General News
HIWP Saturday 8th October
Thanks to all members who helped to remove the tree from the S bends above Damery Bridge. A huge amount of debris had accumulated behind the obstruction and its removal means we can now fish up through the bends - with care!
During a general clean up a leather bush hat was found - contact the Chairman if its yours.
Result!
Riverfly Update
The 3 teams of monitors have started recording the invertibrate life of the river and will be reporting atthe end of the year.
HIWP Saturday 2nd July
An excellent attendance (12) at Saturday's HIWP meant that a lot of work was done on the Kennels beat (4). Himalayan Balsam pulling was the priority and at the moment we seem to have it under control on this beat. There will certainly be more plants sprouting so if you are fishing this beat and see some please spend a few minutes pulling them out. Further work was carried out removing some overhanging branches and opening out some water to benefit from more light. Many thanks to members who supported this.
HIWPs
At the recent Management Committee, discussions were held as to how the Association should approach the management of the river. Some ideas floated for further discussion included a dramatic increase in subs with refunds being made as and when a member attends a HIWP (the 'proceeds' being used to replace members efforts with a contractor) and enforcing Rule 3.6. The Committee will discuss this issue further, taking account of attendance at subsequent HIWPs this year before proposing rule changes at the 2012 AGM.
HIWP - Wednesday 15th June
Please be advised that there will be another supplementary HIWP at the Wooden Bridge (meet 7pm) this coming Wednesday 15th June - Billy Dickson is the lead.
As the plan is to tackle Himalayan Balsam Billy has suggested it is worth asking members to wear long sleeve shirts, thick trousers or even waterproof trousers and thick gloves to protect themselves from nettles. A scythe would be useful, also a walking stick or even a broom handle to allow vegetation to be pushed back whilst looking for balsam.
Please make every effort to attend as this is prime time for addressing the balsam before it flowers and seeds.
HIWP Wednesday 8th June
5 members attended the HB pulling session on Beat 6. It was noted that the infestation started below the mink raft - above here there was little evidence of the plant. The following session on the 15th will concentrate on Beat 6 again but on the east bank which wasn't attempted first time around.
HIWP Saturday 4th - Wooden Bridge
6 members attended the HIWP (also Simon's wife Tracey who did a sterling job of pulling HB for the best part of 2 hours!). The party werte also able to clear a fallen tree from the river in the 4th filed and had a good go atthe blockage in the bottom field - we need a really good spate now to see if the remaining debris gets shifted.
Many thanks to John & Jenny West for providing 'tea' - it was well received.
8th May - HIWP by Bernie Price
Eight senior members turned out for the latest HIWP on the beat upstream of the Wooden Bridge. The team split into two groups, the first group dealing with the lower end of the beat, undertaking a general tidy up of litter at the flight pool along with a reduction in the numbers of young Himalayan Balsam plants which are beginning to show significantly. At the top end of the beat the second group completed the good work begun last season with sensitive trimming to let in light and the removal of dead branches from the canopy. This beat is now in excellent order and with rising fish sighted during the morning all indications are that it should fish very well. Thanks again to those who gave up their time, it is much appreciated.
Photo - left to right: Messrs Dickson, Hall, Blenkiron, Tripp, Cheese, West and Warner.
30th April - Re. Have you seen the March Brown?
Bernie Price is sure he witnessd a small hatch of March Browns at the top of Beat 3 and the bottom of 4. It would be good if we could get another hatch witnessed.
13th April - Have you seen the March Brown?
For anglers, the March Brown Rhithrogena germanica is one of the most iconic mayflies. Although the species is in decline and under threat across Europe, the UK may be a stronghold.
The adult can be distinguished from all other similar mayflies by their early flight, mottled wings and dark spot on each leg. The nymphs live in rivers and streams, hatching into adults in large numbers between late March and the end of April. This hatch occurs often around mid-day and typically lasts for a very short period.
The over-winter development and early flight period of the March brown make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes in these critical periods. We need to find out where this species occurs in the UK so that we can help protect it.
If you see this up-wing fly, please report your sightings online or use the attached postcard. Hard copies are available on request, please reply with your address and the number of copies that you would like to receive.
There are already records coming in from a number of locations, including what seems to be the first record of the March brown from Cornwall. Remember that all your records are valuable, no matter where they come from.
See the RP website for information about the survey.