Yesterday afternoon saw me back to the River Medlock in an effort to salvage something from the day after a poor morning on the Irwell. As if things could get any worse. Well they did, much worse. In fact they got as bad as things could get right now in my world of fishing. The river was blue from pollution. There was an oily deposit all round the banks right the way through Woodhouses, and a nasty foam below the weirs.
Even worse was to follow. As I hopelessly tried to still find signs of life in the river, fishing the swims that usually produce , it became apparent that not even the minnow were there as has been the case for a number of weeks now. I didn't see a single living fish all afternoon and I still stayed hoping beyond hope for three hours or so. I did not have a single nudge on the tip.
I don't know when the contamination occurred but it was sometime earlier in the week and after last Wednesday as it was in pristine condition when I fished it last week. All the golfers were talking about it. I only came across one dead fish but it was a large trout of between 2-3 lb. I am sure there will be more.
On the way home I noticed that the pond on Reggie's farm is no more, drained and filled in. I used to sneak on here in the middle of the night as a kid, trying to tempt the big perch. It has fallen prey to the commercial world, as has the Medlock it would seem. A sorry day all round.
The digger above is putting the finishing touches to Reggie's new look pond. I went to the pub in the evening to sink a couple of real ales and try to make sense of it all. For those of you who have a favourite venue that you fish, you will understand my feelings right now.
I can understand how you feel mate,what with the pollution and then seeing the heart ripped out of somewhere that was an old stomping ground for you,not good at all.
ReplyDeleteBy Jesus, do you know where the pollution came from? Its just criminal, I have been so wanting to try my luck in the Meddy, but still not got round to it, and for such a small river to see 2-3lb trout makes it a fantastic river. I have still not managed to get anything out of the Mersey this summer. (Northenden area) No signs of minows there either.
ReplyDeleteI don't know where the contamination origionated but had a look downstream today whilst working in the Beswick area and the water quality looke fine. The main problem is that the big fish are where the water quality seems to be at it's worst.
ReplyDeleteDisaster. Come the revolution...!
ReplyDeletegutted for you mate. its a 'kin scandal! someone needs stringing up.
ReplyDeletewas looking forward to a tickle on the meddy this summer.
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ReplyDeleteTerrible mate.
ReplyDeleteAre the e.a aware?
I reported the incident but I fear when I found it , the pollution was more than a few days old. I will have a go lower down the river soon, as I hope the pollution is localised.
ReplyDelete