BLACK Rock lave net fishery’s 2018 season ended on a high with an open day at their Portskewett base on Saturday.

Thanks to the fine weather, attendance was up, with visitors welcomed from far and wide.

The future of the historic Monmouthshire fishery - the last of its kind in Wales - was up in the air right up to the opening day of the season, as the fishermen waited anxiously to see if Natural Resources Wales (NRW) would recommend that their lease be renewed on the existing terms.

The lease limits the number of salmon caught to 15 per three-month season - with the group, of eight fishermen, restricted to catching five salmon per month.

At the eleventh hour, much to everyone’s relief, a new 10-year agreement was signed and fishing got underway.

The fishery this year has continued to raise its profile - exhibiting at the Royal Welsh spring fair and featuring on BBC’s ‘The River Wye with Will Millard’ and ‘Border Lives’.

Displays at the open day proved very popular, including stands devoted to coracle-making and to the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) - the independent, marine and land based, search and rescue organisation covering the Severn Estuary and upper reaches of the River Severn.

Children also revelled in the chance to learn the basics of working with lave nets.­­­

During the event Dorothy Brown presented Richard Morgan with the Doug Brown Shield for the biggest fish of the season, while Julie Leonard presented the Bob Leonard Cup for the first fish of the season to club secretary Martin Morgan. Wooden spoons were also presented to the non-catchers by Diane Williams.

The fishermen’s wives and partners along with friends of the fishery provided home-baking which was enjoyed by all.