Yet again we have suffered another exceptionally dry and generally cool (at least till earlier in the week). The Devon is already running on bare bleached rocks, the level of Glenquey is steadily dropping and the undergrowth growing rapidly.
Quite a lot to report to members!
Fishing
Fishing on the Devon with the initially (very) cold and then the progressively lower water has been hard work. I have only had success fishing pocket water in the rifles just after dawn and in the late evenings. A number of anglers using upstream nymphing have had some success but nothing to get too excited about. At Glenquey the early cold weather impacted the number of anglers heading there and many struggled [38 permits returned with 30 fish caught with a mean weight of 6oz, more notably 58% of permit returns were zero!]. I happy to report that things have steadily improved with one angler making his first visit caught three fish of about 3/4lb, loved the experience and promised to return!
Glenquey Access Road
We are advised that there will be felling work undertaken in plantations shortly on the east side of the reservoir. Once processed on site it will be hauled from site down the reservoir access road, probably for months after felling is complete. When details become available we will update members and visitors via the website
Dollar Weir
The Association have recognised that the Dollar Weir, that formally was used by the Dollar Bleachworks and associated mills, was a significant barrier to the upstream migration of spawning trout and salmon. The original and subsequently improved fish pass does allow some fish to clear the weir but many fail. Removal would significantly improve access for spawning fish to reach the upper river and tributaries.
The Forth Rivers Trust have been awarded a significant grant by The Open Rivers Programme to support the initial assessment of the Dollar Weir Removal Project. This is the most important and difficult part of the whole process. Work has already underway with Trust staff completing Stage 1 [Scoping & Prefeasibility] of the programme which has included :
- consultation with landowners and the owners of the weir [positive]
- consultation with local stakeholders
- surveys of the weir’s condition
- river alignment and depth surveys above and below the weir
- sampling and testing the sediment held by the weir
- surveys upstream and downstream
This will lead onto:
- Stage 2 – Options assessment and consultation
- Stage 3 – Detailed design amd schedules
- Stage 4 – Finalisation of licensing documents
This work is scheduled to be completed by September 2023 and then the Trust will seek funding for its removal
The Trust have developed considerable experience in managing, funding and delivering weir removal projects most notably on the River Almond in West Lothian.
The Open Rivers Programme is a fund specifically to help restore European rivers by funding and supporting dam removal projects throughout the continent. Thanks to a €42.5 million investment over six years by the charitable fund Arcadia, the Programme will scale up dam removal and help Europe’s endangered rivers run free once again
Cambus Weir
The Forth Rivers Trust and Forth District Salmon Fishery Board have had a number of positive meetings in the last year with the weir’s owners Diageo about reducing the impact of the weir on migratory fish. The existing fish pass is of little value and fish rely on either a spate and/or spring tide to enter the river. Fish sitting in the basin waiting for an opportunity to get over the weir, are vunerable to being preyed upon by seals (or even porpoise) and are at risk from poachers. Hopefully we will have some more positive news report soon!
Invasive Weeds
Through support from a grant from the Crown Estate Scotland to the DAA, the Forth Rivers Trust has been engaged to begin a campaign of eradication of invasive weeds (mostly Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsa) over the entire catchment. The Trust staff began surveys in Upper Glendevon where Japanese Knotweed is endemic. Once the extent of the weeds is mapped and known, then a programme of spraying/injection will begin.
There will be opportunities for members to volunteer to support the work of the Trust in due course
River Streamers
You may have noticed some streamers placed in the river above and below Dollar Weir during May. These were installed to discourage Goosanders from preying on smolts gathering in the pools above and below the weir. Appparently Goosanders and Mergansers do not like diving below floating objects.
This is an initiative promoted by Lee Fisher the FDSFB’s Crown Bailiff, who has trialed this technique very successfully on the Allan Water (at the weir at the bridge at Bridge of Allan). Lee has worked hard this winter encouraging clubs, associations and proprietors to use the technique.
Finally somewhere to rest your weary bones
The DAA work parties have been hard at it as usual along the river and at Glenquey.
Now at least they have somewhere to rest and enjoy the peace!
The DAA are in the process of installing a pair of benches on the south bank. The first one was installed on Wednesday requiring a monumental effort to get the bench and materials to site because of the huge weight of the bench:
The lads hard work has really paid off as witnessed by Chris Ward’s photo from Saturday morning
The Devon Angling Association 