Friday 1 December 2017

BFFA Bank Clearance Day at Burrator - Monday 27 November 2017

Some of the working party at Longstone

Kelvin, Sam, Richard and Pete

Sam sawing some of the willow assisted by Bob

Lunch break

Stuart and David

Kelvin making light work of it!


The weather early on Monday was very cold, overcast & grey with heavy rain and not at all pleasant.  Eight Burrator Fly Fishers members plus Sam Le Bailly from the South West Lakes Trust arrived at Longstone around 10am.  The plan was to make fly casting easier in a few areas by removing some of the undergrowth and the invasive, fast growing willows.  The willows had been cut down previously and had since put out long new shoots from the stumps  ensuring that a less than accurate back cast would be easily snagged.

Sam told me that he only recently joined SWLT but he soon had us organised and under his expert guidance we made a successful start on the clearance. I think he will be an asset to the Trust and we look forward to working with him in the future.

The water level is currently high and when fishing in these conditions, even wading a little way out, it is difficult to avoid overhanging branches and bushes on the shore.  If this plan is to be successful in the long term we will need to ensure regular visits to keep the growth in check.  I understand that in the long term SWLT intend to clear more of the bank around Longstone where willow and rhododendron have invaded the shoreline.  They would like to encourage wild flowers to re-establish themselves on the peninsula where there is currently a mass of brambles.

The rain eased away after a couple of hours and Linda drove to the Burrator Inn to collect a tray of excellent pasties for lunch.  Two Kelly Kettles were soon bringing water to the boil for very welcome mugs of tea.  Lunch was rounded off with slices of Linda's delicious home-made Dundee cake.  It was a bit of a struggle to resume work after all that!

We did manage another couple of hours before packing up in the afternoon as the grey skies threatened more rain.


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