include anywhere in the Taw and Torridge catchments. For more information about the wider project, you can view the website here: Northern Devon Natural Solutions | Devon Wildlife Trust

Trees for Salmon – Planting Day at Landacre Bridge

Over the past twelve months or so I have helped introduce the film Riverwoods to audiences across North Devon. The film highlights the vital link between tree’s and salmon within  complex ecosystems. So when I learnt that West Country Rivers Trust were holding a tree planting day beside the River Barle close to the iconic Landacre Bridge I felt that I should attend and join this effort to improve this environment for the salmon.

            Those who follow my posts on North Devon Angling News will know of my dismay at the dramatic decline in salmon populations across the UK and beyond. I have been visiting the River Barle since I was a child when I would play in the cool clear waters fascinated by the minnows and trout that darted to and fro. Later I fished for Salmon inspired by the writings of previous generations who enjoyed an abundance hard to imagine today. Thirty years ago I walked the bank in late Autumn to glimpse salmon huddled in deep pools prior to spawning.

            It is poignant to reflect upon the plight of Exmoor’s salmon an iconic symbol of the Rivers health and the wider indicator of our planets health. The river is in trouble these flowing waters that teamed with life are dying and it is up to us to reverse this trend.

            Our son James works with the National Trust’s wetlands team across North Devon and joined me as a volunteer. We took photo’s as we planted tree’s that will hopefully be there in twenty years or so when our granddaughter can perhaps visit to see where her grandad looked to the future. It is my hope that salmon will still be migrating to the Barle then as they have done for thousands of years.

            Many thanks to Dan Osmond (below) for his in depth account of the day below: –

Trees for Salmon – Planting Day at Landacre Bridge

There’s an old cliché that, ‘salmon live in trees’ but there is a deep and intertwined relationship between these fish and the vegetation that symbiotically supports both, not just the salmon. For trees, salmon bring rich nutrients from the sea up with their migrations to their spawning grounds. Numbers vary by ecosystem and health of salmon populations, but in some areas it has been observed that up to 70% of all nitrogen in trees comes from these migratory fish. This is reciprocated and for salmon, trees provide richer feeding opportunities through falling terrestrial insects and bolstering aquatic ecosystems with leaf and coarse materials for aquatic insects. Not only this, but trees provide resilience against climate change, through evapotranspiration and shading, vital in Southern England as climate threatens the already endangered Atlantic salmon. The benefits continue, as when trees succumb to the wind or are dragged in by beavers, the woody material aids natural processes in forming river stability and forming scours and complex habitat, all of which provides refuge for all different life stages of fish.

The view of the Barle valley from Landacre bridge is a treasured site for many local to or fond of Exmoor. This area is a site of Special Scientific Interest, both for the species-rich mire found within the floodplain but also for our friend the Atlantic salmon. The Barle is an area still supporting high numbers of spawning fish within the Exe despite declines across the catchment and has some of our highest annual electrofishing results for juvenile salmon each year. Despite the picturesque scene, this area is vulnerable, with high browsing from red deer and cattle leaving the banks bare of vegetation, and now showing signs of erosion that left unchecked would leave this very valuable area degrading further.

It was with this concern that we decided to step in with our ‘Trees for Salmon’ planting at Landacre Bridge. Supported by advice from Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA), we set about a strategy of ‘applied nucleation’, whereby small clusters of trees are planted to act as a dense source of future tree recolonisation. This has the added benefit of small enclosures deterring deer from munching vulnerable young trees, the leading cause of the lack of vegetation in these parts. The work was funded through Natural England’s Species Recovery project and site visits and collaboration with their team allowed us to target our planting exclosures in areas that would not negatively impact the mire habitat but bring about an overall improvement in the long-term hydrology and habitat function at this location. Being such boggy ground doesn’t make the job easy however, with the team from Three Atop Woodland Services manually installing the tree protection exclosures, even through the worst of this winter’s blizzards. All of this was wonderfully supported by the enthusiastic permission and help of the landowner Jo, who has been watching and caring for the salmon in these headwaters for many decades.

With all that goes on behind the scenes, it was with relief that we were able to bring 1,500 young trees and a cheerful group of volunteers to Landacre Bridge on Sunday the 9th of February – the sun was even shining! After some words about the importance of the area and purpose of the day from local angler, Ueli Zellweger, and able demonstration from the WRT tree planting ninjas, Jay and Rob; the group of 25 dispersed across the valley to put trees in the ground at the exclosures. A mixture of native broadleaf trees were planted in, with sessile oak, alder, rowan, blackthorn and hawthorn forming this future riparian woodland community. So able and enthusiastic were our volunteers that by lunchtime, hot leek and potato soup in-tow, all of the trees had already been planted! After some warm bowlfuls and more fishy conversation, folks made their way back on home and the truck was loaded to return to the yard, 1,500 trees lighter. Though the effects of the hard work will take time to see, I look forward to returning to seeing these same plants in a couple of decades and the opportunities that they provide for the river ecosystem. Against the ongoing declines in biodiversity, most evident in freshwater migratory fish of all vertebrate groups; the day offered a positive opportunity to put boots on the ground, get mud under the fingernails and do something about it. We hope for many more opportunities to do the same again and scale up these restoration activities to support our wonderful rivers.

Dr. Dan Osmond

Senior Fisheries Scientist

Westcountry Rivers Trust