9 Feb 2025

Trees for Salmon – Planting Day at Landacre Bridge

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

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

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

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

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

Trees for Salmon – Planting Day at Landacre Bridge

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

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

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

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

Dr. Dan Osmond

Senior Fisheries Scientist

Westcountry Rivers Trust

 

6 Jun 2024

IN SEARCH OF EXMOOR TROUT

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Tumbling clear waters have carved valleys between the undulating hills of Exmoor over millions of years. The River Exe from which Exmoor gets its name flows from Exe head near Simonsbath to Exmouth a distance of 60 miles. It’s major tributary the River Barle merges with the Exe a couple of miles below Dulverton a spot immortalised in the rare book ‘Philandering Angler’ by Arthur Applin. Applin reminisces about the ‘Carnarvon Arms’ waters and a “trout fat as butter with belly like gold”. And also in that classic tome “Going Fishing’ by Negley Farson. Farson writes of “an imperturbable scene which fills you with content”.

Both authors are well travelled especially for the era in which they wrote and yet there is great affection for the humble brown trout of the Exe and Barle.

Exmoor has a rich literary history that has it seems to be ongoing with Michelle Werrett’s latest book ‘Song of the Streams’ a book that is set to become a classic of its genre.

Sadly the ‘Carnarvon Arms’, a country Inn with a rich history is now converted into flats. A fate that has befallen many fine Country Hotels.

Fortunately those crimson spotted wild brown trout with bellies of gold are still abundant throughout the Exe and Barle and can be fished for at a very reasonable cost.

I joined Dulverton Angling Association a couple of years ago with the intention of exploring their eight beats of fishing on the Upper Exe and its tributaries. And so on a warm and sunny 1st of June I walked into Lance Nicholson’s shop to enquire if any beats were available. This was only a short session with Pauline joining me to relax and read a book at the water’s edge whilst I explored the river.

We were advised that the Stoats Tail beat was available and would tick all the relevant boxes. The beat is half a mile or so of fishing that runs up from the main road bridge in the town to the weir in which I often spot trout and the occasional salmon when I sometimes pause for a look in the river on route to this delightful moorland town.

Swifts were gliding above the roof tops in the hazy blue sky as we walked to the river their high pitched screeches a truly evocative sound of summer.

After passing through the gate to the riverside we followed the pathway through into the meadow where Pauline found a shady spot to read whilst I scrambled down the tree lined bank to the river.

There is surely no better place to be than beside a West Country River in late May or early June. The lush fresh green leaves provided a fine frame to the river as it tumbled over boulders and between rocky gorges.

The water was as clear as gin, as I clambered over the slippery rocks I noted that the pools were deceptively deep. I started to explore the pools and runs with a bushy dry fly. Nothing showed for the first hundred yards or so but in a large pool below a split in the river a good sized trout rose to the fly. Whilst I failed to connect I was encouraged and after resting the pool for fifteen minutes returned with a change of fly. Once again a fish rose but I again failed to connect.

Above the rapids there was a tempting looking run overhung by a holly bush. I guessed where a fish might lie and on the second cast there was a splashy rise and I was connected to a handsome Barle trout of perhaps 10”.

I looked upriver, contemplated exploring further but decided to quit whilst I was ahead and returned to Pauline. As we strolled back through the meadow we noted how delightfully detached we were from the town that was hidden from view behind the wooded river.

The following morning I once again set off across Exmoor’s winding roads as the early morning sun streamed through the vibrant green of fresh leaves. The destination was Wimbleball Lake in search of its hard fighting rainbows.

I would be joining fellow members of South Molton & District Angling Club.

         I had left it too late to book a boat and headed for the bank of Rugg’s bay where I have enjoyed good sport in the past.

The path to the lake was lined with vivid yellow buttercups and birdsong drifted through the cool morning air.

A light North wind was creating a gentle ripple across the lake; I waded out into the cool water and put out the team of three flies, a black bead headed spider on the point, a black pennel on the middle dropper and a foam black buzzer on the top dropper.

After half a dozen casts the line zipped tight and a trout cartwheeled from the water. A handsome wild brown trout of close to 1lb graced the net. These are wild trout descendants of the trout that lived in the River Haddeo, before the lake was completed back in 1979. I admired the trout briefly before letting it swim back into the clear waters of the lake. A few weeks ago a wild brown trout estimated at around 7lb was tempted from the lake. I noted the large numbers of fry swimming around me as I stood waist deep. During late summer and autumn the wild browns can often be seen harassing the tiny fry in the margins. With such an abundance of food it will surely be only a matter of time before someone hooks into a double figure wild trout?

A few minutes later a hard fighting rainbow of around 2lb took the tip fly and was duly despatched.

         South Molton and District Angling Club Chairman Ed Rands and a boat partner arrived fifty yards or so away and dropped anchor. They gave a me a cheery wave as I hooked into another hard fighting rainbow.

During the following hour I hooked several more rainbows and noticed that the tip fly was showing signs of stress. I used forceps to bend it back into shape after landing four rainbows of around 2lb with one or two others coming adrift.

I secured a self-portrait with the fish and held it aloft for Ed and fellow club members to witness. The fish had completed my five fish limit so it was catch and release from now on.

Several coch-y-bunddu beetle could be seen drifting on the water and it was these that I guessed the trout were feeding upon. A fact that was confirmed when one of the trout regurgitated numerous beetles that drifted away as I unhooked the fish. I expect the next few weeks will produce the cream of the years sport as the trout turn on to this annual feast.

To my surprise the boats fishing out in the bay were not catching despite several fish rising in their proximity. Ed and his boat partner even beached their boat and came over for a chat. I showed them my flies and set up telling exactly how I was presenting my team of flies.

         Despite this I continued to catch returning ten more hard fighting rainbows to an estimated 4lb whilst my fellow club members remained fishless. Sometimes success in fishing comes through a slice of luck or some subtle detail that whets the fishes appetite on that day.

I packed away my tackle at around 2.00pm very content with my days sport. I will undoubtedly be back soon. Chasing Exmoor trout in both running and Stillwater. News that Tarr Steps Farm are now selling day tickets for both trout and salmon is certainly on the to do list. I have fond memories of fishing the Tarr Steps Hotel Water several years ago and treasure the memory of a grilse caught on the day of Princess Diana’s funeral back on September 6th, 1997.

         The Tarr Steps Hotel has sadly closed a contributary factor is undoubtedly the dramatically declining runs of salmon. I remember spotting several dozen salmon in a days fishing. The fishing was often exceptional as the river fined down after a spate and my visits failed to coincide with that magic taking period. The salmon could be spotted though in abundance. Today the salmon are very scarce and hard to find whilst the wild brown trout are thriving a sign perhaps.

 

5 Nov 2017

No Fishing – Today!

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Fishing tends to have a big influence on my day to day life beyond just going fishing. My long suffering wife Pauline inevitably gets drawn into this world and often accompanies me on piscatorial related ventures. On Saturday November 4th we attended a memorial to the late Mac Mc Carthy at North Molton’s Old School Room. The event was a fitting tribute to Mac whose enthusiasm and warmth contributed a great deal to the local angling community. Whilst his role as Treasurer of South Molton Angling Club and the River Taw Fisheries Association was important and carried out with  the expertise to be expected of a man with a sound banking background it was his passion for life, fishing and community that shone brightly.

Update – The memorial collection raised £125 towards cancer research.

Mac McMcarthy at Head Falls on the river Mole a project that Mac worked on with the River Taw Fishery Association.

Mac always made me very welcome as a member of the local press and invited me to several meetings with the South Molton Angling Club that I of course ended up joining as a social member. I have fond memories of trips to the river with Mac to view habitat improvement work and as a guest on the beat he rented on the Taw. I have a couple of salmon flies Mac gave me residing in my fly box that will one day I am sure entice a silver salmon.

(Above ) Mac with a fine salmon ( Photo courtesy of Ed Rands)

After an enjoyable hour chatting in the village hall over a glass of wine and tasty nibbles we set off to enjoy a walk and a breath of fresh air. It was appropriate that we chose Landacre as our destination a place where Mac often exercised his dogs. I know this as Mac told me of the salmon he saw spawning in the Barle during late autumn and winter. Like myself I am sure Mac was drawn to the river in the hope of glimpsing the salmon for surely when not fishing the next best thing is to look for fish.

There has been a degree of doom and gloom relating to the Exe and Barle this season with catches far below those of past seasons. A fact that has been noted across the country on many rivers. The light was not quite right for spotting salmon in the clear waters and whilst I caught the occasional glimpse into the river I could not at first see any salmon. We did however reminisce about summer days when we had brought James to picnic by the river and catch minnows as I had also done when I was a child.

I as I Looked down the river that twisted through the autumn landscape a salmon leapt from the water a brief split second and an image to save in the minds eye with a thousands others that can never be frozen be captured with a camera.

Further down river I was also thrilled to see a salmon as its movement caught my eye. I of course had to walk onto the bridge and peer into the water below. What salmon have travelled beneath the spans of this ancient bridge I pondered?

From the river we headed to Dulverton for a coffee and a browse around the shops. Lance Nicholson’s tackle shop is always worth a look with its racks of quality rods and pleasing selections of flies for both trout and salmon. The bookshop, “Rothwell and Dunworth” always has a good selection of fishing books and on this occasion I was tempted and purchased a copy of “Sea Fishing” by the Late Clive Gammon. Clive is one of my favourite authors and this tome will undoubtedly carry many words of wisdom despite its publication date of 1969. The cover picture reflects how times have changed for the better with several tope carcasses gracing the cover. Flicking through the pages brings a view of a bygone age that I can easily relate to on this day of reflection.