 Floods hit Shrewsbury town as the Severn reached its highest levels since 2014, according to extra-busy Environment Agency staff. | The Angling Trust RiverFest Final has been postponed for the first time in the event's seven-year history, with the River Severn at Shrewsbury deemed unsafe due to sustained high water levels. |
Event creator Dave Harrell and Shrewsbury Town Fisheries co-ordinator Andy Jones took the decision to postpone the big money event, issuing the news via the Angling Trust's website on
Tuesday, October 29.
Refunds had already been issued for RiverFest 2019's last scheduled qualifying heat, also set to be fished at Shrewsbury, after a second cancellation due to high levels.
Dave Harrell's postponement statement, which was well received by the vast majority of online respondents, said: "At 9am today, the level of the river at the Welsh Bridge, Shrewsbury, was 3.37 m. Frankwell car park is still underwater, and there is no way that the river will be right for this weekend.
Tuesday, October 29.
Refunds had already been issued for RiverFest 2019's last scheduled qualifying heat, also set to be fished at Shrewsbury, after a second cancellation due to high levels.
Dave Harrell's postponement statement, which was well received by the vast majority of online respondents, said: "At 9am today, the level of the river at the Welsh Bridge, Shrewsbury, was 3.37 m. Frankwell car park is still underwater, and there is no way that the river will be right for this weekend.
"After lengthy discussions with Shrewsbury Town Fisheries co-ordinator Andy Jones, we have decided to postpone this weekend's Final now, to give finalists plenty of notice for cancelling hotels etc. "There is light rain forecast for later this week until next Tuesday and thereafter a dry spell is promised. We all live in hope! "Once the river drops, all the pegs will need to be looked at for safety reasons and also to ensure that they can be fished after such a high flood, which may have caused damage and created obstacles.
“Realistically, we need a river level of 1.2 m or less for a good Final. It is possible that it may be able to go ahead on Nov 9/10, but feel it will more likely be Nov 16/17 or 23/24.
“Realistically, we need a river level of 1.2 m or less for a good Final. It is possible that it may be able to go ahead on Nov 9/10, but feel it will more likely be Nov 16/17 or 23/24.
Source: Anglers Mail
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