I have back ache today.  We did the draw down up at Ling Ghyll yesterday to check on the crayfish that have been washed into the system in the 7 weeks since the last draw down.  Lugging pumps and rigid pipework around does play havoc with this ageing frame of mine as does a day spent bent double picking angry crayfish from beneath rocks and within crevices.  The great news is that the system is working perfectly.  We have had some very high water levels this summer and our expectation was that we would find significant numbers of white claws in each of the three ponds.  The upper pond is the largest and gave up a population of 310 animals all healthy specimens and a good range of sized indicating robust recruitment.  Pond two contained 80 and in the lower pond we found 20.  By extrapolation this would suggest that a mere 5 creatures have washed through the system in 7 weeks and dispersed into Ling Ghyll.  This is likely to be too few to sustain the presence of plague so the system is doing its job.

The site will now be made dormant for the winter, the big pump removed and nature left to her own devices until next spring.  If we have a decent summer next year then there is every chance that the Ribble will be free of plague by next autumn and thoughts can turn to restocking with creatures from captive breeding programme.

It really was delightful working in the warm sunshine up at the Ghyll.  We now have the a routine going which is to set up the pumps, start the stove going, put on the bacon and kettle by the time that the pumps have cleared the top pond breakfast is ready.  There is something about the smell of bacon cooking and coffee brewing in the open air that  creates an immense sense of primordial bliss that not even the invasive roar of a big diesel pump and the clatter of its  3" petrol cousin can mar. 

The river is now well past its best after this mini drought.  There is still good water on the pools, but the runs and riffles are looking rather sad.  The forecast is for a fairly dry week so  we may have a rather damp squib end to the trout season if that's not a mixed metaphor too far.

If any member is stuck for accommodation on the night of the hot pot let me know as I may be able to suggest some local B&B's.

Ian