You know, I've come to the conclusion that September is one of my favourite months in the valley.  These cool misty mornings of bright sun seem to lift the spirits.  There is a sense of urgency in the air and along the river bank as wildlife prepares for the privations of winter.  Some of course will be leaving soon for warmer latitudes and the swallows are now flocking, their numbers swelled by a good breeding season in the hot summer weather, ready for their long flight down the length of Africa.  We look forward to their return next year.

The fish in the river seem to sense that the colder water and increased flow heralds the onset of much sterner weather.  The salmon are single minded in their determination to breed but it will be a couple of months yet before the same instinct begins to stir the blood of our native trout.  They are busy feeding, building reserves that will see them through the lean months and help their recovery after the exertions of spawning in December.

I was working my way through the hefty tome that is the the Saturday Telegraph when in the Weekend section on the Country pages I came across the first of two edited extracts from a new book on fishing by Chris Yates.  This has to be one of the finest pieces of writing on fishing I have read for a long time.  Its conversational style is reminiscent of Ransome at his best and draws you in to a world where you can almost smell the river and feel the texture of mud and rock under your feet.  This first extract is on course fishing, but no matter it's truly captivating.  Here is a book that all fishermen should put on their Christmas list and I confidently predict that flies will remain undressed, lines unwetted and rods stay in their cases until the last page has been turned.

Buy it,or better still, get someone to buy it for you.  How To Fish by Chris Yates (Hamish Hamilton £14.99) published on September 28th.

You can even order a copy at a special price of £12.99 by ringing Telegraph Books on 0870 428 4112.

Finally, as I've chuntered on long enough this morning, there was a piece on the 7am news this morning about the results of a nationwide otter survey.  This has concluded that otter numbers are recovering strongly in most parts of the country.  Good news indeed as it suggests that our rivers are sufficiently healthy to sustain such a large predator.  There should be enough fish in our rivers to satisfy both the otter, our fishermen and other native residents and the challenge for fishery managers is to see that all is done to  ensure that river habitats are conserved and enhanced where necessary.  It seems that the return of the otter is benefiting another endangered bankside resident.  The water vole seems to be flourishing where otters are present and the conclusion is that the presence of otters discourages that pest of our waterways the mink which is the voles worst enemy.

Tight lines

Ian