Will salmon return to spawn?

“Salmon and brown trout are expected to spawn again on the Upper Frome,” says Rivers and Wetlands Conservation Officer of Dorset Wildlife Trust, Sarah Williams.  

Surveys had confirmed the fears of fishermen and conservationists that fish were no longer spawning on the one kilometre stretch of the River Frome between Nunnery Mead and Samways Bridge, near the Millennium Green at Frampton. 
 
The recent Upper From Enhancement Scheme has improved gravels on the river bed, which had become too compacted.  They now provide a suitable site for fish nests (‘redds’) and for aquatic invertebrates.   Current deflectors have also been placed in the river to improve water flow, reduce erosion of the banks and at the same time provide further invertebrate habitat in the woody debris used for the deflectors. Work will continue over the winter. 

Kingfishers will also benefit from new fishing posts and protection of a nesting bank from erosion. 

The Upper Frome Enhancement Scheme has been undertaken by Dorset Wildlife Trust, with the co-operation of all seven owners of land or fishing rights on this key part of the river, as well as the Frampton Millennium Green Trust.  The scheme has been funded by the Environment Agency, the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’s Sustainable Development Fund and the Wild Trout Trust.

Sarah Williams said: “This has been an excellent example of everybody working together to make the Frome better for wildlife.  The improvements to this small part of one of Dorset’s iconic chalk rivers will benefit the whole river and we hope to see the return of spawning salmon and brown trout this winter.”