Yesterday the report covered the Braids – continuing the anglers access images down river to check on the “after flood” conditions and any changes.

Beyond the popular Braids car-park – see image on right – the main damage appears to be on the access tracks.

There are several wash-outs but the track is still “walkable”, or for more foolish anglers, even possibly bikeable?.

Unless you are familiar with the Braids and lower river, these pool access descriptions in “anglers jargon” may appear quite confusing – so you are warned.

The side access to Duffs Pool is much the same although the steps down to the side stream which were carefully dug out by TRM last season are now more of a gentle slide.  Follow this stream leads to a large expanse of water historically known as Duffs Pool.  The tail has “shallowed-out” considerably.  The jury is still out on how this will affect the fishing but it does not look as good as previously – this pool became very popular during 2017 winter runs.

The Log Pool beach – below Duffs Pool, is now more difficult to access as the crossing below Bain Pool now looks too deep.

This is the washed out anglers access track where it emerges onto the beach at Reeds Pool.

As mentioned in the Braids report yesterday, a lot more water now appears to be flowing down this northern arm (to the left in the image) at the expense of the council canal on the southern arm (to the right).  This is most obvious at the confluence of the main river and canal at the head of Reeds Pool.  Wet lining paradise…

Above image is looking back up river towards Log Pool.  Previously we have heard of some anglers wading across here but in the 33 cumec flow above it would be very foolish.

The view looking down the beach at Reeds Pool and beyond appears to be much the same but beware – there are a few more snags hiding in there waiting for wet lines.  These snags traditionally feed on woolly buggers.

Another marker of the recent high tide is indicated in Chris Brown’s vineyard – which anglers walk past on the anglers access track leading down from the Braids car-park off Grace Road, heading to Reeds Pool and beyond.

The different colour in the leaves indicates the height of where the flood peaked – over half way up the vines.

But this boutique vineyard has had to become quite used to such climatic events and continues to produce some of the best Pinot you will ever enjoy – if you can find a bottle…collectors items – so they tell me.

Compare the image on left which was taken after a previous flood in January 2011 with Chris indicating an even higher level of the flood back then.