BMTF News Archives - Page 2 of 29 - Bintry Mill Trout Fishery

No wading on County School beat

In order to protect the new spawning gravel and the large numbers of small fish which now gather on the glides, the committee has decided to ban wading on County School for the foreseeable future. Most of the beat is too deep to wade safely anyway, with large stretches of treacherous silt close to the banks due to the decades of poaching by cattle. Once the banks have re-established themselves and new weed has grown fishing should be much more comfortable, with more useful fish holding spots on the near bank.

We are also planning to plant a number of trees along the banks, but this is very much a long term benefit.

Over 350 tons of stone and gravel were put into the river in the summer of 2023

The new berm at the top of the beat will significantly improve fishing access to the water, which is over 7 feet deep in places along this stretch.

The lower end of the beat has been badly damaged by grazing cattle. Part of the ongoing improvement plan once the new fence has been erected, is to reinforce the near bank to stabilise it and encourage new vegetation. There will also be flow improvements to the channel.

In order to keep the improvement plan for this beat on track, the committee are asking all members and day ticket customers to give us as much feedback as possible on catches, sightings and conditions. This will help us prioritise essential measures to maintain the habitat value.