And some stills, © Jack Perks:

LADFFA’s Committee is aware that canoeists are attempting to assert a public right of right of navigation on the River Dove through Beresford Dale, Wolfscote Dale and Dovedale.   This is based on an interpretation of a very old piece of statute which, it is claimed, has never been revoked and has been subject to similar legal wranglings on other UK rivers.  A group of canoeists plan to meet and paddle the Dove on 20^th and/or 27^th April, subject to water levels being suitable.  Arguably, they are targeting Dovedale for this action because it is a stretch of river with high public/media awareness and it is highly regarded by the angling community.

The Angling Trust and Fish Legal have previously issued a statement on the issue of navigation on inland rivers, available here . 

The National Trust (NT), as a landowner, has responded by saying canoeists are welcome on their  inland waters where it is compatible with conservation and other water-based recreational interests, highlighting that the River Dove is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which requires them to manage it in a certain way.   The NT is not persuaded that there is a public right of navigation on the River Dove and has not given permission for canoeing on their land in Dovedale and Wolfscote Dale.

The NT has said they wish to work with stakeholders and interested parties to understand what impact canoeing is likely to have on the River Dove, its surroundings and upon other river users.  Their Head Ranger (Jim Barber) has written to a number of stakeholders, including LADFFA, inviting views of whether there is support for Canoeing activity on the River Dove in Dovedale and Wolfscote Dale in any form or at any time in the year.   If there is a consensus to support some form of Canoeing, the NT suggest working together to reach an appropriate agreement with National Canoe groups.

LADFFA’s Committee will be meeting shortly to discuss the matter.  Ahead of that meeting, Committee members want to better understand the depth of feeling amongst LADFFA members, in particular around the following questions:

• Do you think Dovedale is suitable for canoeing?
• Are you a canoeist who would welcome the opportunity to paddle in Dovedale?
• Should LADFFA support or oppose any move to assert a public right of navigation on the River Dove in Dovedale?
• Should LADFFA support or object to any move by the National Trust and stakeholders to reach an appropriate agreement with National Canoe groups?
• What action, if any, should LADFFA members take to deter a group of canoeists from paddling on 20^th /27^th April 2013.  For example, would you be prepared to be involved in a” passive fish in” to discourage the canoeists.

Please take the time to answer these questions by clicking on the following link – CLICK HERE  .      You can also share your views with other LADFFA members by using the Reply/Comments box below, or in private by emailing admin@ladffa.com .

To get an insight into the canoeists’ position, please refer to the following websites:

-          Mr Biddulph’s web page: Click here

-          ‘Song of the Paddle’ discussion forum on ‘Dovedale open for canoeing’: Click here

-          Same forum, discussion about a ‘ Celebratory Meet’ of canoeists in Dovedale: Click here

-          BBC Radio Derby coverage (2/4/2013) – Click here  - Mr Biddulph is at 46:05 into the broadcast, and a response from the Angling Trust is at 1:41:42 .

The Churnet Valley Living Landscape project is sponsored by the Heritage Lottery Fund and is managed by the Staffs Wildlife Trust.  The event on 14th April 2013 will bring together as many organisations as possible who have an interest in the Churnet Valley.   LADFFA has been asked to participate and will have a stand showing what we are about along with some fly-tying, casting and river bugs on display.  This is not a fishing event but will involve a range of activities.  The event runs from 10am till 4pm and we will be based in the Consall Visitor centre.

To find out more about the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Project, visit their website here: http://www.churnet-valley.org.uk/

This year, Gary has badgered committee members to pull together a fly box containing their most effective flies on LADFFA’s rivers, to be passed around on the bus.  There’s some real fly tying talent on the committee, with highly regarded tyers like John Green and Philip White, and some cack-handed beggars like me.  There’ll no doubt be a fine example of Graham Steven’s one-and-only (literally) small black Klinkhammer.

Email Gary at walker.gary@tiscali.co.uk to book your seat.  Complaints about his driving should be sent to the same email address.

Kev

Last year’s tour was a great success …

With kind permission of both Dr Nick Everall and Dr Tim Jacklin, here’s a copy of the article - Dove Mayfly Nick Everall Salmo 2013

I should also congratulate Tim on editing yet another excellent edition of Salmo Trutta.  One of many reasons anglers should be a member of  the Wild Trout Trust - http://www.wildtrout.org/

Kev

There’ll be representatives from Hardy & Greys, Rio, Loop, Reddington, Vision, Fulling Mill, Veniard, Turral’s , Scierra and several others.  Plus a junior fly tying competition.

Lots of special offers on the weekend, and they are offering a further 10% discount off the sale price to LADFFA members.

Here’s the bottom gate:  Before …

And after, with the previous level marked. The river was still dropping as we moved onto the next gate. The stretch above it was visibly improved, with the improvement we’d made in previous years (brushwood bundles, groins, etc.) narrowing the channel and making some nice swims.

Here’s to top gate:

Before:

And after:  The river no longer runs around the outside channel. We netted the small pools left isolated in that channel and transferred some brook lampreys and bullheads back into the main channel.