Gascoyne Bridge Work Party

Seven hardy souls set off for last Saturday’s work party on the Upper Water at Gascoyne Bridge. Much chillier and less bright than the previous Thursday at Bockhampton, but the rain held off while we set about the tasks for the day.

For those like me who hadn’t seen the Upper water since al the fencing work last year, you’re in for a treat. It looks like a different river – wide buffer strip set back from the riverbank, with new gates and stiles (see photos). Absolutely superb work, and once the Spring brings new growth to the now much wider margins, the fishing should be first class.

Anyway, back to the work in hand New double seats have been installed at various locations – whether or not these are ‘hot spots’ you will have to invest the time to see! In addition we put in more posts with rope aids, like on the Lower Water, to help those wading in and out.

We also trimmed two fallen willows, casualties no doubt of the recent winter storms. We cleared the channel of serious blockages but left some timber in for fish cover.

River flow was fast and high but noticeably clearing. Some ranunculus is starting to show and we hope that it will continue to develop as the light improves. Just upstream of the railway bridge a new ox bow is forming, where the river has made itself a new channel across the meander. Whether the island that is now created will stay or whether siltation will make this into a true ox bow only nature will decide. However, for now, it’s certainly an interesting feature, happening right before our eyes.

After our session, back to Gascoyne Bridge for a late lunch. Hot drinks were definitely required as were pastries and even excellent lardy cake! All well earned by the team: Rob, Ian, Richard, Trevor S, Trevor P, Keeper John and his assistant Oscar (who certainly earned his lardy cake!).

Will we look forward to seeing some newer faces at the next work party? It’s great fun and you get to see our rivers a little differently.

Trevor Prince

(all photos by Trevor Prince)