Apropos my comments the other day about young brown trout in the Tarn it seems that it's just possible that some low level breeding may take place from time to time.  In the past fish have been observed trying to spawn in the gravel down by the duck wall and since there is often a flow over this gravel as overspill water leaves the Tarn on its way down towards the bog near Turn Dub from time to time there may be enough oxygen, sufficient flow and the right temperature to enable ova to hatch.  Maybe the wet summer and cold wet winter provided unique conditions and the few residual brownies which we know to be large and fertile found a once in a lifetime opportunity to breed.

The river also is capable of throwing up surprises.  There are kingfishers resident at a number of places below Horton, but yesterday a youngster turned up right outside the Crown.  Those of you who know the river well will be familiar with the large rock that lies just to the lane side of the water just below where the bank side wall finishes.  Yesterday the Hon Sec brought his brother up to Horton to photograph wildlife.  Whist waiting for our esteemed scribe to arrive the intrepid photographer concealed himself just down stream from New Inn bridge and got a superb shot of a young kingfisher sat perkily on this boulder within a few feet of the lane.  It was raining hard at the time so the shot taken with a high power lens is rather atmospheric. 

The rain persisted for most of yesterday and the weather now is best described as dreich so fishing conditions for the remainder of the week should be quite good on the river provided that the breeze does not strengthen.

By the way, I have in my possession a blue fleece top that was found between the Tarn and the lower parking place.  If anyone is missing this item you are welcome to collect it.
Ian