The Guash is a small limestone stream running from Braunston-in-Rutland to its confluence with the Welland downstream of Stamford, Lincolnshire. Its meandering course winds gently through classic English farmland, passing through stone villages, going largely unnoticed by many. It is a stunning little stream, bursting with life and is, most notably, home to a wonderful population of brown trout.
For a large part of its course the river runs through the Burghley Estate and in 1921, the Marquess of Exeter and the then land agent to the estate, Major Bailey, formed a small fishing club to breathe life into and rejuvenate the river.
In its inaugural year, 56 members paid three guineas to join the Guash Fishing Club. A riverkeeper was employed and some stocking commenced, with a programme of bank and river improvement works scheduled across their waters.
Through the following decades, the club took on more waters and soon reached its current level of 16 miles of fishing across 13 beats. Through the 1930s and up to World War II, the fishing remained strong. Catch returns indicated rod averages of two to three brace an outing.
The bumper years continued after the disruption of war and, into the 1960s, fish of up to 5lb were caught.
Those good times were followed by a period of more troubled waters and the 1970s were a difficult time for the club and for the river. There were a number of man-made problems impacting heavily on fish stocks.
この記事は Shooting Times & Country の June 16, 2021 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Shooting Times & Country の June 16, 2021 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
United we stand
Following United Utilities' decision to end grouse shooting on its land, Lindsay Waddell asks what will happen if we ignore our vital moors
Serious matters
An old gamebook prompts a contemplation on punt-gunning
They're not always as easy as they seem
While coneys of the furry variety don't pose a problem for Blue Zulu, he's left frustrated once again by bolting bunnies of the clay sort
Debutant gundogs
There's lots to think about when it comes to making the decision about when to introduce your dog to shooting
When the going gets rough
Al Gabriel returns to the West London Shooting School to brush up on his rough shooting technique
The Field Guide To British Deer - BDS 60th Anniversary Edition
In this excerpt from the 60th anniversary edition of the BDS's Field Guide To British Deer, Charles Smith-Jones considers the noise they make
A step too far?
Simon Garnham wonders whether a new dog, a new gun and two different fields in need of protection might have been asking too much for one afternoon's work
Two bucks before breakfast
A journey from old South London to rural Hertfordshire to stalk muntjac suggests that the two aren't as far detached as they might seem
Stalking Diary
Stalkers can be a sentimental bunch, and they often carry a huge attachment to their hill
Gamekeeper
Alan Edwards believes unique, private experiences can help keepers become more competent and passionate custodians of the countryside