Wild Trout Trust
@wildtrouttrust.bsky.social
Experts in enhancing rivers and empowering others to do the same. By improving river habitat for wild brown trout, we protect all kinds of freshwater wildlife. Our charity is active across the UK and Ireland 🐟 www.wildtrout.org
Could you make a real difference for rivers? We're seeking a Vice Chair and a Trustee to join us at an exciting time for our charity! Our work spans the UK and Ireland, combining evidence-based insight, hands-on experience, and partnership with organisations and communities.
February 6, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Could you make a real difference for rivers? We're seeking a Vice Chair and a Trustee to join us at an exciting time for our charity! Our work spans the UK and Ireland, combining evidence-based insight, hands-on experience, and partnership with organisations and communities.
If you follow Farming Today on BBC Radio 4, you might have heard Tim Jacklin talking about our upcoming restoration project on the River Witham in Lincolnshire. This project will enhance the river’s water quality, wildlife habitat, and floodwater storage capacity 💧 www.wildtrout.org/news/wild-tr...
February 2, 2026 at 1:12 PM
If you follow Farming Today on BBC Radio 4, you might have heard Tim Jacklin talking about our upcoming restoration project on the River Witham in Lincolnshire. This project will enhance the river’s water quality, wildlife habitat, and floodwater storage capacity 💧 www.wildtrout.org/news/wild-tr...
We had a great time with some of our marvellous members at the weekend! They braved the rain to join Jonny Grey for a guided walk along the River Aire, Goredale Beck, and Malham Beck. Jonny highlighted the key issues, and also the habitat improvements we've made or have planned for this summer🐟
January 30, 2026 at 2:02 PM
We had a great time with some of our marvellous members at the weekend! They braved the rain to join Jonny Grey for a guided walk along the River Aire, Goredale Beck, and Malham Beck. Jonny highlighted the key issues, and also the habitat improvements we've made or have planned for this summer🐟
You may have heard of chalk streams - those incredibly rare ecosystems that number around 200 worldwide. But you may not be familiar with winterbournes; even rarer habitats found in some of the uppermost chalk stream tributaries 🧵 1/4
January 28, 2026 at 6:04 PM
You may have heard of chalk streams - those incredibly rare ecosystems that number around 200 worldwide. But you may not be familiar with winterbournes; even rarer habitats found in some of the uppermost chalk stream tributaries 🧵 1/4
Several years ago, Theo Pike and Tim Jacklin from our team attended a learning programme about an interesting concept called ‘Low Tech Process Based River Restoration’. The idea is simple: mimic the natural processes that deposit, and retain, wood in river channels 🧵 1/3
January 14, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Several years ago, Theo Pike and Tim Jacklin from our team attended a learning programme about an interesting concept called ‘Low Tech Process Based River Restoration’. The idea is simple: mimic the natural processes that deposit, and retain, wood in river channels 🧵 1/3
How do you explore your connection to nature? In his guest blog, Clay Thompson shares how rivers have inspired him to create beautiful illustrations of freshwater fish and other British wildlife - "creatures as untamed and beautiful as any exotic bird" 🐟 Read here: www.wildtrout.org/wttblog/line...
January 10, 2026 at 2:18 PM
How do you explore your connection to nature? In his guest blog, Clay Thompson shares how rivers have inspired him to create beautiful illustrations of freshwater fish and other British wildlife - "creatures as untamed and beautiful as any exotic bird" 🐟 Read here: www.wildtrout.org/wttblog/line...
For the last five years, we've teamed up with the River Worth Friends and Aire Rivers Trust to survey fish species in the River Worth. Using electrofishing equipment, we briefly stun the fish so that they can be counted and measured. They are then safely returned to the river 🐟
January 5, 2026 at 10:38 AM
For the last five years, we've teamed up with the River Worth Friends and Aire Rivers Trust to survey fish species in the River Worth. Using electrofishing equipment, we briefly stun the fish so that they can be counted and measured. They are then safely returned to the river 🐟
This photo from the Upper Test shows how important marginal vegetation is for wild brown trout 🐟 Here, we can see that a female has made her nest or "redd" (the paler patch of gravel) next to some great complex habitat 🧵 1/4
January 1, 2026 at 8:01 PM
This photo from the Upper Test shows how important marginal vegetation is for wild brown trout 🐟 Here, we can see that a female has made her nest or "redd" (the paler patch of gravel) next to some great complex habitat 🧵 1/4
Happy New Year's Eve! 2025 has been a busy time - our highlights include:
📍 Providing guidance through 230 in-person visits.
💪 Training others through 100 skills workshops.
💧 Securing a £1.18m grant for the River Witham.
💚 Sharing knowledge with urban river groups.
🐟 Growing our wonderful team!
📍 Providing guidance through 230 in-person visits.
💪 Training others through 100 skills workshops.
💧 Securing a £1.18m grant for the River Witham.
💚 Sharing knowledge with urban river groups.
🐟 Growing our wonderful team!
December 31, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Happy New Year's Eve! 2025 has been a busy time - our highlights include:
📍 Providing guidance through 230 in-person visits.
💪 Training others through 100 skills workshops.
💧 Securing a £1.18m grant for the River Witham.
💚 Sharing knowledge with urban river groups.
🐟 Growing our wonderful team!
📍 Providing guidance through 230 in-person visits.
💪 Training others through 100 skills workshops.
💧 Securing a £1.18m grant for the River Witham.
💚 Sharing knowledge with urban river groups.
🐟 Growing our wonderful team!
Though both native to the UK, brown trout and grayling have a complex history 🐟 Today, we can give a helping hand to both fish, but what might that look like? In our latest blog, we reflect on the relationship between wild trout and the "Ladies of the Stream": www.wildtrout.org/wttblog/livi...
December 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Though both native to the UK, brown trout and grayling have a complex history 🐟 Today, we can give a helping hand to both fish, but what might that look like? In our latest blog, we reflect on the relationship between wild trout and the "Ladies of the Stream": www.wildtrout.org/wttblog/livi...
Hampshire's chalk streams are some of England's most biodiverse freshwater habitats. We support these rivers through several projects, including the 10-year FReSH Water Programme, which has just reached its halfway point. 🧵
December 19, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Hampshire's chalk streams are some of England's most biodiverse freshwater habitats. We support these rivers through several projects, including the 10-year FReSH Water Programme, which has just reached its halfway point. 🧵
We've been working with Oxygen Conservation to enhance Widdale Beck - a river that flows through their Swineley Farm site. Here, Jonny Grey explains how new woody material is boosting floodplain connectivity and creating complex habitat. Could your river be next? www.wildtrout.org/content/advi...
December 17, 2025 at 8:33 PM
We've been working with Oxygen Conservation to enhance Widdale Beck - a river that flows through their Swineley Farm site. Here, Jonny Grey explains how new woody material is boosting floodplain connectivity and creating complex habitat. Could your river be next? www.wildtrout.org/content/advi...
From the scatter spawning of the roach to the epic journey of the eel, fish reproduction is as varied as it is fascinating 🐟 We were recently treated to a talk on the topic by Professor Mark Everard - a celebrated author and researcher. Catch up with the recording here: youtu.be/U12zDMh8e3E
December 14, 2025 at 7:43 PM
From the scatter spawning of the roach to the epic journey of the eel, fish reproduction is as varied as it is fascinating 🐟 We were recently treated to a talk on the topic by Professor Mark Everard - a celebrated author and researcher. Catch up with the recording here: youtu.be/U12zDMh8e3E
Viewers of @itvnews.bsky.social Meridian might have spotted our David Oakley on their screens recently! David returned to The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where we've teamed up with the Officers to restore their local river, the Wish Stream 🐟
Catch up here: www.itv.com/watch/news/r...
Catch up here: www.itv.com/watch/news/r...
December 11, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Viewers of @itvnews.bsky.social Meridian might have spotted our David Oakley on their screens recently! David returned to The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where we've teamed up with the Officers to restore their local river, the Wish Stream 🐟
Catch up here: www.itv.com/watch/news/r...
Catch up here: www.itv.com/watch/news/r...
There is an amazing complexity to ancient woodlands 🌳 We recently visited Loch Wood, where we're helping the Clyde River Foundation and the Blackwood Estate Community Association to improve wildlife habitat in the Cander Water. Could we help your river too? www.wildtrout.org/content/advi...
December 9, 2025 at 8:28 PM
There is an amazing complexity to ancient woodlands 🌳 We recently visited Loch Wood, where we're helping the Clyde River Foundation and the Blackwood Estate Community Association to improve wildlife habitat in the Cander Water. Could we help your river too? www.wildtrout.org/content/advi...
We've raised 80% of our target - can you help us to reach it? 🎯 For two more days, your donation can be doubled through the @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge! This means that, with your support, we can make a big difference for wild trout and their rivers: donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
December 7, 2025 at 2:57 PM
We've raised 80% of our target - can you help us to reach it? 🎯 For two more days, your donation can be doubled through the @biggive.bsky.social #ChristmasChallenge! This means that, with your support, we can make a big difference for wild trout and their rivers: donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...
We took our members to visit the beautiful River Ash last week, where a new channel has been created by our friends @hertswildlifetrust.bsky.social. This project showcases conservation on a landscape scale, and used a whopping 300 tonnes of gravel! Join our next walk: wildtrout.org/content/member
December 4, 2025 at 9:27 PM
We took our members to visit the beautiful River Ash last week, where a new channel has been created by our friends @hertswildlifetrust.bsky.social. This project showcases conservation on a landscape scale, and used a whopping 300 tonnes of gravel! Join our next walk: wildtrout.org/content/member
In the winter, wild brown trout spawn in rivers across the country. The nests (or "redds") can sometimes be seen from the riverbank, but a great way to spot them is from above. In this video, we take a drone tour of an upper River Aire tributary - how many redds can you see? youtu.be/gyCl60tIVfY
Spotting Redds in a River Aire Tributary
YouTube video by Wild Trout Trust
youtu.be
December 4, 2025 at 1:39 PM
In the winter, wild brown trout spawn in rivers across the country. The nests (or "redds") can sometimes be seen from the riverbank, but a great way to spot them is from above. In this video, we take a drone tour of an upper River Aire tributary - how many redds can you see? youtu.be/gyCl60tIVfY
Plans for a new scrape are taking shape by the River Churnet in Staffordshire 💧 This shallow pond will better connect the river with its floodplain, and will offer important habitat for juvenile fish. We're pleased to be helping the landowner, Mark, with the latest of his river enhancement efforts!
November 28, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Plans for a new scrape are taking shape by the River Churnet in Staffordshire 💧 This shallow pond will better connect the river with its floodplain, and will offer important habitat for juvenile fish. We're pleased to be helping the landowner, Mark, with the latest of his river enhancement efforts!
When we enhance river habitat, we're always looking ahead to future conditions. Like many rivers, the upper tributaries of the Aire were noticeably low this year. But when autumn rain arrives, we can see the value of reconnecting the rivers to their floodplains - as demonstrated by our Jonny Grey 💧
November 26, 2025 at 6:41 PM
When we enhance river habitat, we're always looking ahead to future conditions. Like many rivers, the upper tributaries of the Aire were noticeably low this year. But when autumn rain arrives, we can see the value of reconnecting the rivers to their floodplains - as demonstrated by our Jonny Grey 💧
Our Director, Shaun Leonard, joined the hosts of the CountrySlide podcast for a natter about trout. Together, they explore the pressures on our rivers, the impact of community advocates, and the challenges of championing wildlife that is often hidden from view: www.wildtrout.org/news/wild-tr...
November 18, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Our Director, Shaun Leonard, joined the hosts of the CountrySlide podcast for a natter about trout. Together, they explore the pressures on our rivers, the impact of community advocates, and the challenges of championing wildlife that is often hidden from view: www.wildtrout.org/news/wild-tr...
We're excited to join @eastmerciart.bsky.social and @fishtwitcher.bsky.social for two free events:
📌21 Nov, Baumber: Talk on rivers from source to sea, with a focus on chalk streams.
📌28 Nov, Horncastle: Screening of 'Britain's Hidden Fishes' film.
Book here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/east-merci...
📌21 Nov, Baumber: Talk on rivers from source to sea, with a focus on chalk streams.
📌28 Nov, Horncastle: Screening of 'Britain's Hidden Fishes' film.
Book here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/east-merci...
November 17, 2025 at 5:23 PM
We're excited to join @eastmerciart.bsky.social and @fishtwitcher.bsky.social for two free events:
📌21 Nov, Baumber: Talk on rivers from source to sea, with a focus on chalk streams.
📌28 Nov, Horncastle: Screening of 'Britain's Hidden Fishes' film.
Book here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/east-merci...
📌21 Nov, Baumber: Talk on rivers from source to sea, with a focus on chalk streams.
📌28 Nov, Horncastle: Screening of 'Britain's Hidden Fishes' film.
Book here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/east-merci...
Atlantic salmon have spawned in the upper reaches of the River Ecclesbourne for the first time in over a century! 🐟 As a partner in an ambitious project led by @derbyswildlife.bsky.social, we helped to create 400m of re-meandered channel and reconnect 28km of river: www.wildtrout.org/news/atlanti...
November 13, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Atlantic salmon have spawned in the upper reaches of the River Ecclesbourne for the first time in over a century! 🐟 As a partner in an ambitious project led by @derbyswildlife.bsky.social, we helped to create 400m of re-meandered channel and reconnect 28km of river: www.wildtrout.org/news/atlanti...
Once common in our glacial lakes, the Arctic charr is now increasingly under pressure. We're supporting @freshwaterbio.bsky.social to improve this fish's spawning habitats, especially in the Lake District. Learn more about this special species with this brilliant new short film: youtu.be/tZW7IORRkcc
November 12, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Once common in our glacial lakes, the Arctic charr is now increasingly under pressure. We're supporting @freshwaterbio.bsky.social to improve this fish's spawning habitats, especially in the Lake District. Learn more about this special species with this brilliant new short film: youtu.be/tZW7IORRkcc
Our members basked in the autumn sunshine, as they joined us for a guided walk by the River Ecclesbourne in Derbyshire ☀️ They learned about the habitat, including our ambitious Snake Lane weir removal project. Enjoy events like these by becoming a member today: www.wildtrout.org/content/memb...
November 11, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Our members basked in the autumn sunshine, as they joined us for a guided walk by the River Ecclesbourne in Derbyshire ☀️ They learned about the habitat, including our ambitious Snake Lane weir removal project. Enjoy events like these by becoming a member today: www.wildtrout.org/content/memb...