We had a lot of rain again in the night to add to the torrent that fell yesterday so it's pretty soggy here at Horton this morning.  However, it has stopped now, the clouds are lifting, the wind has dropped and we have a falling river so by afternoon conditions should be quite good.

My planned trip to St He lens tomorrow has been postponed so there will be an update in the morning.

The reference yesterday to my meeting with Rob from Burns all prompted an email from David M who reminded me about the collaboration that existed between the MAIA and The Burns all club at the beginning of the last century.  On at least one occasion eyed ova were exchanged between the clubs respective hatcheries to mix the blood lines and try to improve stock quality.  So there may yet be Wharf genes in our wild trout and Rubble genes in the fish on the Wharf.  I sent a copy of David's email to Rob and he tells me that there are a number of references to the MAIA in their club archive, copies of which he will arrange to get sent to me.  It will be interesting to see the other side of the correspondence and what Burns all thought of their Rubble ova.

I plan to stop off at Stain forth later today to see if the salmon are moving up the Foss.  This is always an absorbing way of spending time and it still amazes me quite how these big fish manage to breast the flood and surmount what seems to be an impassable barrier.  The sheer persistence and determination displayed is a salutary lesson and shows how, with single minded determination, insurmountable barriers can be overcome. 

Ian