It seems that spring may be just round the corner now with plenty of signs of new life just beginning to show.  In the pastures below Horton early lambs are frisking in the occasional glimpses of sunlight and buds are showing on twig and branch.  Up at the Tarn we have a large flock of oyster catchers whose piping call provides a welcome on my daily visits to the hut.  A curlew has taken up residence on the hill behind the Tarn bringing back the true voice of the Dales after the long cold winter.  It's hardly spring weather this morning.  We had a wild wet night and although the wind is decreasing it's still very wet with an icy feel on the blustery north west wind.

It's been a busy few days for the club. The AGM seemed to go well although the number of members attending was well down on recent years.  Revised rules of the club were adopted with no dissent, reports were read, council was elected and Mike H is President for the year.  We finished business with an excellent buffet supper and a chance for a chat and catch up on activities over the closed season.

Yesterday 9 members gathered at the Tarn and spent a long morning removing junk from the hut and boathouse, carting it up to a trailer at the roadside and generally clearing the decks for next Sunday's start to the season.  The boat has been re-varnished (thanks Brian) and at long last we have managed to dismantle the old bent metal stile at the top of the hill.  This has also been carted away and the area looks all the better for its absence.  The refurbishment work was generally approved and with luck this will be finished by next weekend.  I just have some finishing touches to do generally and the bench to upholster and that's pretty much it.  We finished off with bacon butties all round departing rather greasier than we arrived.

From next week I will gradually wind up to a daily report giving an indication of weather and fishing conditions.  For those planning an early season foray to the Tarn please be aware that I shan't be stocking until 21 March.  This is deliberate to see what sort of returns are produced by over wintering fish.  I know tat they are in there as I have seen plenty of rises and with no appreciable cormorant presence so far this year existing stock levels may be reasonable.

Ian