Smart Rivers? Maybe this is the way we should go?

What is SmartRivers?

SmartRivers is our scientifically robust, nationwide citizen science scheme that is helping to fill the evidence gap caused by cuts to statutory monitoring regimes.

Our river hubs collect and analyse invertebrate samples to provide invaluable, high-resolution data on invertebrate biodiversity and the pressures impacting wild fish.

How to enrol a hub and the commitment required

• To set up a SmartRivers hub we need a host organisation and a group of 8-10 volunteers to monitor 5 sites.
• The first year is the 'set up year' in which all the benchmarking and training takes place.
• For all rivers being added to the project, a professional scientist will come and complete an initial professional benchmark on your chosen 5 sample sites, in spring and autumn. This provides a scientific 'baseline' for your river and also helps us know what species we should teach you to identify. WildFish would be able to fund this.
• Training is two full days. Hubs are responsible for covering the training cost which is £1950 (the host organisations usually help unlock local funding for this).
• Once trained, the volunteers must sample twice a year (spring and autumn) and there are two pathways to choose from. Volunteers can 'sample and identify' where they do all the sampling and analysis themselves, or 'sample and send' where they collect the sample and post to a professional lab for identification. Sample and identify is free, whereas samples posted are £185 exc. VAT per sample. We provide the hub with a microscopes if completing your own ID, but you must obtain your own nets, buckets and sample preservative.

If this is something you feel would be of interest to your group I'd be happy to discuss in further detail - let me know.

All the best,

Lauren

Lauren Harley
SmartRivers Project Manager

Save the River Tywi Facebook Group created and it needs your Urgent HELP!

I created this Facebook Group on Wednesday 31st January 2024 in pure DESPERATION! A week later we have over 300 Members.

I have watched my beloved river slip into oblivion over the past 10 or 15 years. I've fished it for 30 years I think and started this Blog in 2006. Runs of migratory fish have declined dramatically and these days you see very few anglers about. Rivers like this are an essential part of the eco system and in a healthy condition are essential for all creatures to survive and thrive. Without anglers Farmers will pollute the rivers with inpunity! NO FISH means NO ANGLERS means MORE POLLUTION!

The problem is huge and complicated. Things are being done. The Carmarthen Fishermen's Federation has over 500 followers and is working hard on improving habitat and restoring breeding grounds etc but still the river is DYING! The Welsh Government and the NRW are both complicit in it's destruction and that of most Welsh Rivers! The problem is all over Wales in all rivers, brooks, streams and tributories!

The aim of this Facebook Group is to gather support for immediate ACTION. We're not going to write letters! We're not going to create endess Petitions that nobody takes any notice of! In some way or other we hope to make things happen in other ways! We've all done the letters and Petitions and they don't work!

We are going to take a fresh approach if we can - an approach that displays URGENCY because if we don't ACT NOW Welsh salmon and sea trout (sewin) will become EXTINCT!

Please join this Group if you care about Salmon and Sea Trout and all things in Welsh Rivers! Please join us to save salmon and sea trout from EXTINCTION in Welsh Rivers! Time is running out!

SavetheRiverTywi Facebook Action Group 

My first trip this Season?

Yes - I spent 2 hrs on the river Thursday night untill it went very chilly. Didn't see or connect with anything! Spoke to a guy on the Llandeilo Water who said he had had 6 fish so far!

Some rain has arrived?

Something like 300mm of rain swelled te river today. A welcome watering!

It's July and I still haven't fished yet?

What an abismal season so far this year?

It's the 5th July and I haven't even cast a line! More disturbing is that there is little sign of any decent rain in the forecast? I spoke to Keith tonight who told me that he has been putting plenty of time in at Whitemill and has had little reward for his efforts!

I'm currently praying for rain in the hope that I might get some fishing in this season but who knows? The Climate Emergency is showing itself ever more obviously now, especially with this sport but still the world takes little notice!

My Granddaughter Jasmine illuded me to this beautiful poem - The River by Valerie Bloom!

The River's a wanderer. 

A nomad, a tramp, 

He doesn't choose one place

To set up his camp. 

The River's a winder, 

Through valley and hill 

He twists and he turns, 

He just cannot be still. 

The River's a hoarder, 

And he buries down deep 

Those little treasures 

That he wants to keep. 

The River's a baby, 

He gurgles and hums, 

And sounds like he's happily

Sucking his thumbs. 

The River's a singer,

As he dances along, 

The countryside echoes

The notes of his song. 

The River's a monster

Hungry and vexed, 

He's gobbled up trees

And he'll swallow you next.

Not worth fishing till we get a good flood?

According to reports on Forums and information from angling friends the Towy is super low and full of slime! So I won't be visiting until the river has a good flush. Very sad yet again but it's very clear things are heading just one way!!

Countdown to the 2023 Fishing Season!!!

Yes, as I type these words it is less than 2 hours until the new season starts! I wonder if anyone will actually fish on the first day?

Annual fishing get together!

We had our annual fishing lunch the other day at a lovely restaurant in Stratford called the Ventnor's. Sadly Rod and Vicky were unable to attend because of an unexpected funeral. Everyone was on good form and the meal was excellent! A good laugh was had by all!

The season is looming!

12 days to go!

 Lets hope that the weather is warmish?

19 days to go!

The new season is getting closer! 

The 2023 Season is not far away!

The new season is not far away now?

If you are anything like me then the prospect of April 1st and the start of the new fishing season fills you with huge excitement but also anxiety in case the season is a repeat of last years!

Lets hope that we get some water April, May and June just to keep the river fresh.

So it's soon time to dust off the rods and reels, sort out the mess of flies you left last season (if you fished that is) and check those waders for leaks?

Tight lines for 23! Here's one from 2015!

The Wye and Usk Foundation Survey Results 2022

 

Temperatures are rising at a frightening pace!

It is quite possible that the increase in temperatures globally are something to do with why the quantity of migratory fish running our rivers has collapsed, especially in the south of the UK. The rate of decline looks very similar to this chart of rising temperatures I think?

By the way this chart was taken from showyourstripes.info

More details can be found in The Climate Book created by Greta Thunberg and Published by Penguin Books.

The UK Government blocked a law requiring Water Companies to dump less SEWAGE in our rivers!

 

NATIONAL DAY of ACTION - DIRTY WATER - WAVE ONE - January 28th 2023

Our waterways are the veins of our country, home to an incredible number of species and habitats. But our clean water and biodiversity are being sacrificed by politicians and water companies who see our rivers and seas as nothing more than a commodity to be exploited.

Everyone from across the UK is invited to join the first national day of action on January 28th 2023 to highlight the appalling state of our waterways, rivers, and seas due to government regulatory failure and profit-grabbing industries.

Dirty Water is suitable for any group that has an interest in our waterways, and you will be able to adapt the campaign and messaging to your own locality, e.g. sewage outfall, intensive farming pollution etc. This is a campaign for everyone - from water-focused groups such as wild swimmers, anglers, surfers, boaters, standup paddle boarders, and kayakers; to nature groups including Wildlife Trusts, educational and organic businesses and concerned citizens.

This campaign will provide a concept and the information you need to amplify your voice and get your message across or you can get really creative and use your own ideas for awareness-raising, fun and campaigning. You don’t need to be part of a group for the first Wave of the actions; wherever you are you can take action.

The Dirty Water campaign builds on the work already done by Extinction Rebellion Deep Water, Make The Wave regional actions ahead of the 2021 G7 conference and a host of other community-led river campaigns and protests around the UK. It is riding the wave of the recent publicity about the dreadful and deteriorating state of the UK's waterways.

A BIG THANK YOU to Nick!

There is much apathy in the angling community, as can be seen by the lack of engagement in the Fishing Forums, so I am not surprised by the fact that I only have one contributor here!

I would like to thank the only person (pretty much) who can be bothered to comment on any of my posts!

Thank you Nick for your support over the years . It is very much appreciated. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

To anyone who may read this blog?

 Happy Christmas and tight lines for 2023 wherever you may fish!

What a dismal season?

I'm certain that this season is my worst ever!

Severe drought, high temperatures, weed infestation - you name it and it happened!

I've fished just a handful of times and landed just one measly sea trout! I spent a few days last week with my long time angling friend Rodney Byles on the river but we both failed to connect with a salmon whilst 2 other anglers had at least 1 salmon each.

So, is this finally the time to give up? I don't know!

Water at last!

Finally, after a summer of extremely low water levels the rain has arrived!

1.700m on the gauge at 9.00am this morning! Lets hope that the salmon, who have been waiting patiently out at sea can now begin their journey up river. You never know maybe I might catch one again? 

Lyn Brianne Dam in drought!

Lyn Brianne Dam in drought Aug 2022 

Llangadog - River Sawde and a Chicken Farm!

 A River in drought and a Chicken Farm!

And another very frustrating night!

Despite there being plenty of fish about not one was prepared to take me on!

What a perfect night it was though? Warm - I fished in just a tee shirt till 2.00am! A full moon, which I like personally, lit the river up lovely. Fish were jumping from dusk till I left at about 2.00am. Fish of all sizes, some probably double figure. Plenty of flow, despite the low water, I thought I would get at least one but no.

Last night reminded me of the good old days when there were fish about! How to catch them is another question.

Another very frustrating night!

Tried every fly in the box last night (well except the one's I'll be trying tonight). Fishing is very frustrating at the moment I must say. There are fish around but they're just not taking! Daytime temperatures are in their 30's and night time about 16 or 17 degrees.

Tonight is my last night of this trip so I'm going small and see if that works? I know where there are at least 6 good fish (2 of them double figure fish I'd say) so I'm going to target them tonight. Lets hope it's 3rd night lucky for me tonight?

Fish about but difficult to temp!

I fished for 4 hours last night in conditions that seemed perfect! I didn't put a fleece on till 12.30am. There were quite few fish showing, on really big one but I failed to make proper contact with any of them. I had 1 pull and 1 pluck but that's all. There was no one else on the river from what I could see.

I concentrated my efforts on the flats above and below the ditch, the hedge pool and below the hedge. On my way back I fished the crossing pool to no avail.

Must try again tonight with different tactics!

1 night on the River!

I travelled the 100 miles last night to fish the Towy!

The night was warm and cloudy. I fished from 10.30pm till 2.00am. There were a few fish moving, mainly small ones. I moved a fish just below the hedge on a surface lure but that's all! I only saw 2 other anglers on the beat.

Still fish about but no success!

On my walk down to the river I noticed something very alarming but I'm not sure what to do about it. There has been a fridge freezer in the middle of the field for quite a long time and it's always annoyed me to think that the farmer couldn't even be bothered to move it to somewhere where the Council could pick it up and dispose of it safely. Well, the farmer has moved it! He's dumped it next to the river ready for the next flood! Arsehole! Any suggestions as to how I can embarrass this twat farmer and get the freezer taken away will be gratefully received.

Anyway, despite being in a rage I fished till 1.00am last night with Dan. Earlier in the afternoon on surveillance I saw a couple of fish jumping regularly. One was massive! On reflection I think the huge one may have been a salmon as I covered it well in the dark and nothing. There were still a number of fish around but still I had no success. Anyway I'm off to Tenby today for a few hours bass fishing and then back on the beat tonight! You will be the first to know if I get lucky!

First fish of the season!

Fished till 3.00am last night and managed 1 sea trout of about 2lb.

The only fly they seemed interested in was a surface lure. The night was perfect. Still, warm and dark. I heard and or saw quite a few fish throughout the night and had several offers to the surface lure. At least I have at last opened my account!

It looks as though we now have different owners of the cottage that floods. Lets hope they are more amenable?

Dead!

Fished Saturday night and didn't see a fish or another angler!

On a positive note I did fly Smidge from Crewel to the bottom pool and recorded a video. Please click the LINK below. Unfortunately the Freezer, which has been there for a few years and the farmer is so much of a wanker that he can't be arsed to move it, is not quite in view!

Llangadog Lower Beat 2022 from the air

Plenty of fish but no takers!

It's been many years since I've seen so many fish about. I would say 15! Some are big! With 6 anglers on the lower beat last night I don't think anyone caught! Very frustrating! I even saw a big fish moving across the river whilst I was crossing at about 9.00pm.

Tactics tonight? Dynamite!