English Chalk Streams and Pennsylvania Limestone Spring Creeks
by
Eugene P. Macri Jr.
Aquatic and Environmental Scientist

English Videos

I found an interesting English fly fishing site that has some neat videos in flash format that will show you just how the English Chalk Streams look in their upper areas which are very similar to the Pennsylvania Limestone Spring Creeks.  Notice a number of things in these short videos:

• These streams are very similar to Pennsylvania Spring Creeks but also notice that these streams are maintained and mangaged by Riverkeepers.
• Notice the gravel beds and the macrophytes (bottom dwelling plants)
• Look carefully at the banks.  Notice the grasses...not trees which line most of these banks
• Realize that spring creeks whether they are English Chalk Streams or Pennsylvania Limestone Spring Creeks run on light and need light for their macrophyte and phytoplankton base.
• Notice that the so called "great amount of habitat" that the PFBC claims was lacking in Big Spring isn't in these streams either. Once again the PFBC lacks any serious understanding of spring creeks.  Much of the habitat is furnished by the macrophytes.  I'm sure the PFBC could screw these streams up too. 
• Notice that these streams have varying degrees of difficulty just like our spring creeks.  Some of the areas have complete wild trout while others have a combination of wild trout with selective stocking (which is also undergoing debate in Great Britian).

Here are the videos. I believe they are worth your time in reviewing them.  They are very well done even though they are promotional.

Here are some links to some interesting fishing video on the Test River:

http://www.fishingbreaks.co.uk/chalkstream/test.htm

http://www.fishingbreaks.co.uk/movies/wherwellpriory.htm

http://www.fishingbreaks.co.uk/movies/parsonage.htm

http://www.fishingbreaks.co.uk/movies/bullington.htm

http://www.fishingbreaks.co.uk/movies/whitchurchfullingmill.htm

http://www.fishingbreaks.co.uk/movies/mottisfont.htm

http://www.fishingbreaks.co.uk/movies/ninemilewater.htm

http://www.fishingbreaks.co.uk/movies/greyhound.htm

http://www.fishingbreaks.co.uk/movies/schoolfarm.htm

http://www.fishingbreaks.co.uk/movies/dunbridge.htm