Gwent Wildlife Trust is
determined to do even more for wildlife and people in Gwent over the next 50 years. And that is why this year is so important. A new website has been
launched -
www.gwentwildlife. org - and is packed with information. During 2013 there will be
some one-off events such as three ‘Living Landscape’ walks, encompassing many of the nature reserves. The first one is due to take
take place on Saturday April 20. It will be a six mile walk incorporating three reserves, several wildlife sites and stunning views across the Wye Valley. There will also be a Race
for Wildlife, in association with Chepstow Harriers, on Sunday
May 12. This will comprise a 10k road race following the existing Magor Marsh 10k route, together with a 1K Fun Run at Undy Athletic Football Club. The Trust is asking as many
people as possible to join in and help them raise £50,000 in this anniversary year.
If you would like to organise a
fundraising event, get sponsored to do an activity or for more information regarding the 2013 events and how you could get involved, please contact Liesel Townley, fundraising officer on 01600 740600 or email
ltownley@gwentwildlife.org or you can download a fundraising pack from
www.gwentwildlife. org.
Reel tales
with Christan Johnson, of Magor Angling
It has been a hard winter for most, with some lakes being frozen, the rivers flooded and the annual cod run in the Severn being very patchy for sea anglers, even though a promising start was made with plenty of fish between 4lb and 15lb making an appearance between Magor and Beachley cod marks. For the carp anglers brave
enough to face the elements the fishing on most lakes has been sporadic, with only a few days producing plenty of winter fish. Match and pleasure anglers have reported bags of 130lb-150lb of carp to maggot or corn at Mathern Mill fishery near Chepstow. Many of these waters are yet to come into their own, with Redhill and similar waters all beginning to fish well into the spring. The Birtch Syndicate reports
that the carp fishing has been on top form this winter with plenty of fish coming out to boilies, pellet and maggot. The pike fishing this year seems to have started well with plenty of big doubles up to 38 lb reported from our lakes, ponds and rivers. We have seen many anglers
calling into the shop over the previous weeks stocking up on flies, lines and leaders ready to make good their first (for most) trout/ salmon session of the year with damsels, short shank nymphs, cats whiskers and various lures proving the most popular for the small waters Raven’s Nest and Big Well. I am excited to hear how the
guys fare on March 20 when the Wentwood Reservoir season starts. Our mighty Llandegfedd opens on March 1 – unfortunately due to new buildings near the pontoons there will only be bank fishing available for the first part of the season. Bob Mayers of the Llandegfedd Fly Fishing Association recommends
using a floating line with a tin head on the point or a sinking line and a four foot leader with the faithful booby fly to attract attention from fish that may still be low in the water.
I know that myself and fellow
anglers are looking forward to (or at least hoping for) a spring run of codling along our coastline for the end of February... followed by the (sometimes underestimated) spring- summer beach fishing season – big thornback rays, bass, congers and various flat fish including sole and flounder are taken regularly along the Magor, Redwick and Goldcliffe Sea Wall areas as many of you are aware.
Many anglers who have fished
these areas for decades (including myself) are up in arms about the additional locked gates being added to the Sea Wall recently. Anglers who have been fishing this area since childhood are now heavily restricted. While the course anglers will
be on the rivers making the most of the time left before the end of season, the trout and salmon anglers will be out this month – and after reports of salmon numbers increasing last year due to all the hard work put into the catch regulations and habitat on several rivers, I am sure another good season is well deserved. If the temperature rises with the incoming spring now may be the time to have one last go at the barbel and chub that the rivers of Monmouthshire have become famous for! If you have any catch reports
or have any information on any local fisheries please email:
magorangling@gmail.com or find us on Facebook: Magor Angling Tight lines and good luck out
there! Christian
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