The Escley is one of the five principal tributaries in the Monnow catchment. For much of its length it was a productive trout fishery in its own right. It has suffered from habitat degradation and, until recently, water quality issues due to Cypermethrin based sheep dips, which have recently been removed from sale. The Monnow Improvement Project recognised the high value of the stream for trout recruitment and it would have been subject to the Project’s prescription was it was not for the water quality issues which came to light early in the Project’s timetable. Consequently only a very short length of the upper river has been improved. There are abundant spawning areas and habitat for juvenile trout and salmon and access to the river and these areas is reasonably unfettered. The upper river and some side streams still have a population of white-clawed crayfish and the habitat improvement works will allow them to colonised the lower reaches from which they were eradicated by sheep dip pollution.

 

NBAP habitat and home to otters, white-clawed crayfish and probably water voles. Will support salmon when fish passes on Osbaston and Kentchurch weirs are completed in 2008.

 

A significant programme of works will improve the habitat for trout and salmon recruitment and allow the river to become more fishable and encourage farmers to let their fishing, as has happened elsewhere following the Monnow Improvement Project.

 

 

 

A survey in 2004 identified 4,631m of river length as a priority for habitat improvement with a further 3,596m of existing good habitat in need of protection.  

 

The Project was funded by National grid with £47,000 and the MFA contributed £23,000 and carried out the Landowner liaison and project management as well carrying out additional voluntary gravel jetting and coppicing to a side stream and works to make the river more accommodating for fish and the angler.