We had a busy, but fruitful morning on the fishery.  About six of us gathered in the hut at 9.30 to consider a range of issues affecting the future state of the fishery and the quality of fishing available to members.  After some debate quite a few actions were agreed and plans made to carry these out.

Firstly the stiles at the Tarn need replacing and this will be attended to over the early summer.  The plan is to make any replacements easier to use for ageing muscles, but the exact nature of the replacements will be decided after consultation with the landowner.

Stiles lower down the river will be repaired and new stiles erected close to Studfold where bank erosion has made access difficult.  Again the timing of this work and the exact location of the stiles will depend on landowners wishes.

The remaining fencing wire in the river at Studfold will be removed as water conditions permit. 

Perhaps most significant of all is a plan to carry out some water herbage planting trials using native stock from the feeder beck at Turn Dub.  The purpose is to increase cover available to wild trout on selected beats so that they are less inclined to take fright when approached from the bank.  Evidence suggests that there is no shortage of fish in the river, but locating them and casting to them is made very difficult because they are easily spooked, find little mid stream cover and are inclined to take off upstream at the least disturbance frightening every other fish on the beat. 

We looked at overhanging trees at Parker's Wood and identified some branches that need pruning to enable casting to some choice water

There is plenty of work to keep us occupied over the summer and members are always welcome to volunteer to help.  Just contact the keeper via the link on Angli Vespers.

During our discourse the latest Tarn stock arrived.  Once again these look stunning fish. All are well finned with full tails and seemed feisty and full of fight.  They are around 2lb with some larger fish and a fair number of blue trout went in to complement the rainbows.

Weatherwise it's been another blustery day with some heavy showers and a little sunshine late this afternoon.  The forecast gives an improving situation for next week so with good water in the river fishing prospects are better than they have been for some considerable time.

Ian