Lower Bann Bridges The Cutts Fisheries Traditional Cache

Cache is a nano camo.

The cache is one of thirteen in this series. In each log or cache cover is a letter (A-M) with a corresponding number. Collect all numbers and the final cache will be revealed.

N. AB CD.EFG    W. H IJ.KLM

The Lower Bann River flows from Lough Neagh at Toome to the Atlantic Ocean at Portstewart. The river is 38 miles (51 km) long and is a canalised waterway with five navigational locks at Toome, Portna, Movanagher, Carnroe and Castleroe. It acts as most of the county border between Counties Antrim and Londonderry. This series has 13 caches at or nearby 13 bridges (used and disused) that span part or all of the river. Keep an eye on any geo kids, hounds and yourselves as there is water close by. This series can be completed by boat.

The 'Cutts' is where the Lower Bann River becomes a tidal river and the first of five navigational locks is siturated.

Situated close to Coleraine, the Cutts beat is located close to historic Mountsandel Fort, site of one of the very earliest human settlements in Ireland. It is thought that these early inhabitants lived mainly on fish, particularly salmon, caught in the river here - a sure indication of the quality of the fishing.

At the Cutts the Lower Bann tumbles into the brackish water of the estuary over a rock sill, on which are situated the famous Bann fish traps. Until 1995 these caught many thousands of fish annually, and it is reputed that, in 1635, 62 tons of salmon were caught in just one day!

However, since the closure of these traps salmon are now free to progress unhindered upstream to spawn unhindered.

The river here is tidal and, to date, has only been fished on an experimental basis.

However, the results of this have been most encouraging, with a number of salmon being caught.