I was out all day yesterday at various meetings concerned with activities in the village and only managed to catch up with emails this morning.  My in box brought two messages from members which sent my emotions in totally different directions.  The first, from a fairly new member, recounts a lack of success on the river which combined with the ever increasing cost of fuel leads him to the conclusion that he would be best seeking fishing nearer to home.  This saddened me as my aim has always been to try to ensure that members always enjoy their experience on the river and leave feeling fulfilled.  This river can often present a challenge and I must apply my mind to further ways in which we can help new members to develop the skills needed to meet those challenges.

The second was more uplifting and came from a long standing member who I know also finds the river and its trout a little shy.  Here is Andrew's message:

Just for interest
Last Tuesday morning , Quin and I were fishing at Parker's Pool in wet and high swirling water conditions.- much to our surprise I caught a fish  (not something for which we are renowned ) 
Now it must be about 2years ago that I actually retained a trout from the river for the pot, as both Quin and I have both been returning the few that we have been fortunate to catch. So this was an exception.

The fish was some 14inches long and weighed 1lb 5oz.
Whilst gutting the fish I accidentally cut its stomach -hardly surprising as its belly was absolutely distended with food ,including a big Moth  (see photo).  With its`belly so full I could not help but wonder why it even bothered with my montana nymph.
 
The third photo shows  a sample of the stomach contents of a 2lb 4oz Rainbow taken from the Tarn in the afternoon-- its` gut was full of what to me look like little snails--nothing else but snails. What a silly error of judgement it made when it took my black tadpole.

At times there seems to be no logic to fishing.



I think that Andrew's final sentence sums it all up neatly!

Ian