With the season rapidly approaching there is a lot to report on the game front. The general conditions on the banks are good so if the weather continues much as it is all waters will be open on April 1st. The catchment has had steady if unspectacular rainfall filling the aquifers and topping up the rivers allowing a good flush through but not messing up the banks too much..
A number of fisheries have had attention over the winter, Durnford has a new fence on 3, 5 and 7. A lot of tree work has been done throughout the fishery. Wading steps, bridges at Woodford, new signage on the beats and all the old post stumps/trip hazards in beats 2 and 13 have been pulled out. Woody berms installed to aid flow and protection of young fish.
Gates and rails have gone in at West Amesbury as needed. Trees on the meadow bank at Abbey have been thinned. Tree work to improve casting space and in stream work for the fish have been done at Stonehenge. Some minor fencing improvements at Sutton Veny should help keep the cows on their own bank.
Big steps forward at Ratfyn Lake, agreement has been reached with the owner about future use exclusively for trout, the EA have looked at the health of the water, trees have been removed to stop more leaf litter going in. A trial stocking will be made to see how the fish cope and all being well will reopen on April 1st. Indications are that without carp, with the trees removed plus the owner’s work installing some aeration equipment things will be better there.
Other work is planned including bank and in stream work at West Amesbury just above Ham hatches. Bank work at Countess to claim back more of the reeded area. Extending the work at Stapleford downstream. A major partnership project with a bypass stream at Norton Bavant. Cutting and dragging out the huge trees that went down at Nadder Meadows. Finishing off at Bulbridge with fencing and more in stream work. Improvements at Hurdcott. And much more!
Thanks to all the staff, committee and volunteers.
John Stoddart
Vice Chair Game
