Rea Brook.

[Catfish.017]

I may have several hours available to fish at Shrewsbury next Wednesday. At the moment the Severn is running at two metres at Welsh Bridge and there is rain in the forecast for most of the intervening days. I'm wondering if the level remains high would the brook be fish able? I don't know the area at all so I'm wondering if anyone has some local knowledge to impart? Paul.

[Shropshire Lad]

The brook water levels tend to drop off before the Severn and quite quickly, there are no barbel in the Rea brook, it is mostly chub, grayling and a few browns. Years ago back in the 70s and 80s it used to hold some very big dace and gudgeon but there was a slurry spill from a farm back in 84 or 85 and the river was never the same, the chub returned over time, grayling and brown trout were stocked but the biodiversity was never as good the dace and gudgeon have never returned in the past i have also had eels, roach and pike never perch though. You could try ledgering for chub with meat worms or cheesepaste but i have never done much good for them in dirty water.

[Catfish.017]

The brook water levels tend to drop off before the Severn and quite quickly, there are no barbel in the Rea brook, it is mostly chub, grayling and a few browns. Years ago back in the 70s and 80s it used to hold some very big dace and gudgeon but there was a slurry spill from a farm back in 84 or 85 and the river was never the same, the chub returned over time, grayling and brown trout were stocked but the biodiversity was never as good the dace and gudgeon have never returned in the past i have also had eels, roach and pike never perch though. You could try ledgering for chub with meat worms or cheesepaste but i have never done much good for them in dirty water.

Many thanks for that S L . I'm not sure if the trip is on now? But if so that's very helpful.