Hello all.

Since reading on fish & fly and in the times about the recent drama at Abbots barton i have been doing ALOT of research... The propaganda that was posted is at bes a half truth, the fact of the matter is that Hampshire wildlife trust do not want to see fishing dissapear from Winnall moors, far from it infact they publically acknowlege the significance of the site in the annals of flyfishing history

what they wish to achieve is a more balanced ecosystem with riparian marginal vegetation, less intensivly managed weed and less stocking, better for nature, and IMO better for us as anglers.

I have been in communication with natural england to see what the legal position is tegarding the SSSI status of the site and i have entered into dialogue with HWT off the back of several conversations with other forum members with regard to attempting to secure the lease th the fishing at Abbots barton.

The reason for this post is simple, i am trying to gauge interest in forming a syndicate to to make this a reality and make sure that the fishing rights in this important site are maintained and maybe to relclaim a small piece of chalkstream fishing and put it within the grasp of the working man.

I have no details of the financial aspect of such a venture as yet, this will be dependant upon interest and subsequently drafting a proposal to elaborate upon what i have elucidated to already.

anybody who is interested in getting involved at whatever level please contact me.

Thanks

****EDIT**** i would just like to clarify, this is in no way a commercial venture, i am not looking for any kind of financial gain from this , it is just an attempt to secure some great fishing for like minded individuals.

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good on ya martin ,if i lived closer i would be in ,i wish you all the luck in the world if you carry it off mate ...and i hope you can ..

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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 !!

Thanks Bruce... seems a bit pie in the sky at the moment, but you have to be in it to win it...

I have some good contacts so far and had some positive feedback thusfar, i am also offering getting the university involved for long term biological monitoring through undergraduate dissertations to see how the change in management effects fauna and flora ... value added ?? i think so

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it can only be good for all life forms on the stretch martin to many are "cultivated" way to much ,the uni would be a good idea with positive feedback reports on increasing larvae/fly life ,along with invertebrates etc etc

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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 !!

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Beanzy that is an excellent reply that I completely agree with. Icky, speak to as many of the river keepers on either the Test or Itchen and ask their opinions of the Hampshire Wildlife Trust and what they want for the chalkstreams. Propaganda and half truth? All coming from one source.
Fair play to you for showing concern Icky and I wish you well but be very careful from whom you are taking advice. Only listen to people with real experience of man made chalkstream management.

If you want to pm me I'll give you contact details of a few people who will give good advice.

Reg Wyatt

A noble pursuit, Icky. I hope you achieve something positive.

Good luck,

SharkeyP

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Often thinks not travel widens,
Stay at home the Trout obliges.

Well it definitely sounds interesting, have wanted to get involved in something similar since i started fly fishing a few years ago. I used to do something similar on my local chub waters when i was a maggot drowner in Kent.

Would be interested in helping out in anyway i can, although have no experience of chalk stream management it must be said.

Agree that many chalk streams are much like our southern heathlands, if you leave them to their own devices they change into habitat suitable for a completely different set of species. Would be interesting reading to see just how much management the trust allows.

Dan

Sounds like a plan Icky.

Put on your best Duncan Ballantine accent............ does, or rather will it contain Grayling's, trout's and Pike's??? If so, I'd be in.
Jas

Icky, I take it you've already spoken to the guys at the Wild Trout Trust? From memory, I think they've been involved at some point (are possibly even one of the Wildlife Trust's current partners on the project) and are very likely to have an expert idea of how to balance wildlife concerns with excellent wild trout and grayling fishing.

If this really can be achieved at Abbot's Barton, it could be a superb precedent for a lot of other chalkstreams that are currently, ahem, heavily-stocked canals...

Very best of luck to you!

Theo

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