I met up with the EA team yesterday afternoon. They have a boat and are now passed Dereck’s house reaching the first bend. It is mainly weed clearance they are concerned with and the occasional low tree boughs. I spoke with Dereck’s neighbor who is very keen to clear the confluence of reeds and silt to improve the flow. However, it was surprisingly obvious that the river is flowing much faster with the short length of river cleared so far.
Meanwhile i ‘commandeered’ a boat and rowed downstream behind both islands. This was a real eye opener. The river is very narrow in places with some deep depressions in the river bed. Plenty of weed growth and fallen trees provide sanctuary for our fish stocks.
Brian please could you include this warning in the minutes: CLPS members to be very aware of trucks entering the gravel works! They turn in very fast especially from Wraysbury/M25 direction.
Also the track is very slippery in places! I will take some more trees down to hopefully dry the problem areas out.
I had a few hours trotting in the newly cleared ‘shed ‘area with left over bait from the weekend. Caught dace and perch to 6oz, chublets and minnows.
The EA have cleared the spill weirs of everything!
For comedic effect i would like to say that i caught this duck on rod and line! The truth being that my plastic friend had disappeared for three years and turned up when we cleared the shed area!
regards Martin
