This week we discuss the effects of the introduction of sheep to the Helmsdale river catchment area. Love them or loathe, these wooly munching machines are sometimes fondly known as the UKs ultimate invasive species as their origins most definitely do not emanate from the highlands of Scotland, Mesopotamia infact. There were no sheep of any consequence in the Strath of Kildonan until 1811.

Let me say from the outset that I have nothing against sheep, they bring in a valuable income for local landowners and have gained considerable national acclaim through tireless and proficient nurturing by gifted local shepherds. Sheep and salmon can live in perfect harmony. A simple habitat management programme containing strategic fencing placement is the key to sustaining the environment and watercourse for both species.
Riparian habitat restoration is not rocket science, information on this subject is well researched and anyone worth his salt involved with salmon conservation and habitat restoration should be up to speed. We have had 200 years of bankside destruction in the Strath of Kildonan to deal with thanks to persistent overgrazing by unfenced sheep. It is time to redress the balance and give the salmon the absolute best chance to prosper again.

The information below will give you an idea of exactly what's going on along large areas of the river Helmsdale right now, the North bank in particular from Torrish estate to Kinbrace and beyond. 
But firstly let's look at some very interesting background evidence from archive data held in Sutherland estate papers courtesy of Dr Annie Tindley and Dr Heather Haynes. The historical information in these papers opens an amazing window into the past with the very thoughts documented of the estate factors and employees of the period.

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In recognition of the ongoing importance of sporting and fishing rights was the estates concern over the effects of rising sheep stock levels on salmon numbers. The following graph shows the data from a fishing study undertaken by Mr Calder, Sutherland estate employee at Helmsdale (1807-1817) along with sheep stock density from (1811-1820).

The astonishing facts show that the river Helmsdale catch totals for salmon more than halve those between 1807 and 1808 with persistent decline to minimum levels (60% lower) by 1812.
Research unequivocally found that when various land-use changes are considered, it is intensive pasture which impacts disproportionately and most adversely on salmon. They are highly susceptible to mortality by local changes directly attributed to increased fine sediment delivery into the channel. This causes siltation of the gravel river bed and reduces the supply of oxygen for successful incubation. This causal link to land use would reflect in particular the onset of land improvements when the greatest changes to catchment hydrology would have occurred and yielded increased sediment supply. Specific factors include the burning of heather to encourage nutritious young growth for grazing, which would leave bare soil susceptible to soil erosion, washoff and gullying; cutting of hill drains and field drains which would exacerbate sediment load and rate; enhanced bank erosion by increased livestock density on unfenced riparian (river bank) areas and vegetation degradation by over-grazing which would expose soils to erosion during runoff.

Given such significant demonstrated impact shown and lack of climactic evidence to show otherwise over the period this provides confidence in the conclusion presented, that land use-change triggered a notable collapse in salmon stocks. Fluctuations in catch records after 1809 do indicate lower productivity of catches in 1811, 1812 and 1814: the latter two years are explicitly noted in meteorological observations for the UK as exceptional years worthy of documentation. Whatever the explanation, the impact was noted with concern by Sutherland estate, as the wholesale conversion of the strath to sheep and the immediate decline in salmon numbers threatened to create a vulnerable mono-culture.

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More facts

Riparian vegetation has a major influence on channel shape, vegetation increases riverbank strength by binding the soil with roots and shields banks from erosion during high flows and flooding. The grazing of bankside and marginal vegetation reduces or completely takes away banks side cover for fish. Treading down of the banks promotes inflow into the river, silting gravels locally and downstream and reducing spawning and juvenile salmonid habitat and reducing ova survival rates when silt coverings reduce oxygen supplies.
A 'downward environmental spiral is caused' as reduced bankside growth reduces root growth and decreased resistance to erosion in spates further increasing erosion and effects of diffuse pollution.Bankside erosion means easier access of livestock into river margins and this further increases bank erosion resulting in river widening and shallowing. River shallowing reduces cover for adult and juvenile fish.
Continuous unmanaged grazing has many detrimental effects on riparian areas that include: soil compaction, increased runoff, soil and sediment erosion, excess nutrients and pathogens transported to streams, vegetation removal, decrease in vegetation species diversity, importation of noxious weeds, and loss of wildlife habitat.

Environmental benefits of encouraging a riparian zone to establish.

• Provides habitat for many species and increases biodiversity.

• Provides habitat corridor linking fragmented and isolated habitats through which species can move (essential to maintain and increase biodiversity).

• Provides habitat and food for aquatic species such as fish and invertebrates.

• Strengthens river banks and reduces the risk of bank erosion.

• Can reduce the impact of diffuse pollution on the water environment by providing a barrier to, and breaking down, pollutants before they reach the watercourse.

• Can reduce the risk of flooding by increasing the channel ‘roughness’, slowing flows and stopping flows increasing downstream.

Riparian buffer strips are considered the most time limiting fix.

‘Buffer strip’ is a term usually used to describe the vegetated area of land in the riparian zone between the watercourse and agricultural land or other land use. Buffer strips have the potential to conserve, enhance and protect the water environment. The use of natural buffer strips to protect freshwater from diffuse agricultural pollution has been carried out in Europe for a number of years. Buffer strips can also slow down flood flows as well as providing bank stabilisation and habitat. A buffer strip can consist of grassland, wetland, scrub or trees.
Fencing may be required to exclude sheep where they are causing excessive erosion of rivers banks or where they are preventing native riparian vegetation from establishing.Where fencing is required it should ideally be located as far back from the river as possible.
The erosion along the Helmsdale riverbank due to free roaming sheep is very significant. Examples can be seen all along the watercourse but in particular along the North banks of beat 4 & 5 below and on beats 2 & 3 above as the photographs show. 
The Riverbank damage incurred by constant sheep grazing causes 2 significant problems.
1. Silting up of the riverbed and tributaries reducing suitable spawning gravels.
2. Trampling of banks breaks down structure leading to substantial erosion during spates and the filling up of prime salmon pools. Just ask the ghillies! Pools are filling in and widening year after year due to the effects of constant riparian erosion.

Below we show a snippet of the damage done by sheep grazing to the Helmsdale river today along the length of the river. It is not for the faint hearted!

The first set of pictures below show typical bankside erosion caused by persistent sheep trampling and unrestricted riverside grazing.

 

Cronic trampling and waterside erosion waiting to fill in the river bed and spawning gravels on the next spate. This is from one of the most important spawning areas on the river, beat 3 above.

More typical trampled areas and riverbank erosion, these are numerous along unfenced areas of the river.

This is the reason ( below ) unfenced overgrazing of the riverbank.

Flocks of sheep on both sides of beat 3 above with open access to the river watercourse and main salmon spawning gravels.

Sheep access to the river both banks.

 

The Bridge to the dyke pool beat 6. To the left is open grazing and total destruction to the banks of a spawning tributary. No sheep have access to the right hand side.

Healthy bankside vegitation below the bridge

Above the bridge shows total bankside destruction and erosion due to unfenced sheep access.

Typical diffuse pollution with clear siltation of the watercourse due to open access to livestock. See more info on page 2 of the link here - http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Leisure/SE_Wales_Fisheries_Newsletter_March_2012_ENGLISH.pdf

More spawning burn erosion and open access to sheep grazing and trampling.

Another unfenced spawning burn with open access to livestock.

Below is a very healthy riverbank (riparian zone) fenced off with no sheep access.

Below is a perfect buffer strip protecting and regenerating the riverbank. There is no sheep access to the riverside on the right and you can see the huge difference in vegetation quality on both sides of the fence.

Another fence showing a huge contrast. The Right side shows grazed riverbank, the left side shows healthy fenced off bankside vegetation.

You can clearly see a solid buffer zone all along the left hand side of the Association water on the lower river where no sheep can graze and water flow rates are high. The riverbank is in a good state of repair.

Another good Association water buffer strip with healthy bankside vegetation and riverbank intact.

 

District Salmon Fishery Boards have a statutory responsibility to protect and improve Atlantic salmon and sea-trout fisheries. Funding is available for projects which reinstate riparian zones. It is hugely important that a river with the stature of the Helmsdale immediately adopts a visionary approach to essential habitat restoration. The Helmsdale River is a premium fishery commanding "top dollar" and clients deserve a river which takes salmonid protection very seriously. 
SEPA regulations broadly state that it is a statutory offence to pollute a watercourse. Various forms of diffuse pollution caused by livestock falls into this category.
The condition of all spawning gravels in the Helmsdale catchment must be maximised, currently this is not happening as there is no plan in place.
No river can rest on its laurels. Leaving things "as is" is not an option. The climate is getting more volatile, 4 of the wettest years in the UK since records began in 1910 have occurred since the year 2000. Decreasing salmon numbers and erratic flows dictate that riverbank protection is more important than ever for many reasons. The sea is an unproven source of mortality at the moment. We know what is entering it from our rivers is not returning as before. The population of grey seals is increasing by 7% per year according to figures released recently; there lies one massive problem for salmon stocks so it is not just all about climate change and a bale-out from distant unknowns. 

People get softened over the years, they get used to certain circumstances, expectations go with the flow and a slow burn decline in salmon stocks seems acceptable and inevitable, the term is "shifting baseline syndrome.” Shifting baselines affect the quality-of-life decisions you face daily. Shifting baselines are the chronic, slow, hard-to-notice changes in things from the disappearance of native animals to local birds and insects. If we know the baseline for a degraded ecosystem, we can work to restore it. But if the baseline shifted before we really had a chance to chart it, then we can end up accepting a degraded state as normal, or even as an improvement. The number of salmon in the Pacific Northwest's Columbia River today is twice what it was in the 1930s. That sounds great if the 1930s are your baseline. But salmon in the Columbia River in the 1930s were only 10% of what they were in the 1800s. The 1930s numbers reflect a baseline that had already shifted.

So, The question is, where is the Helmsdale river baseline? What are we comparing today’s salmon stocks to? The numbers stated in the Sutherland estates graph although very interesting do not matter in this study, it is the abrupt decline in salmon catches which we must compute.

The priceless window to the past offered by the Sutherland Estate papers shows that salmon stocks were basically hammered on the Helmsdale by the onset of the mass introduction of sheep to the Strath of Kildonan and due the rapid change in land use. The suggestion of a 60% decline in salmon catches over a period of just 5 years from 1807 – 1812 is truly shocking but encouraging when you think of the stock that was once held by the river and its tributaries pre 1807. Obviously parr/fry counts were much higher than today’s and these early 1800s “baseline” numbers were sustainable due to the pristine environment and riparian zone of the time. 

There are many challenges ahead for the salmon when you study the big picture but we must also all do our own individual utmost to optimise what we have on our doorstep. We each need to make a difference. Hatcheries are key and will always remain very important, in the early 1900s Helmsdale annually released 1 million fry into the headwaters from 2 hatcheries, this makes a viable difference and keeps the gene pool and population topped up. Where might stocks be in a few years time if sheep are fenced away entirely from the banks of the river and its tributaries? Nature will tell us if the correct decisions are made.

The River Board must address this matter with urgency. The Helmsdale River Board manager Sir Michael Wigan, has released his new book recently “The salmon” in which he very eloquently waxes lyrical regarding the iconic species. It is indeed a superb read thoroughly discussing the seemingly endless challenges for the salmon, and hope for the future. It is arguably the best book ever written on the subject as he has left no stone unturned in the life story. It is passionate, educational, political, amusing, evocative, every relative topic is covered and you will put the book down with an enlightened view of the legendary fish. Habitat restoration is championed and the Tweed highly acclaimed for it, see here - http://www.rivertweed.org.uk/news/?p=3849

We now require restoration on the Helmsdale. The river is crying out for it and the salmon absolutely deserves it. I am not going to sit back and watch destruction like this when it can be totally avoided. I am also willing to help fund an action plan.

Please comment on this subject in our Angling Forum.

This offer was closed midnight November 3rd  We have launched a "buy one get one free" on all flies for one week only right here - http://www.helmsdalecompany.com/index.php

Please write "BOGOF" in the comments section when you order, then we simply double up your whole order.

Classic flies and fly selections not included. This is a great chance to stock up on flies for next year so tell all your friends to order too.

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Enjoy your shopping!

We have just learned that the river opening in Jan 2014 will be open for a full week for the first time. The opening ceremony will take place on Saturday 11th at 9.30am and afterwards anglers will be able to fish (excluding Sunday) until the follolwing Saturday. This gives anglers greater flexibility to fit in a cast and should bring in lots of anglers who have never fished the river before. Everything will be weather dependent but lets hope it is kind and a few sparkling spring salmon enter the river.

The final week of the season did not produce great things as the water dropped away again. The season will be remembered for being the driest overall in Scotland for 30 years. A winter practically without any snow to cover the hills to feed the river and a summer without rain of any consequence provided challenging conditions for the angler to say the least. The luxury Badanloch compensation water kicked in early to aid migration but this alien water did not help catches, it raises the water temps and fish generally hate it, infact a retired water bailiff amusingly told me "Dam water is it the best salmon conservation tool that the Helmsdale can weild"! well at least many fish were saved and should spawn safely!

We still continue to offer free lines with the purchase of a salmon rod to our members only on here and we will have a massive pre season fly bogof so watch out for that one. The Club Helmsdale membership continues to grow weekly although I am puzzled as to why members are not using the new Forum to share some interesting Helmsdale river info or make points about the river, NOBODY is going to BITE!! we are all grown ups and want the best for the river.

Why don't members all introduce themselves and state their favourite fly for starters, we may find out that there are a few killers out there we need to have in our own flybox!

I will also open a section on other rivers where we can chat about experiences/catches on rivers other than the Helmsdale. Give it a go...you'll be surprised how easy it is.

Watch out in the next week or so as I will be uploading a very interesting report about the river where some historical findings provide incredible statistics!