Plans for a new scrape are taking shape by the River Churnet in Staffordshire 💧 This shallow pond will better connect the river with its floodplain, and will offer important habitat for juvenile fish. We're pleased to be helping the landowner, Mark, with the latest of his river enhancement efforts!

When we enhance river habitat, we're always looking ahead to future conditions. Like many rivers, the upper tributaries of the Aire were noticeably low this year. But when autumn rain arrives, we can see the value of reconnecting the rivers to their floodplains - as demonstrated by our Jonny Grey 💧

Our Director, Shaun Leonard, joined the hosts of the CountrySlide podcast for a natter about trout. Together, they explore the pressures on our rivers, the impact of community advocates, and the challenges of championing wildlife that is often hidden from view: www.wildtrout.org/news/wild-tr...

We're excited to join @eastmerciart.bsky.social and @fishtwitcher.bsky.social for two free events: 📌21 Nov, Baumber: Talk on rivers from source to sea, with a focus on chalk streams. 📌28 Nov, Horncastle: Screening of 'Britain's Hidden Fishes' film. Book here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/east-merci...

Atlantic salmon have spawned in the upper reaches of the River Ecclesbourne for the first time in over a century! 🐟 As a partner in an ambitious project led by @derbyswildlife.bsky.social, we helped to create 400m of re-meandered channel and reconnect 28km of river: www.wildtrout.org/news/atlanti...

Once common in our glacial lakes, the Arctic charr is now increasingly under pressure. We're supporting @freshwaterbio.bsky.social to improve this fish's spawning habitats, especially in the Lake District. Learn more about this special species with this brilliant new short film: youtu.be/tZW7IORRkcc

Our members basked in the autumn sunshine, as they joined us for a guided walk by the River Ecclesbourne in Derbyshire ☀️ They learned about the habitat, including our ambitious Snake Lane weir removal project. Enjoy events like these by becoming a member today: www.wildtrout.org/content/memb...

It was brilliant to speak at the River Arrow & Alne Revival launch event on Saturday! Around 90 community members gathered to celebrate these beautiful rivers. We look forward to supporting the group, as they put our habitat enhancement recommendations into practice 🐟💙

We had a spotty surprise on a recent visit to Wensleydale in North Yorkshire. While some of the local rivers have dry periods, we wouldn't usually expect to see one without water in the autumn time. Here, Jonny Grey encounters a very tenacious fish 🐟

This autumn, we teamed up with the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to restore 800m of the Wish Stream. Historic modifications had caused dwindling fish numbers, but through bypassing barriers and enhancing habitats, we've rejuvenated this much-loved river: www.wildtrout.org/wttblog/wish...

We set our sights on Warwickshire this month, with a trip to the River Arrow. Having been kindly invited by the River Arrow & Alne Revival conservation group, Ed Noyes identified opportunities for boosting the health of this important freshwater habitat 🐟

The latest report on Atlantic salmon in England and Wales has arrived, and it's a grim read for anyone who is concerned about the future of this fish. Our Director, Shaun Leonard, explores the implications of the 2024 data for both sea trout and salmon: www.wildtrout.org/wttblog/salm...

When riverbed gravels become compacted with silt, brown trout and other fish can struggle to build the nests (or "redds") needed for laying their eggs. For several years now, we've been tackling this problem on the River Itchen - a beautiful chalk stream in the heart of Hampshire 🧵 1/3

Look out for our Director, Shaun Leonard, at the ColneCAN Conference next week! He'll be giving a talk on beavers in river conservation, and how we're helping to develop methods for managing their impact on migratory fish 🐟 Join us in Rickmansworth on 21 October: www.colnecan.org.uk/index.php/al...

Our Chairman, Simon Francis, recently hopped on the Fly Culture Podcast for a good natter with the host (and friend of our charity) Pete Tyjas. Give it a listen, to learn about fishing in the East Lyn and Simon's vision for the future of the Wild Trout Trust 🐟 open.spotify.com/episode/7FUT...

Happy #DamRemovalDay! 🎉 This celebration of free-flowing rivers is a great reminder of the issues that dams, weirs, and sluices can cause for fish. Wild brown trout can be cut off from crucial spawning areas, and those trapped upstream are especially vulnerable to disease and pollution 🧵 1/4

We feel very lucky to meet truly exceptional people like Luke Hussey – a warm, lively, insightful young man who had a boundless love for the natural world. Thanks to the incredible kindness of Luke's loved ones, we're making a difference in his memory: www.wildtrout.org/wttblog/in-m...

The Hoffer Brook - a small chalk stream in rural Cambridgeshire - has been running worryingly low this summer. A year of unusually dry weather, plus water abstraction for local homes, has left wildlife in a perilous position. Read more in our latest blog: www.wildtrout.org/wttblog/drou...

In a new blog from @freshwaterbio.bsky.social, Simon Johnson (our charity's former Director) examines the declining health of Norfolk's River Wensum. With a precious ecosystem in serious peril, what will it take to save the river... before it's too late? Read more: www.fba.org.uk/fba-voice/th...

We had a great day out with some of our marvellous members this month 💙 This time, we visited Panshanger Park in Hertfordshire for a guided walk along the lovely River Mimram. If you're looking for a welcoming community of trout & river enthusiasts, why not join us? www.wildtrout.org/content/memb...

Did you know that the UK's pig and poultry industry produces around 10.4 million cubic metres of manure every year? 💩 In our latest blog, we explore what the findings of a new @the-wildlifetrusts.bsky.social report mean for brown trout and other river wildlife: www.wildtrout.org/wttblog/key-...

We’re proud to have signed a new declaration calling for urgent action on the UK's declining insect populations, including: 🌳 Widespread habitat restoration ❌ Stricter limits on pesticide use 🔎 Enhanced ecological monitoring ⚖️ Stronger legal protections Read more: www.wildtrout.org/news/wild-tr...

2024: Just one young brown trout in 30m of river 🐟 2025: Fifteen fantastic fish! 💙 We're delighted to see such progress in Snaizeholme Beck, after our work to improve the wildlife habitat. Learn more in this brilliant blog from @yorkshiredales.org.uk: www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/skilled-digg...

There were some big blue skies on our recent visit to Scotland's River Isla 💙 We've been advising on habitat enhancement opportunities in the upper reach, as part of #ProjectDeveron. This 10-year @ast-salmon.bsky.social project focuses on river restoration: atlanticsalmontrust.org/project-deve...

We've been back in lovely Cumbria for more habitat assessments this month 🐟 We're advising on the Penrith to Kendal Arc Landscape Recovery Project, this time on the River Sprint. This is a fantastic landscape with lots of potential! Could we help in your area too? www.wildtrout.org/content/advi...

A great recce yesterday on River Colne / GUC / wet woodland site at Troy Lake with Matthew Mountain @gwksouth.bsky.social and @wildtrouttrust.bsky.social scoping out bank stabilisation works... #WestHyde #Harefield @hertscc.bsky.social

Have you ever seen a bee drinking from a river? 🐝 Rob Mungovan from our team spotted these honey bees grabbing a cooling sip from a Hampshire chalk stream. While they get a lot of their water from nectar, honey bees will top up at rivers and other sources 🧵 1/3

Our Trustees gathered in Wiltshire this week, for some strategic planning and a guided walk along the River Nadder. They also took the chance to celebrate the many years that Dr Graham Coley, our outgoing Chair, kindly dedicated to the Trust. Our warmest thanks to Graham for all his guidance! 🐟

Thanks to the kind support of a donor, we were recently able to gift two days of fishing with expert guide and fly tyer Phillippa Hake. In a new guest blog, Phillippa recounts a wonderful time spent by the water with prize draw winners Amie and Noake. Read more: www.wildtrout.org/wttblog/noak...

Exciting news for Lincolnshire: we’re pleased to share that we've been awarded £1,185,957 from Defra’s Water Restoration Fund. This grant will enable us to deliver an ambitious restoration project on the upper reaches of the River Witham. Read more: www.wildtrout.org/news/wild-tr...

We’re delighted to share that Simon Francis is joining us as the new Chairman of our Board of Trustees. He brings incredible business acumen, longstanding support of freshwater conservation, and a passion for protecting rivers and wild trout. Read more here: www.wildtrout.org/news/wild-tr...

Jonathan Grey from our team has been busy surveying fish species in several Yorkshire rivers, teaching students about the value of long-term monitoring. By assessing fish populations before and after habitat enhancement works, we get a clearer picture of each project's impact 🐟

Our heartfelt thanks to the family of Reginald ​“Reg” Squires, who have donated £485 in his memory. Their gift will be invaluable for our river improvement work in Reg's home patch of Derbyshire. Learn more about Reg and his lifelong love of the outdoors: www.wildtrout.org/wttblog/in-m...

A great summer sighting: many little minnows! 🐟 Rob Mungovan from our team spotted these intrepid fish in the River Wensum at Bintry Mill Fishery, Norfolk. Rob has been advising on the fishery's fantastic habitat improvement project, which is adding 350 tonnes of stone and gravel to the riverbed.

The Independent Water Commission has now concluded its review of the UK water industry. Read our thoughts on its final recommendations, including: 📌 A new regulator 📌 A clearer legislative landscape 📌 Swifter and more frequent penalties Read our blog: www.wildtrout.org/wttblog/the-...

We had a terrific time at our recent Trout in the Town Conclave! This annual event brings together urban river advocates from across the country, to share knowledge and inspiration. Read our recap - recordings of the keynote presentations will be available soon: www.wildtrout.org/wttblog/trou...

Our Director, Shaun Leonard, was delighted to be the featured guest for the latest episode of the Fly Fishing Consultant Podcast 🐟 Have a listen to hear him talk about wild trout, invasive species, and the complexities of river restoration: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...

We recently attended a brilliant @ifmfish.bsky.social conference, which highlighted how fish are venerated in cultures from Canada to India to New Zealand. In the UK and Ireland, our own folklore reminds us that the world is enriched by the presence of these animals, and in more ways than one!

We were delighted to join Don Catchment Rivers Trust for some electrofishing on the River Doe Lea 🐟 This technique allows us to survey species, giving us a more accurate picture of the river's health. Paul Gaskell from our team helped to identify many fantastic fish, including perch and brown trout!

Flashback to 2015 when a community restored their local river with almost no budget. An Environment Agency and Wild Trout Trust partnership project @wildtrouttrust.bsky.social

When wild brown trout were lost from the upper part of the River Mel near Cambridge, a mill prevented the river from being repopulated. Now, our translocation project is returning this iconic fish to its native habitat. See the work in action, with our latest video: youtu.be/-qEuc5zFm_I

We're looking forward to the UK River Summit on 8th July 🐟 This fantastic event brings together conservationists, policymakers, artists, and community groups. Catch our Director Shaun Leonard on the "Power of Partnerships" panel, or drop by our stand for chat! More info: www.theriversummit.com

A fascination with fish clearly runs in the family! David Oakley, one of our Conservation Officers, treated his son's Forest School to some river dipping - they found minnows and bullheads, along with dragonfly nymphs, freshwater shrimp, and caddisfly larvae 🐛

Have you spotted a pollution problem in your local English river? The Environment Agency has a new 24/7 online reporting service. If you see something that you think could be water pollution, please try to let them know by calling 0800 80 70 60 or reporting online: www.gov.uk/report-water...

We always enjoy seeing our wonderful members, so we're excited for our annual gathering on 12th July. We'll be meeting in Hungerford to share project updates, explore the River Kennet, and learn about the world of wild brown trout 🐟 Why not join us? www.wildtrout.org/content/memb...

We’re delighted to be supporting Sportfish Rivers Month. This July, help our rivers by: ✅ Following the ​‘Check, Clean, Dry’ process for your clothing and equipment. 💧 Swapping your garden hose for a watering can, to leave more water in our rivers. Learn more: www.wildtrout.org/news/support...

Delighted to have been a part of this fantastic project 🐟💧

Before: an artificially straight, steep, redirected river that was prone to flooding and bank erosion 👎 After: a more natural channel that boosts biodiversity, stores stormwater, and captures carbon 🐟 Read how we're improving the health of the Otterburn Beck: www.wildtrout.org/wttblog/what...

It was great to visit the Royston Chalk Farm Cluster Group for a walk along the River Shep 🐟 This chalk stream is under pressure from farming, population growth, and recreational use, but we were delighted to see water crowfoot blooming, brown trout jumping for mayflies, and signs of water voles!

England's rivers are already in poor health, and reports suggest that environmental protections will be further reduced in this month's Spending Review. We've signed an open letter to the Government, urging it to invest in protecting these crucial habitats: www.wildtrout.org/news/wild-tr...