Severn Piscator
@severnpiscator.bsky.social
Celebrating the heritage fisheries of the Severn Estuary. Pretty much obsessed with the wildlife, history and cultural heritage of the estuary.
Why do I go lave net fishing?? It’s certainly not just about the catching. Early doors in the estuary in June, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
December 1, 2024 at 11:31 AM
Why do I go lave net fishing?? It’s certainly not just about the catching. Early doors in the estuary in June, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
I was scanning a box of river pics this week and was delighted to find this one. Tom Wildin (centre) my great grandfather, on the Queenstown 1931. Colliery wagons in the background at the upper dock in Lydney.
November 30, 2024 at 5:37 PM
I was scanning a box of river pics this week and was delighted to find this one. Tom Wildin (centre) my great grandfather, on the Queenstown 1931. Colliery wagons in the background at the upper dock in Lydney.
Severn shrimp were once a prized food. At the close of the salmon fishing season a fine mesh would be hung on a lave net frame, the net would the be ‘driven’ through the shallows. Fussy to prepare but easily the best food to come out of the estuary. There are now only two Severn shrimpers.
November 27, 2024 at 9:47 PM
Severn shrimp were once a prized food. At the close of the salmon fishing season a fine mesh would be hung on a lave net frame, the net would the be ‘driven’ through the shallows. Fussy to prepare but easily the best food to come out of the estuary. There are now only two Severn shrimpers.
We need to find better solutions, until that happens assisted migration (capture on the river side/release on the stream side) is a must. Last year myself a friend and I were given permission for one stream, next year we want more. Eels deserve better. 4/4
November 18, 2024 at 6:05 PM
We need to find better solutions, until that happens assisted migration (capture on the river side/release on the stream side) is a must. Last year myself a friend and I were given permission for one stream, next year we want more. Eels deserve better. 4/4
Sadly, we have found a way to stop them and they can no longer become dispersed among many the streams, brooks and ditches on the river. Tidal flood (clapper) gates, sit on the entrances to almost all of the streams which meet the river, blocking their access to hundreds of miles of waterways. 3/4
November 18, 2024 at 6:05 PM
Sadly, we have found a way to stop them and they can no longer become dispersed among many the streams, brooks and ditches on the river. Tidal flood (clapper) gates, sit on the entrances to almost all of the streams which meet the river, blocking their access to hundreds of miles of waterways. 3/4
This description of the arrival of elvers into the river from The Journal of the Society of Arts 1879 is wonderful.
It ends, “nothing seems to stop them; they go onward and onward, over weirs, rocks, or any obstruction, until at last they become dispersed among the brooks and tributaries.”2/4
It ends, “nothing seems to stop them; they go onward and onward, over weirs, rocks, or any obstruction, until at last they become dispersed among the brooks and tributaries.”2/4
November 18, 2024 at 6:05 PM
This description of the arrival of elvers into the river from The Journal of the Society of Arts 1879 is wonderful.
It ends, “nothing seems to stop them; they go onward and onward, over weirs, rocks, or any obstruction, until at last they become dispersed among the brooks and tributaries.”2/4
It ends, “nothing seems to stop them; they go onward and onward, over weirs, rocks, or any obstruction, until at last they become dispersed among the brooks and tributaries.”2/4
In a few months time, millions of elvers will be nearing the end of their journey from the Sargasso Sea. Many will enter the Severn estuary, they can make for truly a special sight. Sadly we don’t welcome them with open arms.
(If you didn’t think elvers could get any cooler, look under UV.) 1/4
(If you didn’t think elvers could get any cooler, look under UV.) 1/4
November 18, 2024 at 6:05 PM
In a few months time, millions of elvers will be nearing the end of their journey from the Sargasso Sea. Many will enter the Severn estuary, they can make for truly a special sight. Sadly we don’t welcome them with open arms.
(If you didn’t think elvers could get any cooler, look under UV.) 1/4
(If you didn’t think elvers could get any cooler, look under UV.) 1/4
Notable salmon captured on the Severn in 1892. There’s a note stating that no very large fish were taken, 48lb being the heaviest!
My great-grandfather Walter Prosser was the bailiff at Lydney.
My great-grandfather Walter Prosser was the bailiff at Lydney.
November 17, 2024 at 4:44 PM
Notable salmon captured on the Severn in 1892. There’s a note stating that no very large fish were taken, 48lb being the heaviest!
My great-grandfather Walter Prosser was the bailiff at Lydney.
My great-grandfather Walter Prosser was the bailiff at Lydney.
It’s easily the greatest book written on the Severn! Brian Waters understands the people, the customs and the wonder of the river. His writing on the lave netting is magical.
November 15, 2024 at 9:26 PM
It’s easily the greatest book written on the Severn! Brian Waters understands the people, the customs and the wonder of the river. His writing on the lave netting is magical.
July 1961. Howard Harris and to my knowledge the last sturgeon caught with a lave net.
I was brought up with tales of sturgeon in the estuary and have hoped throughout my time in the river that I might see one.
I was brought up with tales of sturgeon in the estuary and have hoped throughout my time in the river that I might see one.
November 15, 2024 at 4:54 PM
July 1961. Howard Harris and to my knowledge the last sturgeon caught with a lave net.
I was brought up with tales of sturgeon in the estuary and have hoped throughout my time in the river that I might see one.
I was brought up with tales of sturgeon in the estuary and have hoped throughout my time in the river that I might see one.
What a fabulous picture! I was chatting with a Cardiff based coracle maker at the March for Clean Water, hopefully meeting up with him again sometime soon.
November 14, 2024 at 8:05 PM
What a fabulous picture! I was chatting with a Cardiff based coracle maker at the March for Clean Water, hopefully meeting up with him again sometime soon.
Outside of salmon fishing season shrimps are my main target (a forgotten local delicacy) but I’ll happily waffle on about anything that swims in, walks by, floats on or crosses over the gorgeous Severn estuary. I hope some of you find it interesting. 5/5
November 14, 2024 at 5:47 PM
Outside of salmon fishing season shrimps are my main target (a forgotten local delicacy) but I’ll happily waffle on about anything that swims in, walks by, floats on or crosses over the gorgeous Severn estuary. I hope some of you find it interesting. 5/5
Lave netting for salmon is simply the best form of fishing. It requires a intimate knowledge of the river, physical ability, skill and sometimes a degree of courage. Once hundreds of men fished this way, this year I know of only two. The lave net season runs June-31 Aug. 4/5
November 14, 2024 at 5:47 PM
Lave netting for salmon is simply the best form of fishing. It requires a intimate knowledge of the river, physical ability, skill and sometimes a degree of courage. Once hundreds of men fished this way, this year I know of only two. The lave net season runs June-31 Aug. 4/5
Draft netting was once practiced throughout the length of the river, I loved fishing this way. The nature of draft netting gives plenty of time for chatting and the telling of stories. I was very lucky to have fished this way with some old rivermen, who knew the river in better times. 3/5
November 14, 2024 at 5:47 PM
Draft netting was once practiced throughout the length of the river, I loved fishing this way. The nature of draft netting gives plenty of time for chatting and the telling of stories. I was very lucky to have fished this way with some old rivermen, who knew the river in better times. 3/5
The Severn fisheries fall into three main categories, fixed engines, draft nets and lave nets. A very brief look of each. Fixed engines, covers three forms of fishing: Pic.1 Putts (no longer fished), 2 Stopping Boats (no longer fished), 3 putchers (EA restricted). 2/5
November 14, 2024 at 5:47 PM
The Severn fisheries fall into three main categories, fixed engines, draft nets and lave nets. A very brief look of each. Fixed engines, covers three forms of fishing: Pic.1 Putts (no longer fished), 2 Stopping Boats (no longer fished), 3 putchers (EA restricted). 2/5
I’ve a recently moved over here from the other place, so a little bit more about this account.
I’m aiming to raise awareness of/celebrate the fisheries of the Severn estuary. They were once part of the fabric of riverside communities but are probably going to disappear completely 1/5
I’m aiming to raise awareness of/celebrate the fisheries of the Severn estuary. They were once part of the fabric of riverside communities but are probably going to disappear completely 1/5
November 14, 2024 at 5:47 PM
I’ve a recently moved over here from the other place, so a little bit more about this account.
I’m aiming to raise awareness of/celebrate the fisheries of the Severn estuary. They were once part of the fabric of riverside communities but are probably going to disappear completely 1/5
I’m aiming to raise awareness of/celebrate the fisheries of the Severn estuary. They were once part of the fabric of riverside communities but are probably going to disappear completely 1/5
Here’s my favourite explanation on what happens to conger eels on a cold night.
“You see, sir, the congers comes up to the top of a frosty night to look at the moon, gets nipped by the cold, and can't get down again.”
“You see, sir, the congers comes up to the top of a frosty night to look at the moon, gets nipped by the cold, and can't get down again.”
November 13, 2024 at 2:02 PM
Here’s my favourite explanation on what happens to conger eels on a cold night.
“You see, sir, the congers comes up to the top of a frosty night to look at the moon, gets nipped by the cold, and can't get down again.”
“You see, sir, the congers comes up to the top of a frosty night to look at the moon, gets nipped by the cold, and can't get down again.”
After a frost the sand can be littered with them. Inspired by the conversation and with a couple of hours free this morning, I headed to the river to enjoy the morning sunshine and to look for an eel or two. Certainly not the biggest but it would have fed the family. 2/2
November 13, 2024 at 12:47 PM
After a frost the sand can be littered with them. Inspired by the conversation and with a couple of hours free this morning, I headed to the river to enjoy the morning sunshine and to look for an eel or two. Certainly not the biggest but it would have fed the family. 2/2
I was chatting with a friend yesterday about an almost forgotten part of the Severnside calendar. In the autumn/winter conger eels would be gathered off the sand at low water, known to me as “picking up”. This was something that his Grandfather used to do. 1/2
November 13, 2024 at 12:47 PM
I was chatting with a friend yesterday about an almost forgotten part of the Severnside calendar. In the autumn/winter conger eels would be gathered off the sand at low water, known to me as “picking up”. This was something that his Grandfather used to do. 1/2
A few pics from my lave netting adventures this year. The Severn estuary is a stunning place to spend your free time.
November 11, 2024 at 8:11 PM
A few pics from my lave netting adventures this year. The Severn estuary is a stunning place to spend your free time.
Where to start on here? Let’s have a look at the lave net, the only heritage fishing method still practiced on the Severn.
A great clip of Colin Cooke demonstrating how to use a lave net, we do things exactly the same, except now we’re a 100% catch and release fishery.
A great clip of Colin Cooke demonstrating how to use a lave net, we do things exactly the same, except now we’re a 100% catch and release fishery.
November 11, 2024 at 8:11 PM
Where to start on here? Let’s have a look at the lave net, the only heritage fishing method still practiced on the Severn.
A great clip of Colin Cooke demonstrating how to use a lave net, we do things exactly the same, except now we’re a 100% catch and release fishery.
A great clip of Colin Cooke demonstrating how to use a lave net, we do things exactly the same, except now we’re a 100% catch and release fishery.
A new space to spread the love for the Severn estuary.
Hopefully making some new friends and finding some old ones by simply waffling on about the estuary’s heritage fisheries.
Hopefully making some new friends and finding some old ones by simply waffling on about the estuary’s heritage fisheries.
November 11, 2024 at 6:40 PM
A new space to spread the love for the Severn estuary.
Hopefully making some new friends and finding some old ones by simply waffling on about the estuary’s heritage fisheries.
Hopefully making some new friends and finding some old ones by simply waffling on about the estuary’s heritage fisheries.