“None of this was inevitable: it is a result of spectacular regulatory failure..The horses have bolted with their dividends”

How the UK’s “light touch” regulatory system allowed unsustainable debt levels & dividend payouts to wreck our water industry ⬇️

on.ft.com/3r8vb2q

✍️ 'Now the river water has really hit the fan'

My latest cartoon for tomorrow's The Telegraph

Buy a print of my cartoons at telegraph.co.uk/mattprints

Original artwork from chrisbeetles.com

So not only have WCs managed to shutdown a number of schools due to water shortages over the last few weeks but when our children finally do make it into school day trips are cancelled due to sewage dumping. 😡

The River Kennett is a chalk stream.

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englan…

And here's what the national picture looks like this morning.

That is what 30 years worth of corporate greed, profiteering and regulatory failure looks like.

This is what 30 years of corporate greed, profiteering and regulatory incompetence looks like.

'South East Water: Dozens of homes in East Sussex still without water.'

theargus.co.uk/news/23596853.…

“[it’s like] watching an old friend die in front of your eyes' @savethewye

The Wye is being choked to death by the runoff from intensive agricultural practices - including the 24 MILLION🐔being farmed along the banks to fill Tesco's toxic supply chain👉 bbc.in/448lBei

Last winter, I had the privilege of embarking on my first redfish fishing trip with the YETI team.

• Regulations on Redfish have not been changed in 34 years.

Pls read & sign the petition: tdy.lol/CTRoK

Thank you 🙏🏼

#redfish #redfish onfly

La Dolce Vita 😚 #fishon
Trout & Salmon Campigliodolomiti
#dolomites #italy

One of the great wonders of nature is the adaptability of our common brown trout. Thanks to fly anglers, these fish have conquered many remote areas of this planet, developing mesmerising phenotypes... like this immaculate northern Spanish wildie.

📷: adh-fishing

#browntrout

A mere £500k fine for poisoning 45km of river with noxious chemicals and wiping out over 135,000 fish 🤦🏼⁉️

No wonder our rivers are in such dire ecological condition if the penalties for committing such blatant ecocide are so pathetic.
gov.uk/government/new…

My question to panel at #ChalkStreams Restoration Strategy launch:

Will you ask Govt to refund the Environment Agency so it can regulate sewage & agriculture polluters?

defra Minister answer: we have already

Environment Agency Chair reply: we need more

No kidding! #FreshwaterEmergency now‼️

Wearing my new The Mayfly Project UK cap on the Test last week.

If you haven’t come across the Mayfly Project, it is a non-profit organisation that teaches foster children to fly fish.

To read more about it visit: themayflyproject.com/london-united-…

#mayflyproject uk #mayflyproject

If you happen to stumble across the latest issue of Trout & Salmon @TroutSalmonMag my story about our adventure to the Dolomites last summer is in there. I hope you’ll be captivated by the beauty & excitement that I experienced during the trip!

In association w Campigliodolomiti 🇮🇹

This fish certainly kept me on my toes, last morning, last pool, last chance. 🙏🏼

Read the full article -> adh-fishing.com/adh-world/expe…

#flyfishing #adhworld #fishing #euronymphing #learntoflyfish #northernfishingschool

Lou’s #donkeytrout !!

#rivertest #firsteverfish #thisgirlcan #troutfishing #adhworld #flyfishing #fishing #patagoniaflyfish

I just signed RiverActionUK's petition calling on political leaders to rescue our rivers and freshwaters to health for nature and people by 2030. Will you join me and add your name? #RescueBritainsRivers you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/rest… via 38 Degrees

Spain's trout waters are a fly fisher's paradise and I was lucky enough to be able to take a week off before the busiest time of the year at my fly fishing school: Mayfly Madness on my rivers in England.

Read the full article -> adh-fishing.com/adh-world/expe… 🌎

A moment of pure triumph and joy!

So happy to witness Lou's first fish and her beaming smile of accomplishment.

#fishon #rivertest #broadlands #flyfishing #troutbum #troutfishing #adhfishing #yeti #builtforthewild #flyfishing nation

📢Our rivers are in CRISIS. EVERY SINGLE river in England is polluted beyond legal limits. Will you give rivers your voice and help us to #RescueBritainsRivers ?

Sign our new petition calling on all politicians to restore our rivers to health by 2030 🌊

👉you.38degrees.org.uk/p/rescueourriv…

Dani was filming the whole thing until he slipped my phone into his “wader pocket” but actually the water! Before we knew it the weed on the line had caused it to break. Dani screaming “noo your phone!”, & me “noo my fish!!!” 🤣

Would you rather lose your phone or a huge trout?!