Unique opportunity! Over £1000 of training paid for by the EA - learn about what fish eat!

TAC have scored a massive coup by securing a day's training for 12 people paid for by the EA

What you will get ...

Training from the Riverfly partnership on how to "kick sample" and analyse the bugs you find in your local stretch of river.

You will learn how to identify the difference between different types of flies, caddis, shrimps and snails.
Understand and report what the presence or absence of those insects means for the water quality.

Knowing the above you will be able to make better decisions on what the fish might be eating.
Make better bait choices. Improve your presentation by placing your bait in the right places.

This requires a full day's training on Sunday 6th May 9:30 - 17:00
Training will take place at Shepperton lock and Penton Hook. If you havn't got transport don't worry, we will arrange transport between ourselves.

Subsequently we want to get members regularly monitoring a particular stretch of river.
We will have a thread up here where you can post your results and we can get a picture of the health of your river.

The EA are also prepared to pay for some of the accompanying test kits (£100 each), and TAC will be buying the rest.


If you are interested in getting trained and committing to the monitoring programme please let us know.

Places are limited to 12 but we only have 6 so far, we do need to fill it.

The monitoring will be monthly on a designated day and all the results go back to the EA.

This is what its all about: http://www.riverflies.org/

So far we have:

1. Mark Anderson
2. Paul Snell
3. Ed Randall
4. Willie Pettigrew
5. Steve Holmes
6. Will Mitchell
7. Keith Collett & Jack
8. Oliver Lafci
9. Colin Arbon & Michael
10. Jeff Kennett
11. John LeSurf
12. Andy Banham


We will need to fill all the 12 spaces so post on here a firm commitment as soon as possible please.
(There is an expression of interest from outside of the TAC for the training, let us know folks.)

please add Jack and me

I am 100% committed to this!

Me and Michael would like to be included please.

Hi Ed; you've a PM

Hi just spoken to Andy Banham and and we would like to attend the training day,could you add our names to the list.

The course is basically full up now. It's great that we've got members from all over the place, we will be able to get coverage across all those areas.

Please check your calendars and ensure that you are definitely able to attend on May 6th. If you find you can't make it after all, do let us know on here or by private message ASAP please.

You may still sign up as a "reserve" just in case a space becomes available, but can't promise anything.

I'm assuming we can push the numbers a little by slipping the juniors in without them actually "counting" as a place, if that is not the case we will have a slight problem, I'll investigate.

We're the first club on the Thames to get in this program and with the Thames EA Fisheries team sponsoring costs, it's a really positive step forward for the club.

Thanks everyone who's volunteered.

Yep second that Steve, been a long time to get it organised but like the Eel trap, great news for the TAC and thanks everyone.

We are slightly over on numbers but will work it out no worries.

It could be that we end up doing another day if we can get the funding

All good chaps

We should point out aswell we'll be using it to compare the aquatic life on our tributaries...so how does the Ash measure up against the Colne and how does the Hogsmill do compared to the Roding? Why has the Beverley Brook got loads of a certain caddis yet the Ember has hardly any? What needs to be done therefore on the Ember...if anything?

We will also use the data to gain bigger damages for habitat reinstatement and higher restocking levels against polluters. So....."Our surveys show this amount of life on the river before you polluted it, now there's only this amount living". It will be proof of destruction should polluters try and say damage was only minimal

Hi Steve

That is a very good point there, I've been looking at Teddington Lock weir and have found lots of different species living there. Shrimps, fresh water fish, (trout and salmon) to every other fresh water species, Carp, Barbel, Pike, non-native Zander, Dace, Roach, Perch, Stone Loach, Bullhead, Bream, Chub and salt water fish such as plaice, sea trout, Salmon and even porpoise. I would like to dive deeper into the even smaller species and find out what brings them here. If they are native or non native. I am even intrigued about the non-native species of birds and insect such as the Asian Long Horn Beatle which has been found in Kent. I believe that the changing climate is creating perfect living conditions for these species and that the area that they are found contains a good source of natural foods and well-oxegented water. I'll keep stuff posted.


Oli

looking forward to this a week today.
hope the amount of rain hasnt flushed all living things out to sea.

Yes Will ,it should be a good learning curve next week,I spend hours during the close season on my stretch of
the Roding and between petrol strimming to keep the path open I have a break and watch the river.The only food the fish get to eat during the close is insect life and its great watching roach,dace and Chub taking anything floating down with the current .I have seen chub leap out of the water in competition with one and other to take bugs off the top.I feed them by throwing in black slugs and snails found on dew soaked vegetation ,they eat almost anything. Observing this helps you when fishing on hard days.

Hi there

Excuse the pun, May I ask if there is anyone who is going to this if it is possible to catch a lift with please.


Yours Sincerely


Oli

can i cadge a lift?

Chaps

This very nearly got pulled as the Thames is in full flood, so the sampling areas are under many feet of water. Was on Penton Hook today amongst other places and it is very full, weirs almost flat The platforms have disappeared all together, for now

We have found a trib that will be perfect as not pushing through, so saved the day.

The main part of the training will take place at the EA facilities ta Shepperton Lock, I am down there tomorrow to check it all out. Please be at the lock for 9am Sunday and bring your lunch. Parking directions etc to be firmed up tomorrow.

Also can we have definite acceptances as have a very warm subs bench and don't want to waste the training.


Cheers

Michael and I will be there, do we meet at SHepperton or Penton Hook lock?

I will be there!

Colin Arbon wrote:

Michael and I will be there, do we meet at SHepperton or Penton Hook lock?

Shepperton Lock 9am.

If parking at the lock is full, drive past the lock round the bend and there's free parking on the right just before the Thames Court pub car park.

Steve Holmes wrote:

Colin Arbon wrote:

Michael and I will be there, do we meet at SHepperton or Penton Hook lock?

Shepperton Lock 9am.

If parking at the lock is full, drive past the lock round the bend and there's free parking on the right just before the Thames Court pub car park.

Hi Steve, Me and Andy will be travelling in the same Van,with Andy acting as navigator,when I asked Andy which route to take he said just head west,I hope not to end up in Swindon.
Good to know theres a Pub nearby as I don't now need a packed lunch.You could't enclose a Pub menu ,as the
steak and ale I had at Barnes was rather nice.

Here you go John

http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/thethamescourtshepperton/restaurantsfood/

There's also a snack van on the lock island I think? I know they do ice creams but not sure what else. Jeff Kennett would be able to confirm...

Count me in!

Steve Holmes wrote:

Here you go John

http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/thethamescourtshepperton/restaurantsfood/

There's also a snack van on the lock island I think? I know they do ice creams but not sure what else. Jeff Kennett would be able to confirm...

Oh Steve, how could you? I think Sandra (the resident 'keeper's wife), would be insulted if she heard you calling her cafe a 'snack van'! I'll check with her to see if it'll be open on Sunday and confirm one way or the other.

As no doubt we'll be using it, the EA's conference room will have tea and coffee on tap. I'll remember to bring along a pint of milk just in case that's in short supply.

I'm in.
Anyone know if it would be a problem taking a bike on the train from kingston to shepperton on a sunday morning?

See you there.

Will cant see it being a problem mate, should be very quiet.

Jeff I am down there tomorrow looking at the room and sorting out access, so will also check out the 'snack van'

Milk, yes was mentioned so brilliant mate. Can you bring a life jacket if you have one, or two. Sampling will be done in pairs sort of so not everyone needs to get in the river on this first occasion. Waders as well chaps, we have a few spare but bring them if you can,