I did the riverfly check at Turn Dub yesterday and found good representations of all the families included in the monitoring scheme.  Most abundant was baetis with heptagenia a close second.  There were a good number of stoneflies in the sample and just a few gammarus, but this is not an ideal gammarus spot as there is too little detritus present in the river to tempt them.

Once again I found a fair number of sulphur yellow baetis nymphs which I must try to identify.  Two bullhead completed the haul from this site both quite large specimens.

Keeping with things watery, Edward M dropped by yesterday in foul weather on his way to fish the Tarn for the first time this season.  He happened to bring with him a portable water sampling kit complete with data logger.  On his return he reported three good fish caught and sampling results that show just how good the water quality at the Tarn is at present.  The oxygen reading shows super saturation at 110% so our fish will not struggle to breath and decomposition at the bed must be minimal.  The conductivity reading was very low showing that there is little nutrient in the water in the form of phosphates or nitrates.  Again this is good news as algae growth depends on nutrient being present.  pH was 8.2 which tallies well with my own observations and is well within the parameters required by trout for a healthy existence.  Finally, temperature came in at 7.2 again ideal trout conditions.  The plan is to monitor now on a regular basis using this kit so that we can pick up any significant changes and respond to them accordingly.  For example, a low oxygen saturation reading would signify problems for fish breathing and can be countered by mixing the various horizons within in water column so preventing mortality by asphyxiation.  All good stuff.

We had a lot of rain (and wind) in the night so the river is in better water than of late. It's a slightly better day so far with a hint of brightness, but fairly heavy cloud and a pretty stiff west wind.  The forecast is for unsettled conditions over the next few days.

Ian