Matt Hart
@MattyH02
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Tides and tight lines: Heritage fisherman on the River Severn
Joined August 2012
Making memories out in the Severn Estuary with the youngest lave netter. He was spotting looms (marks of fish swimming), stalking them and caught some mullet (very tricky to spot and catch). When his time comes, netting his first salmon will be a cakewalk.
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Working between the tides to undertake some vital riparian maintenance. My wonderful neighbour Mike - a true Severn man, working with my lad. Separated by over 80 years but very much on the same page. Wonderful.
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“The first class fisherman (lave netter) must have the speed of a rugger three quarter and the eye of a county cricketer….” . Brian Waters, Severn Tide (1947). There is a fish in the first pic…bonus points if you can spot it…not a salmon, but a shad…safely returned.
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RT @severnpiscator: A few people have asked what we do with the fish. We’re now a total catch and release fishery, preserving the knowledge….
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RT @severnpiscator: I’ve been getting plenty of river time of late, mostly spent in the company of @MattyH02. The Severn estuary is still a….
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Yesterday was a special day. No tide to speak of but a young lad was keen to catch “the big one”. Out before breakfast and he spotted the loom of this “monster mullet” and caught it. Mullet safely returned and mission accomplished.
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Nothing beats a quiet five minutes to yourself. With the lowest river levels in living memory, here I am taking five and sitting on the Church Rock in the middle of the River Severn at the bottom of my garden. Don’t try to replicate this. The waters can be treacherous.
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Glorious evening out in the Severn Estuary with the lave netting succession plan. Lots of juvenile mullet caught and released. He’s keen to go out before breakfast tomorrow to catch “a big one.” Suppose I’d better tag along!
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Finally finished the lave net for my 8 year old. Ash rockstaff (handle), hazel rimes (arms) and severn-side applewood yoke. No power tools involved (I must be mad). New (small) footprints out on the sand in pursuit of shrimp within the next few weeks!
Well, progress…of sorts. The yoke board made from a Severn side apple tree is taking shape. This one will be for my 8 year old’s net. My ‘scowl of the brow’ approach to carpentry seems to have worked. Always one to quit whilst ahead, my yoke board can wait for another day!
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The distant scene. Flood tide at Minsterworth. Wonderful to see May fish aka Shad cutting lines all over the surface, making their way upstream to spawn. Also, many elvers completing the first leg of their epic journey. I wish them well.
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RT @JohnWMacPherson: For lovers of rivers and admirers of salmon, this piece by Katie Jarvis featuring the local knowledge and experiences….
greatbritishlife.co.uk
Meeting the handful of fishermen carrying on the time-honoured skill of lave net fishing for salmon on the treacherous River Severn, while passing…
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A wonderful photograph kindly shared by @severnpiscator that immaculately captures the roots of elver fishing here on the #RiverSevern. Judging by the sartorial elegance on display, I reckon the photograph was taken in the 1940’s or very early 1950’s.
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Flood tide. Away from the noise, elver fishing is a way of life for us on the Severn. All I catch tonight will be returned. To be out on the bank with only the moon as company whilst witnessing the greatest migration on earth is an absolute privilege. It’s a bit of alright.
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Those following the glass eel story this year will understand the fishery and associated conservation activities are in a very dark place. I don’t have the answer, but I do know there isn’t sufficient monitoring or understanding of glass eels on the Severn to inform decisions.
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It’s set to be another bumper year for glass eel recruitment on the River Severn. I was fishing in the estuary last night and they migrated like this for hours. 20 miles upstream from me, glass eel were seen in even greater quantities. A 🧵
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Out on the glorious River Severn in pursuit of the elusive elver. With the current state of play (I won’t bore you with the detail) all elvers returned. A scene that hasn’t changed since my great, great grandfather was doing the same thing all those years ago. It’s a way of life.
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Volume up for this one. I’ve been faffing about on and in the #RiverSevern all my life. I had a gentle reminder of who the Boss is tonight. At least I’ve had my weekly bath!
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Gloucestershire. I love it. First night out with the elver net. With the current state of play, all elvers caught this evening will be returned. Am I confident of seeing a few? Absolutely not….thats why I’ve shared my location. But on nights like this…it’s truly magical.
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