MONITORING FLY LIFE ON OUR RIVERS

The Salmon & Trout Association was established in 1903 principally because of concern over the Industrial Revolution’s impact on our rivers and streams and to represent the interests of game fisheries throughout the British Isles. Now in their 100th Year their fight to reverse environmental degradation remains as strong as ever.

A recent Fly Life Survey of Southern Chalk Streams, conducted by Allan Frake, of the Environment Agency and Peter Hayes of the Wiltshire Fishery Association, highlighted a serious decline in aquatic fly abundance mainly in the past 20 years. The S & TA is now helping the authors of this initiative to spread the survey across the whole of the U.K. through its regional and club networks.

The survey is based on a questionnaire which asks the angler to give their opinion of how fly life has changed on local rivers, using information either from logged observations, such as diaries, or just from personal recollections. This questionnaire will be launched at the CLA Game Fair, Harewood House, on 1st to 3rd August. Copies of the questionnaire can be obtained by telephoning 020 7283 5838 or e-mailing : flylife@salmon-trout.org The S & TA will be consolidating the information from all the questionnaires received and will produce a report by the end of the year.

Many local anglers have commented on the changes in fly life on our rivers here in Cumbria / Lake District and this is an opportunity for them to become involved in this important research.
The object of the research is to ascertain causes and where possible remedies to this serious decline of fly life on some waters.