Worth the walk.

I realise that the weather might not be ideal for a long walk just now, unless you get out very early (and a surprising number of members do). If you're getting tired or frustrated with flogging up the short stretches of 3c above the Tractor Bridge, or 3b above the Footbridge, try venturing a bit further next time you visit Harpers. If you cross the Footbridge or the Tractor Bridge and turn right, and follow down the left bank of the river almost as far as you can go, you will see the Green Concrete Bridge. That bridge marks the lower boundary of Beat 3C.

Below that bridge is Beat 4, where few ever venture, but where you are allowed to use 'Other Methods' instead of just flies. The definition of 'Other Methods' is in the Members Area of the website under Association Rules, but this means that you can use : "worms; minnow; or spinning using lures with no more than 2 (single) barbless (or crimped) hooks "; N.B. this only applies on Beat 4. There is also a limit that only 4 trout may be caught in a day (the same as everywhere else), but only 2 trout may be taken from Beat 4, if caught using 'Other Methods'.

You will find that Beat 4 is quite accessible from the left bank (as far down as the field boundary) after considerable work there over the last few years. It has not been remarkably productive however, so we've now done some serious improvements which should make quite a difference. Here's Nigel's report on that work.

SERT work July 2026.

Harry and James of the South East Rivers Trust joined Nigel to carry out some habitat improvements on beats 3c and 4 this week. Over four days we managed to instal some ash deflectors to create clean gravel riffles that should be suitable for spawning trout, grayling and coarse fish in the future. We also built some brash berms that will provide cover for fish fry, immature fish and invertebrates. We also hinged some trees to provide additional cover. 

In particular, the stretch of river from the green bridge at the upstream end of beat 4, down about 75 yards has been transformed as the attached photographs will illustrate. We will now wait to see how it develops and whether the impact is as positive for the inhabitants of the river as we hope.

Well worth the walk just to see what's been done, and you'll probably start to recognise evidence of that sort of improvement all the way up the river as far as Beat 2. You don't just need to spot it and admire it however, you can also be part of it. You'll have seen Nigel's latest list of work-party dates, so do sign up if you can; you won't regret it.

Cheers

Peter B