Scores of dead fish were discovered in a seven-mile stretch of water in North Yorkshire last week after a suspected toxic spill.
The incident affected Skeeby Beck and its tributaries, Gilling Beck and Holme Beck.
The water was described as running "black for hours on end" by Olly Shepherd, a local angler who runs Fly Fishing Yorkshire, and whose business has been decimated by the spill.
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The Environment Agency is now investigating the ecological impact of the mystery incident.
Marina Gibson, founder of The Northern Fishing School, has since launched a fundraiser to support Olly Shepherd's business, which has already raised over £4,000.
Gibson said that the affected stretch of water was one that had been "nurtured over the years with absolute dedication and love."
She continued: "It fell victim to a pollution incident that is being investigated, but who knows how long it will take to find out what happened."
Shepherd has spent hours clearing the area of dead fish, but the impact of the environmental catastrophe goes beyond what can be seen on the surface.
"It’s the entire ecosystem beyond the naked eye that has been affected by this incident and who knows how long it will take to rejuvenate," Gibson said.
She hopes to raise funds to help Shepherd implement a stocking programme and habitat improvement plan to revive the impacted area.
"The river is dead, and we need to help Olly get it back," she said.
There is concern from local community and environmental groups that the spill could have far reaching ramifications for the local area.
Polluted waterways can have serious consequences for the ecosystem, including the destruction of habitats for wildlife and the loss of biodiversity.
In addition, the pollution can have negative effects on human health.
The Environment Agency has urged people to report any environmental incidents they witness, such as pollution or waste dumping, to the agency's 24-hour hotline.
The agency is tasked with investigating such events to prevent damage to the environment and hold polluters accountable.
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