@MattyH02

Tides and tight lines: Heritage fisherman on the River Severn

Joined August 2012
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A glorious few hours out in the Severn Estuary with @severnpiscator . The photograph says it all.
Severn Piscator@severnpiscatorSep 25
It’s been way too long since I pushed a lave net around the estuary. Certainly won’t be getting fat of today’s catch but an absolute joy to get muddy and wet. Photo of @MattyH02 doing his thing.
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A first for @severnpiscator and I at the @FramptonFair. A wonderful day chatting to so many people about what we get up to in the glorious Severn Estuary. A healthy reminder for me that so many people care. No time for a picture from the day, so I’ll leave you with this…
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As we approach the end of the lave net season for salmon on the River Severn (and the end of the school holidays)…the Hart Clan stole a couple of precious hours together out in the estuary…two pursuing shrimp, one pursuing salmon. Bragging rights went to Team Shrimp!
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The lave net season for salmon fishing on the Severn is ‘fenced’ aka shut from 12:00 on Saturday until 06:00 Monday. Hart junior and I went to the top of Garden Cliff to see what we could see. The main man is convinced he spotted at least one…and who am I to argue?
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Great end to a busy week…a couple of hours chasing dreams in the Severn Estuary. No fish to the net on this occasion but with views like this…who cares?!
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I was joined on my evening estuary wander by the youngest lave netter. He insisted on bringing his net to catch some shrimp. I’m delighted to report that he caught some…all shrimp returned!
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In pursuit of Severn silver. In the estuary before daylight. Conditions were perfect. No salmon to the net today, but optimism (as always!) is sky high for this set of tides..
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Caught in the act! On a recce to build a mental picture of where the sand is safe and where it isn’t for the half-light of the morning. Someone on a walk took these pictures and kindly shared. They were amazed when I explained what I was doing.”Salmon? In the Severn?”
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A middling tide on the Severn tonight, but this is the scene just after the bore. The tide will build momentum for the next hour until high water. Then, the river will be like a mill pond (briefly), before it races back out to sea for 11hrs 20 mins…then, it all happens again!
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Spot the fisherman. Not me this time, great to watch @MattyH02 on the hunt. Lave netting is is such a great escape.
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Well, it’s fair to say the 2026 lave net season on the River Severn has started with a bang. A Border Terrier and two immaculate Atlantic Salmon to the net. All returned (including Terrier Ted!) to continue their journey.
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🎵 🎶 When the weather is fine, you know it’s a sign, for messing about on the river… 🎵 🎶 Glorious hour this evening…messing about on the River Severn in Glorious Gloucestershire.
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So good to share a positive river story! I spent last night on the bank with @MattyH02, helping a few thousand elvers past one of the tidal flood gates in the upper Severn Estuary. 1/3
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And we’re away! Let’s hope the bore roars and the eels swim.
Severn Piscator@severnpiscatorMar 19
Our first elver safari! Wish us luck! @MattyH02 and I will be working with the EA on some assisted migration, moving fish past these barriers (see 🧵below) but we also want to highlight the clapper gate issue to a wider audience and share our love for the wonderful eel. 1/2
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Our first eel-fare talk and elver safari was a resounding success. One of the greatest wildlife migrations slips by most Severnsiders invisibly, last night we opened the lid and let a few more people have a peak. There’s a bit more love for the eel out there today 💪.
Severn Piscator@severnpiscatorMar 19
Our first elver safari! Wish us luck! @MattyH02 and I will be working with the EA on some assisted migration, moving fish past these barriers (see 🧵below) but we also want to highlight the clapper gate issue to a wider audience and share our love for the wonderful eel. 1/2
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Our first elver safari! Wish us luck! @MattyH02 and I will be working with the EA on some assisted migration, moving fish past these barriers (see 🧵below) but we also want to highlight the clapper gate issue to a wider audience and share our love for the wonderful eel. 1/2
Severn Piscator@severnpiscator28 Apr 2024
This week saw me witness a magical wildlife spectacle which left me feeling depressed. If you didn’t know, elvers glow green in UV light. That night the water under my UV torch was a dazzling display of thousands of glowing elvers. Simply breathtaking. The problem - a 🧵1/
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Suffice to say… not a bad start to the day on the banks of the #riversevern
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After a long day in the day job, I’m back in my happy place on the banks of the #riversevern. Tide pumping in, glass eels dotting the surface in the moonlight. Bliss. Tried to capture, but my phone camera failed the assignment…so you’ll have to make do with this..
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Stunning tide yesterday morning here on the River Severn. Not large enough to attract the crowds, but a cracking small #severnbore
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Glorious start to the day here on the banks of the River Severn. Feeling slightly bad for disturbing the mallard from their slumber! Fresh is dropping out after recent rain…hopefully getting out in the estuary next week to catch a few Severn shrimp. It’s a bit of down ‘ere.
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