Avon Diary 2007 Jan-Sept
What tales of the catchment might this place tell
(All photographs on this site will enlarge if left clicked)
23rd September
All is not as simple at it first appears
Misty mornings with the goose population heading out for the stubble fields to finish the last of the autumn bounty. Whilst it makes an atmospheric photo the subject of the valley goose population is an extremely problematic one. Only two or three decades ago, in the part of the Lower Avon Valley with which I am familiar, geese were far from frequent visitors. The late 70's and early 80's saw their numbers increase dramatically and they have continued to expand their population to the present day when we have over 600 in this section of the valley. Over grazing not only creating changes in the available food source for traditional grazers, cattle and sheep but the historic winter visiting Whitefronts and Bewicks, also the problem of foul grassland when the breeding flocks concentrate in one area they end up smelling like a chicken shed. They do at least provide some good wildfowling even if the resultant meat is best mixed with plenty of belly pork and seasoning and turned into sausages. Unfortunately at the rate we are shooting them they are more than keeping pace. We will have to resort to removing, oiling and pricking eggs if we are ever going to achieve a reduction in the population.
We have the Wessex Water Company contractors surveying river profiles to provide information for runs of the Ground Water Model to interpret and assess the impact of local abstraction points on the river height and the flow regime. This is all part of the Ground Water Model that has been produced by the Water Companies in partnership with the environmental regulators the Environment Agency and Natural England to evaluate abstraction throughout the catchment. There is currently a rising unease at the closeness of the association between the regulators and those to be regulated with regard to the critical parameters that will decide what is deemed acceptable with regard to abstraction. Whilst it is extremely difficult to find the funding from an independent source and the water companies have to meet the demands of legislation that require thorough investigations the regulators must not only ensure their independence but be seen to remain independent of commercial pressures. The parameters that are set to safeguard our riverine environment must be clearly backed by sound scientific research and peer reviewed, guesswork and historic practice will definately not suffice.
Unravelling the complexities of abstraction and always an option if they get it wrong
20th September
Thanks to Pete Reading who has sent me this lovely photo of this 14 pound plus fish from the Middle Avon. Fourteen pounds or four this is a fin perfect specimen, I would imagine this fish would be every barbel anglers dream it certainly inspires me to try and catch one or two this season. You can find out more of Pete's exploits on his diary on the Barbel Society webpage.
18th September
A cold north west wind and a clear night made for a very cold, bright start to the day. Despite the cold it didn't stop a hardy trout rod from visiting one of the stillwaters in the hope of a rainbow. I didn't have the time to stop to see if he met with any success but a look in the shed at the returns book confirmed the trout are still providing some excellent sport.
Do you recognise the subject in the second photo and if you recognise it can you see what's missing? I wont keep you in suspense, it's a cowpat and a subject that has provided me with much thought in recent weeks. What's missing are the huge swarms of dung flies that used to keep a constant buzz in the cow fields, orange winged blue bottles and dung beetles that I always associated with the cowpats "when I were a lad". We all bemoan the missing upwing ephemerals and the threatened salmon and roach stocks but who will campaign for the missing cowpat population? Its so elementary, there has to be a simple answer which may be the key to understanding the more complex interactions that are giving rise to the problems in our rivers. The previous generation of cattle wormers gave rise to similar concerns related to the residue of the chemical passing through the animal and entering the delicate food chains that were reliant on the by-products of the dairy industry. Is there a similar problem with the current generation or is there a more complex explanation? Whatever the cause of the lack of flies and their associated grubs and maggots, they are absent, as such are not available for the juvenile waders in the watermeadows and perhaps contributing to their crash in numbers.
A cold morning and there are no flies on that one - and there should be!
16th September
Time continues to be at a premium and with the dry weather continuing we are making the best of the good ground conditions to get some of the heavy work completed before the rains arrive. The set of photographs below typify the work that keeps me away from the river.
The winching and chaining of our fallen oak was always going to be an interesting exercise and I was glad to see that particular stick safely on its way.
14th September
A mixed bag of goings-on, the first photo shows a colony of Sand Martins that decided to excavate their nest holes in the soft sand of the gravel company stock heaps. Tarmac and their contractors Hydrex deserve congratulations for permitting the birds to occupy the site and allowing them the time to rear their broods. For the three months involved the stock heaps stood idle and the huge earth moving equipment has avoided the area to reduce the risk of sand slips that as can be seen in the photograph have swept down either side of the colony. How the birds knew that particular section was going to remain sound is a mystery we will never understand, luck or natural engineers?
The second illustrates how clear the river is at present and just how many chub of varying sizes are to be found in every run and stream. The chub population of the Avon is enormous with good year class recruitment visible everwhere.
The last two show the Environment Agency contractors starting work on the water level control structures that will ensure the fields will retain sufficient water height to attract the waders back into the valley to breed.
10th September
Buff Tip caterpillars stripping every leaf from one of the young lime trees planted in the park. Why do they chose the vunerable young trees when the park has a couple of dozen mature specimens that wouldn't notice the loss of a few leaves? A shrew that had a lucky escape when we disturbed a tree that had fallen in the river, luckily Darren spotted him and placed him safely on a nearby stump.
The last photo is the result of my first barbel expedition of the season. With the autumnal feel of September I usually get the urge to fish the rivers as the barbel and chub are now back in prime condition and the ease of catching double figure carp in the stillwater is losing its appeal. What did I catch? A carp - they must follow me around.
2nd September
I’m playing catch-up once again, the end of the salmon season, the beginning of the wildfowl season and the river taking on its autumn garb, all in need of recording. Added to these we have the unscheduled events that make the Avon valley unique which are the true indicators of Nature’s calendar.
The salmon season ended on a slightly subdued note in that the Avon grilse run failed to show in any numbers. I have heard that the Itchen rods are enjoying good numbers of fresh grilse entering the river. We will now have to wait until the counter results are published before we know if the Avon is enjoying a similar number of fish entering the system. Overall results for the season have shown a moderately good run of MSW fish able to enter the river and run upstream in the sustained summer flows. Rod caught fish numbers fail to accurately represent the run as rod effort has been so variable. Certainly effort more akin to that of the traditional rod list of past years would have produced considerably higher figures for Somerley. From my own experience this season I would imagine 50% higher results would have been easily witnessed. What does this mean for the recovery of the Avon salmon run? Very little I fear as we have enjoyed almost perfect conditions for the rods with good flows, overcast skies and reduced weed growth. My personal estimation would put the MSW run at that of last year with the grilse the unknown element yet to be determined. Of course we have seen a high average weight of fish and the ideal conditions have made being on the bank a real pleasure. Let’s hope next season continues in a like vein and I look forward to seeing all the Somerley salmon rods in 2008.
Those of you that know the lakes and enjoy driving through the close cropped paddocks to reach the car parks will be sad to hear my lawn mowers once more are suffering the annual re-occurrence of that dreadful plague myxomatosis. Hopefully their resistance will continue to increase and we will see an end to this deliberately introduced disease. The suffering infected rabbits endure is not an unusual occurrence in Nature which is frequently referred to as being red in tooth and claw. The highly visual impact of "myxie" does however act as an annual reminder of mans exploitation of his environment. I had the equally distressing situation of a swan suffering the effect of "strike" to deal with yesterday when Ken from the swan rescue rang to tell me he had a report of an injured bird on the estate. With such a high swan population injuries through territorial disputes and power line collisions are frequent but it makes it no easier to understand Natures means of dealing with the situation. Strike is the result of blowflies laying their eggs on injured animals and the resulting maggots eating the creature alive. Death usually resulting when exhausted systems fail after several days of infestation. I have not included shots of the results of either distressing situation as they cannot convey the suffering involved, suffice to say we are becoming increasingly isolated and removed from the reality of Nature in our cosseted and sanitised society.
On a more pleasant note the swallows and martins are gathering in increasing numbers in readiness for their migration to the warmer climes of Africa. I always wish them well on their incredible journey and like salmon rods hope to see them all the following year.
Rabbits mowing the paddocks in happier times. Swans facing natural perils and beyond Reg, playin a carp, can be seen the splashes of gathering martins as they dip onto the surface of the lake for a drink.
26th August
Newsletter No 35 is now online.
Autumn is gaining on us and the photos give a taste of things to come, my bonsai always forecast events. The wind remains firmly set from the north adding to the autumnal feel in the evenings and the early mornings. The high pressure and clear water are combining to make the rives very difficult at the moment with the anglers doing best in the last hour after a very cautious approach to the swims.
Autumn colour to come
The stillwaters are the best bet for a reasonable days fishing with the water colour remaining high and the fish making the most of the sunshine giving the chance for a surface bait.
Regulars on the valley stillwaters enjoying sport with tench and carp
Foulford Bottom looking west from the forest, south east of Ringwood
25th August
Unfortunately time spent in the valley has been limited but I have heard from one or two of the anglers who have enjoyed some excellent results this week.
We are now entering the final week of the salmon season with water levels and temperature as well as we could possibly wish for. One rod who managed a visit one evening this week was Mike Bilson who grassed an eleven pounder and lost a second fish which he estimated at fourteen pounds. At least Mike needn’t worry if he fails to fit in a final visit next week he has finished on a high note.
The fallen oak looking a great deal more user friendly, ready for the buyer; we even have two shiny new telegraph poles and everyone is back online. One of the problems with working in the valley are the wet spots!! Finally this year's young swallows take a rest from feeding amongst the ewes on the park.
Fish spotting is currently a pleasure as the clear water, with the light weed growth this season, providing an ideal balance between clean gravel and cover. I have seen some wonderful barbel lying undisturbed in their favoured runs. Many of these fish exist on a totally natural diet, not responding to anglers bait making for some very frustrating hours for the anglers who discover them. This is when the Avon is at her best, the knowledge that fish of a lifetime are within feet yet totally ignore the best efforts of mere anglers. At such time the wonderful settings in which these contests develop must be viewed as part of the reward. If you add to these huge barbel, chub that make you gasp when they drift through and huge river carp that have been seen in these same runs for years yet have never graced a net the Avon has lost none of her magic.
The carp lads have been having a good time on the stillwaters as the fish get their heads down for their autumn feeding spell. Fish over forty pounds have been landed with plenty of fish in the twenties providing rewards for the long hours on the bank. All in all the Avon valley is a pretty good place to be at the present time so if you get the opportunity don’t miss the opportunity.
Valley regulars have been enjoying some great times with the carp
19th August
Events took on an added interest Thursday morning when one of the largest oaks on the estate decided to give up the ghost. Still and clear at nine o’clock in the morning this massive tree simply tipped over, tearing and snapping the huge supporting buttresses, blocking the road, snapping telegraph poles like matches. Strangely these wonderful oaks, at the end of their allotted span, have a recognised habit of dropping limbs and uprooting on calm days. Whatever the reason the end result is a couple of days extremely difficult and potentially dangerous work to clear the aftermath. I have reached a time in my life when policemen are becoming younger and I find it increasingly difficult to tell the difference between teachers and pupils yet these oaks remain thoroughly daunting. As one of the few people with the experience to deal with such trees it befalls my lot cut and clear them away. A task I liken to an adult form of "Pick-up-Sticks" - once more dating me long before game consoles and "Wii" - the difference with this adult form is that each stick weighs a ton and will flatten you if you get it wrong.
The demise of an English oak
Thursday was spent clearing the road, assessing the risks and arranging for a timber buyer to have a look at the stick; removing the root had shown it remained sound. The evening I had arranged to meet Jim to have an hour or two on the river so we decided to put up the spinning rods to allow us mobility and have a go with the surface lures for the chub. There is something almost hypnotic about these surface crawlers and poppers, the takes are sometimes so startling invoking involuntary snatches when concentration has lapsed. Other times will see a nose appear and suck this clanking, plastic and aluminium monstrosity silently into the depths. Thursday produced a couple of swirls behind Jim’s Jitterbug but that was the limit of our hours fishing before we had to adjourn to meet the timber buyer. An hour with the buyer assessing the trunk and the problems of getting it safely clear allowed us a further hour on the river to look for a last salmon of the season. Unfortunately our salmon fishing was as successful as our chub session so we had to make do with a walk and a natter.
Best described as fishing with a motorised mouse
Today when walking the dogs I had decided to take a rod and have a further look for a salmon. I was particularly keen to see if I could find any sign of the grilse as the rod effort hasn’t given much clue to the state of the run. I put up my long established favourite and proven grilse attracter a number 3 long blade Mepp and thus armed headed for the tail of Woodside Pool. Fourth or fifth cast and I was firmly attached to a very lively fish which shot up into the pool and gave a bold performance that only a salmon could produce. Five minutes and I was able to steer a perfect little six pound grilse over the shallows to unhook and send back into the depths of the pool to sulk. Half an hour at Gypsy and Dog Kennel produced a pound plus brownie from both pools scaring any chance of further action with the grilse in the clear water but none the less a very pleasant hour. What this fish proved about the run is hard to say, other than there was one grilse in the middle Avon. It was a fish that had been in the river two or three weeks, colouring and darkening to enable concealment during the five or six months it had to wait prior to spawning. Whether there were fish in every pool or I found the only one present we are unlikely to know. It will have to be place along side those many other questions that remain to be answered; the meaning of life, the future of mankind and how "Coldplay" every came to reflect the musical taste of the nation? I had at least enjoyed the encounter and could look forward to breakfast before calling at the lakes to see how the "Introduction to Angling Day" that the local club organised was progressing.
Apart from the fact all the youngsters that attended the "Introduction to Angling Day" caught fish it was the mystery, fascination and above all the obvious enjoyment derived that made the day. A big well done to Christchurch Angling Club, their sponsors, the NFA coaches and all involved.
14th August
I called in at the Lodge to have a look at the catch returns and was surprised to see that Peter Dexter had been out with the shrimp looking for some late season salmon action and has been remarkably successful. A look at the Somerley Salmon category on http://www.avondiary.net will show the results of his efforts.
Todate Peter has not seen or landed any grilse which should by now be well into the river. The counter at Knapp Mill is recording regular upstream movements of fish, although these are yet to be validated and many may be large seatrout I’m surprised we have not seen more evidence of grilse in the pools.
I mentioned in previous entries that it would have been interesting to have watched this years grilse run for any sign of an increase escapement as a result of the removal of the Irish driftnets. I fear we will not get a feel for the run until we see the final validated counter figures as the rod effort, apart from Peter of course, is virtually nil.
12th August
Dog Days
The photographs above give some indication of current activities which highlight the varied goings on without any real focus, so often the way in the "Dog Days" of summer. The photos lead on to subjects that will be occupying more of our time as they develop. The first shows Pete Reading of the Trust, Darren Smith of Ringwood and District Anglers and Martin de Retuerto of Natural England discussing the ever increasing threat posed by invasive plants within the valley. The shot of the Gatekeeper on the Hemp agrimony the Purple Loosestrife and the Teasels illustrate the indigenous plants and creatures that will be lost as species such as Himalayan balsam get established. Apart from the obvious loss of native plants we will see complete ecosystems change as dependent species disappear and bankside erosion alters due to changes in root mass density affording winter protection change. The subject of invasive aliens and the changes they bring is of such importance that I will dedicate a seperate section within the website to the implications and actions involved.
The other photos are of activities that occupy our time whilst we wait for the change of seasons; Anne and I head for the beach when time and tide are right to look for a bass or half a dozen mackerel for supper. The well attended "guys and gals" match fished on a local stillwater is as much a social event as a serious attempt at fishing, the evening barbeque being perhaps the highlight. The mares and foals enjoying the excellent year for grass growth all looking in peak condition. Lastly a shot of the Coomer Oxbow, cleaned out by the trust last season, showing how quickly the scars of the machine work are hidden.
I forgot to add the lab photo illustrates the dog day element when everything in the countryside seems to take an afternoon siesta, making fishing early and late the most productive times to get amongst the biggies.
5th August
Mark's last run of the haywain after a long day
4th August
Where ever you are today if you are part of the rural community I’m sure your thoughts are with the livestock farmers. Let’s hope that Defra can get to grips with this outbreak before it gets established with all the dreadful implications.
Fingers crossed the foot and mouth outbreak is quickly contained
On a more normal theme, the river is clearing fast and we at last can get a glimpse of its inhabitants. This afternoon a walk beside a slower section of the river afforded a view of a fine salmon tucked under the bank in five feet of water. On a different section this evening at least two salmon were showing in one of the holding pools which all hopefully points to the fish having reached the sanctuary of the middle and upper river.
Equally as pleasing was the sight of one or two roach in the pool where I used to regularly find them in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Once the river clears properly it becomes the biggest of time wasters; what angler can resist just checking just one more run or pool? Thankfully the Lower Avon is such a large river that fish spotting can never give the definitive answer as to the number and size of the fish present. The secrets and mystery are what angling is all about, once the inhabitants have names or can be recognised the appeal is diminished.
1st August
Autumn has arrived and the earliest indication I have to add to the diary is the first blackberrying expedition of the year. Anne and I spent a very enjoyable couple of hours filling the measuring jug with the plumpest, juiciest blackberries I have seen in a long time; at least all this rain has benefited the brambles. The evening had started out as trip to pick some Gaultheria shallon berries. We are not familiar with the uses the berries of this invasive shrub can be put to so a few to experiment with were deemed a good idea. The blackberries were just too good to miss and we already know we like the end product.
Anne collecting blackberries closely watched by the dogs that never miss the chance of a dropped sample and the end result.
The sight of all those blackberries inspired a visit to the river to chase a chub or two. The beauty of blackberry fishing is that it is best on warm evenings with the minimum of tackle. The downside is that you tend to eat all your bait so ensure you pick plenty and keep them in a clean container, I also add a tablespoon of sugar to the tub before leaving home as I have a sweet tooth. A few blackberries into any likely run followed by a free-lined bait, as simple as that and devastatingly effective.
Two five pound plus fish in less time than it took to pick the berries on the simplest of tackle.
The sunshine has woken up the flying ants and sent the cows and ponies looking for the shade of the trees. We also had a good hatch of Mayfly this evening accompanied by good numbers of Olives which the trout rose to as well as I have seen this year. A less welcome appearance was the EA weed boat upstream of us which sent the usual rubbish and cut weed through the fishery all day. Anglers are still paying through the nose to get their fishing disrupted by the EA as they destroy the fisheries.
Flying ants, a shady spot and the EA messing up the river
30th July
The creature below spent the afternoon clambering over Damian Kimmins rod with an almost worrying determination to reach its unknown objective. Presumably it was looking for somewhere dry to pupate, why it should choose Damian's rod remains a mystery.
Vapourer Moth caterpillar (Orgyia antiqua)
If ever a creature looked like it had been designed by a committee that caterpillar fits the bill.
29th July
Round up of the week involves a visit to Bath for the Wessex Water Low Flow project update, a visit to Wales and news of the rivers continued production of huge fish. The summer rains have continued and the farming community remain at a loss to know how to harvest the cereals and silage.
Matt Day playing a good fish on the Middle Avon and a shot of Cenarth Bridge showing the Teifi in good order.
22nd July
The last few days have seen the senior match anglers in action and a 24 hour marathon match for those more inclined to suffer the discomfort of a night on the banks. When I say "senior" those eligible to fish have to be over sixty so perhaps senior citizen would be a better description. Interestingly the match is very well attended, fished in a relaxed and friendly fashion without the distraction of large prize money adding unnecessary tension. The weights reflect the years of experience, much learnt at the height of match fishing’s popularity, with 80 pounds being needed to win on the day. The twenty four hour carp marathon was fished under a flat calm that as any "carper" will tell you is the kiss of death for feeding fish. The amount of bait that hit the water at the sound of the starting whistle also gave the carp plenty of warning something was amiss! The winner did have a better weight than the seniors but not by much and over four times longer to achieve it. Many of the young carp anglers that fished the marathon might do well to watch the approach of the experienced match anglers especially when it comes to feeding their swims. To be successful it is necessary to attract and keep fish in your swim which is the very essence of all coarse angling and little and often would seem the winning way.
The senior anglers and the 24 hour carp lads
I did take the opportunity this afternoon to pop down to Christchurch Harbour to see "The Swan Man" Dave Stone as he and a group of volunteers rounded up the non-breeding swans that had moved down to the harbour to moult their primary feathers.
Mudeford from Stanpit Marsh and in the distance you can see the flock of swans as they begin too surround them. If you look closely you can see the line of swanherds that have waded out across the harbour to direct the birds as the canoists push them forward. They progress up the harbour inside Blackberry Point and up into the inlet between Crouch Hill and Grimbury Marsh where the pens await them. Once captured they are weighed and ringed before being released, none the worse for their experience.
17th July
It has been very difficult to find time of late to get back into the routine of updating the diary but I will start with the stories behind the photos of the July the 12th entry.
The impact of the recent unprecedented weather on the farming community has been highlighted in the press and media but one aspect that has not been so well publicised is the impact on the livestock farmers. Those farmers controlled by agri/environment schemes, prevented from mowing before the 1st of July should have made up on lost time and now be mid way through the hay and silage season. The reality of the situation in the valley is that hundreds of hectares of meadow grass has yet to be cut, laying over-ripe and rotting in the fields. Every chance of sunshine or possible dry day sees a scramble for the mowers, balers and wrappers to get a few acres cut, baled and wrapped by nightfall.
Good for wildlife disastrous for agriculture
The late floods of the spring prevented the grass getting a good start allowing undesirable weeds to become rampant, docks, meadow sweet and sedge making entire lays virtually worthless. To add to the problems of the Spring the Summer floods make salvaging the remnants desperately difficult. The cost of winter feed will increase dramatically and this will in turn lead to the cost of producing the finished animal much higher. Whether that increased cost can be recouped at market remains to be seen, animal prices in recent months have not been encouraging so there are some long faces contemplating the future.
The rivers have retained a good flow and with the cloudy over cast days the fishing has been excellent; an example of the silver lining. The three and two winter salmon have entered the river and hopefully reached sanctuary in the middle and higher river. Martin from the nets emailed me a couple of days ago to let me know the grilse had arrived so lets hope they manage equally as well in reaching safety in the river and don’t get stuck in the harbour and lower river.
The coarse men have enjoyed some wonderful fishing, summer chub in excess of seven pounds with six pound plus fish a regular sight, three pound plus roach, river bream over eleven and barbel to fourteen pounds. If these fish continue to gain in condition at the present rate this winter will see many of the old Avon records tumble; lets all keep our fingers crossed.
The result of traditional methods in the margins
The lakes have produced equally well with some notable captures to the carp, tench and bream anglers. I have often said that what would have been thought exceptional a couple of decades ago are today the norm; forty plus carp, double figure tench and one hundred pound bags of bream. Night anglers catching over twenty fish to thirty five pounds in a couple of days. Day anglers landing a dozen fish to mid twenty in a day session, incredible catches but do they inspire the same anticipation and thrill as the lesser catches we struggled for in years gone by?
Himalayan balsam, in need of urgent control
The photo of the Peacock butterfly on the Buddleia apart from being beautiful asked some very relevant questions about non-indigenous plants. We all enjoy the presence of the insects within the valley yet many are under considerable threat through their food plants being overwhelmed by introduced alien species. I’m not suggesting for one moment that Buddleia is likely to over run the indigenous plants but we have increasing at the most alarming rate large tracts of Himalayan or Indian Balsam. Himalayan Balsam has completely colonised and over run many of the rivers of the West Country and is in the process of doing likewise on the Avon. Concerned individuals have been warning of this problem for several years, if action is not taken immediately I fear it will be too late to prevent this same disastrous impact. I believe there has been considerable funding made available for the control of invasive species by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Under the auspices of the Life Bid this money needs to be put into immediate use if it is to be effective, protracted planning is not the route to deal with this plant it needs action, now.
12th July
I will catch up with the entries in a day or two and will give the background to the photos above, each of which has its own story.
8th July
I've been distracted for the past day or two so it will be a while before I'm up to speed again so the picture is a holding shot to illustrate the summer floods of last week.
2nd July
Yesterday we heard the sad news that Phil Tibbit, longstanding member and previous executive of the trust, having lost his long struggle against illness has passed away.
In recent years Phil and Olwen had moved to Scotland there to live within sight of the Tay where Phil was able to indulge his passion for salmon fishing. Despite the distance involved Phil had remained a very active supporter of the Trust. In particular with his support for the Pike Match, always travelling down from Scotland for the weekend and attending the AGM to oversee the presentations.
The Pike Match was instigated and originally run by Phil during his period on the committee and is still very much a part of the Trust’s current activities along the length of the Avon. The match is fished each year for the Oliver Cutts Memorial Trophy, a good friend and associate of Phil. For those of us who had the privilege of knowing Phil when we fish the match in years to come he will also be brought affectionately to mind.
A long association with the Avon and in particular Folds Farm had afforded Phil a deep attachment for the river which he never lost. He remained very clear on the way we should direct our efforts within the Trust and always kept us true to our objectives. Our sympathies and commiserations go out to Olwen on her loss.
1st July
Heavy overnight rain has brought the river up and added some serious colour and debris causing one or two immediate problems for the control systems. Whilst unusual this is not unknown and to my certain knowledge the sight of the hay underwater has occurred at least twice in the past fifteen years. We are certainly not experiencing the dreadful scale of the floods being endured in the Midlands and the North of the country. The impact for those that live in the flood plain is heart breaking but having said that the nature of a flood plain is just that - to flood. To live within one and expect to control nature is asking a lot and whilst we may be able to build one hundred year probability defences the speed at which they become fifty or ten year event defences has surprised many in recent years.
The unseasonal nature of this event has many unknown and potentially damaging consequences for nature and agriculture, which works in harmony with nature, they stand to suffer the greatest losses. Arable farms within the flood plain are in the same situation as those that build their houses in such areas, you have to risk the consequences. It is not a case of "if" it floods but "when" it floods, as flood it certainly will. You are dependent on Lady Luck with regard to the frequency and extent and the equation related to acceptable loss. There’s no knowing when that one hundred year event will arrive next year or not for ninety. Livestock can be moved and hay will withstand a drenching if it’s not prolonged which is the reason traditional farms within the floodplains were livestock units. The implication for hay or silage within the agri-environment schemes that cannot be cut until July 1st has greater problems. The hay is ready and at the point at which rapid removal is desirable for nutritional value. More than a week or two and we will be seeing a lot of rubbish being bagged-up, especially following the weed content this season due to the prolonged floods last winter.
Time to move the cattle to high ground and keep fingers crossed for the hay and silage. Coloured water and a dedicated angler hoping for a barbel below the weir. The oxbow excavated by the trust last autumn once more being called into action lets hope the fry have found it.
Nature’s losses are not so easily seen or understood, what of the vole population and the dependent predators, owls, kestrel and the like? Hopefully most of the ground nesting birds larks, reed buntings, waders etc will have fledged and flown the nests? Many second broods will have been lost but they are Nature’s bonus in dry years as a safeguard against such floods as we are currently experiencing. What of the juvenile cyprinids within the main channel, the chub, barbel etc larval and juvenile stages may be scouring through the system at this very moment? Let’s hope the oxbows are enabling fry safe harbour. Juvenile salmonids hopefully will be in a slightly better position being that much older and designed to cope with faster flows but what of their invertebrate food? We don’t know, we can speculate and guess and attribute future population fluctuations to various hypothesis but until the research is done we will be guessing and keeping our fingers firmly crossed.
29th June.
The river is in perfect condition for the salmon in that there is plenty of water for them to enter the river and pass any obstructions they may encounter. The water temperature is also at a level significantly lower than we have experienced at this time of year in the recent past, with plenty of flow and weed for cover things look well for the salmon.
An odd appearance of a bat skimming the surface of a local lake during daylight brought out the camera only for the creature to crash in the lake and require rescuing. The rescue involved me donning the chestwaders and recovering the doppy sod which I think was a juvenile Pipitrelle that promptly bit me for my efforts (follow that bat I need a blood sample) before flying off to hide, still without me getting a pic. I does look most peculiar to see swallows and a bat chasing the same flies, this season gets stranger by the day.
I had been wading about in Budgie's swim five minutes earlier rescuing the bat when he hooked this. As I didn't get a pic of the bat you get three of Budgie playing a carp and Richard doing the honours with the net, any angler seeing this will be mightily impressed by the curve on that rod, super stuff!!
28th June
A swan that required catching in the trout stream and a sheep with a milk crate stuck on his head made for an interesting day. The milk crate was left by the floods and would have made a unique photo but in the excitement cameras didn't seem appropriate.
Goosanders, rabbits and Graylag Geese are doing well and the swallows are wondering where the summer went
27th June
A busy evening series on a local stillwater
26th June
The result of all that "Mad" behaviour and a 6.12 chub caught by Pete Reading.
Apart from the fact that is a super summer chub it is also a super photo of a fish in a net, both down to Pete. It is one of the problems if you fish alone, how do you get a decent pic of your capture, well Pete caught the mood, bronze lustre with a mysterious dark background - lovely shot.
24th June
I've been away in West Wales for a day or two hence the lack of entries. As I came back down the Avon Valley it was obvious that there had been a great deal more rain down here than we had experienced up on the Preseli's, the roads were running and the river was up four or five inches. Some of that rise may be due to the weed now starting to coffer the river but the rain at this time of year is certainly welcome.
I did drop in the Lodge this evening whilst out with the dogs and notice that Pete Dibden has been out with the fly rod and managed to add a further salmon to his total; it would seem this rain in my absence has encouraged the upstream movement of a few fish.
I may not have had a rod this week-end but I found the next best thing, a bridge with a shoal of sewin and a frustrated angler underneath attempting to catch them.
I must thank Anne, my long suffering other half, for capturing the moment
21st June
A little pushed for time so just a couple of photos worthy of recording and hopefully greater detail in the future.
The first shot is of Brett Hirst applying clinic antiseptic cream to the hook hold to ensure the risk of secondary infection is minimised. This is a common and very welcome practice within the carp angling community and deserving of every praise. The second shot is of a group of hares out in the park, just going to prove they don't only go mad in March.
Having opened his account on Sunday we can't stop Grant Conley catching salmon he landed a fresh eighteen pound fish above Ibsley Bridge yesterday; well done again Grant.
20th June
I mentioned in the entry for the 17th that the Sea Lamprey were on the shallows looking as if they were about to spawn. I can confirm that is exactly what they were up as I discovered their redds a little further upstream with a male still on guard. In recent weeks I have been discussing with Jon Bilbrough of the EA fish counter the number of Lamprey that come through the counter as I wished to see if I could find them upstream. I have seen them in the rivers of West Wales but this is the first time I have found Sea Lamprey cutting on the Avon which I find odd in that it should ocurr in the year I have an interest in them. Perhaps its a case of looking specifically for them but I believe I would have spotted these under normal circumstances as they were highly visible. What many people may not realise is the size of the redd they cut from the photos you can see they are in the region of two feet across and six to ten inches deep.
The male Sea Lamprey can be seen lying across the centre of the redd and Darren out topping the docks.
I found the Lamprey when I visited the field where we are cutting the docks before they set their seed. The prolonged floods of last winter killed of large areas of grass and the docks quickly colonised these areas. I mentioned in an earlier entry the Lapwing and Redshank had found the muddy areas, with clumps of docks for cover, very much to their liking; it was their presence that had prevented us topping the field earlier we had to wait until their broods had fledged and moved out.
Six pounds five ounces, cracking fish Budgie, thanks for the photo.
19th June
We have now had the opportunity to have a good look at the river and the lakes with an eye to the new season and it would seem we could not have wished for a better start. There have been one or two exceptional catches to experienced anglers who understand some of the Avon's secrets but in general it is rewarding those that are prepared to put in the time and bait. Barbel are as expected slow to get underway, there are still one or two good fish coming out but we will have to wait a month or two before we see the best of the barbel. As for the chub they are everywhere and in all shapes and sizes, trotting the glides will produce chublet after chublet to a pond and a half, the majority being the eight to ten ounces class. The gravel runs beside cover or deeper pools are producing the better fish, one catch of eighteen fish to six pound twelve ounces, taken on caster, is quite astonishing for a summer catch. The majority of those fish were over four pounds, it would be wrong of me to name swims or anglers and risk unacceptable attention but the fish are out there if you put in the time and Lady Luck smiles.
On the entry for the opening day I mentioned the three salmon, one in the twenty pound class, below the bridge and their ability to avoided capture. I can now congratulate Grant Conley on not being defeated and on his return the following day grassing a cock fish of twenty one pounds - well done Grant, richly deserved. I must also add my congratulations to Chris Pearson for he managed his third from Somerley this season with a twelve pounder from Ashley Bends. I believe Chris has also had a couple of fish from the Royalty so he is having a splendid season - see the report at http://www.avondiary.net/?cat=5
The lakes continue to produce some wonderful catches
17th June.
Out early to walk the dogs and catch up on events of yesterday and last night over at the lakes. It seems the night fishermen hadn’t fared that well with only the odd carp showing up, still plenty of tench and bream to keep them on their toes. The river looked very well with very low weed growth which looks perfect for a couple of hours trotting.
Breakfast and pack the car, I was back on the bank within three hours, raring to go. It fished extremely well, Swallow pin, eighteen foot rod and a wire stemmed stick carrying 6BB. I managed to find a run of about thirty meters with a depth of six feet between ranunculas beds and it wasn’t long before I had a chub of four pounds grace the net. I was feeding pellets well upstream with a catapult which always spills a few from each pouch full at your feet, after half an hour I glanced down and three barbel, with the best a comfortable double, were hoovering up the spillage. It was impossible to present float bait to them and I was determined not to resort to the lead today, I decided to ignore them and get on with my trotting. You’d be amazed how difficult it is to ignore fish that are within six feet of you. I resisted temptation and continued fishing, managing to catch three chub as like as peas in a pod within an ounce either side of four pounds. After a couple of hours I was weakening with regard to the p*** takers sat by my feet when the float skidded sideways and I saw a bronze flank flash as a nice barbel headed rapidly downstream snatching the rod almost from my grip. It wasn’t to be my day with the barbel for after five minutes he was heading back upstream via one of the weed beds. The line passed through the bed and out the other side making any chance of landing this fish begin to look slim and as if to prove the point the barbless hook pinged out. I think that was a sign and I accepted I wasn’t going to catch a barbel and began to pack-up after a very enjoyable couple of hours. A last look at the barbel at my feet showed them to have disappeared only to be replaced by two very large sea lampreys intent on spawning. The first spawning Sea Lamprey I had ever seen in the Avon came only days after I had been speaking to the EA officer at the fish counter about the number that had been seen passing through the counter.
A phone call after lunch requesting my assistance with some bird ringing was too good an offer to pass up. A climber was needed to climb the trees with a buzzards nest and clamber up to one of the Barn Owl boxes. Unfortunately the Buzzard chick was too well developed and any disturbance may have caused it to fall from the nest in its attempts too avoid capture. The Barn owls were similarly well advanced but we where successful in capturing the young this time which made the trip worthwhile. Before anyone gets over excited we are schedule one licensed which allows us to handle the owls.
I popped in the lakes on the way home and it seems the valley lakes have started to produce the goods with at least two thirty plus fish having been landed. I decided to have a further couple of hours on the lakes to see if I could catch a Crucian Carp which has always been one of my favourite species. A typically frustrating time followed as the Crucians rolled in my swim and I caught roach after roach after roach. You will not often hear me say I am fed with roach but it was almost impossible to get a bait down through them, all in the six to twelve ounce class. I think I have caught more coarse fish in the last two days than I have in the last decade.
I did manage one small Crucian
A damp end to the day
16th June
The 16th of June and the coarse season is up and running. An early start allowed me to speak to the night anglers at first light before checking the river prior to the river anglers arriving at seven o’clock. The night had been frustrating for the carp lads who had spent the night landing tench and bream with only one or two carp for their efforts. I’m of the school that doesn’t mind catching tench and bream especially as some of them, having already spawned, are still well over seven pounds. Thankfully no problems on the river this morning which allowed me to be home for breakfast by five thirty.
A leisurely breakfast before a second round of the fishery to see how the new season had kicked off. I joined two other spectators looking over Ibsley Bridge to see the regulars finding dace and small chub in good numbers and just below us on the shallows three salmon laying in full view of the gallery. Today also signalled the start of the bait season for the salmon and one rod had spotted the trio and was feeling confident about a result. The three become two as the shrimp appeared in their domain but the remaining two, which included a fish close to twenty pounds, didn’t so much as flinch and totally ignored all efforts to engage them. I must say how nice it was to see three such fine fish; lets wish them well and hope they avoid the many perils that may interfere with their attempt to reach the redds next December.
A very traditional start and there's a forty in there! Ken is quite happy with his dace
The river was not responding to the influx of bait, the barbel were still engaged in spawning and only the odd chub having been caught by the anglers I spoke to. I’m sure by the end of the day one or two barbel will have been distracted long enough to make some lucky anglers day and the chub will have switched on but it was going to be slow.
The lads have been showing the way, Brian Crofts with a fine tench and Luke Hirst with a good common.
The lakes had picked up with some decent carp to mid twenty and the tench and bream continued to provide good sport, it looks as if the season will be fine, I shall have an hour myself this evening.
My two hours this evening was probably the most productive June 16th start I have ever experienced. I would have been happy with a couple of bites with a tench as a bonus. It literally turned out to be "a bite a chuck" tench to five pounds, bream to four, carp to three plus dozens of roach and rudd between eight ounces and a pound. The Tinca in the photo encapsulates what angling holds for me, not just the fine fish but the complete memory. The rod is my favourite which is a rod I got secondhand from one time tackle shop owner and angler extraordinaire Dave Swallow in the late 70's early 80's. Built on a Pro Diawa blank to Dave's specification for his "Custom Tackle" it probably contains enough carbon to build a dozen rods now a days but it has certainly landed many of my most memorable fish. The reel is "Jim's reel" an old Trudex repaired by Jim Foster who kindly presented me with it as a perfect match for my old rod; what a fish, it took three of us to land that one!
15th June
Water meadows have been on the agenda on several occasions of late what with visits to Folds Farm plus ongoing water level management plans in preparation and the photograph below is a further example. The photo, for which we thank Roland Batten of the Salisbury Journal, shows WSRT committee member John Beckett with his "Friends of the Harnham Water Meadows" hat on. John is being recognised for his work for the community in looking after the Harnham Meadows being presented with his award by the High Sheriff of Wiltshire Peter Pleydell-Bouverie.
The meadows have been lovingly restored by the Friends of the Harnham Meadows and John, whose home overlooks the meadows, has acted as honorary bailiff since 2001 ensuring they are well maintained and look their best. It is reassuring to know that the historical significance of this wonderful section of the water meadow system of the Avon Valley has been safeguarded and is under John’s watchful eye - congratulations and very well done john.
John Beckett, on the left, being presented with his award by High Sheriff Peter Pleydell-Bouverie
Photo courtesy of Roland Batten and the Salisbury Journal
10th June
The week end was spent ensuring all was ready for the start of the coarse season with the final clip round the paths and styles. The river has started to clear as the weed is filtering much of the algal bloom allowing us to see the fish out on the gravels wetting the appetite for the off.
Grass cutting didn't stop me getting out with the trout rod for a couple of hours in the evening spending a pleasant time catching a couple of browns and an escapee rainbow. It must have been the rainbows lucky day as he went back along with the brownies.
Being a sunny Sunday always has its problems apart from the canoes what should be done with the abandoned cygnets?
I should point out the canoe in the photo was not responsible for seperating the cygnets from their parents but what ever the cause we have to decide whether we should intervene and attempt to rescue them or let nature take its course.
6th June
I'm still having trouble with the phone lines so please bear with me whilst BT renew the cables outside in the road.
I’ve just read the May Hydrometric Report issued by the Hydrometry and Telemetry team at Blandford and a disappointing report it has turned out to be. Not from the production of the document, which is always an excellent and concise report, but the content related to our rivers. After the good early season flows and May being the wettest since 79 the ground water wells and river flows have already gone into recession and are now both below long term average. The chalk aquifers seem incapable of sustaining the steady flows throughout the summer months we expect of the Avon.
These rapidly reducing flows have serious implications for the salmon that have already entered the river and those that are still to join us. I have been reliably informed that the early flows have encouraged salmon into the headwaters of the Avon above Amesbury. Just how these fish will fare over the next six months before they spawn will be critically balanced. As for the fish yet to enter the river we will soon see a slowing of the run and fish remaining in the harbour where we know mortality is higher than any where else in the catchment. It would seem the future of salmon in the Avon is finely balanced, if we see continued low flows and high water temperatures the ability of the species to adapt may be put to the test.
On a more encouraging note one species that is doing well in the Ringwood area is the Stag Beetle. Not perhaps directly related to the Avon but as I sat beside my pond in the back garden this evening at least half a dozen of these magnificent beetles rattled past. If you have a spare corner of the garden why not build an eco log pile as the grubs of these creatures depend on decaying wood for their food source.
1st June
The first of June and the netsmen are starting their season down at the Mudeford Run. A trip down to this evenings low tide to take down the seatrout tags, RED for 2007, enabled me to take a couple of photos and catch up with all the news. Today had seen three salmon and at least seven seatrout when I left there was still an hour to go so one or two more may have been landed. Just a reminder that all the salmon are released alive back into the river under a voluntary agreement with the nets and all seatrout taken are tagged with the carcass tags the WSRT supply. The reasoning behind the tags being that any fish being sold locally as "local seatrout" must have a tag to show they were caught by a legitimate licensed netsmen.
RED for 2007
31st May
I've missed a day or two which is down to BT who had managed to mess up my line but we now seem to be up and running at last. To be honest there hasn't been a lot to report from the river in that I have hardly seen a salmon rod on the bank this week, perfect conditions and no one out here looking for them. I did have an hour myself this evening and had two fish come short to the fly, both were coloured and I would imagine they may well be fish that have been returned and are shy of tufts of hair and feathers having had previous experience.
I did spend a very pleasant hour or two a little higher up the valley than my normal haunts when I visited Folds Farm, between Fordingbridge and Breamore to the east of the river. Folds Farm is owned by Mrs Susan Cutts where she has her wonderful Cleveland Bay stud and also a fine beef herd of Charolais Simmental cross beef cattle. Folds is also the base of son Alistair’s plant and engineering business Earlcoate Construction who recently cleaned out the Oxbows for the trust down at Somerley.
Indirectly it was the cattle that brought me up the valley in that I had been invited by Alistair to see their summer grazing down in the water-meadows and how they managed their meadows in such an eco friendly fashion. Regular readers of the diary will know of my interest in the water-meadows and the chance to poke about on somebody else’s was too good an opportunity to miss.
It is surprising the differences that were immediately apparent between the meadows that I’m more familiar with at Somerley and those at Folds. The nature of the sward was completely different with Folds having a far richer flora with the flowers and herbs in abundance. Artificial fertilizers and heavier grazing regimes further south had destroyed much of the variety. Whilst the artificial is no longer applied the damage is done and it will take nature decades to undo it. We would appear to have a few more Lapwings and Redshank lower down but I'm told that the Snipe still breed up here which is very pleasing to hear.
The main carriers and drains at Folds were also considerably shallower, never having been over dredged as is the case on many drains further south. The shallow riffles and streams looked perfect habitat for juvenile salmonids and cyprinids. I would dearly have liked to spend a few days exploring the gravel runs with a dip net to discover just what was living there. Whilst our deeper carriers provide plenty of cover for juvenile cyprinids we are desperately short of good riffle habitat. Gravel mobility being so slow in the braided channels of the Avon it will be years before the beds are back to more fish friendly levels.
Hatches and gates in a wonderful state of repair, which is the advantage of having your own construction company!! A very herb rich meadow lay and the shallow channels with beds of ranunculas all looking wonderful.
27th May
A quiet few days on the salmon front ended today with one landed and one lost by Mike Bilson at Ashley Bends, braving the rain justly rewarded. If the rain today brings a lift in the river the Mepp will be the order of the day tomorrow, perhaps we may see a few more rods out and about.
The elder is in full bloom but what I can't bring you on this site is the perfume which is such a perfect distillation of early summer. The middle pic is showing that our dog otter is still crunching the bream. Rick Stein couldn't have filleted that one any better, its so perfect I think the moorhens may have finished the job. The last photo is the first stages of a reed warblers nest, just how they tie those first few stems together is a wonder of nature. I will try and bring updates as to how they get on.
23rd May
The water is disappearing before our very eyes, the colour and freshet of the weekend seems but a distant memory as do the salmon of Monday; as far as I know no further fish. I must admit to being to being absent from my post as this week has been one of meetings and combined with my truck being in the garage time beside the river has been at a premium. I have been using Anne's car to get about and for reasons beyond me she objects to my off-roading it.
Good news! one of the moorhen chicks has escaped the marauding pike I reported at the week-end.
I don't know what odds I would give on his survival when you consider the pike has eaten all his siblings and one of the parents, he would do well to avoid open water.
21st May
The week end may have to be marked down to the salmon but today definately goes to the rods with four fish on the Somerley beats; well done to the rods involved and you can find the details on - http://www.avondiary.net/ It is a relief to see the 2SW fish as this week would normally be expected to produce the pick of the Avon salmon fishing and with news of the 2SW returns nationally being disappointing I was fearing the worse. Numbers are hardly reason for celebration but four in a day would be a good pattern to repeat.
20th May
This week end has to be marked down to the salmon, I've not heard of anyone actually landing one but at least four have been lost. I spent a couple of very pleasant hours with the fly rod, having changed from a sinking line to a floating line with a sink tip casting is much easier and more enjoyable. My floating line is an old favourite, I think it cost in the region of a fiver about a decade ago from John Norris, its a double tapered, multi-shaded mill-end, having faded through exposure to the sun. One of its finest attributes is a lump in the coating just at a comfortable casting length that fits nicely between the finger tips as the fly fishes through. I have no idea how many fish it has accounted for but several stand out as some of my most memorable captures, with a floating line the take is very often visible which adds considerably to the excitment. One point it does illustrate is that you don't have to spend a fortune on the latest all singing, all dancing state of the art masterpiece, I've got several yet I always return to the old mill-end.
Our resident Goosander still with her full brood
19th May
To see a newly hatched brood of cygnets has a basic chocolate box appeal very hard to deny, the implication of such a large uncontrolled population of swans has a somewhat tempering effect on that initial emotion. In the headwaters the stripping of the ranunculas beds from the shallows has a catastrophic impact on the natural ecology of the higher chalkstreams. Lower in the catchment where the river is sufficiently large and deep to be immune to the grazing of large broods and flocks of non-breeding birds we are lucky. In the five miles of valley where I have records of the swan population this year we have 22 breeding pairs plus a further five established territories. This population has reached a density where the territorial requirements of the pairs limit further expansion. In the event of increased pairs establishing nests cross border squabbles increase juvenile mortality dramatically and the balance is adjusted by the reduced size of the surviving broods.
New cygnets, the harsh reality of Nature and a Constable landscape.
Nature’s reputation of being red in tooth and claw is well deserved, sentiment and emotion play very little part even in the gentle surroundings of the Avon Valley. A further example was seen today whilst we were engaged on a netting exercise to obtain a sample of fish for the “Roach Club”. As we arrived and set-up the nets a brood of four moorhens were feeding at the other end of the lake on the duckweed covered surface. The alarm calls of the hen bird along with a splash and a swirl attracted our attention to see the hen and two youngsters heading for cover. The hen and one youngster on one side of the channel and a single chick on the other, as we watched the single chick showed an obvious wish to join the others but appeared reluctant to cross the channel. Overcoming its reticence it started to cross only to be engulfed in a swirl and snap of a pikes jaws. The complete brood would appear to have gone a similar route but we do have a well fed pike. Sentiment would pull us to side with the fluffy, bumble bee like chicks but the pike has his needs. In previous entries I have mentioned the Moorhens regular habit of raiding Great Crested Grebe nests and stealing the eggs so perhaps the balance is being maintained?
17th May
Seeing Pete Reading land his super sixteen pounder at Hoodies yesterday set me thinking about the history of that famous pool. In the hey day of the Avon Salmon fishing the tail of the weirpool immediately upstream of Hoodies was reserved for the House. Meaning, His Lordship or House guest only were permitted to fish the islands at the tail of the weir and down to Hoodies. The water was also fly only, one of two areas thus designated due to the nature of the pools and potential for over exploitation, the other being Hucklesbrook upstream of Ibsley Bridge on the old beat one.
In the 60’s there were some remarkable catches from that tail, one in particular that stands out on May 16th 1963 being three fish with an average weight of twenty three and a half pounds taken one evening. They were in fact landed by a rod that, due to the House not using the beat on the day in question, had been permitted by the then water bailiff Colonel Crow to fish the evening from the islands. To stand on the gravel shallows between the islands, with the roar of the weir, the clouds of sedges and mayflies and a myriad minnows spattering the surface like rain in the slacks must have been truly magical.
An old photo of Mr Bill Brennan captor of three fish in an evening, holding a 26 pound fish with a remarkable depth
I say, "must have been" as my immediate predecessor on the river decided in his wisdom to dredge areas of the weirpool and the resultant flow changes completely destroyed one island and filled Hoodies with silt. The intervening twenty years has seen the river put right some of that vandalism and the flow is once more coming through the tail of the weir and striking the bank in Hoodies. We currently fish Hoodies from the left bank well below the weirpool and from there yesterday Pete grassed his fish. Whilst watching yesterdays salmon regain his breath and head off into the depths I came to wondering if it might just be possible to wade out to the one remaining island and fish the tail as it was in days gone by. To that end I set out at 07:00 o’clock this evening to have a paddle about and investigate the chances of recreating those golden days. The rods had long gone home so my crashing about in the undergrowth was not going to disturb anyone’s enjoyment of the day.
It very quickly became apparent that there were considerable problem of just reaching the island through the tangle of nettles and chestnut saplings with a fifteen foot fly rod. Thick silt and decidedly dodgy channels, cut by the recent floods, made for a very lively attempt to gain the island and reach the run on the far side. Having managed to emerge through the chestnut and slide into the shallows the area of the lie, that looked so close to the island from where we’d been yesterday, was almost out of reach beyond several tresses of streaming ranunculas. From my new vantage point it was obvious I was not going to be successful with my recreation of the past but just perhaps the right bank might offer a new approach t the lie.
Back to the car, a quick drive round to Ibsley Bridge, across the field and into the jungle at the back of the weirpool. Five minutes to manoeuvre past the fallen willow and cross stream brought me out on the shallows at the head of the run. The next hour was perhaps the most enjoyable I have spent this season with the rod, it fished an absolute dream. I was soon lost in the past with a huge MSW fish about to take on my very next cast. Well, it didn’t, had it done so I like to think it would have spoilt the moment completely ruining my evening.
What a super evening, I still had to call at the lodge to check the fishing log and walk the dogs, as they had not been able to join me for a run having had to park beside the road at Ibsley Bridge. Nothing in the book alas and with an hour of light left time to walk the girls at Blashford and throw a fly at the Island Run. I find it amazing that after three decades of fishing this river being beside it for the last hour of daylight has a magic difficult to explain. I let the sounds of the valley wash over me, the chug of Mark’s old "International" as he checked the cows, the call of the lapwings warning their chicks of the fox sat on the footbridge, the honking Canadas and ....whoosh ..... the line snaps tight - "I’m in".
Check the Somerley Salmon - http://www.avondiary.net/category - perhaps that MSW fish wouldn’t have spoilt my evening in the tail of the weir after all!
16th May
Even under what would appear ideal conditions Avon salmon fishing is proving far from easy, re-affirming the low stock numbers entering the river. The counter is showing a steady trickle of fish which means you are always in with a chance of a fish but you may have to put in the hours to achieve it when they are spread throughout the river as they will be under these conditions.
There is however a means to get your Avon salmon that appears to be gaining statistical support and that is by strimming and cutting the banks. The picture above is of Pete Reading returning a 16 pounder whilst chatting with Alan Bashford. Pete had been scything the paths most of the day and had stopped to have an hour with the rod in an attempt to open his account for the season. Within minutes he was into his fish and when considered with the first two of mine this season which were after strimming for most of the day a pattern is developing. Statistically 20% of the current seasons rod catch at Somerley came after grass cutting, based on that sound scientific evaluation in line with much fishery science, bring a strimmer to guarantee a salmon; if you haven't got a strimmer see me and I'll find you one and a mile or two of path to clear.
Hopefully Alan will have a shot of the fish whilst being unhooked, he arrived on the scene a little earlier, mine is a mobile shot that unfortunately failed to show the fish.
Alan came up with a nice shot of the fish in the net, thanks Alan
15th May
A traditional start to Avon spinning
Jim Foster looking somewhat apprehensive about this Mepp eating crocodile
A good number of rods turned out to greet these super conditions, unfortunately apart from Jim's not so desireable pike the only other fish I heard of was Christopher Jarman's fine salmon of 16 pound from Ellingham - well done Christopher you saved the day.
I think the pineapple may have required custard - it certainly hasn't work on its own
14th May
The last day of "Fly Only" method restriction, as of tomorrow spinning will be allowed and with the present water conditions I will be very surprised if we do not see a fish or two by th end of the day. The start of spinning has coincided with this fresh water that has given a five inch rise in water level, a good tinge of colour and a spring tide that hopefully will see the bulk of the two sea winter fish arrive.
I spent an hour this evening at Harbridge Bend, a pool that has yet to produce a fish this year, it looked absolutely spot-on and I was surprised not to see a fish particularly as can be seen in the photo I even had a rainbow as a good luck omen.
13th May
Walking the dogs on wet mornings can be a little tedious and spotting Kevin O'Farrell fishing the Island Run provided the opportunity for a chat to brighten the morning. I joined Kevin as he reached the tail of the run and we were saying how good the water looked when right on cue the line stopped and peeled away across the pool; lovely stuff, the type of take you dream about. A nervous, splashy five minutes in the shallow water and a bright as a button nine pounder graced the bank, well done Kevin.
Playing an Avon salmon in the rain
11th May
The rain of yesterday has worked its magic and I was glad to hear Colin Morgan had landed a fresh twelve pound cockfish. http://www.avondiary.net/?cat=5
Colin has been unlucky recently having lost two fish; he can now relax having got one on the bank - well done Colin. The rain continues so we can expect more fish to be running whilst this water lasts, don't miss the opportunity!
I had to post these, the fourth has just left, stage right!
10th May
It's almost audible the collective Ahhhhhh from the trees and plants of the valley as the rain picks up a gear and produces heavy rain at a beautifully even rate, no squalls or torrents just what we ordered. As I write we have enjoyed six hours and hopefully it will continue overnight and we will see a touch of colour to cover the backs of any fish this encourages to run up stream.
Our first brood of swans arrived today, seven little weed boats who think this new world they've arrived in is a wet old place. One or two Mayfly braved the clearer weather at lunchtime but the heavier rain later put pay to that hatch. The only other point of note I spotted today was that the swift numbers have built up to proper numbers so it would appear they waited for the south west wind before they braved our British summer.
The pineapple is still to kick-in; me thinks I smell a rat
9th May
Overcast and rainy, its seems a long time since I wrote those words in the diary, despite rain for most of the day it was very light and will take days of such precipitation to have any effect on the river. Still, mustn't complain, any rain is already welcome in what is shaping to be a very difficult summer indeed.
One remnant of the winter floods was the pool in which I took the photograph of the grass snake which provided us with an interesting insight into the effect of the floods on the cyprinid juveniles. The pool in question is the result of the erosive effect of high water flowing over an impoundment bund and the only way for fish to enter that pool was from the section upstream. Once swept over the bund there is no means by which cyprinids of that size can regain the higher section and as such are lost to the reach in question. It has long been of great concern to me this passage of juvenile coarse fish down the Avon, with the weir and impoundment nature of this river each weir is acting as a one way valve with the risk of sections becoming completely denuded of the early year classes in periods of high flow. Salmon have the protection of the law to ensure the passage of both adults upstream and juveniles running to sea is not interupted, coarse fish have no such legal status. As for our small pool at a conservative estimate I would put the number of fish at well over 500 in that square meter of water, chub, dace, eels, lamprey, roach, loach, bullheads, minnows and what I found surprising dozens of sticklebacks. There is very little information in our area related to this movement of fish, in Europe there has been considerable work in trying to understand the importance of the effect of downstream drift; lets hope to get more information related to the Avon asap.
Darren counting juveniles
The oxbow project was an attempt to provide vital areas of sanctuary for fish during these winter spates but lets not lose sight of the other practices that create this same flushing effect at other times of the year, canalisation and cover removal for flood defence, weed cutting for flood defence and sudden hatch operations creating artificial high flows. I would hope to see considerable investment in the control structures of the Avon to ensure that they are not only salmon friendly but also cyprinid friendly and also higher priority given piscine interests when they shoot flood water past properties that have been built in the flood plain and historically liable to flooding.
Herons feeding at the oxbows
7th May
A busy week-end, Bank Holidays are always a pain in the proverbial with people marching about in all directions but this one seems particularly bad. I've had travellers, poachers and canoeists I tend to lump them all together as people with no respect for property or wildlife and either ignorant of what they do or deliberately flouting the law of the land. Despite them I have had a good weekend, I have seen some wonderful wildlife, met some truly genuine people and caught a salmon.
Having just fished through a wooded pool I sat on a tree stump for a quiet minute to contemplate the lack of fish before the walk back across the meadows to the car when I spotted a bitch otter making her way up the shallows downstream of me. She was some hundred meters from me and slowly working her way towards me, searching the margins and splashing about on the gravel. I unslung the camera and waited to see just how close she would come before she winded me, she came on and on but was now hidden by the rushes just below me. When only ten feet from me she came into a clearing and immediately sensed me and dived; she reacted so quickly I didn't even get time to attempt a photo. Oddly she stuck her head out on the other side of the river under the cover of a tree trunk and watched me for a couple of seconds before once more dissappearing below water. I then received a lesson in the mysteries of the river as a salmon came vertically out of the water some ten feet upstream of her disappearance, exactly where I had just fished through and decided there were no fish, before bow waving back down the pool just under the surface. It just goes to show!
The shots above show a grass snake hunting fish in a pool that was left by last months flood stranding hundreds of minnows, loach, dace and bullheads. Whilst I watched she caught a loach and a minnow before slowly retreating to the cover of the bankside rushes to digest her lunch.
Damian Kimmins who travels down from London at any opportunity to spend the day working on the banks of the Avon and extremely glad of his assistance we are; thanks Damian.
I think the pineapple must have a delayed action! More updates to follow
5th May
The chub have got into serious spawning mode with groups of fish activly chasing on the shallows, the barbel still appear to have the brakes on just the odd couple showing, I think the majority of them will wait for warmer water temperatures.
I don't think David Bailey has much to worry about but they do record the events of the day
I owe the salmon above to Colin Morgan who lost a fish in the Run this morning which gave me the incentive to get out and have a go despite the bright conditions; thanks Colin.
I should dedicate this fish to Tweed boatman and fly tier extraordinaire the late Mick Williams. Every time I tie on a tube tied by Mick I think of the times I was fortunate enough to be a guest on the Tweed and lucky enough to enjoy the company of Mick. It was a Willie Gunn tied by Mick that brought about the downfall of this fish in the current low clear conditions and it nearly accounted for a second.
I started at the top of the Island and within the first few meters a fish came short, slightly coloured, between 12 and 14 pounds which head and tailed like something out of Jaws coming up to look at me. A further thirty meters down the run, at the tail of the pool, I was thinking of turning back and going over the fish again with a different fly when a single pluck signalled the attentions of tonight’s fish. A cracking fight and as with the previous fish I have landed this season the barbless hook had fallen out and was caught in the net, an extremely rapid recovery making for a memorable evening.
Mick once told me of a cure for my Labradors and there habit of eating sheep dung which as any lab owner will tell you is a Labradors objective in life. I never had the bottle to try the recommended cure for fear of being found out and ridiculed. If Mick is up there looking down he may yet get the last laugh, I am desperate enough to try anything to stop my hounds hoovering up crap. Mick’s recommended cure, "pineapple chunks", he assured me one portion of chunks with their dinner will stop their nasty habit forever; well I’m going to try it and I will let you know how I get on.
4th May
A very busy day at work means not much news from the valley but I felt these two pics taken this evening were worth adding.
A young Tawny looking less than impressed and a lapwing chick that despite appearances is fine, he thinks we can't see him
3rd May
Things are not looking very rosy on the salmon front, if this desperately dry weather continues we will be lucky to see many salmon this year. We have already fallen well behind catch numbers when compared to recent years which certainly doesn’t give much encouragement. Rods wanting to catch under these conditions might be well advised to head for the Royalty as the fish will soon be holding up at the bottom of the river. There are one or two fish showing in the pools but I believe these may well be fish previously caught and released reluctant to take a fly again.
The valley itself continues to be just as wonderful with the fields taking on their summer colour and the visiting birds arriving on mass. The Hobbies are back sweeping low across the fields in search of their insect food and the Common Terns are chattering away as they hawk the river for fry. Our breeding Lapwing are all of a fuss warning their chicks to stay hidden and still whilst we pass so keep an eye to the ground to avoid disaster.
Ringing a juvenile lapwing
The chub and barbel have gathered on the gravel in readiness for spawning but they appear reluctant to get on with the ritual the cold nights would appear to be holding their desires in check.
The salmon may be thin on the ground but the valley remains a delightful place to spend the day so don’t despair.
1st May
Pete Reading has been spending a considerable amount of time this close season giving plenty of TLC to one of the valley stillwaters and part of that care was to renew the rotting boards on the lake monk. The monk in question is quite unusal in design in there being four or five feet between the double boards creating an impounded area some 8 to 10 feet square and about three feet deep. When Pete removed the lower boards to drain the impounded section contained within the tank, for want of a better description, were forty one very large swan mussels that must have spent their entire existance in that small area. Swan mussels are a classic example of out of sight, out of mind, many of the lakes in the Avon Valley contain them but how many of us see or even consider their existance; at least the ones Pete found are enjoying a new found freedom with the entire lake to explore.
A few of the swan mussels found between the boards that can be seen in the middle photo. The right hand shot is Nature's willow pattern being willow catkins floating on the surface of the lake.
29th April
Fred Clere and his team have made an excellent job of making one of the best pools on the Middle Avon even more accessible for wheelchairs which is deserving of a big pat on the back for him, his team and Christchurch Angling Club. Remarkably little of the Avon is wheelchair friendly due to the access points and difficult ground so to have such a productive area available is a very important step in the right direction, keep up the good work CAC.
Lower Cabbage Garden, wheelchair friendly
The carp are feeding-up and getting bolder in readiness for spawning
28th April
Quiet on the salmon front the valley is however buzzing with activity with new life wherever you look. The mild winter has seen the early broods of ducklings off to a good start and similarly the rabbit numbers have quickly recovered from last years bout of mxyomatosis. The warm April has been held in check by the Northerly winds that have been with us for the greater part of the month without them the season would be even more advanced which gives considerable food for thought.
Wild rabbits, the only breeding goosander in Hampshire and ringing Stockdoves squabs
The reedbed at the end of "Coomer" left bank oxbow has a new resident in the form a swan nest. Close by the otter, that I recorded earlier as having developed a taste for bream,is now eating his way through the signal crayfish that inhabit the river; definately a good lad.
27th April
Chris Harrison was about early today and managed a bright ten pound salmon from Ibsley at 08:00, before the bright sunshine sent them under cover, well done Chris an example to us all.
Mid morning we met "The Swan Man", to anyone in the Avon Valley that can only be Dave Stone; he has been studying our swans for well over two decades and is responsible for virtually every ring you ever see on a swan in the valley and over the years that adds up to many thousands. Dave is a little like the migrant birds that arrive in the valley, he shows up in the spring to count and record the nests, the summer to ring the non-breeders down at the harbour and finally in the autumn to count and ring the cygnets.
Dave Stone checking the eggs and seeing if she's ringed; she wasn't, nor was her mate but they are now
26th April
An excellent day for the "Trout in Schools" project as the students from Burgate and Ringwood joined forces to release the results of their efforts in the Trout Stream at Ibsley.
Students from both schools on the banks of the Trout Stream, a last look at the fry and the release.
Thanks to Trevor Harrop for the pics
23rd April
Congratulations Orri
I'm sure you all will join with me in sending congratulations to Trust Vice President Orri on winning this most celebrated of awards the Goldman Environmental Prize.
The world's most prestigious environmental prize, The Goldman Environmental Prize, is being presented to NASF Chairman Orri Vigfusson, for his successful campaign on behalf of the Atlantic Salmon. This global award is recognised by over 100 heads of states.
The award ceremony was held at the San Francisco Opera House with more than 3000 people in attendance.
Not the best photo but the only one to hand of Orri from the last AGM. Below is the official Press Release of the Goldman Environmental Prize.
Fight to save salmon from extinction wins top environmental award
Monday, 23 April 2007 An Icelandic businessman, fighting to save the Atlantic salmon from extinction, has been awarded the world’s largest environmental prize for grassroots activists.
Orri Vigfússon, (64), from Reykjavik, Iceland, is one of six recipients of the international Goldman Environmental Prize awarded for his 17-year campaign to protect North Atlantic wild salmon. Since Vigfússon founded the North Atlantic Salmon Fund1, commercial open-sea fishing in the Atlantic has fallen by over 75 per cent, and more than five million North Atlantic salmon have been saved. To build on this success, Vigfússon is now calling on Scotland and Norway to end commercial net fishing for Atlantic salmon.
Vigfússon’s pioneering work to end commercial salmon fishing in the North Atlantic began in the late 1980s when, as a keen sports fisherman, he realised that wild salmon populations had dwindled to dangerously low levels: threatened by commercial driftnet fishing, salmon catches in the Atlantic fell from over 4 million to 700,000 fish between 1979 and 1999. Vigfússon recognised that this massive decline in salmon not only affected the sensitive ocean and river ecosystems, but also the rural communities which depended upon them for income.
The problems for salmon began in the 1950s and 1960s when commercial fishermen discovered that not only European salmon but also salmon from the US and Canada congregated in the sea around Greenland and the Faroe Isles. Huge commercial fisheries sprang up and thousands of mile of driftnets were laid across the sea routes that salmon used on their way to and from the rivers of their birth. As a result, salmon catches soared and then collapsed, the decline steepened and the impact spread: anglers’ salmon catches crashed, as did angling tourism on which many remote communities depend.
To fight against the over-exploitation of wild salmon and to protect communities from economic ruin, Vigfússon set up the Iceland-based North Atlantic Salmon Fund (NASF) and he began his innovative approach to saving the salmon from extinction. Vigfússon’s idea was simple – to pay licensed netsmen not to catch salmon. Anglers and conservationists from North America and Europe supported this approach with millions of dollars going into the North Atlantic Salmon Fund. By raising US $35 million, Vigfússon has been able to buy the netting rights from commercial fishermen in numerous countries, including Greenland, the Faroe Isles and many other countries in Europe. In return, fishermen receive financial compensation and new types of jobs either in sustainable fisheries (like lumpfish or snow crab harvesting) or in a revived angling-tourism industry. Vigfússon has prompted multi-million dollar buyouts and moratorium agreements with several national governments, most recently with the Irish government (January 2007) but also with England and Wales. In some cases, as with the UK, national governments have contributed millions to buyout schemes.
"Orri negotiated the cessation of salmon fishing in Iceland, Greenland and the Faroes - the breeding grounds of North Atlantic salmon - he negotiated the moratorium, and he arranged the financing alternatives as well. Massive is the word for that agreement." Brian Marshall, chairman of Britain’s Wessex Salmon and Rivers Trust.
The NASF’s latest victory in Ireland was particularly hard won: Ireland resisted any moves to negotiate a driftnet ban because the nets were harvesting fish that had been saved by the buyouts established in northern waters. To prompt the Irish moratorium, NASF and their partners claimed that Ireland was in contravention of the UN Law of the Sea and the EU Habitats Directive by continuing to use driftnets, and the EU threatened the Irish government with prosecution unless it introduced a ban. Ireland finally bowed to international pressure and ended industrial salmon driftnet fishing off its coasts. As part of the buyout, the Irish government will establish a hardship fund of more than US $39 million to address the financial losses that Irish salmon fishers face, as well as providing an additional US $7 million to help rural communities deal with their loss of income. This ban shuts down a fishery off Ireland’s west coast that at one time was taking up to half a million salmon a year, heading not only for Ireland’s rivers but for rivers in Britain, France, and Spain. It will relieve the stresses on salmon that have brought populations in some rivers to the point of extinction.
"Without Orri’s determination, his ability to talk to the state department and ministers in Washington and to European officials, and to address very large gatherings of netsmen, there would be little hope of recovery of this remarkable species of fish. He has come to be seen by a lot of people as a patron saint of the salmon." Roger Harrison, former chief executive, Observer newspaper.
But the battle to protect the North Atlantic salmon is not over. Vigfússon and the NASF have offered to support the Irish government and there is now an urgent need to ensure that Ireland’s ban on driftnets is properly policed, that driftnets are not replaced by draft nets, and that the waterways are now managed effectively. Vigfússon is also calling on Scotland and Norway to follow their European neighbours and to end commercial net fishing for salmon.
Commercial salmon fishing is a truly global environmental issue: for example over-fishing in Greenland would affect the health of salmon populations in Canada, Iceland, Scotland, England, Sweden, and Norway, demonstrating that protecting wild salmon in the open sea is an intrinsically international concern. "Orri and the NASF campaign go far beyond fishing. Theirs is a global conservation effort to protect an endangered species." Charles Clover, Environment Editor, The Daily Telegraph.
Vigfússon’s aim to halt commercial salmon fishing in the North Atlantic is within reach: he is currently negotiating with individual governments to ensure that policy making and economic decisions influence fishing practices, working to end mixed stock salmon netting in Norway and Scotland, and building a global network of young people to advocate for the protection of salmon and other threatened fish species globally.
Vigfússon believes that the NASF can restore the Atlantic salmon to its abundance by ending indiscriminate coastal net fishing in the open seas and coastal areas. In its place he wants to establish "in-river" management protection, promoting lucrative sport fishing that he says not only revitalises rural economies but creates surplus revenues for compensating driftnet fishers.
Vigfússon is a new kind of environmental champion - an entrepreneur who combines business skills with fundraising and negotiating at a senior level to protect the environment. He is the first businessman to be awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize and, as such, he represents a new breed of environmental leader. "Vigfússon is tireless. He really is unrivalled. He has focused on one species, and he’s chosen this animal that he loves. And he represents that creature in the world. He stands up for its survival and is making a huge difference." Bill McDonough, US architect and sustainable urban planner; author of Cradle to Cradle.
Established in 1990, the Goldman Environmental Prize is awarded each year to environmental heroes from six continental regions. Endorsed by more than 100 Heads of State and often referred to as the Nobel Prize for the environment, the Prize rewards grassroots leaders for their outstanding work in protecting the environment and campaigning to preserve vulnerable natural habitats. Frequently described as voices in the wilderness, Goldman Prize winners have often taken great personal risks. The 2007 Goldman Environmental Prize of US $750,000 (shared equally between the six winners) was presented in San Francisco on 23 April 2007.
22nd April
Yet another gorgeous day beside the river and I didn't see a single salmon rod out all day. The club dryfly clinic was well attended and a group of travellers were happily ridding the river of escaped rainbows, spinning above the weir but not a single salmon rod in sight. I passed the time of day with the trout men and threw the travellers off; who were doing such a good job of catching the rainbows I almost felt like letting them carry on - I dare say I will see them again.
The grannom continue to hatch in much reduced numbers and I promise the two photos below will be the last you will see this year of grannom but they are such amazing insects I feel I should record the result of all their efforts of late.
The underwater egg sacs - if you look closely you can see individual eggs.
Thanks to Damian for this shot of me missing a salmon at the tail of Pile Pool yesterday evening
The salmon can be seen head and tailing dead centre of the pool tail having missed my fly, I was obviously too busy posing for the camera.
21st April
The sunshine continues to give us days more akin to mid summer yet the cold nights hold in check much of the spring development. Whilst the martins and swallows arrived early the numbers have failed to build up as would normally be expected. The cold, dry north wind, in conjunction with the sunshine, has hopefully persuaded many to stay the other side of the channel until southern more friendly winds arrive and we will see them on the change of the weather.
A month ago ankle deep in mud, now more like the Serengeti
I spent much of the day strimming the salmon pools and the trout stream and if I say so myself they do look well, conditions are as good as one could wish for for the Avon game angler. For those readers who have occasion to strim banks at this time of year keep an eye open for the inhabitants who have failed to get out of the way.
A large grass snake and a clutch of mallards eggs
Thanks to Alan Bashford for the shot or the mallard eggs.
At teatime I thought I'd cast a fly for half an hour and said to Fred Clere, who was with a club work party building the disabled platforms at Ibsley, that if there was any justice I would find a fish. Well the Avon is undoubtedly a fair and just river as I was rewarded within ten minutes with a fine fresh fish of about ten pounds; so they're still there to be caught.
Yours truly into a ten pounder watched by Fred Clere
Taken on the mobile, I'm afraid the lens could have done with a clean.
19th April
A cold misty start
Those regular readers of the diary among you may remember "The Adventures of Fred Whitlock" relating to my concern on hearing Fred’s voice when I answer the mobile. The first fish of the season last year which very nearly did for Fred and the one that shot through the main hatches at Ibsley requiring lots of line stripping and tying of very rapid knots.
Well, he’s been on the phone again. Darren and I were putting the final touches to the footbridge over the Kings Stream inception at Ashley when the mobile rang. I didn’t manage to get to it in time and was trying to find the missed number when "121" cut in with Fred announcing, "into a good fish at the tail of Blashford, left bank, been on for fifteen or twenty minutes and yet to see it."
Kings Stream Bridge once more in action
Bugger - as fate would have it we were two hundred meters downstream on the right bank. Well at least we could shout moral support across the river so off we ran upstream to find him.
Sure enough there was Fred on the opposite bank firmly attached to something very large and very reluctant to do anything other than sulk in the deep pool. Fred informed us it had already run one hundred and fifty meters upstream and returned to the same lie and also gone to the tail of the pool and once more returned to the original lie - big fish behaviour if ever I’d heard it.
Sure enough, there he was and it looks like a good fish
Darren and I sympathised and gave unnecessary advice for half an hour and it was becoming blatantly obvious that Fred was going to have a real problem landing such a fish from the high banks and fast water at the tail of Blashford Pool. I’ve never actually measured it but I would imagine Blashford pool must be as near half way between Ringwood and Ellingham as it is possible to be; which ever way you chose it has to be well over two miles. There was nothing for it but to wade the shallow upstream of Blashford Island and to that end, off upstream I headed. First glance it looked OK, it was probably forty meters but I could see the bottom for most of the way across. Off I set and all was well, if a little cold around the appendages, until half way when the pace of the current began to wash the gravel out from under my boots. The pace made it impossible to about-turn and the bottom now had disappeared; it looked as if I was in for a soaking! Luckily I had left the mobile with Darren, in case such a scenario cropped-up, but I still had the camera held well above water to avoid a soaking. I kept edging across, all the while considering how far you can throw a Canon S3 IS to dry land, when, thank all the deities that look over me, the bottom firmed up and despite deep silt in the margins I was across.
A very splashy run down to Fred and it was immediately obvious the fish was behaving differently, looping out into the flow and heading relentlessly downstream. Fred had got a glimpse and assured it was a very big fish comfortably 25+, when suddenly matters heated up considerable. The fish failed to stop at the tail and went straight into the shallows obviously heading for "Above the breakthrough" two hundred meters below. Fred set off in hot pursuit but was rapidly losing ground and then disaster - a knot in the backing - from then it was inevitable. A very large fish on a tight line has only one outcome and sure enough with an enormous commotion in the shallows fifty meters below us all went slack; the fly came back.
There is never much that can be said in such circumstances, not that can be repeated here at least, and it just remained for me to persuade Darren to go back to the truck and drive round and collect me; there was no way I was going to wade back across the Avon.
Thanks Fred
I ran into Jim Foster this evening who was lamenting the loss of a fish unlike anthing he had ever hooked before. When he pulled the fish ignored him! Now Jim is no shrinking violet, he's a big lad and if he pulled and it ignored him it was big fish. Two nil to the fish today lets hope we even things up this weekend.
The close of a good day
17th April
The first Cuckoo, my first New Forest foal and no Grannom - you'll be happy to hear. The one salmon rod I met today opened his account with a fine cock fish over 20 pounds which was not only his first fish from Somerley but his first English salmon and the largest fish he had ever seen, congratulations to Peter Lewis, some way to open the account. Particularly pleasing for Peter in that it was taken on a self tied Willie Gunn.
The entrance to the otter holt, constructed at the time of the Oxbow project, polished and paw prints showing signs of occupation - we certainly got that right!
16th April
I made a point of taking the camera down to the river this evening in the hope the Grannom would still be hatching and I can confirm they most definately were. Despite the all singing digital camera I found considerable difficulty in getting clear shots in the fading light however I intend to bore you with more shots of bugs!
The three shots can only give the the slightest impression of the scale of the Avon Grannom hatch, if you multiply the metre or two of margins in the photos with ten, fifteen or twenty kilometres of river the numbers are incalculable, millions upon millions, a true miracle of nature on our doorstep.
15th April
The July weather continues, temperatures of 26 degrees C in the shade this afternoon and more to come, according to the weather forecast. The roach are making the most of