Upper Taw Bank Maintenance

We're carrying out bank work on the Upper Taw for this session.

Please arrive at 9:40am. Park in the field opposite Coldridge Bridge. Our aim is to begin this morning session promptly at 10.00am. There is no formal mid-morning break but members are encouraged to work at a pace that best suits themselves and take breaks when required. The session will end at 1.00pm followed by lunch of award-winning pasties, local cider and apple juice. Please RSVP to let us know you can join us and this will also help us to plan for lunches. Do let us know if you have any special dietary requirements too.

About our work

The Club has earned an excellent reputation for its habitat improvement work and as a result we've developed a highly successful relationship with the Fishery Officers at the Environment Agency. This has all been made possible by the excellent work done by Club members on our maintenance and habitat improvement sessions and our Club is now seen as one of the top two fly fishing clubs in the West Country.

Existing members will know that our bank maintenance sessions are highly sociable and productive - if you cannot join us for the start of the session you are very welcome to join us for lunch but please RSVP to let us know so we can plan appropriately.

We work closely with riparian owners, farmers and agencies to ensure that we are working collaboratively to enhance the quality of our fishery. There are three main areas of work that we undertake including Maintenance, Habitat Improvement and Access. 

Maintenance

Maintenance activities are likely to include trimming of excessive overhanging tree and shrub growth, appropriate strimming of excessive bank-side growth, removal of all plastic and rubbish from the river and banks, maintaining and trimming the hedge and grass around the Fishing Hut at Tramayne Water.  

Habitat Improvement

Habitat improvement is a key objective of our sessions – this will include: control of invasive plant species; managing and maintaining ‘cover’ for juvenile trout; managing and maintaining appropriate shade cover for both pools and riffles. Overheating of the river in hot weather causes stress and even death for fish so maintaining the correct level of shade is an important function of our habitat maintenance work.  Our management and maintenance of the ‘vegetated riparian zone’ is also important because it plays a crucial role in supporting the success of many aquatic insects. Stabilising our banks with the introduction of appropriate planting and timber are also a key-tasks to reduce the effect of bank erosion and damage caused by spates.

This year, for the first time, we will be working with the North Devon Biosphere’s Pledge for Nature project installing nest boxes for Dippers and Grey Wagtails under bridges and riverside trees. 

 

Access

Providing safe access throughout our fishery ensures that members can make the most of our varied fishery. This season we will be introducing new access facilities on Tramayne Water with the use of ropes and ladders. We will also be working with the local farmer to provide access over the new electric fence. Likewise, we will be working with the local farmer on our upper Taw section to provide access over new stock fences.

Tools & clothing

Tools to bring with you are:  Chainsaw (if you have a chainsaw license), slashers, petrol-strimmers, loppers and bow saws would all be very useful.  Please also come equipped with waders, working gloves and your own personal safety equipment.

 

Lunch

After the session The Club provides a lunch of award-winning pasties, local cider and apple juice. Please let us know (in your RSVP) if you have any special dietary requirements.