New Barbel For The Loddon & Blackwater Rivers
The EA have carried out a stocking of 1000 Barbel into the Rivers Blackwater near Yateley, and Loddon at Swallowfield, Arborfield and Sandford Lane near Hurst, along with some Crucians to Swallowfield ACs Decoy Pond.The eighteen month old barbel were sourced from the Environment Agency’s Calverton Fish Farm based near to Nottingham and were transported to the River Loddon in oxygenated tanks. Following a long day on the road the fish swam off strongly and sought the cover of marginal vegetation. The river was just fining down after heavy rainfall a couple of weeks ago providing us good conditions for stocking. This stocking has followed the recent capture of one of 20 Barbel that were introduced into the Loddon at Swallowfield in 2015. This fish has grown from roughly 10oz to just over 2lbs and was caught only yards from where it was stocked.
The LFCC can also report that they have been assisting the EA and Blackwater Valley Partnership in efforts to control Floating Pennywort at 4 locations around Yateley and stop it becoming established in the River Blackwater. Anglers familiar with the Thames around Sonning and the Foudry Brook in Reading should be well aware of the harm that this plant can cause. If you think that you have seen it please report it to the EA 0800 807060