Gilling West Fly Fishers
Protecting Gilling Beck
Our members do more than fish. We work to improve habitat, protect the beck and help create a healthier environment for wild trout, grayling and the wider wildlife of the valley.
A survey of Gilling Beck was carried out for the club by Professor Jonny Grey of the Wild Trout Trust, an experienced river-management specialist. Following recommendations from that work, and after consultation with the Environment Agency and Skelton and Gilling Estates, GWFF has carried out habitat improvements on a section of the beck downstream of Gilling West.
The aim is to create a more varied and resilient watercourse: better habitat for fish and aquatic invertebrates, more cover from predators, cooler water in warm weather and improved opportunities for birds and other wildlife.
Logs are positioned to alter the speed and direction of flow. This helps scour and clean gravel, creates variations in depth, provides refuge for fish and can reduce erosion while creating habitat for invertebrates and other aquatic life.
Suitable multi-stemmed trees are partly cut and carefully laid towards the water while remaining alive. The resulting low cover creates valuable refuge habitat along the margins of the beck.
Fallen boughs and branches are secured along the bank to provide cover for fish, increase habitat complexity and create useful shelter for birds, insects and other wildlife.
Saplings are planted in suitable locations along the bank. Trees provide shade that can help keep water cooler, offer cover from predators and help stabilise the banks through their root systems.
Water crowfoot is moved from areas where it grows abundantly to suitable sections where it is absent. It provides fish cover, oxygenates the water and supports many invertebrates. Flowing channels between the beds also create feeding lanes and help clean gravel.
Our work complements efforts by local landowners and farmers who are creating wildlife meadows and allowing areas close to the beck to develop in ways that benefit biodiversity.
Our approach: practical work is undertaken carefully and in consultation with the relevant landowners and organisations. The objective is a healthier, more natural beck rather than simply improving it for angling.