Rain in the night and the prospect of a wet day today and again tomorrow will lift the river beyond levels we have had for some weeks and give conditions that should be favourable to fishing the entire length by next weekend.  With luck the accumulated algae will wash away leaving a much cleaner water for the next invertebrate check due around 20 May.  This will be the main 6 month check at four sites and new members of the riverfly group are always welcome.  It's a good way to learn more about the creatures that form the main food source for our wild trout and to gain a better understanding of their distribution and habits.

Of course, this damp weather has affected the crayfish restoration project at Ling Gill since the recent high water levels have made it almost impossible to draw down the new pools to check for crayfish.  Dryer conditions at the end of the week should hopefully enable this task to be done, but n the meantime work has concentrated on returning the site to its former pristine condition by removing all the construction equipment and materials and generally tidying and cleaning up.

Ever heard of a palomino trout?  No, neither had I until a conversation with Ian W last week at the Tarn.  This "ghost" trout looks like nothing you have ever seen before.  An apparition that would give you the heebi jeebies if you spotted it whist fishing alone late one evening.  Members can find more about this on the new web site.

Ian