Camel River - Poleys' Bridge to Dunmere

Close to where our River comes to life as a stream a great battle happened at a place called Slaughter Bridge. Legend has it that this is where King Arthur died. Our stream matures into a river and then eventually an estuary on its journey to the sea at Padstow. In its old age it ceases to exist at a place called the "Doom Bar", more tragedy historically there. Ignore history and enjoy all the beauty and opportunities which the Camel offers.

Rocky stretches, the bed stone bold and uncompromised, not ground down by the passage of time. A teenage river here, rough in places, boisterous and confused.

The Camel River in early adolescence. It was born before this on the moors close to Slaughter Bridge, was that where King Arthur was slain? Certainly there was a battle there.

Myth and literature combine - Jamaica Inn and Dozmary Pool (Excalibur thrown into the lake there?) are part of the background of birth for this young river which was a stream.

The salmon come to spawn in dark and secret pools in this section of the river. Mature salmon will return to embrace the young river where they came to life, here they will die as they give life to another generation.

A bridge below Blisland near where the salmon lurk in secret pools.

 

Some stretches of this adolescent flow of water are tranquil, others agitated.

The next generation will follow our young river downwards to the sea.

There will be turbulence for a while, then calm.

Just a break from the turmoil which is gradually building, shallow and tranquil, perhaps.

 

Gathering forces before Dunmere Weir.

At the weir young salmon will battle down through a brief challenge. Years later they must overcome this aggressive flow of water when they return in their mature years to the waters of their youth.

There is no sudden change in the Camel River as it matures, it gradually becomes more graceful below Dunmere. Older and more purposeful, tranquil.

This is Bodmin Angling water and the conservation work undertaken by the organisation is both extensive and award winning.

Users of the trail are asked to respect that this is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Look and enjoy as a family or individual. But please don't harm this area by reckless usage.

Westcountry Rivers Trust

These are Cornwall’s watery treasures and are largely a feature of the county's geology and mild wet climate. The wild Tor topped heights of Bodmin Moor, with its extensive areas of peat bog and clear feeder streams, is the source of many of the county’s principal rivers, the Fowey, Camel and De Lank, as well as the Ottery, Inny and Lynher which flow into the Tamar. The Camel & De Lank system is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC). 

The Rivers Camel and Allen have been consistently recorded as being amongst the most productive rivers for salmon and sea trout in the SW.  This is due to a combination of high water quality, suitable habitats and sufficient water flows. 

Conservation and river management - Environment Agency Tel: 0845 933 3111

Bodmin Anglers please contact - Tel: 01208 75513