Teign me to the River!

Wednesday 21st May dawned like all good river walk days should - With long overdue rain and getting ready whilst listening to Al Greene (note the title and I implore you to listen as you read!).

With nine curious individuals, zero umbrellas, strong fashion choices and several canine companions who would prefer not to be numbered (though their attuned noses for funky odours were firmly in charge!). Members of TACA hosted what turned out to be a delightful deep dive into the River Teign’s winding wonders, stretching from Chagford Bridge to the iconic Fingle Bridge - And what a stretch it was!

Our merry band of walkers migrated downstream along the riverside like a shoal of well-behaved smolts, stopping often to ponder, peer and pontificate over the river’s secrets. This was no ordinary walk. This was a ‘see-the-River-Teign-through-our-eyes’ kind of experience, with insights from those who have spent years understanding, protecting, and learning from it. Perspectives were shared, habitats were hailed, and we all collectively fell a little more in love with the upper Teign’s wild, watery charms.

Trout about

We started strong, with pristine salmon spawning grounds that could’ve made even the most seasoned migratory fish blush. Think five-star accommodations for fish romance: enough to impress even the most particular of salmon. These rare, precious habitats speak to a river in good health. Clean gravels, flowing currents, and well-oxygenated water provide the conditions salmon need to return and renew the cycle of life. Seeing these places reminded us just how finely tuned the natural world must be to support something so remarkable - and ultimately how fragile it can be.

Pristine Gravels - Ideal salmon spawning territory

In fairness, wild brown trout got their due attention as well. Riffles, deep pools, glides, dapple shaded banks - all part of a mosaic of habitat that supports a thriving wild population. It’s easy to miss these details when moving quickly, but this walk invited us to slow down and to really understand how great fish habitat behaves and what we can collectively do to support it.

A small section of habitat heaven - Savoured, dissected and understood by all of us

The Weir(d) Stuff

No good walk is complete without a bit of existential pondering and discussion, of course, the River Teign did not disappoint. As we reached several existing weirs – those curious man-made disruptions in an otherwise idyllic system – we paused. Here was the perfect setting for a discussion about the difficult dichotomy of bygone water abstraction need vs. ecological preservation.

Drogo Weir

These structures, which during Devon’s industrial age, removed water for human gain, did so, and continue to do so at a cost. The river’s flow, temperature, sediment transport, and fish migration – all are affected. It's a bit like someone constantly pinching your garden hose and expecting the flowers to thrive! But don't worry, we didn't let it get too heavy. After all, you can only say ‘anthropogenic stressors’ so many times before someone starts thinking longingly of the pub!

The Dirty Truth

We also waded (again, metaphorically) into the murky subject of pollution on the river. Not only the headline-grabbing sewage spills, but the slower, insidious kind: nutrients, run-off, and agricultural stressors. The River Teign, while beautiful, isn't immune to the creeping challenges of modern life. It was a sobering reminder that clear flowing water doesn’t always mean a clean bill of health.

An example of run off flowing into the main river

Yet even in the midst of these discussions, there was hope. That’s what made this walk so powerful: every problem we uncovered was also an opportunity. An opportunity to learn, to educate and inspire others, and to protect and enhance what remains.

Pub & Circumstance

And as all good walks should, this one ended at a pub! Not just for the restorative powers of a pint (although, yes, please!), but to reflect. Our legs were tired, our minds were full, and our boots were considerably muddier than when we set off. But that was the point.

Everyone who joined us came away with something new: a fact, a perspective, maybe even a new favourite place to fly fish or an idyllic picture of pristine river habitat.

So here's to rivers walked, habitats admired, and questions asked. Here's to TACA’s wider mission to enthuse and educate – and to do it with good company and a drink at the end!

Until the next time – keep your boots muddy, your eyes on the water, and share what you have learnt. A massive thank you to everyone who joined us…