Some while ago I was contacted by the fisheries scientist recruited by the Ribble Catchment Conservation Trust and asked if the MAA would be interested in participating in the electrofishing survey of the Ribble that the Trust were planning.  My response after consultation was yes.  We have done very little survey work up here at the top end of the river to establish population levels for our wild brown trout other than a netting exercise a few years ago which gave some encouraging results.

All has been quiet since that early contact, but yesterday I had another phone call from Jack and it looks as though the survey may now take place here over the next couple of weeks.  Of course, the weather will determine if we actually get into the river since we need water no more than six inches above the norm and that's been fairly rare this summer.  If the survey does get done it should give us some information about the way in which our trout are recruiting and if there are any appreciable numbers of sea trout present.  This will be the last opportunity we have to get this data this year as within a few weeks the salmon will be spawning in numbers and should not be disturbed.

I will report back on our findings.

It just shows how wet it's been here.  Last evening I was getting ready to go out and wandered into the utility room to find a very large sedge gasping its last in the sink.  We are about 200 yards from the river so this fly had travelled a fair distance looking for either a mate or somewhere to lay eggs.  The sink was not an ideal choice.

It's clearing now after a wet night and the forecast is for a dry day with a light breeze so conditions on river and Tarn should be fairly good.  Yesterday got very windy which kept the Tarn fish down and caused a few blanks for members.  Better luck today, but the sadness is that one regular Thursday fisher will not be here to enjoy it.  Things will not be quite the same again.

On a brighter note, I have put up in the hut a literary contribution from a member which for me captures the pure essence of fishing this magical place.  The Club's roots are dug deep in a literary heritage and it would be good to see some more literary contemplations. that could be shared with members.  I pass the thought on.

Ian