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This blog post was published under the 2010-2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

https://environmentagency.blog.gov.uk/2014/05/30/river-conservation-on-the-roden/

River conservation on the Roden

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Fisheries and biodiversity

On a damp and cold Tuesday morning late in March, a hardy bunch of keen anglers and conservationists gathered on the banks of the River Roden, just north of Shrewsbury. We arrived ready to take part in a demonstration day of river habitat restoration techniques using natural materials.

Partners learning conservation techniques
Members of local angling clubs and the Severn Rivers Trust gather on the banks of the Roden

I’d set the day up, with help from colleagues in the Midlands Fisheries and Biodiversity Team, in conjunction with the Wild Trout Trust. Our aim was to provide representatives from local angling clubs (and partners such as the Severn Rivers Trust) with the opportunity to witness and take part in practical demonstrations of techniques. They can then put these techniques to good use on their own stretches of river.

Partners learning conservation techniques
Partners learning tips to help conserve their own stretches of river

We gathered in the pouring rain, any thoughts of a gentle start were dispelled with waders and waterproofs quickly donned. Attendees soon busied themselves gathering brushwood arising from nearby clearance work and recent storm damage from across the site. After this quite welcome ‘warm up’ and with suitable supplies of material, the main part of the day could begin. The enthusiasm of the anglers present shone through from start to finish. They listened intently and got stuck into the practical demonstrations on show. Many fishing stories were of course swapped along the way!

Conservation techniques on the Roden
Our partners get stuck into the practical demonstrations

Despite the weather (which in traditional ‘Geography fieldtrip’ style was pretty grim from start to finish!) the day was a great success. 19 attendees were treated to demonstrations of various techniques such as pleaching (hinging) of hazel / alder / willow / hawthorn trees alongside the riverbank. ‘Pleaching’ is where trees on the riverbank are partly cut, so that branches are bent downwards towards the water whilst still remaining partly attached to the main tree trunk and root structure.

Conservation techniques on the Roden
'Pleaching' in action

The techniques demonstrated had the aim of illustrating the creation of dense habitat cover for juvenile fish species. This kind of cover traps silt and helps to clean gravel areas, providing improved trout spawning habitat. They also have the benefit of improving river bank protection by making it more resilient to erosion.

Dense habitat created for juvenile fish species
Dense habitat created for juvenile fish species

My sincere thanks go to all who those made the day possible. I’m confident that all who attended will not only look back on a thoroughly enjoyable day, but will take the ideas and experience gained and be able to put them to excellent use back on their home stretches of river.

 

Events like these are made possible by the money we receive from rod licence sales, grab yours now to help protect and enhance your local rivers and the fish living in them.

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