I hope that you are not getting too bored with the recent historical theme to this blog, but the gestation of the MAA and the characters that have frequented these waters over the past 130 years fascinates me.  My particular interest is with my illustrious predecessor, Nat Hunt.  As many of you will know Nat was keeper here for over 40 years taking on responsibility for the fishery from Robert Walker towards the end of the 19th century.  It was Nat who oversaw the building of the hatchery in Jackie Pasture on Brants Ghyll and it was he who ran it until Walter Pollard became keeper in the late 1930's.  I have only ever seen one photo of Nat, the one in Anglers' Evenings so imagine my surprise and delight when I downloaded mail messages last evening to find two pictures sent to me by a correspondent both of which include Nat and are from almost the beginning and end of his reign.

The picture here is an important one as it shows members of the Association gathered at the hatchery on the occasion of its opening on 28 September 1907.  Nat is on the far left.  Who are the others?




I am very grateful to you John for this brilliant photo.

Yet again it's a damp start to the day with a wet week in prospect.  So with river levels already high it's unlikely that the water will drop and clear much before the weekend.

Ian