The weather here has transformed over the past few days from the persistent wet and stormy conditions of December to clear and frosty and we have the first sight of the sun since at least early December.  The river is still moderately high, but falling quickly and conditions should be perfect for an invert check early this week.

last Saturday I put in the Section 30 application for this season's restocking of the Tarn.  Turn round usually takes six weeks as the presence of native crayfish means that our application is subject to reference to Natural England.  I was stunned when I turned the computer on on Monday to find that the S30 had been consented.  I all the ten years that I have been keeper here I have never had a consent back that quickly.  So, all is set now for the first restocking on 5 March.

Last week I was given a copy of an article written by Bill Mitchell who has chronicled the history of the Dales over a lifetime spent as a journalist and writer.  This article describes the salmon hatchery that was set up at Langcliffe by the Lancashire River Authority some years ago.  I had no idea just how extensive this operation was.  At its height they were taking eggs from over 150 salmon each year and producing eight thousand swim up fry per hatchery tank.  From the photo accompanying the article there seem to be at least 20 tanks in the hatching house.  Twenty thousand fry were taken each year to the Lune and the rest put into the Ribble from Selside downstream.  That really is industrial strength restocking!

Here's hoping that this settled weather lasts a bit.

Ian

For the first time in many days we awake to no rain and no wind.  It's still grey and gloomy and one of those miserable January mornings that seem to sap the enthusiasm for anything.  But not to have a storm raging is very pleasant.

I was up at the Tarn early to check for damage after the recent gales.  All was well and the resident waterfowl seemed in lighter spirits than last week.  The three swans are still present.  The cygnet is now whiter that before Christmas and it won't be long before it get encouragement from the cob to go off and make its own way in the world.

I spent some time down at the duck wall watching for any sign of brownies spawning, but saw nothing.  There are one or two patches of disturbed substrate although the bed here is very bouldery with very little gravel suitable for redd forming.

It might be worth putting a ton or two of gravel on the Tarn side of the wall later in the year to provide suitable breeding habitat, but I would like more evidence that some spawning activity is occurring before trying to interfere.

All the stock fish for the Tarn have now been ordered and the S30 application sent to the EA.  We will put the first batch in on 5 March so that they can settle well before the start of the season.  This early stocking will comprise both rainbow and brown trout and be followed by successive stockings in May, July and August.  The latter will also include a number of brown trout which we hope will over winter and grow on.

Ian

A happy New Year to you all and here's hoping for a better fishing year than 2011.  The past week has been a total washout with rain falling every day since the middle of December.  The river has been just off spate for days on end now and it will be interesting to see later this season what impact all this water has had on our resident brownies.

I have mentioned frequently the plans that RCCT have for placing large woody debris in the river above the confluence of Gayle and Cam becks.  The river seems to be doing its own LWD placement at present as a visit to the Settle weir webcam will show.  There is a fairly hefty tree wedged on the weir boards that the floods have brought down from somewhere.  It just goes to prove that anything we place in the river has a propensity to make its way to Lytham.  I put a fly board into the feeder beck at Turn Dub a few years ago.  Despite being anchored to a steel post with high tensile wire this vanished during a flood and was found 12 months later in a garden at Helwith Bridge.

When I was recovering from a broken leg back in 2007 I was lent a delightful little book entitled "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" by Paul Torday.  I see that this has been made into a film starring Ewan McGregor and is scheduled for release this year.  If it follows the story in the book it should be worth a watch.

Ian

An email landed in my inbox a couple of days ago from the company that hosts this blog.  It would seem that changes are on the way and changes no less that will enable me to be a bit more creative with the content and the way in which  that content is displayed.  From next March the current Blogware software that sits behind the words that you see will be replaced with Wordpress which allows more flexibility with content and the way in which that content is managed.  It will be fun experimenting with the new system when it's up and running and I should be able to include a lot more graphics in the posts than has been possible in the past.

The one thing that you can say about an Ecologists job is that no day is ever the same.  My colleagues at PBA having spent yesterday rescuing native crayfish at Sheffield got down and dirty around Malham Tarn today collecting otter spraints.  As I have mentioned before an MSc student from UCL is working here next summer on a project to identify the diet of our dales otters and it seemed a good idea to begin collecting during winter to establish if diet is seasonally influenced.  The spraints are to be stored in the freezer at the office so if you happen to drop in and get offered some fishy smelling canapes just be a little suspicious.

The river has been very quiet over the past few days with a moderate flow - just right for an invert sample or two so if it's not bucketing it down tomorrow morning early light will see me stomping about in the river at New Inn looking for wee beasties.

Seasons greetings to you all.

Ian

I'm a bit late again this week due to extreme Christmas shopping and another Parish Council meeting mind you, the weather has been pretty atrocious here just lately preventing much outdoor activity.

We had the first severe flood of the winter last Tuesday and those of you who keep an eye on the Settle weir webcam will have seen a monster stopper wave rising above the weir.  All the pastures and meadows around Studfold were flooded and the river overtopped at the foot of Newhouses lane.  Water levels have remained high all week and rose significantly again last night as we caught another winter monsoon.

There was an interesting segment on Countryfile on Sunday about the breeding of Arctic char in Wales.  Population numbers are falling in many Welsh upland lakes and the EA are conducting an experiment to see whether captive breeding will help to supplement surviving stocks.  Each population is genetically different because of the length of time that each water body has been isolated following the retreat of the glaciers at the end of the last ice period in the current ice age.  It was also thought that char were originally a marine species that has adapted to fresh water conditions.  This is interesting as it suggests that my own hypothesis that brown trout did the same is not far off the mark.

I will try later to get the Tarn webcam back up and running its been stuck for a good few days now, but the weather here has not been conducive to technical work.

Ian

Another quiet week, but with pretty good water levels in the river the salmon continue to make their way up in reasonable numbers.  It will be interesting to see what the redd count reveals when this is done in a few weeks time.  The suspicion is that migratory fish numbers are down this year, but we may yet be surprised as the run has persisted over what seems to be a longer period than last year.  The risk though is that salmon will still be spawning when our trout arrive on the gravels and early trout redds will suffer from disturbance.

My shoulder problem that put paid to the invert check last week has noticeably improved since yesterday and I once again have a moderately functioning left arm.  I am tempted to do a late check just to see what impact the recent good water may have had, but we are now languishing under a fair snowfall with more forecast overnight and through tomorrow.

The Tarn is playing host to a solitary cormorant and I have been trying without much success to persuade it to clear off and find a friend.  Whilst on the subject of wildlife PBA have arranged for a Masters student to carry out a study of the impact of otters on the ecology of Malham Tarn.  If time and funding permit I am hopeful that we will be able to take a look at otter sprains on the river also.  This will provide some info on diet and may give an indication of potential impact on fish populations.  We also have the promise of another student who will look at trout populations and may be able to extend the work to sample the river.  These two studies could give some valuable data to inform the actions we need to take to encourage trout recruitment so that we minimise any possible conflict between the interests of members and native predators.

Ian

It was a quiet week up to the weekend and then we had the first significant rain for some weeks.  This, by the application of Mr Murphy's well known law, coincided with my plans to do the monthly invert check.  This may not now get done as I seem to have managed to damage my left shoulder humping bags of proven and am currently typing one handed with my left arm in a sling.  Great!

The rather better news comes via the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust who are planning to submit an application for a substantial (over £2m) grant to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a programme of works in Ribblesdale.  Some of this money may fund projects around the river corridor.  I had a very fruitful meeting with the programme director last week in my capacity as Parish Clerk at Horton and it seems that a first level application for grant will be made in February which, if successful, will lead to a full application in June/July.  Assuming this all goes through we may see money being spent at the back end of next season.

Added to the work that RCCT are currently doing this funding should make a significant impact on improving the quality of habitat along the upper river and lead to increased salmonid recruitment. as I said last week.

Ian

I spent yesterday at the Malham Tarn Research Seminar.  This event is run every two years and brings together academics and amateur naturalists who are engaged in research projects loosely connected with the Tarn and its surrounding environment. 

We were treated to a series of well presented sessions that fired many thoughts about how our fishery is managed from an environmental and ecological perspective.  Much was learnt about the importance of reducing nutrient enrichment of shallow still water bodies and I had a very productive conversation over an excellent dinner with the UK's leading authority on shallow lakes.  This is likely to lead to some valuable research next year, not only on our Tarn, but also on the current state of the brown trout population of the upper Ribble.

One of the thoughts that's now exercising my small brain is what kind of environment are we trying to create when we carry out river corridor improvement works.  The fundamental questions must always be - why are we doing this and what are the anticipated long term consequences.  One of the things we learn yesterday is that the ecology of this landscape has changed significantly over past millennia and we need to have a clear vision of the sort of landscape we are creating as well as how the work will benefit riverine wildlife.  We can prevent grazing by livestock by fencing and just wait and see what grows or we can intervene to create something more quickly.  Intervention inevitably results in a man-made landscape. We need to ensure that this is as natural to its location as we can make it.  The trouble is we don't always know what "natural" should consist of or look like.

On a lighter note.  I was looking at the Tarn webcam last week when I spotted a large number of white objects floating on the water.  A quick visit revealed these to be ten whooper swans making a stop over.  I managed to get a few pictures that I will post up here later today.

Ian

This is a little late due to preparing for a marathon Parish Council meeting which took place last night and which banished all thoughts of the river, Tarn and MAA.

Just finished writing up the minutes and thought I would relax by reflecting on a very constructive MAA Council meeting on Saturday.  This was just as long as last nights effort, but rather more enjoyable.  Council agreed a Tarn stocking plan for next year that will see double he number of brown trout introduced at the start of the season.  It was also agreed to investigate whether it would be possible to do anything to encourage brown trout to breed in the outflow from the Tarn.  There is some evidence that a few fish are already managing to spawn beyond the duck wall so it may be possible to find a way to encourage more to do so.

There is much work currently being done by RCCT to improve habitat on the upper river with fencing work going on at Cam beck and plans for grip blocking above Gayle beck.  Some instream habitat improvement work is also being planned for the new year and further fencing will be done on Gayle beck below Thornes Gill.  This set us thinking about how we could complement the work of RCCT and it was concluded that a trust be set up to channel further money into works that will encourage an increase in trout recruitment on the fishery.  This trust will complement and partner with RCCT and help to take some of the stress off those who are presently making sterling efforts to tackle the problems of the Ribble from its source to the sea.

We are also to investigate the possibility of installing a river height meter at Horton linked to the members web site so that conditions can be understood before you make the long journey up to Horton.

The swans seem well settled on the Tarn now and I'm convinced that the two adults are our two old friends who disappeared last winter.

It's a glorious autumn day here with not a cloud in the sky and a sharp nip in the air.  The river is crystal clear revealing a couple of large brownies who have been feeding on late fly hatch by the big rock opposite the Crown.  They must know that the season has ended and feel no fear.

More next week

Ian

Its not been a bad week weather-wise and today we have wall to wall sunshine with barely a cloud visible in the valley or on the fell tops.

I set off yesterday to drive over to Clapham and part way down the lane came across a small flock of birds that I took to be young pheasant.  They panicked and flew over the wall towards the river so I had little more than a fleeting glimpse not wishing to follow them through the wall in the vehicle.

On my way up to the Tarn first thing this morning I once again came across this flock marching up the road.  Slowing to a crawl I herded them for some 2 hundred yards before they lost interest in the game and flew over the wall towards Fawber barn.  This time I got a rather better look at them and I'm puzzled as to what they are.  They are mid brown, about the size of a pheasant poult, have red legs and a white mark behind each eye.  They fly well keeping close to the ground and seem very keen to stay close to each other. 

A further surprise awaited at the Tarn.  For a few days now I have been watching on the webcam what I took to be a trio of Whooper swans on the Tarn.  Approaching the water this morning it was immediately obvious that these are mute swans, a male and female and a large cygnet.  As I walked out on the boardwalk all three came charging across towards me with the pen making grunting noises which is about as much as a mute can manage.  The adults are clearly older birds judging by the wear along the beak edge and their size.  I'm wondering if these two are our original residents who for some reason have bred away from the Tarn this summer.  They seem very relaxed and very much at home.  Far more than the pair that were resident this summer.

We have a club Council meeting here at Horton next Saturday to plan for next season so more on this next Sunday and I will update the website with any news.

Ian

The season has rather fizzled out with water too low for salmon now and few visits to the Tarn.  With the last day looming tomorrow it's time to shut up shop and plan for next season.

Hopefully we will get some dry weather early next year as we plan to paint the outside of the lodge ready for the the start of the new season, but the pundits are predicting another cold winter with a lot of snow so painting may have to wait until the timber dries in what will hopefully be a better summer than the one just gone.

It has been a while since we did any major habitat work on the fishery and I have been thinking about ways in which we could capitalise on the funding that the EA have available for Water Framework projects and have a few ideas starting to ferment.

As ever, the closed season will see a shift to a weekly blog unless there is major news to report so the next post will appear next Sunday with a review of the season.

Ian

For those of you with very deep pockets and an inclination to catch salmon news reaches me of an unmissable offer.  For a mere £850,000 (yes eight hundred and fifty thousand) you can be the proud owner of a week's fishing rights on for miles of the Tweed for 5 rods.  Admittedly the rights exist in perpetuity and can be sold on, but none the less this is a staggering amount of dosh to shell out for a few days annual fishing. 

The Tweed is now recognised to be one of the best Atlantic salmon rivers in Europe and arguably the best of all salmon rivers in the world.  Oh that the Ribble were in the same class.  Mind you, the best guess so far is that around 300 fish have made it to Horton so far this season so the chances of making a catch are not exactly remote.  With luck we will get some decent weather and water conditions after spawning so that a good redd count can be made and numbers more accurately assessed.

Water levels are too low now for a reasonable chance with salmon and we are not promised any appreciable rain later this week so it looks as though that's it for this season.

Ian

I've just completed the invert checks for this month at Turn Dub and New Inn.  No obvious problems as the results at Turn Dub are almost identical to the same period for the past three years.  New Inn showed a slight drop in overall numbers (but not families) compared to last year, but this could be due to many factors (weather, water levels etc).  What is noticeable when I look back over my notes for the four years I have been doing monthly checks here is the way the river substrate has changed.  It's now a lot more bouldery with less gravel and small cobbles.  This is making the kick sampling more of a challenge and is likely to alter the number of inverts that come into the net.

Why the substrate should be changing like this I have no firm idea.  We don't seem to be getting more frequent or more powerful spates and nothing has been done to the river that would alter the flow, but none the less the bed is markedly different just below New Inn bridge from how it was four years ago.

Maybe the very fact that I kick around the bed every month has had an effect although this seems most unlikely.  Thoughts would be welcome.

Ian

We had the first sharp frost of autumn here yesterday as we woke to a white world and ice on the garden pond.  Its put paid to my runner beans that have been cropping heavily since August and time will need to be spent in the garden at the weekend to clear the rest of the leaves that were brought down.

A little warmer today with less sun and a more noticeable westerly breeze that's rippling the surface of the Tarn.  A couple of members called by yesterday to report a good session on the Tarn despite the cold.  Fish were seen cruising just below the surface, not sipping fly just ambling about.  A cast to land a fly just ahead of these fish provoked a sharp take and a full quota was bagged in short order.

We are into the last week of this season now and beginning to plan for 2012.  Ideas are beginning to ferment about strengthening understanding of the river and the success of our wild brown trout in recruiting.  We know very little about the nature of the population in the upper Ribble, whether it's increasing, remains static or declining.  Data on this will be invaluable in helping to shape the way we manage the fishery and the ecology of the river generally and it may just be that we have found a way to obtain this and other data.

More on this during the winter.

Ian

I went down to Stockport yesterday with Sheila to pay respects to David whose funeral it was.  A very moving and uplifting service that celebrated the life of this remarkable man who taught me so much about this club (and much else) that he knew from childhood. From now on my idiot musings will go unchallenged by David's gentle corrections and I shall have to check my statements about club history with far greater care.

I had little idea just how varied David's interests were, each pursued with the same meticulous care and passion that he devoted to the club and its history.

The journey back to Horton was what can best be described as fluvial.  As we approached Clitheroe up the Ribble valley the weather took on a violent nature and dumped what seemed like the full content of the river on the road.  Wipers at full velocity made no impact on this deluge that contained a fair dollop of hail.  Arriving at Horton the weather surprisingly took a turn for the better. Normally one can guarantee that if it's drizzling in Settle it will be throwing a monsoon further up the valley.

Today has been a cracker with full sun, little breeze, but quite cold.  The river is well off its salmon best and likely to stay that way until the weekend.

Ian

there are some angling tales that you just know are true because, as they say, truth is always stranger than fiction.  Just such a tale was related to me yesterday evening when a member rang me to relate an experience that he and a colleague had just been party to at the Tarn.

As I said yesterday, the tarn was busy so members were dispersed at various points around the circumference and Fred found himself enjoying some success just beyond the lodge whilst Peter fished by the cross wall on the far side.  After a while signals were exchanged between the pair suggesting that they change places just to add some variety to the scenery.  On meeting as they crossed they contemplated their respective luck with Fred having landed a brace and Peter one.  Peter was rueful about a large fish that had broken him taking most of the leader and the booby tied at point for an excursion without the line or rod.

On commencing fishing from his new vantage point Fred was delighted to strike quickly to a fish that rose from the water to take aggressively.  On landing this glutton he was surprised to find that his hook was far down the fishes gullet.  But greater surprise was to follow when he noticed that his fly was actually attached to the lip and the leader he was holding was attached to nothing in particular apart from the fish.

Back home and with the fish gutted he became the proud possessor of Peter's booby and a few yards of mono filament.

This certainly seems to give the lie to the complaint that returned fish become hook shy.  This one, far from taking fright at being hooked had taken again a few minutes later.

It's gloriously sunny here just for a change, but rain is forecast over night so let's see how conditions are in the morning.

Ian

Its finally stopped raining and the forecast promises a bit of sun for tomorrow so fingers crossed.

The change to dryer conditions has had the same effect on fishermen as it does on mushrooms.  I went up to the Tarn this morning to show a contractor the work that needs doing to the lodge and you could barely move for assorted members.  I have rarely seen as many actively fishing at this time of year.

As I arrived a couple set off to try their luck for salmon down on the river.  I suspect that the water was too low, but we shall see.

A report of success has however reached me and just shows that you should never give up and always expect the unexpected where salmon are concerned.  Mike says:

Its been an absolutely foul few days here with almost constant heavy drizzle driven on by a strong north west wind.  It's not that the rain has been heavy in the sense of a downpour rather, its been like standing in the spray from a fine fire hose.  In a couple of minutes you are soaked to the skin no matter how well you wrap up.

By this morning the river was in good nick for salmon as the rain had pretty much given over and the water was just coming off the flood.  It was good to see at least one member trying his luck down near the pipe pool although since he hasn't emailed me on his return home I guess that his visit was fruitless.  With more rain forecast for Thursday there is still time for another try Neil.

Very sad news reached me on Saturday.  My long time regular correspondent died on Friday after a long and bravely born illness.  I shall miss the wonderful conversations that we have had over the past eight years, his frequent emails about all aspects of the pursuit of trout at Horton and his gentle remonstrations when I played fast and lose with the history of this venerable club in my jottings.  Rest easy David, the club is very much the poorer with your passing and I have lost an anchor.

Ian

Near perfect salmon conditions this morning with the river almost bank full and light rain still falling.  It's fairly warm with a very light north westerly breeze that shouldn't cause too many casting problems.

I was up at the Tarn a short while ago and as I waked down from the lane I could see three white birds bouncing on the water.  It is very misty with low cloud so these shapes were indistinct until I drew closer.  They resolved, not into the resident swans plus one, but Whoopers that took off honking as I reached the lodge.  Obviously I seemed to pose no threat for as I stood on the board walk they ceased circling and alighted back on the water.  I guess that these migrants must be on a stop over to a reserve further west or south.

Returning to the salmon issue it could well be worth a trip to Horton today for those members who are itching for a punt at salar.

Ian

Last night's Hot Pot supper was a great success even though there were fewer members and guests present than the last couple of years (which did see record attendances).  Once again Sandra and her team did us proud with a pie that everyone raved about and we all left the table with belts at least two notches loser than we arrived.  There was also great crack and more mixing between members and farmers both at the tables and in the bar after supper.

Its been a thoroughly miserable day here with a heavy mizzle that's no use to man nor beast falling since last evening.  The forecast is for more enthusiastic precipitation overnight and into tomorrow so we may see some good salmon conditions by late morning.  I know that at least one member is itching to have a go at our Ribble salmon so log on to the Settle weir webcam at first light to see what the river is doing and whether a trip[ to Horton may prove rewarding.

The lodge roof has now had its to coat and very smart it looks too in a green shade that will blend with the surrounding pasture.  I am arranging for the woodwork to be painted as soon as we get some settled dry weather and the contractor is free of other accumulated outdoor jobs.

Finally, it looks as though we may see some further bank side fencing work completed on the upper river thanks to the efforts of the RCCT.  The plan is to fence some sections along Cam beck upstream from Nanny Carr and along Gayle beck just below Thornes.  This will prevent livestock access to the beck margins and encourage vegetation to regenerate providing better habitat for both fish and riverfly.  More on this later and on Angli Vespers in the next day or so.

Ian

We were promised much rain today, but so far this has failed to materialise and the river is fairly low.

Some while ago I mentioned that there were plans to carry out a few habitat improvement works on the upper river.  These were subject to successful negotiation with landowners and it now looks as though some plans are reaching fruition and could lead to in-stream habitat work early next season. In preparation for this work a crayfish survey was conducted yesterday in Cam beck which to everyone's surprise turned up a number of very small native crayfish.  It's as yet unclear how these creatures got there so further thought is being given to the finding.  The best outcome could be that after over 10 years we are seeing the very beginning of natural recolonisation of the river and its upper tributaries. 

The creatures that were found are being closely monitored for signs of plague which should become evident in a matter of weeks.  If no plague becomes evident then there is every hope for the above scenario.

Ian

After a wonderful warm, sunny week its turned wet today with rain falling since first light although not sufficiently hard to bring the river to salmon fishing conditions - yet.

I was talking with our local EA fisheries officer last week and our thoughts turned to salmon on the Ribble.  The conclusion from observation is that there are plenty of fish in the estuary, but relatively few of these are finding their way above Settle.  It's not certain why this should be, but those of you who know Settle weir may have some theories.

I was up at the Tarn early this morning enjoying the quiet broken only by the soft munching of the resident cow herd that was grazing down by the lodge.  I stood on the concrete under the webcam looking down the Tarn watching a family of moor hen busy at breakfast.  Suddenly the lodge shook and a loud thumping disturbed the quiet.  Looking back round the corner of the lodge the cause was immediately apparent in the shape of a well grown bullock relieving an itch by rubbing violently against the wooden block that prevents the door from sliding off its runners.  When invited to desist it gave me an evil look and ambled off to join its mates.

Ian

That's another trouting season over and its been an odd one with a very dry spring, wet summer and a very warm and dry start to autumn.  A very large number of young brown trout were spotted during the season which hopefully will mature over the next couple of years to provide some more consistent success for those members who regularly trawl the river. 

There are definitely some big fish in the pools below Horton as evidenced by their fondness for salmon flies and there does seem to be some indication that natural fly life is increasing slightly to keep these adult fish well fed. 

It's still an ambition to get our native crayfish back into the river and efforts to secure funding to continue the project will be redoubled next year.  We are so close to success that it would be a waste of much effort and past money if the project were not to be taken to a conclusion.

So, it's just salmon (if we get some water) and the Tarn residents now until the end of October.  Then the fishery will slumber until March.

Ian

Well, it's the last day of the trout season tomorrow and with the river falling quickly in this glorious Indian summer the early morning may be the best chance of bagging a last minute brownie.

I was working in Settle all day yesterday so when lunch time came around we took the dogs for a swim down below Penny bridge.  What an inviting spot this is for a keen fisherman.  There was just enough water to wet a fly (and a couple of blond labs) and the trees on the far bank provided good shade and cover.

The swans seem to have taken a holiday away from the Tarn as they often do at this time of year.  I surprised a heron that was hunting frogs in the wildlife area and he (or she) seemed most put out by my close approach making a complete hash of a running take off.

My plan is to wander up river tomorrow from Turn Dub and re set all the loose tree stakes on the bank side planting as far as the new bridge.  They should then see out another winter.  Most of the tubes are now sporting growth out of the top so in a couple more years we may have the beginning of some decent cover on this long beat.

Ian

I went up to the Dub first thing this morning and found the river in near perfect condition for a kick sample.  This produced no real surprises.  The river has an abundance of fly life here and the pattern over the last five years has hardly varied although there is just a hint that the numbers of larvae at each sample are slowly increasing.  What was unusual this time was the large number of very small cased caddis that came to the net.  By small I mean really small no more than a couple of mil at most needing a glass to confirm that they really were cased caddis.  The cases were composed of minute grains of sand.

I'm no expert on the life cycle of caddis fly, but if these represent immature creatures that will grow on we should see a very good population of caddis at this site next season.

It's a glorious day here with the promise of even better weather tomorrow and Thursday.  The river is lowering, but still good for a final fling at the brownies.

Ian

I did the invert check at New Inn yesterday morning.  All is fine, in fact a look back over 5 years of records for this site shows a small, but perceptible increase in riverfly numbers.  I got a good few caddis on this check which is unusual for this site.  It's any ones guess why this should be, but a wet summer with plenty of well oxygenated water and fairly low temperatures may be one answer.

I went up to the Dub first thing this morning to do the check there more in hope than expectation.  My fears were well founded as I found the Dub overflowing with last nights deluge and the river far too high for safe wading.  With the summer arriving at long last this week I should get the check done tomorrow.

Members visiting the Tarn this week will notice a change to the lodge.  It has a new roof.  A very smart job it is too in glass fibre.  This is thanks to the generosity of Gavin and should see us all through to that happy fishing ground in the sky.

Ian

Following on from my comments yesterday about sparrow hawks, I was standing at the kitchen sink this morning contemplating the washing up when I spotted a magpie down on the wire that tops the dry stone wall enclosing the croft.  This seemed agitated and bounced up and down shrieking so I got the field glasses for a closer look to see what was exciting it.  Just as I raised the glasses to my eye a sparrow hawk swooped down and the magpie flew up to meet it and began a brief mid air skirmish before both landing back on the wire and engaging in a noisy stand off.  I had no idea that these birds would fight and had assumed that they normally ignored each others presence.  I've no idea what the battle was about, there was no evidence of any kill when I went to look later.

We may be in for a late summer this week with much sun and some unseasonal warmth.  I'm not counting chickens yet especially after the dismal summer that we just endured.

Off early tomorrow to do the September invert check at New Inn so more on this tomorrow.


Ian

Its not been a bad day for once, in fact we had some pleasant sunshine late this afternoon and with barely a breath of wind it felt quite warm.  Just right for a member who travelled up from the south with a guest for a weekend's sport on the Tarn and river.

Conditions may hold up quite well for the last few days of the trouting season as damper conditions are forecast for tomorrow and Sunday with brighter weather at the start of the working week.

I was standing in my breakfast room yesterday morning watching the sparrows busy feeding and fighting round the nut feeders when a shadow shot across the window followed by what looked like a heap of buff feathers.  This heap resolved into a sparrow hawk which hauled itself off the back lawn where it had crash landed and sat looking sheepish on the dry stone wall at the back of the house.  By this time the flock of sparrows had long gone so it shook itself and took off westwards towards Ingleborough.  It's the closest view I have yet had of this rather handsome raptor and I guess a rather too close view for my resident sparrows.

The sky seems empty now without the swallows which have now all departed.  So far I have had no sight or sound of that soundtrack to autumn , the curlew.  It can't be long now before that bubbling, rather lonesome call is heard over Horton as the leaves are now falling fast from the giant sycamore in the lower garden and I'm busy with the lawnmower picking them up.

Ian

Its been a dry day for a change and a chance to play catch up with a number of jobs delayed because of the persistent rain that's fallen here for days.  As a result I haven't visited the Tarn today so fired up the web cam for a look this evening just as the cloud over Ingleborough broke up to let through shafts of red gold light.  The picture was stunning.  The water every shade on the palette, from purple through to silver with a golden haze blurring the fells in the distance.  Not a ripple disturbed the surface and the resident trout were keeping their heads down.

The river is well off good salmon conditions now and unlikely to improve over the next few days as we seem set for a spell of dry and bright weather for a change.  I am aiming to get done the invert check for this month on Thursday so that might well put the kibosh on the weather.

Panorama was thought provoking last evening as it dealt with the chronic shortage of water in those little counties down south.  The impact of water abstraction is having a severely detrimental impact on the chalk streams by reducing flow and allowing silt to build up.  Time for a spot of joined up thinking.  It's imperative that planning guidance ensures that all development proposals are assessed against strict water usage criteria as well as other infrastructure and service requirements.  We can't keep throwing up houses without clear water supply and management plans otherwise we will lose our unique chalk streams.  I'm surprised that the ancient and revered angling clubs on the Test, Kennet and Avon are not manning the barricades. Perhaps they are, but the media as well as our political masters are ignoring them.

Ian

The quest for elusive salmon continues with at least one member making the trip to the river over the weekend.  His experience can best be described in his own words: