I've just concluded a meeting with The RFCA and ACA about the impact of the proposed forestry activity at Greenfield on the Ribble catchment.  This was a useful discussion and I am hopeful that the parties involved will now be prevailed upon to take the potential risk to the rivers Ribble and Wharfe much more seriously than they have done up to now.  Fortunately we have begun to gather some valuable data about the current state of the river which will provide a baseline against which to monitor changes as felling and replanting commence.  The really daft thing about this plan is that the forest managers do not need to submit an environmental impact assessment as they intend to replant the forest.  This means that there is no way of assessing the potential risk to the catchments of either Ribble or Wharfe from acidification or other forest based pollution.  Both the RFCA and ACA intend contacting all those involved with the forest scheme to register their interest and to demand that they be included in any consultation about the felling operations and access route planning.  It will be made clear that should there be any detectable deterioration in the rivers which impacts adversely on fishing interests then those responsible will be pursued through the courts using common law. A good outcome.

The river is currently in spate after the heavy rain that we had here throughout most of yesterday so fishing on the river should be good next week as the levels drop and the colour falls out.  Stewart would have us believe that a bit of colour is vital for good trout fishing where the fish are wild and flighty so large bright flies may be the order of the day next week.

The weather prevented me from sampling invertebrates at Turn Dub yesterday so I now plan to do this on Monday when the water is a little safer for wading.  If the results from New Inn are any indicator then the sample may well throw up some nice surprises. Fingers crossed.

Ian