A well kept river ? what does this mean ?

hi folks , As you know I and everyone else is gagging for the season to open up in march . Iv been doing alot of reading on rivers all over britain and iv came across the saying " very well kept " regulary when people describe a river .

Can anyone tell me what this means in there own opinion ?


Iv always thought it was the maintainance of overhanging trees on the water / walkways / and general river up keep . Am i wrong and is there more to it ? To me theres nothing worse than stalking a fish in a lie and before you pass over the covered area you get snagged on a branch /tree / debrit.



would be interesting to see other folks veiws on what is a well kept river .

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i wouldnt cut back trees they allow fall of insect life etc,if theres a lot down the banks,then thin them out a bit in order to allow access to swims,keep a check on health of fish,keep vermin downif they are around,regular patrol of banks ,and a good manner of keeper/bailiff ,rivers are meant to be testing ,for me thats the fascination !!!

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WHEN YOU LEAVE THE RIVER, TAKE NOTHING, AND LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINT'S!!!

THA CAN TELL A YORKSHIREMAN ,BUT THA CAN'T TELL HIM MUCH !!

this is testing ,a little north york moors stream !!holds some perfect brownies !!!

__________________
WHEN YOU LEAVE THE RIVER, TAKE NOTHING, AND LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINT'S!!!

THA CAN TELL A YORKSHIREMAN ,BUT THA CAN'T TELL HIM MUCH !!

In keeping the river in good order for its inhabitants, you control riverside growth to provide shelter and stability of banks. So trees are good, so long as there are sufficient gaps between to permit a healthy growth of weed. You have to let the light in.
Some of our local rivers have had coppicing carried out to improve them, but excursion zones, which prevent stock breaking down the banks, and to provide cover for mammals and birds, make it hard for the angler, who has to cope with waist high nettles and thistles, shoulder high (or more) balsam, hidden barbed wire etc. Not good for waders. Swings and roundabouts. TC

"Pisc: Why this Sir is called Bentley Brook and is full of very good trout and grayling but so encumbered with wood in many places as is troublesome to an angler." (The Compleat Angler)

Encumbered with wood / troublesome to an angler = full of very good trout and grayling

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http://www.ladffa.com/

Guys I understand about over hanging trees etc its just the branches and debrit that gather I find to be an eye sore when theres litter and junk entangled amoung the branches etc....

but i do understand that fish like to hide under such

litter is the responsibility of those who leave it, paying for a permit does not mean someone gets the job of tidying up, 'kept' in respect to rivers means acting on behalf of the environment and fish within not fishermen.

Too many trees not good; on my rivers we have had experience of intelligent tree removal - some stretches were like green tunnels because of heavy Alder growth.Before and after monitoring of fly life showed significant improvement.

Good point Zoomer.
"Remember boys, I am a river keeper not a fisherman keeper. I love the river, you buggers are just a neccessary nuisance to pay for it all!" A fairly typical greeting from Donny Donovan, river keeper on the Test.

Reg Wyatt